The Jury Is Still Out

In an amazing display of either nonchalance or arrogance---or both---- at least one township council member has declared that because of other duties, he may not have a chance to preview the once again revised tree ordinance.


Ever pressing forward the pressing need to adopt a tree ordinance, Paul Tractenberg, the attorney who leads the advocacy group We Care, wrote a memo to the West Orange Township Council on May 1 reminding them of their commitment to provide a first reading on May 20 for the new ordinance.


The ordinance, crafted by Professor Tractenberg and other environmental volunteers, is tailored to West Orange and was modelled off successful ordinances in other municipalities. As a key point of his memo, Professor Tractenberg offered to address the revision once again and make it available to council members seven days in advance of the May 20 council meeting.


Keeping in mind that this ordinance has been "filibustered" by the council for nine months, the response to the memo by councilman John Skarbnik is nothing short of stunning. In his response to Tractenberg, Skarbnik writes:


" On a different note, as you can appreciate, this is the end of the semester and I have exams to write, and grade, in addition to a number of work related demands. My last Exam is be given on May 15th. So I do not know whether I will have adequate time before then to review the revised draft and provide my comments."


So nine months is not sufficient time to craft a viable ordinance?

And seven days is not sufficient time to review an ordinance already presented several times with little variation?

Is it any wonder that apathy exists among voters disgusted with the legislative process?

Let us hope good reason and duty to protecting the township prevails in these next 14 days. Until then, the jury is out as to who this council is and what their real agenda may be.