Vernon Township Pump track needs your help !!

mtbiker87

mtbiker87

Well-Known Member
The good news: The town council approved the plan for the new, paved pump track right off RT 94 minutes away from Mt Creek, and recently started construction.
The BAD news: Due to the recent election of two new council members, and a small, but vocal group of opposing voices, it's completion could be in danger.

This Monday November 22, at 7pm, there will be an open Zoom meeting ( https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82320621397) where those who support the project will be given the opportunity to have their voice heard. The more positive voices we can get the better, to be able to keep this project on track. It's a busy time of year for many folks, and 7pm on a Monday can be a tough time to be available, so if can't attend the meeting, you can , instead, send an email to the town clerk ( townclerk@vernontwp. ) mentioning your name, age, where you are from, and why you think the track will benefit you, or others. The input of any JORBA reps, or people who have been a part of making projects like this happen in other towns, or even other states, would certainly carry a bit of extra weight here, so if you can share your experiences in a short email to our town we'd certainly be extremely grateful. The more pumptracks, and projects like this that get built, the stronger our cycling community is overall, not just in my hometown, but in this state, and those around it as well. I don't think I have to sell the concept of pumptracks, and their awesomeness to anyone on this forum, so I won't. But I will thank you in advance for any support you can take the time to lend to this project.
 
What are the arguments against it? Also, if already approved and the money allocated, how do two new members of the council are going to stop it? Again, knowing what is their grudge with the pump track would help determine the best course of action (i.e. if the argument is that it would attract too much traffic from out of town it may not be a good idea having people from South Jersey asking to open it so they can come visit). Thanks for bringing this to everybody’s attention.
 
The real problem isn't really the track itself, but rather a political vandetta against the current town administration. The opposition rallys against anything they try to do , regardless if it's better for the town or not. These are the sort of folks that would rather break the contract with firm doing the work and cost the town even more money in the long run, than to allow the current mayor and remaining council people to complete a successful project.
 
Thanks to anyone and everyone who supported the cause !! There were so many emails(50+), and they read ever single one during the meeting, so every voice was heard. The supporters were professional, respectful and positive. The naysayers were few,loud, rude, and disruptive, to the point that one "gentleman" was almost escorted from the meeting. The Mayor and council were impressed by the amount of interest and support, and vowed to not be bullied into halting the project.So thanks again !!
 
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Special shout out to two local shops.... Jason from Sussex Bike and Sport and the dude ( sorry man, forgot your name ) from Ride Bike Shop in Andover. Both took full advantage of limited time given to each speaker to make great points. Support these guys ...cause they support us !
 
mtbiker87 said:
The good news: The town council approved the plan for the new, paved pump track right off RT 94 minutes away from Mt Creek, and recently started construction.
The BAD news: Due to the recent election of two new council members, and a small, but vocal group of opposing voices, it's completion could be in danger.

This Monday November 22, at 7pm, there will be an open Zoom meeting ( https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82320621397) where those who support the project will be given the opportunity to have their voice heard. The more positive voices we can get the better, to be able to keep this project on track. It's a busy time of year for many folks, and 7pm on a Monday can be a tough time to be available, so if can't attend the meeting, you can , instead, send an email to the town clerk ( townclerk@vernontwp. ) mentioning your name, age, where you are from, and why you think the track will benefit you, or others. The input of any JORBA reps, or people who have been a part of making projects like this happen in other towns, or even other states, would certainly carry a bit of extra weight here, so if you can share your experiences in a short email to our town we'd certainly be extremely grateful. The more pumptracks, and projects like this that get built, the stronger our cycling community is overall, not just in my hometown, but in this state, and those around it as well. I don't think I have to sell the concept of pumptracks, and their awesomeness to anyone on this forum, so I won't. But I will thank you in advance for any support you can take the time to lend to this project.
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Thank you for pushing this and gathering support. Great job!
 
Hey all, thanks for the support. Yes, it goes deeper than just a few people opposing it. The pump track is just the icing on the cake regarding the whole issue of the budget and full project.

The track is already laid out and looks so good; quite happy with the design... was nervous it would not be as fun as Port.
 
DownhillR3 said:
Hey all, thanks for the support. Yes, it goes deeper than just a few people opposing it. The pump track is just the icing on the cake regarding the whole issue of the budget and full project.
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I'm not following all that closely. What is the "full project"?
 
ebarker9 said:
I'm not following all that closely. What is the "full project"?
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They are building a handicapped approved walking path from the pumptrack to the municipal building, senior center, and PAL building, with a master plan of trying to eventually connect to another park in town. It's honestly a really good plan overall in my opinion. There is also long standing bad blood both politically and personally between a few specific member of the opposition and the current administration, as well as at least one disgruntled land owner who was fined ( rightfully so ) for running an illegal landfill/dump on his property for years. Town got DEP involved and shut his ass down, and possible jail time as well. The pumptrack became a perfect way for these folks to poke back. Typical small town political BS at it's finest ! Luckily for those of us that just want to ride our bikes and enjoy life, they are sticking to the plan.
 
mtbiker87 said:
They are building a handicapped approved walking path from the pumptrack to the municipal building, senior center, and PAL building, with a master plan of trying to eventually connect to another park in town. It's honestly a really good plan overall in my opinion. There is also long standing bad blood both politically and personally between a few specific member of the opposition and the current administration, as well as at least one disgruntled land owner who was fined ( rightfully so ) for running an illegal landfill/dump on his property for years. Town got DEP involved and shut his ass down, and possible jail time as well. The pumptrack became a perfect way for these folks to poke back. Typical small town political BS at it's finest ! Luckily for those of us that just want to ride our bikes and enjoy life, they are sticking to the plan.
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That sounds like the Greenway project
 
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