My comments for tonight:
Back in February 2016, this body approved the Watchung Master Trail Plan that included MTB access. The vote was Unanimous, meaning each and every one of you recognized the clear benefit to Watchung and Union County of MTB.
What has changed since then? Has MTB become somehow less safe? NO
Have any potential environmental issues changes? NO
Has the benefit of encouraging healthy outdoor activity changed? NO
So what has changed?
A small group who opposed MTB in any shape, any place, any time, and At All Cost, has used misrepresentation, half-truths, and straight up lies to fear monger and demonize MTB and MTB riders. They would have you believe that allowing MTB at Watchung will result in an “environmental catastrophe,” that there will be countless “catastrophic injuries,” that there will be “huge verdicts” against the County, leaving it in financial ruin.
Of course, each and every one of you recognized in February 2016, when you all voted in favor of MTB access, and again the past Fall when the revised MTB trail plan was approved, that these outrageous claims were false, and that MTB will benefit Watchung, and, more importantly, Union County Residents.
In other words, nothing has changed. MTB will still benefit the County and its residents, by
· Encouraging healthy lifestyles
· Providing access to the outdoors for more residents, including those without a park outside their door, like underprivileged kids
· Improving home values and quality of life
· And, MTB will benefit the Reservation itself, with the introduction of a passionate, dedicated, and responsible user group, committed to the creation and maintenance of sustainable trails and shared trail etiquette.
And let’s take a minute to talk about that user group, the Union County MTB community. We are not a mountain dew commercial. We are not the dare devil law breakers that the “Never MTB” crowd wants frighten you into seeing. Instead, we are 40 something dads and attorneys, we are mothers and grandmothers, and we are a 12 year old young lady from Berkeley Heights who just won the first ever MTB interscholastic race in NJ!!! In other words, the Union County MTB community are as diverse as the County itself, with one common thread: we all love MTB, and we all love Watchung reservation.
In closing, I urge you to ignore the fear, and falsehoods. Instead look at the facts, and ask yourselves, what is the best thing to do for Watchung, and Union County residents. The answer today is the same as February 2016. Vote No on this resolution, and keep MTB at Watchung.