A job well-done, fellow citizens of Old Bridge

I want to personally thank all those concerned citizens from Whispering Pines who fought in opposition to the planned expansion of more unneeded townhouses and retail stores in our area. By the look on the faces of the members of the Old Bridge Zoning Board of Adjustment, you made a difference and probably saved this group from voting to build on the entire lot.

Thanks to your organized efforts, only a solitary office building on Route 516 and just 11,840 square feet will now be used for new construction. This will still increase traffic on that major artery, but thanks to those who came out that night, it will not be nearly as bad as it could have been.

This outstanding effort by these individuals goes a long way to show how powerful the people of this community can be when they get organized. As you know, with the latest administration, construction has increased immensely, and it won't be long until new developers working in conjunction with local government officials look in your direction in order to make a quick buck. We all need to stay vigilant in order to stop these proposed expansion programs that never take into account how they negatively affect our community and our way of life.

I sincerely hope that we will all continue being the watchdogs of our Township Council and local Planning Board. In fact, I encourage you all to go to your local council meeting to see what is being planned, many times without our knowledge or input. If you can't make the meetings, you can watch them (if you have cable) on channel 14, usually on Monday nights. If you really want to see your council members in action, tune in and watch "the show." In the end, the more you learn about how your local government operates, the more informed you will be on Election Day.

Speaking of Election Day, it might interest you to know that the citizens of Old Bridge will be voting on three council-at-large seats as well as a mayor (for the next four years) in the township. If you, as concerned vigilant citizens, don't like what is going on in your community, you literally have the power to change the outcome and direction of this town overnight. It also puts those who are up for election this year on notice for the next 10 months that you are watching out for what is best for your community.

Pete Trabucco

Old Bridge