Reader Lauds School Board, Critical of Council

Last night, at the Oct. 6 school board meeting, our Budd Lake neighborhood achieved a tenuous victory in keeping our local beach public. On Aug. 14, the Harrison City Council decided to give the beach on Saginaw and Hillcrest back to the school district. This put the school district in the difficult situation of having to sell or keep the property.

On the weekend of Sept. 1, realty signs were posted on the property. A shocking way to inform the community about the transfer and sale of their neighborhood beach.

The short-sightedness of Harrison’s City Council became the neighborhood’s strength. We banded together, distributing and posting flyers and talking to each other. This could have happened at a City Council meeting had we been given a chance to voice our concerns and brainstorm possible solutions. Instead, we had to act fast and face the fact that we might lose this wonderful resource that has been in our community for generations.

Our hope now is that the buyer of the property, who stated they intend to keep the property public, keep their end of the deal. However, they are not bound by law.

Shame on Harrison’s City Council! So much of this could have been avoided if you called a public hearing and let us help. A community of like-minded caring people is a resource that should not be overlooked or over-run. Thank you to the school district members who listened to us with respect and acknowledged the value and importance of community.

Vikki Paulus

Harrison