Based on the results from the Orange Township community recreation center
survey (itself a $55,000 cost to the taxpayers), 1/6 of the 1,500 households
surveyed favored having health club memberships subsidized by their neighbors
(the study reports only 46% of the 559 survey respondents favored a rec
center).
One of those seeking a handout, former township trustee Mark Robertson,
said $96 a year for the bond issue is not too costly to homeowners. Maybe not to
him, since he will be getting the benefit. But for those not planning to use the
facility (the majority of the township), a $96 transfer from their wallets to
Robertson's personal recreation fund is costly indeed.
Of course, Robertson could seek his handout directly by knocking on doors near his
home, but such an approach would expose his aim. It is always much cleaner -- more
sophisticated -- to have an issue placed on the ballot. That way he, and those
also seeking a benefit at the expense of others, can position their gain as some
sort of public good.
Sincerely,
Jim Fedako
