Summer 2004 Edition

New Playground   After reading in Fair Lawn News about the new playground at a Fair Lawn Avenue synagogue, Kerry Rempel was excited to take her kids.   $71,463 in public funds had been used to purchase and install the playground equipment.  Kerry said "it is one of the best playgrounds in the area, a lot of cool things and a merry-go-round that can hold ten kids and spin around."  But when she took her kids to the playground, she was told "it is private property and that we really shouldn't be there."  Since public funds were used to pay for the playground, Kerry figured that meant any county resident could use it.  County Executive Dennis McNerney had said "It will be a fantastic space where children can continue their playtime and make it their own."  After posting a message about it on Fair Lawn's Online Discussion Space, Kerry found many others who shared her confusion about the rarely used playground.  Jo Sacchinelli asked "Wait a second. I am not understanding this. You guys are stating that there is a playground that was funded with county money, but some are stating that it is private?"  RLP said "If the county paid for it, it should be open to all residents." Alex Adler said "In my opinion, if it was taxpayer money that was used to create the playground then it is only logical to assume that taxpayers (and their children) can play there too." The Borough Council and the County Freeholders had endorsed the synagogue's bid to receive the federal funding for the playground. Former Mayor Joe Tedeschi sat on a county committee that recommended approval for funding. David Ganz (Mayor of Fair Lawn and County Freeeholder) told Fair Lawn News: "The funds are CDBG (Community Development Block Grant funds) which are applied for privately, or publicly, approved locally (i.e., by the Council), then sent on to the County where a local community board (from all 70 municipalities) evaluate them, pass on them, and then make recommendations to the Freeholders who pass on them. CDBG provides eligible metropolitan cities and urban counties with annual direct grants that they can use to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services, principally to benefit low- and moderate-income persons. In other words, it is never targeted at the community as a whole, but rather to specific groups or segments within a larger community." The Mayor noted that "funding for the synagogue has received bi-partisan support."   He added, "Religious institutions throughout the County of Bergen are the beneficiaries of these type of grants." Funding non-profits with these funds is not unusual.  Tedeschi told Fair Lawn News that he also helped get Bris Avrohom money for teaching English to immigrants. "I prefer these funds go to Fair Lawn", he said. "I also helped the Fair Lawn Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) get $45,000 to remodel their bathrooms and make both the bathrooms and the entrance handicapped accessible" Fair Lawn News spoke with Bris Abrohom's Rabbi Baurch Lepkivker about the playground.  He said that "even though the money was given for quite a specific type of population it was always Bris Avrohom's intention to have it open for public use at times when it won't interfere with the center's services and activities.  Due to insurance and safety considerations: we had to perform a new survey of the grounds, erect fences around the property and playground (due to the fact that there is a creek running along side the property)." By the end of the Summer, the Rabbi expects to post a sign that lists the days and hours of operation for the public.  However, due to insurance reasons, the Rabbi does not know if the synagogue can allow non-members to use their parking lot.  "Don't begrudge Bris Avrohom for getting these funds", Tedeschi said. "They worked very hard to get the money, that others could get also." Press Release Announcing the Funding  Hackensack, NJ- The Freeholder Board unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Freeholder David L. Ganz and second by Freeholder James M. Carroll to authorize a Grant Agreement with Bris Avrohom for the Playground Construction Project in the amount of $71,463.00. This project will develop a play and learning environment based upon a more nature-oriented setting. Bris Avrohom wants to create a more interactive, stimulating environment for children to grow up in. "Investing in our parks and playgrounds improves the appearance of the county and enhances our sense of community and pride. We are targeting resources to improve our current fields, improve our ability to maintain them and to add features that today's children and families will enjoy," said Freeholder Ganz. "Every child deserves the opportunity to have healthy play opportunities," said Freeholder Carroll. The Bris Avrohom Playground Construction Project will give our county's children the access fun with the participation and support of their families and peers." "I support Freeholders Ganz and Carroll in their efforts to create more recreational areas that provide county children and families a secure environment that is stimulating, both socially and physically," said County Executive Dennis McNerney. "It will be a fantastic space where children can continue their playtime and make it their own."