To the citizens of Burlington Township

I know of no other way to inform the citizens of Burlington Township other than through this letter. I have attempted to communicate with the Burlington Town Council regarding the "Red Barn" that was located in the Burlington Park. This issue, which has been on the table for some time, has been the usefulness of the "Red Barn" in the park.

As of this past week, the "Red Barn" is no longer an issue. The barn was torn down, burned and buried. This transpired even though I sent three letters and made a personal request to each council member in their homes to rescind or at least put on hold their motion to tear the barn down.

The barn was used by the community club and the Kiwanis to store items that they used for fundraisers that ultimately benefitted the community of Burlington. Burlington Kiwanis Club and Burlington Community Club had been using the barn for several years.

In part, my letters to them addressed consideration to the repair, upkeep, insurance on contents, and potential lease agreement. I had proposed that a member of the town council and a member of the Kiwanis Club meet to work out an agreement of repair, upkeep and usage of the building with the approval of the Park Board.

Also, in my letters, I have addressed the need to reestablish a baseline for the agreement between town and township concerning the Burlington Park. The expenses for the park have been shared since the park's inception in the early 1980s, each paying one half including the purchase of the land. There has been a joint park board with representation from the town and township. Yet decisions are being made without park board action.

One can only wonder what the Burlington Town Council will decide to do next in the park without the approval of the park board.

Why not let the park board do the task they have been appointed to do?

Citizens of Burlington Township, I believe that differences can be resolved by having meaningful discussion. It does not appear that the council is interested in meaningful discussion since they often schedule special meetings at 2:00 in the afternoon when interested parties cannot attend.

Alan D. Jackson Burlington Township Trustee