Comments from Coalition Members

■ "If you are allowing this either you have never had the experience of summer camp or never had the privilege of sending your children to summer camp or just don't care about kids! This is a disgusting plan that is totally disregarding the CHILDREN that Liberty Lake Day Camp services. I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you call the owner/ director Andy Pritikin and arrange a tour, once you have seen the camp in action you will truly understand the joy and safety it brings to so many kids every summer!"
-Sheila B.

■ "Liberty Lake is a place that I feel my daughter is safe each summer. The environment is a big part of the quality of this safe place for children. Just because the economy is hurting, don't take actions that will hurt the environment and Liberty Lake."
-Maryann H.

■ "We need to make ethical/moral decisions re: our environment and community. I understand the economics-warehouses have low overhead and high rateables, but they aren't consistent with why we live in Mansfield. To the township-lying within the letter of the law, rather than doing what is right is still lying. Trading off our environment because of economic hardship is a cop-out."
-Tracy G.

■ “The greed of these towns and developers to push projects through without concern for neighboring property owners of our childrens’ health, safety and welfare is deplorable. Unfortunately, money talks and this developer has paid top dollar for the pushiest lobbyists money can buy, so watch all the politicos hand over the keys to the castle. Pay to play at its finest! Let's put an end to it and fight back! The more people that complain and show up to these meetings the better the chance they can't ignore us. Save Liberty Lake for our children now and for the future generations!”
-Mark M.

■ "This is a perfect example of what is wrong with New Jersey. It starts from the governors office and works its way down through our small towns. Someone with some sort of authority needs to step up and put a stop to this. The residents of this town should be appalled that this is going on."
-Robert K.

■ "It's disturbing to see one business (Margolis Warehouse) that truly brings no true community value into an area and impose upon another-Liberty Lake Day Camp is being jeopardized. This camp promises to contribute towards the successful future of our own community by providing a place for our kids to grow and learn. To build a warehouse next to a day camp shows that our legislators are only interested in dollars and don't see the potential demise of our community. Our future depends on revenue, but it also depends much more on cultivating citizens, our children, to be successful. This is so unfair to the owner of Liberty Lake as a business owner and it is also unfair to all of the owners customers. Every day I see properties with boarded up windows that are nothing but an eyesore, a waste of land and which to me, should pose as an embarrassment to NJ, and specifically Burlington County. Let's get those areas cleaned up and put to good use before we infringe upon society.”
-Debbie K.

■ "The joy of the children that attend and work at Liberty Lake will not be the same if this structure is built. Liberty Lake affords our children a chance to enjoy the outdoors and gives them a break from the hustle and bustle of the industrial landscape. Mansfield Twp needs to do what is right for the environment not their wallet. Jersey has few draws that keep my family here-Liberty Lake Day Camp is one of them. We love Liberty Lake!"
-Scott B.

■ "Our kids today enjoy good wholesome fun at Liberty Lake Day Camp. No electronic games, cell phones or television. Lets preserve the old fashioned summer fun of Liberty Lake and build the warehouse somewhere else."
-Margaret S.

■ "This is an environmentally sensitive area that needs to be protected. The wetlands are crucial to our ecosystems. They are rapidly depleting. The deterioration of our ecosystem has already caused tremendous damage."
-Dawn M.

■ "Being an employee of Liberty lake, I would hate to see something like this go through! Liberty Lake truly is the best summer every summer, even for the staff. If we want to keep it that way we must do everything in our power to stop this!"
-Margot P.

■ "We love Liberty Lake too. Let's hope that the warehouse construction will never come to pass. Let's keep this area pristine for the youth of today and tomorrow, but for the environment as well. Good luck Andy and Jill. We are right there with you, supporting the camp. Liberty Lake is the place to be."
-Jill & Robert P.

■ "Thank you for making us aware of the crisis. I am concerned about the construction of additional office buildings, warehouses, roads, etc.-especially when it means the reduction of our farmland and forests. In new construction we often fail to initially grasp the collateral damage; displaced wildlife who will have to forage in different areas or perish by traffic or starvation, sewer and power lines that often require access through adjacent properties, industrial run-off, noise pollution, increased traffic on surrounding roads from contractors and employees, loss of shade, new flood patterns...keep up the worthy battle."
-Marjorie B.

■ "Disturbing the Liberty Lakes and its surrounding areas would be a senseless act of greed and selfish interests, with no consideration to the negative impact on the many children who receive hours of enjoyment and much needed socialization through the Lake's activities and programs; in addition to the endangerment of nearby wildlife. I hope the plans to build this warehouse are stopped."
-Doretta G.

■ "Aren't there lots of empty warehouses already? Can we still be the Garden State? Liberty Lake Day Camp represents a healthy, wholesome family lifestyle that fosters good relationships and helps kids grow and feel confident”
-Lelia M.

■ "It is certainly different being a kid today with the age of technology-many are video game junkies. Liberty Lake brings back the days of playing outside, solving your squabbles and the freedom to choose what you want to do. Does anyone remember laying around looking at the clouds and guessing what it looks like? Does anyone recall going out with a bunch of friends all day long from 9-5? How about actually knocking on a door instead of using a cell phone. Liberty Lakes brings all of these together under a beautiful setting with supervision. The chance to be a kid, make friends, be active, and make your own elective choices! They want a rateable in town, what about smog, traffic and taking away from the kids.”
-Anne K.

■ "When will we Americans learn that the constant cycle of build abandon, rebuild is both fiscally and environmentally irresponsible? There are existing, rotting buildings the length of 295 and NJTP which could be utilized instead.”
-Maria B.

■ "If one turtle shows up on my property, I can't build, subdivide, or develop it. How does a commercial developer get special treatment from the township and the county to develop on wetlands? -Lois G. "I think it's disgusting that politicians and greedy business owners would put money ahead of children. When will New Jersey learn?”
-Karen L.

■ “In an era when LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is being advocated among architects and commercial real estate professionals, it is appalling to see a project that so obviously disregards the environment. The current economy does not warrant a new warehouse of this size when similar properties sit vacant. It doesn't make financial sense for the developer and it would be devastating to the families and children who LOVE Liberty Lake. The developers and our elected officials need to seriously consider the impacts of this project and stop any plans for construction.”
-Amanda W.

■ “The NJDEP Geographic Information System map indicates that the proposed land for development is a critical area for grassland-dependant priority species, including the Eastern box turtle. The map also indicates that the lands adjacent to Crafts Creek are wetlands that are critical areas for forest-dependant priority species, including the Great Blue Heron.”
-Marissa B.

■ “As a Burlington County constituent, I am appalled by the lack of foresight with regard to this proposed warehouse project. It seems as though nothing is sacred except the almighty dollar. To that extent, in the long-run this project will not serve in the way that is being touted, with respect to contributing the the tax base of the town. I believe that there is no way that permits could be granted if the time had been taken to personally observe the area to be affected. Liberty Lake is an oasis of its own to the people of the town and certainly to the children who have benefited by attending this fantastic camp! I had a choice to send my children anywhere, and I chose Liberty Lake because of the setting and the people who run the camp. I have sent my children there for the past 7 years. Please consider more than just the financial impact of this project before making a decision. Please see it for yourself.”
-Lorella P.

■ “Liberty Lake is one of the greatest places in this area. My children attend camp and have for the past three years. A warehouse in their playground doesn't make me happy. We love LLDC and support this fight 100%!”
-Jessica B.

■ “With all the vacant land that surrounds Burlington County why would you pick a place that's surrounded by children having fun? Sometimes you have to look past the financial benefits and look at what's even more important - our children and the safety of our children. From the very first year, my children have been going to Liberty Lake because it was SAFE, FUN, EDUCATIONAL and CLOSE to us.” -Xavier I.

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