Open space = artificial turf. Right. Welcome to Bizzaro World.

Using the open space tax money to pay for artificial turf fields would completely violate the public trust. People voted for this tax in the hopes that more "open space" land would be purchased for the town. Now that it's clear that there is no "open space" to be had here, it would add insult to injury to use that money for artifical turf. The cost of paying for artificial turf fields here has caused an incredible degree of anger and concern as to how our tax money is being used. If the elected officials did not get that message with the Bancroft vote, they will certainly hear it again if "open space" money is used to pay for artifical turf. Artifical turf is NOT a priority. The turf committee is welcome to continue to raise more money for it as well as raising long-term funds for continued maintenance.

You crack me up with your garbage. Violate the public trust? Are you for real? Did you even read the referendum qustion that specifically said this is what it is for? Open space isnt just some dumb field for a bunch of tree kissers to hang out with. It means a lot of things. Read up pal. The law is clear. Turf fields are A OK!

The turf committee wants its open space and recreation taxes to fix our fields.

http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552011/approved/20110803.html

Clearly use of open space funds for turf would be an abuse. The fields are already under board/borough ownership. Using open space funds to turf the fields would do nada to enhance open space.

Hey green acres, That open space money is funded by Haddonfield taxpayer dollars. That means my hard earned coin went into it. You want a turf field because you think green acres junior is gonna be a star pay for it out of your own pocket. It's a practice field. A practice field. Now we gotta blow coin because green acres wants junior to practice on a turf field.
Tree kissers irritate me but you turf zombies really get my blood boiling.

Someone call a wah wah wambulance. Its what we all voted on. Are your taxes somehow more special than mine? What part of Development of land in the law did you fail to understand? Btw. It passed. You lost. Dont like it you can move to evesham. No wait they keep building turf fields with open space taxes.

Jack s clearly you dont have a clue. Open space doesnt literally mean just open space. Read the law before participating with those who did.

http://www.haddonfieldnj.org/news/?p=462

Remember that vote a week ago? The one where that last turf field was given the heave hoe? The same thing happens to the commissioners if those guys are stupid enough to turf a practice field. When it gets bounced and your done crying I'll send an old lady over to burp you.

Roland. The open space referendum passed 2 to 1 in 2011. The use of the fund for turf fields is legal.

Maybe legal, but I don't see turf mentioned in these links.

Where did I say it wasn't legal? I said it was stupid. And it is. Trying to blow all that money on a practice field.

Stupid? Using a dedicated tax for its exact use is stupid? I guess millions of us across the state and governor christie are stupid then. Oh well

Wasn't the Super Bowl exciting yesterday? Did anyone notice the playing surface was artificial turf.

Roland, "blow all that money" Huh? A few hundred K is "all that money" ? Don't the crazy soundbites ever get old?

Adam, just a few examples.

"Some enhanced facilities of the park include a synthetic turf football field, baseball and multi-use athletic fields and observation decks overlooking the Rahway River."

http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2012/12_0106.htm

The township plans to use money from its Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund to pay for the project.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/multimillion-dollar-ballfields-project-to-be-built-in-evesham/article_fe6df718-8346-5335-899d-4ee13263c690.html

http://www.franklintwpnj.org/legal_ads/2012/120508-Legal%20Ads.pdf

These Demo-Rats, led by one of your ex-mayors, NEVER accept "NO" as a response to what they want! The taxpayer be damned, they'll do what they please and enrich their friends and themselves along the way. Either throw 'em out and put 'em in jail, or pay the price!

Mr Harrington do you always generalize this way? Many people want this so why do you so ignorantly attack those who want something? I'm sure you want something that others don't. Do they attack you? Time to put on your big boy pants and grow up.

"Many people want this"? Precisely how many? And is it a majority of residents? In the Clarke Caton study of the Bancroft property done several years ago, only 9% of those surveyed wanted artificial turf on the site. While those who want artificial turf may be very vocal, there's no evidence that anything close to a majority of residents want their money to go towards turf. The commissioners who intend to stand for reelection this year need to bear that in mind.

I knew "the" Frank Rizzo......and I assure you, he would agreed with Mr. Harrington!