To the editor:

I am writing to respond to Somers Point resident Rich Gray’s continued attacks on Somers Point.

In his letter to the editor that appeared in the Feb. 16 edition of The Current, Mr. Gray faults the city of Somers Point and its vision plan process. I guess Mr. Gray was far too busy complaining about the state of the city to find the time to show up and voice his opinion during any of the dozen or so vision plan meetings that were held seeking input from residents and businesses.

Perhaps if Mr. Gray had actually participated in the process, like so many other concerned Somers Point residents took the time do, he would have an actual understanding of the process and the benefits of the plan. Perhaps if he had participated, he would understand that the plan is not some “pet project” of City Council or one of the city’s boards, as he characterized it.    Perhaps he would understand that it is a citizen-idea driven initiative with its content plucked from the ideas and concerns of the residents and businesses of this town.

Perhaps if he had participated he would understand that the ideas of residents and businesses communicated during the vision plan process will act as the backbone of the city’s state-mandated master plan review this year. Perhaps if he were paying attention, he would know that the vision plan has now put the city in line for state funding that could far outweigh the costs associated with the plan.

It is a shame that someone who has such strong feelings about what should be done to improve this city refused to find the time to even show up and provide his input when the city was begging for residents to come forward and be heard. I guess the phrase “ignorance is bliss” comes to mind, because it surely must be easier to attack and denounce a process that he didn’t participate in and clearly doesn’t understand, than it is to step up and make a difference.

Ron Meischker

Somers Point