Once again, the borough of Atlantic Highlands is taking on a subject that is of vital importance to the residents. But only thirty-ish residents turned out for the meeting and it was not held virtually.Bad & Ugly
The mayor said it could not be held virtually because it was not a regular council meeting and there were not personnel who could handle the online aspects. Similar to Highlands last week when their most important matter, whether there should be a wall around the borough was held at Henry Hudson Regional school which already earned its own reputation for never offering anything virtually and which happens to be the most distant public building for the majority of residents to attend.
That’s only one of the problems with this workshop. If it wasn’t a regular or special meeting of the governing body, why was it advertised?
Why was the borough attorney there?
How could a majority of council, including the mayor, be there and not have it be a meeting?
How come minutes were not taken?
The highly educational meeting on cannabis is also the only one the borough plans on holding, the mayor said later. Even if the borough is planning to allow a cannabis business in town. Of course residents will have the opportunity to speak at the public hearing portion if an ordinance is proposed. But why not before?
The experts and judging from their background they were all indeed experts in their fields, were outstanding at the cannabis meeting. They were enthusiastic about the benefits of regulate cannabis, gleeful at its health benefits, and even noted the money it would bring into the borough is pretty nice as well. They told how by regulating pot they would save and improve lives and cut down on illegal purchases and serious accidents or deaths that result from some of those purchases.
It all sounds great and is true.
But people need to hear the negative side of everything as well. If Cannabis is still on the table..it’s been talked about for years now….then present both sides of such a major decision.
Why not have another informational workshop like this one, and maybe have police officers from towns that have businesses in place talk about how, if at all, it’s impacted their towns.
Have realtors come in and talk about how, if at all, cannabis businesses have affected real estate purchases? Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly
Have store owners in the vicinity of other successful cannabis shops talk about how, if at all, the new business has impacted their own business.
Have public officials from another town talk about how they got the money, what they spent it on, and whether it’s lowered taxes or called for more costs for some reason or another?
Ask some of the folks who have already dealt with a new business how it works and what recommendations they have to make it even better. Heck, a former borough councilman is in the business in California, why not have him speak as well?
Currently, of the 53 municipalities in Monmouth County, ten have approved cannabis dispensaries, not all of which are active yet or have completed the arduous process they must go through to be properly licensed. That represents approximately 20 percent of Monmouth County municipalities, compared to 28 per cent of towns across the state who have approved dispensaries. A few have approved marijuana cultivation or manufacture. Locally, Aberdeen, Eatontown, Highlands, Keyport, Long Branch, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Township and Tinton Falls have approved cannabis business in their communities.
Atlantic Highlands seems to be taking a giant step towards informing the public of the positive impact of a properly conducted business.
It has a Cannabis Task Force which apparently has had at least some input in this workshop meeting; it seems Councilwoman Cusick has worked hard, and it appears all members have played important roles, they’re all hard workers and generous with their volunteer time. The members, in addition to Councilwoman Cusick are James Krauss, Joanne Dellosso and Michael Pado.
Do those board members believe they were named to promote and endorse a cannabis business in town or think the Task Force should simply bring out all the good things a new business, and new kind of business, would be advantageous but not even mention any possible bad sides of something new.
Don’t they want to look at both sides of every issue before making decisions or presentations of half a story?
The workshop was good, very good. It would be ever so much better if the borough presented all sides of the issue at another workshop so the public gets to hear the whole story, good, bad or indifferent.
