“This is not a political issue! This is a community issue! And when I feel my hometown is going to be negatively impacted, you bet I’m going to stand up and fight.”
That’s what a very angry and fired up Councilman James Murphy said this week when asked why he is opposing cannabis businesses in the borough of Atlantic Highlands.
The planning board meets Thursday night at 7 p.m.. to review what they have already ruled; cannabis is a permitted use under the Master Plan, but the planners may make changes or additions to the ordinance. Should they forward their opinion to the council that the proposed ordinance being considered needs no changes then the governing body will hold a public hearing Thursday, Aug. 11 at their 7 p.m. meeting and take a vote on whether cannabis businesses of specific types should be permitted in the borough.
Murphy is urging all residents to either attend the Council meeting via Zoom or attend in person to let the entire council hear what they have been telling him.
Murphy said he has been deluged with calls, comments, e-mails, and people stopping him on the street asking him to be sure to vote against the ordinance. “These people calling me aren’t republicans, they’re not democrats, they’re parents, they’re senior citizens, their young couples who just took out mortgages so they could buy a home here. They’re all saying the same thing,” Murphy said. “They’re all telling me that cannabis businesses will change the town, ruin the borough’s image, hurt local businesses, and end up costing taxpayers for more police, parking, sanitation, and lost revenue to businesses because people who love the looks of our town now won’t want to come here in the future.”
The councilman, whose own family has been here for three generations, and he is raising the fourth by raising his three children here, said residents have told him they don’t think the town is big enough to support a cannabis business.
“We’re not as big as Eatontown, we’re not spread out like Middletown, we’re a community of close knit families,” he said. “Our elementary school is right in the heart of town, our restaurants are so superb they draw diners from all over the county,” he continued. People who live here love it, want to stay, and want it to stay like it is.”
Because so many residents have contacted him and asked him to take action, Murphy said he is doing all he can to preserve the town, its image, and its beauty . But it is important for the people themselves to voice their opinions, he stressed, “and that’s why I want them to come out to the Aug. 11 meeting. Let them tell everyone what they have been telling me.”
He was one of the team who held a meeting last week of many who have complained to him and want to take action. “People have turned over money to this grassroots committee to buy signs, print posters, do mailings, anything that can be done make the people aware of what is going on.”
The councilman was also surprised at how many people do not even know that the possibility of cannabis businesses being within walking distance of churches, schools, parks, and residences could be a vote away at the Aug. 11 council meeting. “I have been going door to door and finding people who don’t even know this is happening,” he said, exasperated. “I feel an obligation to let people know what a change cannabis businesses will mean for our borough.” The fact so many turned out for that Monday night meeting, the fact people want to make donations or distribute signs or do something to be sure cannabis is not approved in the borough is enough to give Murphy the determination to fight any possibility the ordinance could be approved.
“While it sounds great the borough will make money from the taxation, the history of cannabis businesses in other states show it is a cash business. How are you ever sure you get the full tax represented by sales?” he asked rhetorically. “New businesses like this will mean more police, even if only to direct traffic, people complain about lack of parking now, yet in Eatontown they say there are lines waiting to get into the store there. What will happen to our other businesses if people don’t want to support them because they can’t find a parking place, or don’t like the crowds, or don’t think the town looks as beautiful as we know it now?
Councilman Murphy is not the only public figure who has spoken out and been active in opposing cannabis businesses in town. The Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, has been to local municipal meetings citing the dangers of cannabis and calling on the council to think of its impact on this small hometown community. Former mayors from both political parties, Randi LeGrice, Richard Stryker, Mike Harmon and Fred Rast have all spoken out against any cannabis businesses in the borough, and their works were also echoed by the past two police chiefs, David Rossbach and Jerry Vasto.
But what are the actual facts?