Letter: With STEM Lawsuit Over, Back to Preserving Open Spaces

To the editor:

As the current president of STEM (Save The Environment of Moorestown), I want to thank everyone who spoke up, put signs out, beat the bushes, etc. to help save the Open Space Trust Fund. One thing I would like to make clear is that STEM was never opposed to improving athletic fields. Our children deserve good fields and lighting. They are our most precious resource. They are our future.

We were opposed only to the proposed source of funding—the Open Space Fund. That said, I hope we can all get back to continuing to make Moorestown a special place. I do want to publicly thank all the STEM Steering Committee members who were courageous enough to take the initiative to file the lawsuit that helped us accomplish this change of funding. I do want everyone to know there were consequences in taking that initiative. We now have lots of legal bills; attorneys are not inexpensive. However, we all felt it was well worth it. If you would like to donate any amount to our legal fund, we would be happy for the help.

Now that the Trust Fund has been protected, we need to take care of all those open spaces. I recently took a hike through the South Valley Woods and it was wonderful. Also this summer, I walked Farrago Farm off Borton Landing Road. These preserved open spaces are real treasures right in our own backyards. I know the Open Space Advisory Committee is preparing a “Take a Hike” brochure for residents. I encourage everyone to take advantage of our little gems, and if anyone would like to join in our monthly cleanups, we sure could use the help. Invasive plants love our open spaces also.

Feel free to contact me at kajer3@comcast.net for further information. Hope to see you at Strawbridge Lake at STEM Steps Out, from 12-4 p.m. Oct. 14. Thank you again.

Kathy Huffman
President of STEM (www.stemonline.org)

_________________________

Got something to say? Send letters to the editor to rob.scott@patch.com.