Monday, October 04, 2010

Motorsports and Noise: AC Press Sunday Oct 3rd

U.S. Census Bureau map of Millville, New JerseyImage via Wikipedia
On the front page of the Atlantic City Press on Sunday October 3rd was a detailed article on the NJ Motorsports Park. It was aptly titled "New Jersey Motorsports Park delivers on jobs but drives some mad in Millville,"
I found it to be a well-written article. It starts off with a summation of the situation at the NJMSP:
Since a decade ago, when the New Jersey Motorsports Park was little more than designs on paper, the promise of jobs has always been its biggest allure. Now, as the track prepares to end its second season, those jobs have led to millions of dollars pouring into the economy and more development on the way.
Still, while the whine of high-performance engines straining in competition has meant money, it’s also led to a weekly parade of residents complaining about the noise and nuisances created by the track
The article talks about the economic impact of the track
In its first two seasons of operation, not even a full two years, the track paid more than $3.8 million in wages to full- and part-time employees. In 2009, the track employed more than 250 people, although only 22 are full-time employees, a statistic track officials attribute to the track’s seasonal operation
The article explains the view of TrackRacket and some nieghbors who state the noise has impacted their lives
Michelle Post, a Lawrence Township resident and ardent track opponent, has heard the jobs argument but still believes the noise and impact on the neighbors is a detriment that outweighs the full-time and seasonal jobs created.
My 2 favorate lines from this article are as follows. Ms Post is quoted
“We work hard all week long. We come home on the weekends, we want to be able to enjoy our backyards,” Post said. “We want to enjoy our quality of life.”
I think she is just talking about herself. Most Millville residents live all year round and have one house.
The other is this statement
Others have gone the route of hyperbole, claiming the track operates before dawn and into the night and that the sound that breaches their homes — always with the windows closed, air conditioning and television on — makes them physically ill.
I guess the writer has been many City Commission meetings where this line is said all the time. Guess he is tired like myself of the endless arguments and ranting.
All I have to say is nice job Ed. Its good to hear from folks who have actually benefitted from the track. They appairently are locals from Millville and nearby CUMBERLAND COUNTY towns.
I only wish the track came out with better PR and at least showed concern for the neighbors. Now we have lawyers everywhere and who will win but the lawyers???
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1 comment:

Carl B. Johnson said...

Good point about Michelle's comment, Mark. Another point that needs to be noted is that this is in response to the jobs creation. It seems she is inferring that her quality of life trumps the quality of life or even the ability to earn a living of others.