Sen. Connors, Mayor Purdy, Freeholder Marino, NJTA Meet to Discuss Police Barracks, Interchanges

Sen. Christopher J. Connors expects communication between Galloway Township and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) to improve following a meeting this week involving NJTA representatives, Galloway Mayor Don Purdy, Atlantic County Freeholder Alex Marino and Connors.

“The folks we met with were very receptive. We wanted issues addressed and questions answered, and I was very pleased with the tone of the meeting and the receptiveness of the officials,” Connors said.

Representatives of the NJTA present at the meeting included Executive Director Veronique Hakim; Deputy Executive Director John F. O’Hem; P.E. Chief Engineer Richard Raczynski; and P.E. Assistant Chief Engineer Robert J. Fischer, according to the senator’s office.

IGA Liaison Kieran C. Tintle represented Gov. Chris Christie’s Office,the senator’s office said.

Connors said a couple of design issues were clarified, as well as the positioning of the proposed and the approach ramps.

Construction of the 30,000 foot State Police barracks at the Jimmie Leeds Road service area is set to begin at the start of 2013, and residents will not lose access to the parkway from Jimmie Leeds Road, the Ninth District Legislative Office said on Friday, April 13.

The barracks will replace the Bass River barracks, just north of the Mullica River.

The projects dealing with will occur simultaneously, and are scheduled to begin at the conclusion of 2013, according to the senator’s office.

“They promised direct outreach with the mayor and the freeholder, and they said they will have a meeting in Galloway to keep both officials and residents informed,” Connors said. “I believed that if they had some face time, they would establish communication between themselves and they promised to do that.”

The meeting was set up following a town hall meeting in February in which Connors and fellow District 9 representatives Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and DiAnne C. Gove came to Galloway to meet with residents from Galloway and Port Republic.

Connors said he helped arrange the meeting, but that his office will now play a secondary role.

“It’s more important for the mayor to be able to pick up the phone because he’s where the rubber meets the road,” Connors said. “Town hall is where people go when they have questions.”

At the February meeting, Connors also said he was concerned no one from Southern New Jersey is represented on the Turnpike Authority, and that he and Sen. Jeff Van Drew are co-sponsoring legislation that would require the Turnpike Authority to include representation from Southern New Jersey on its seven-member board.

“The governor has not yet made a nomination to fill (a recently vacated seat),” Connors said. “I have sent a letter to the governor, but I have not received any word from his office yet. I’m hopeful that he’s reflecting on the letter, and is considering someone from South Jersey. I also believe our bill will begin to move through the senate.”