Pastor: To ban all skaters wouldn't be fair

In the June 29 edition of the Examiner it was reported that Millstone is considering a ban on skaters of all types from public land because of the actions of a few people who have caused some damage. Now the Township Committee wants to adopt a new law to ban all types of skaters. Why a new law to ban all because of the actions of a few? As far as I know, vandalism and destruction of public property is already illegal. If that law cannot be enforced, what good is another law? Mayor [Nancy] Grbelja's statement about "young people causing damage" seems to be an indictment against all young people. This can hardly be seen as accurate or fair.

In my experience in Millstone over the past two years, most young people have been very respectful. If skaters have come into the church parking lot, all I have had to do is ask them not to do something and they have complied very respectfully. If the township officials cannot find a way to monitor the actions of those who cause damage, why punish those who would not cause damage? Many adults drive irresponsibly. Do we then ban cars from the roads because of the actions of a few? Not every person who rides a horse does so responsibly. Should horse riding then be banned from all public property? Parents are the ones who are responsible to ensure that their children are being safe and know proper behavior. Again, just because some skaters are not exhibiting common sense by wearing helmets, should all skaters be punished? Some people do not wear seat belts. If we follow the logic of enacting a ban on skaters, then cars should be banned from roads.

Somehow government has decided that when there is a problem that they don't know how to fix, they should simply pass another law. From last year's "Do not knock" proposal to this proposed ban on skaters, it simply becomes a banner for politicians to wave saying, "Look what we did for you." In reality though, these laws are unenforceable and unnecessary. Use the laws that already exist to take care of problems, but don't give our young people the impression that they must all pay because of the actions of some. A cynical person may believe that the young people are easy scapegoats and targets because, after all, they don't vote.

Laws are a necessity for any community or body of people. However, when they are just meaningless, unnecessary bits of legislature that become smoke and mirrors, they are just wrong. I hope that the adults of Millstone will speak out on behalf of the young people and show them that they are important members of the community. This way our young people may have the chance to grow up knowing that laws are meant to serve the welfare of the community and not simply be political maneuvering.

The Rev. Michael P. Lang

pastor

St. Joseph Church

Millstone