Red Bank Gardners Take Their Dig With Borough to the Internet with Online Petition

A Red Bank resident has launched an online petition at Change.org to push the Borough to locate the proposed community garden next to the Red Bank Library at 94 Front St. on a one-year trial basis.

"After extensive research and evaluations, this location has proven ideal in terms of sunlight, soil, public access, and integration with library programs," a portion of the petition reads. "However, the ONLY thing stopping the citizens of Red Bank from teaching their children how to grow delicious fruits, vegetables and herbs is the approval of our governing body... 

"The Borough Council claims it supports the idea of a community garden - but it has repeatedly refused to consider the one location where it would benefit the majority of interested citizens..."

The petition, started by Ernest Anemone a criminal defense attorney, suggests that neighboring luxury properties might be influencing the council to shy away from the site. As of 10 am Thursday morning, 57 people had signed the petition. Not all of the signers are from Red Bank, some other towns in the area and some as far away as Florida.

Though officials say they want the garden they have yet to choose a location, neither rejecting nor approving the library location. The process appears to be stymied by disagreements about the feasibility of the site and a report that is pending from Councilwoman Kathleen Horgan.

The council has said that they expect a decision to made at the next meeting on June 8 at 6:30 pm.