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Community speaks at town hall meetings

  • Published
  • By Steve Snyder
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Officials for America's only tri-service base conducted town hall meetings at McGuire and Lakehurst Jan. 12 and 14 respectively, finishing a series of initial meetings designed to keep community members informed.

As they had in an earlier meeting at Dix, a panel of experts joined JB MDL and 87th Air Base Wing Commander, Col. Gina Grosso, in addressing the public's concerns. Sitting on the joint base's panel of experts were Col. Glen Yap, commander of the 87th Medical Group; Lt. Col. Timothy Heintzelman, 87th Security Forces Squadron; Maj. John Barlett, 87th Force Support Squadron; Maj. Karen Cosgrove, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron; Denise Bleiler, United Communities; Donna Chew, Defense Commissary Agency and Jesse Martinez, general manager for AAFES.

U.S. Army Col. Joseph Poth, deputy commander of JB MDL and U.S. Navy Capt. Andrew Butterfield, deputy mission support group commander for the joint base, joined Colonel Grosso in the audience for both meetings. Lt. Col. Rob Licciardi, 87th Communication Squadron, sat in with the panel of experts for the Lakehurst Town Meeting.

Colonel Grosso greeted the McGuire Town Hall audience by stating her command strived to deliver world-class base management. Advancing such an ambitious agenda required continual feedback from people living and working on the joint base, she said.

Hence, these meetings are important.

The first comment from the audience dealt with the quality of snow removal following the snowstorm which struck over the winter vacation. One woman resident of McGuire's base housing observed that roads and walkways remained icy even after snow removals had supposedly taken place.

Another question dealt with civilian job pay parity. The colonel said the issue was a complicated one that was receiving much deserved attention.

In a related matter, Colonel Grosso said she really wanted to push employment among family members on the joint base. She said she thought programs like the resume classes offered at the Warfighter and Family Readiness Center were invaluable in expanding job opportunities for family members.

A civilian employee for the 87th CES asked why the Arnold Gate could not be reopened to reduce traffic running through the main gate. He was told opening the gate would not conform to new security requirements currently under study. The road leading on base from Arnold Gate is considered too straight to prevent unwanted intrusions. In addition, the road lies too close to the housing area to satisfy security officials.

Many topics were explored, too, at Lakehurst's Town Hall held in rustic surroundings housing the Pine Hurst Community Center.

One question touched upon construction going on at the Commissary. Commissary manager Leslie Carroll noted that administration office spaces are currently being built and should be completed by early February. The front of the commissary will be renovated in early summer and improvements will include new rest rooms.

In response to another question, both Colonel Grosso and a representative from Morale, Welfare and Recreation said they were exploring the possibility of adding a new eatery in the Old Gallery. A meeting was scheduled for Jan. 21 to discuss that option.

Captain Butterfield asked if any renovations were planned for the Navy Exchange or NEX. Gracie Runner, head of NEX, said that currently there were no plans for renovations but since winning an award for excellence this past year, NEX has attracted attention and could find more projects approved on its wish-list.

Colonel Grosso stated she would have the contract renewed to see if Lakehurst could be included on the bus shuttle currently limited to running between Dix and McGuire.

"It is extremely important to provide transportation for single Sailors," she said.

An issue arose over communications, considered to be a problem in some quarters. Officials said Morale, Welfare and Recreation within 87th FSS were placing as much information as possible on gomdl.com. Housing officials are being provided informational trifolds to disburse to residents on a monthly basis.

In addition to enlightening discussions of issues touching the lives of joint base residents and workers, participants were thoroughly briefed on how to handle emergency situations by Tech. Sgt. Christopher McDonald from 87th Readiness and Emergency Management. Sergeant McDonald spoke at all three town halls, delivering wide-ranging but still economical explanations highlighting emergency preparedness.