Edgewater Mayor, Nancy Merse, responds to the editorial: "Taken for a ride: Edgewater ferry is costing taxpayers" and printed in The Record, dated March 21, 2007.

I would like to clarify some misinformation in "Taken for a ride: Edgewater ferry is costing taxpayers" (Editorial printed in The Record, dated March 21, 2007):

The Edgewater marina, park and ferry landing are the result of three initiatives undertaken by the borough.

The marina was in deplorable condition yet provided valuable access to the Hudson River. A private developer wanted to develop it. Under former Mayor Bryan Christiansen's administration, Edgewater purchased this property, preserved it as open space and protected it from any further development. Voters approved a ballot question for a tax of 3 cents on every $100 of assessed value to purchase the tract. Some $2.3 million was collected by this tax.

This project was never purported to be "free." From its inception, the borough was always aware there would be costs associated with acquisition, construction and maintenance. These costs were to be offset with the revenue generated from the marina and sale of ferry tickets.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey donated $8 million, used toward construction of the ferry landing consisting of a barge and canopy, the marina building, repair of the boat slips and the park area -- costs that otherwise would have been the taxpayers' responsibility.

Dredging was not needed for the ferry.

Since the inception of this project, the borough has made every effort to make residents aware that this was a ferry landing only and there would be no parking for commuters, therefore encouraging the use of mass transportation.

Nancy Merse
Mayor of Edgewater, NJ
Edgewater, March 22