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Volume 2 - Number 3
https://www.facebook.com/ClaytonNJFreePress
April 2019
News Desk: 856-243-2499 https://NJFreePress.Com
Now - Also covering community news from Elk Township, NJ !
First Issue: Free - Subsequent Issues: $1.99 Each * --- The Clayton Free Press is published by New Jersey Free Press LLC - a privately held company
Four Decades in the Making Coyle Road Remains a Ball of Confusion with an Undefined Purpose, Price tag or Timeline The Vietnam War lasted 19 years and 180 days. America's involvement in the Second World War lasted three years, eight months, and 22 days, and the U.S. war in Afghanistan has so far been going on for 16.7 years. That's nothing compared to the Battle of Coyle Road - a partially completed, dilapidated "road" and pathway, named after a brave Vietnam war hero who once called Clayton his hometown. Coyle Road - formerly know as "Glassboro Road", has been defined by the Borough on various occasions as a "private road" (2007) on which Clayton promised to post "dead end road signs", and as a "group of private right of ways" (1977) for which the adjoining homeowners "retained responsibility for maintenance". In 2011, the Borough paid engineers to draft a design that would make it a "one way road", promising to post signs (again) to that effect, and in 1990, Clayton invested in repaving and widening the roadway at taxpayer expense, without consulting the actual property owners. At the time, Clayton's Solicitor was quoted as saying "There is no record of this being dedicated as a public road. There is some question whether any portion is a public road."
CLAYTON PD OVERTIME, PRESSURE UP Down 2 Full-Time Officers - Borough "Might" Hire Part-Time Replacements
Imagine working as a Police Officer for the Clayton PD. You're already wondering when the Borough will tell you that your Department will be "expunged" and replaced by a newly formed one - made up of Officers selected on the basis of details known only by a few select "insiders" and outside "advisors". Will you have a job or a pension? How much warning will you receive and when will the Borough "pull the trigger"? Not to worry - regardless of fatigue, and job - and possible job-loss - stress, you've worked hard enough to earn the chance to work even harder - racking up overtime - and more overtime - because the Department is short a few cops due to retirements. At least, the Borough's "plan" will "reduce costs and increase efficiency". Except, that isn't exactly the way it's working out. After the recent retirement of two full time Police Officers - Police Sergeant Mark Konnick and Patrolman Donavun Rhodesk - Clayton Borough officials made the decision to replace them with two part-time Officers. Or, maybe not. So far, there has boon no action. Not surprisingly, overtime hours per Officer - and overtime costs - have increased as a result. In fact, during the last six months of 2018, Police overtime costs have increased by more than $4,600 over the same period last year. And, overtime hours and costs are not decreasing (more on that next month).
Clayton PD - Overtime Compensation Last 6 Months - 2017 v 2018
12000 10000
Dollars
THE BATTLE OF COYLE ROAD
While the battle to determine the role, ownership and future of the roadway has gone on since at least 1977, Clayton Borough Council acted swiftly in February, passing two separate ordinances "authorizing the acquisition of land located within the Borough of Clayton and exeContinued, page 4
8000 6000 4000
2017
2000
2018
0
Pfc. Garry M. Coyle
Coyle Road - a Proud Name for a Tractor Road
$80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $-
2017
Dec-Jan
Dec
Dec
Nov
Nov
Oct
Oct
Sept
Sept
Aug
Aug-Sept
2018
Aug
More information about Garry Michael Coyle can be located at: https://www.facebook.com/ NJVVMF/photos/on-this-day-lost-but-never-forgotten-garry-coyle-was-born-on-july-13-1946-hisho/949721891749400/
Clayton PD Overtime Comp
Total Cumulative Overtime Costs - Last 6 Months 2017 v 2018
July
Clayton's Glassboro Road was renamed "Coyle Road" in his honor. During the February 24th Borough Council meeting, one Clayton resident asked "why would they name a dilapidated onelane tractor road after a local American hero... it's insulting to the man and to the Country?"
The chart above reflects overtime dollars paid put per pay period for each of the last six months of 2017 (in blue) and 2018 (in red). Source: Borough of Clayton
July
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1966, Coyle was serving as a medical aidman attached to an infantry rifle company. During an assault on Viet Cong positions 30 miles northwest of Saigon in the Cu Chi area, Coyle was wounded, but refused evacuation, repeatedly exposing himself to insurgent fire to Pfc. Garry M. Coyle treat and evacuate other wounded soldiers. While placing a wounded man in a covered position, he saw another wounded soldier lying in the midst of hostile fire. Leaving the cover of his position, Coyle ran through insurgent fire and attempted to aid his fallen comrade. While carrying this wounded man to safety, the hostile fire increased and Coyle was mortally wounded.
Pay Periods
Cumulative Costs
Garry Michael Coyle was born on July 13, 1946 to Edwin and Margaret Coyle of Clayton, NJ. The second youngest of five children, he graduated from Clayton High School in 1964, and entered the US Army in August 1964. Coyle served in the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, attaining the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
Pay Periods The chart above reflects the cumulative overtime dollars paid by pay period. Since July of 2018, an additional $4,611 has been paid out in overtime. Source: Borough of Clayton
According to one Officer who asked not to be identified because of concern for retribution, "the days are still 24 hours long - we still need cops on the streets for safety and protection - but the town decided that two part-time cops are as good as two full-time police, as long as you are willing to pay big in over-time." He also said that the added pressure "adds more stress to an already stressful job". The Officer's observations keenly match what national police data demonstrates. According to Mike Maciag, Data Editor for the on-line magazine GOVERNING, "research shows long hours and off-duty work can negatively impact officers’ performance and even worsen their racial biases". Maciag's article also noted that "Fatigue’s effects are most prominent in routine situations that otherwise aren’t stressful for police". He also noted that “from an officer safety perspective, there are serious consequences of fatigue.” The cost of overtime and its residual pressures on an individual can also be measured in other ways, like the increased incidence of depression and suicide. Continued, page 3