Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I want to thank you for your recent coverage of Gloucester County’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee’s efforts and to take this opportunity to thank the Steering Committee for their hard work and commitment to the community. These volunteers have worked diligently with staff for over three years on the county’s Comprehensive Plan update. While we’ve had setbacks and changes, a core group of individuals continued to contribute their time and energy to this task.

In June, a series of open house style meetings were held to present the committee members’ ideas for the plan to the community. Each meeting was attended by committee members who worked side by side with staff to engage the public in discussions about our county and its future.

I am proud and impressed of their knowledge and understanding of the issues and their ability to see opportunities in challenges. All are dedicated citizens who share the desire to see Gloucester prosper while maintaining the character that makes it the "Land of the Life Worth Living" for those who live and work here.

The plan is still not complete, but the members of the Steering Committee have provided the backbone and vision for the document currently being drafted. We encourage all members of the community to continue to participate in this effort by visiting our website and providing comments on the draft when completed. In the meantime, I want to say how much my staff and I have appreciated working with the members of the Steering Committee and look forward to seeing their hard work crafted into a document the entire community can take pride in.

Anne Ducey-Ortiz

Planning Director

Gloucester County Planning Department