All Mulch, No Muss

"Well, that was easy."

That was the response from Fair Haven resident, and Red Bank taxpayer, as she commonly introduces herself to borough council, Cindy Burnham after her request for a couple of yards of free mulch Wednesday night.

Burnham, the community gardening, open space, public property, and kayaking advocate - among other attributes - who often finds herself at odds with Red Bank's leaders over any number of issues, asked specifically for two yards of fresh mulch to be placed around the entrance of Maple Cove at the base of Maple Avenue.

Council President Art Murphy said he'd pass it along to Gary Watson, the borough's director of public works. Watson told Burnham he'd be able to accommodate her. 

And that, it seems, was that.

The mulch request and response is noteworthy only because i Burnham has asked council for some.

One year ago, Burnhan approached an irascible council - at least when it comes to Burnham - about furnishing Maple Cove with some fresh mulch. Perhaps it was the timing, what with Burnham regularly over its failure to accommodate the community gardeners push for riverside property and simultaneously being part of a lawsuit lodged against the borough for to , but the answer wasn't so simple last time around.

Burnham and several members of the council engaged in a near-shouting match last year after the mulch request was made. The issue, several council members said, was that Burnham and the rest of the friends of Maple Cove had entered into a vigorous campaign to preserve Maple Cove with the promise that they would maintain it. The mulch request apparently violated that treaty, they felt.

Ultimately, the by local landscaper Martin Ryser and the day was saved.

Perhaps this way was a bit easier.