Dick & Peter’s Grandchildren

Some battles had been won, but the garbage wars of the 70's and early 80's were still going on. The politics of local control had been suspended. That caused a lot of resentment with the 14 towns in the Meadowlands District. Payoffs were ending and business as usual wouldn't be usual for long. The Commission told the landfill owners to go up, not out, and the landfilling, once hidden in the reeds, became mountain billboards for all that was wrong with our way of getting rid of garbage. It was rumored that the FAA was worried about the rising flocks of gulls feeding on Site 1A in the landing path of incoming jets to Newark Airport.

With the help of many and against all odds, the Environment Center and the HMDC offices were built on the edge of the operating Bergen County Landfill. This bit of park was a stake in the ground that said "No more dumping here." Beyond it were thousands of acres of wetland, prime habitat for migrating ducks and shorebirds. We were celebrating its opening.

During this ceremony, I was headed to the Environment Center from our offices and was following close behind two Commissioners. The big man from Lyndhurst was talking to the little man from North Bergen.

"Look at this." said Peter. "Can't you see it? This is beautiful. This is for your grandchildren,"

Without missing a beat, Dick replied. "Peter, I don't have any legitimate grandchildren."