FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLIFTON, NJ — Critical drainage projects deserve more than technical reports and budget appropriations. Residents need understandable information about how proposed improvements will reduce flooding risks and protect surrounding neighborhoods.
Tafari K. Anderson, candidate for Clifton City Council, is calling for transparent oversight of the Plog Brook culvert rehabilitation effort, including project milestones, cost reporting, and regular public updates.
“When families are concerned about flooding, they deserve to understand what improvements are planned, how much those improvements will cost, and when meaningful results can be expected,” Anderson stated.
Anderson recommends that municipal officials publish a plain-language project summary describing the condition of affected infrastructure, the intended scope of rehabilitation, estimated costs, and anticipated construction schedule.
The summary should also identify funding sources, including available grants, and explain any coordination required with county, state, or other agencies.
He believes major drainage projects should include regular progress reports identifying completed work, changes in scope, unexpected delays, and revised cost estimates.
Anderson also supports evaluating whether related drainage maintenance or upstream improvements could strengthen the project’s long-term effectiveness.
“Taxpayers should not have to search through scattered documents to understand an important infrastructure investment,” Anderson said.
He emphasized that transparency should begin before construction and continue through completion.
“Responsible government means protecting neighborhoods, controlling costs, and giving residents the information they need to hold public officials accountable,” Anderson concluded.
Paid for by Friends for Tafari Anderson.