The trial against Jackson Township Council President Michael Kafton, who is facing allegations that he illegally passed a school bus for the handicapped as it was stopped and discharging a handicapped child, was once again adjourned.

Mr. Kafton recently suggested the creation of a road safety commission to address the problems our township faces, grappling with the reality that Jackson's roads are the most deadly in Ocean County in 2009, according to New Jersey State Police statistics.

I have a serious issue with Mr. Kafton suddenly being on the road safety bandwagon and see it as nothing more than a cheap trick to solicit voters in November who have serious concerns about a very serious issue in Jackson.

Back in the fall of 2008, I had sent the Township Council an email requesting involvement from the township on the safety of the township roads and the conditions, particularly on East Veterans Highway.

The only elected officials to respond to that request were Scott Martin, Bobbie Rivere and then-Councilman Michael Reina.

Mr. Reina was the only councilman at the time to address my concerns and begin working on proactive solutions to save lives, in particular those of our children, on these highways. He did all of this without running to the media and worked 100 percent behind the scenes.

Mr. Kafton's boat on road safety has sailed long ago. While I agree that it is a great idea to create a road safety commission to save lives, I would hope that this is more than just a chance for Mr. Kafton to capitalize on a political opportunity and would like to see him put his money where his mouth is and demonstrate road safety firsthand before he can have any involvement in a township road safety commission.

Phil Stilton

Jackson