Taunton Lake resident John Palaitis has penned an eloquent statement of the uniqueness of our lake environment, which we are happy to share with you. The text is below. We also have prepared a specially formatted version (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 258kb) that can be printed, framed and hung on the wall as a constant reminder of how special this lake is. Click here to download.

Many of us are starting to look at the developments around us with a touch of nostalgia for the "good old days." We're looking for a time before rush hour traffic, before strip malls around every corner, before ticky-tacky McMansions with no space between them. We long for more peaceful times, more serene surroundings, for a haven from what sometimes is mistaken for progress.

Believe it or not such a place still exists. It is unique in today's world; peaceful yet exciting, quiet and relaxing, and wonderfully, naturally beautiful.

What is so amazing about this place is that it's not a two or three hour drive away; it's not an escape to a national or state park; it's not a "bed and breakfast" in the woods. What it is is a sylvan, wilderness-like residential community in the heart of Medford, NJ. It's "Taunton Lake."

I live in this community and not a day goes by that I don't think of how fortunate I am to be here. I can fish if I want to; I can paddle around the lake; I can take a walk in the woods, or I can simply sit and watch the wildlife and appreciate the miracle that is nature.

But I am afraid that the world out there may be catching up to me. There are those who long for the same lifestyle I have without understanding its true meaning. They want to be here without the bugs, without the noise from the frogs, without the leaves from the trees; in other words, without "here." I'm afraid that they are coming; and, if so, they may unwittingly, unknowingly destroy the very nature they are looking for, the nature that is "Taunton Lake."

There are a few signs that this is already happening. Huge lawns that may be acceptable elsewhere do not belong in these woods. Homes that take up too much space, use up too much water, and help to ruin the natural resource that is Taunton Lake do not belong here. Uncaring, unaware developers don't belong here!

The value that is this place, the value of all of our properties is not just in the sticks and stones that we put up, but in the nature of the place. It's in the woods, the ponds, the lake, the birds, and all else that keeps it "natural"; and the more the rest of the world ruins its own nature, the more valuable will be what we have here.

I see this as a totally unique development that is rapidly becoming priceless; but we have to be vigilant in keeping it that way. We have here a diamond in what is quickly becoming a coal-filled society. Let's do our best to keep that diamond polished.