Residents press Essex County commissioners on Weekway Park restoration, mosque shooting follow‑up and jail and welfare service problems

A string of public commenters used the meeting’s public comment period to press county officials for fixes to park neglect, better communication about a mosque shooting, and improved county services.

Lisa Parker, a homeowner and district leader, urged the county to select entertainment for Veterans Park that reflects the community’s racial and cultural diversity and asked for more advance notice about polling‑place changes. Antar Mateen, representing the Muslim community, said that in January the community lost its imam to gun violence and appealed for an update from the prosecutor’s office and for a community dialogue, saying residents “deserve answers” and feel abandoned.

Several speakers concentrated on Weekway Park (also spelled Weekwick/Weekway in public remarks) and Dividend Hill, a historic monument that residents say is in serious disrepair. James Young and Fawn Garrett Patterson described monuments and park features that have deteriorated and requested convening stakeholders, better on‑site management and use of existing grant funds. Patterson said a previously appropriated grant of $325,000 has not clearly translated to restoration on the ground and asked the board for accountability and transparency.

Other public commenters raised county service concerns: Beth Dickerson asked county staff to inspect large hollow trees near Elizabeth Avenue that may pose safety hazards; a separate speaker described long waits for emergency assistance benefits and alleged that thousands of landlord‑tenant cases indicate systemic failures in homelessness prevention. A community member who identified as a former county corrections officer urged the board to investigate drugs entering the jail and called for federal assistance (DEA/FBI) if needed, arguing that staffing shortfalls have led to prolonged lockdowns and unsafe conditions.

Chair and administration responses promised follow‑up: the chair asked administration staff to collect contact information for community leaders seeking updates from the prosecutor’s office, and county staff said they would review funding status for park restoration plans and procure a more detailed project estimate. Commissioners also asked departments to follow up on welfare processing timelines, tree hazards and jail infrastructure and staffing.

Speakers asked for additional public outreach, clearer information on grant use and faster responses from county operating divisions. The board did not take any formal votes during public comment but recorded the requests for staff follow‑up.