NORTH BRUNSWICK – A young Girl Scout is trying to get some air under her Silver Award project.
Dior Whitfield, a ninth grader at North Brunswick Township High School, petitioned the North Brunswick Township Council on Sept. 12 to help her secure two vehicle and bicycle air pumps for North Brunswick Community Park.
“Community Park needs these stations as amenities [as] the park has high volume traffic for recreational sports such as baseball, soccer and cricket,” Dior said. “Families having picnics, daily cycling, 5K running events, rollerskating and just exercising in general – with all these activities means there are a lot of vehicles and bicycles going in and out of the park.”
The Troop 17902 cadet said that the air pumping stations would be located at the Route 130 and Adams Lane entrances to help anyone who may find themselves with a flat tire.
Since her troop will provide $75 for her to purchase the bicycle pumps, Dior asked the council to help her with buying and mounting the vehicle pumps and stands.
According to her research, a 14-gauge steel vehicle pump made by Air King, an all-American product, would cost $1,269 plus $75 shipping. A stainless steel version would cost $1,398 plus shipping. She said the stainless steel version would last longer in weather, but the engine and compressor run the same in each.
She said there is a 18-month warranty on the compressor and 90 days on the other parts.
For the vehicle pump stand, the cost is $169 plus $55 shipping.
“My project will be a benefit to all in the community, preventing people from A. being stranded in the park due to a flat tire and B. the person does not have to stop the activity they’re doing,” she said.
She asked the council to consider her proposition by her troop’s deadline of Sept. 30. Officials said they will look into her proposal.
Contact Jennifer Amato@newspapermediagroup.com.
