For a backyard heliport, J&J heir launches a local PR campaign

Why ever would people in a quiet area of New Jersey oppose their rich neighbor’s desire to commute via chopper?

James L. Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, wants to add the heliport to his property in New Jersey so that the family can bring in prospective cattle buyers to “enhance their farming business,” according to a January NJ.com article.

The neighbors don’t want the Johnsons to have a heliport because, well, who would be OK with their neighbor’s having a noisy helicopter bandying about in their super-fancy neighborhood?

Johnson has launched a single-family PR campaign to convince his neighbors, ostensibly, Hey, man … all I’m trying to do is travel to my property in a style that reflects how super rich I am.

He recently wrote a letter to the NJ.com editor:

To my neighbors in Tewksbury:

I would like to state my purpose for requesting a heliport in Tewksbury Township.

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.