| Author |
Message |
    
Joancrystal
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 2:35 pm: |     |
Eb1154:
You raid someone else's. |
Gerardryan
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 5:20 pm: | |
John I'm not 100% sure. best bet: call town hall monday and ask the clerk to put you in touch with them... |
Eb1154
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 7:13 pm: | |
Thanks Joan, I just checked my wife's dresser; she doesn't wear them either. Well, I'm off to check the neighbor's house. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 7:43 pm: | |
Joancrystal: I don't recall denying anyone their rights. You'll have to excuse me if I don't agree with your opinions but I have never suggested that you don't have a right to have them or express them.
As for the exact location of Memorial park, I don't think its proximity to east or west is the issue. In fact, what is the east and west side of town is subject to interpretation. My point, though it seems to have escaped you, is that having some part of the 4th celebration in a park that was CLEARLY on the east side would give everyone in town a real reason to come here and perhaps lead to a mending of fences...fences that many of you seem to think don't exist. So..if you don't think that there is any east/west issue then you simply could not understand the purpose of my suggestion in the first place.
I will be more than happy to work through the committee responsible for the celebration. I was merely hoping that some positive reenforcement from the people here might make that process easier. Considering the substantially negative reaction, I suspect that I would be wasting my time..and perhaps theirs too.
My original suggestion was intended to bring the town together. It is not a "fixation" with the 4th celebration. I frankly believe that it would be the best event to do it with for all of the reasons I have stated about 200 times here.
It appears that as soon as someone from the east side takes a strong stand about something that they are immediately branded as trouble makers. This is not the first time I've seen this happen here.It took two years and a host of letters to the News Record to get a few trash cans on Springfield Ave. It will likely take the rest of the century and an act of Congress to have a major town event held in Dehart or Maplecrest.
You mentioned that some of the posters felt that the original ideas might not work and thus suggested alternative events. I'd still like to know WHY they thought it might not work. When one faces an issue, it usually requires an iterative process to work one's way through the issue. That means intelligent dialog, examining the factors, not immediately trying to skirt the issue and find an alternative , though perhaps effective solution. Often when someone does NOT want to face the issue, they will completely ignore it and change the subject, i.e. panties. I find it interesting that two of the supporters of my idea were both former residents of Maplewood. Perhaps their distance has given them a perspective and objectivity missing from others here.
I keep wanting to just put this all to bed let things remain as they are. Still, I find it hard to give up on what I believe is the right thing to do.
Has anyone given any thought to the fact that in other towns, hoses like the ones here on the east side are selling for more than the asking price? Madison, Montclair, Chatham, Cranford etc. all have different neighborhoods and yet even houses in their "lesser" neighborhoods are selling for a premium while houses here on the east side have difficulty selling with many homeowners having to drop their price. Why is it less desirable to move here than the west side of town, or to those other towns? My concern for all of us on this side is to enjoy our life here AND protect our investment. The biggest problem the folks on the west side are having is the fact that their property values increased so much that their taxes are sky high. Why is the property value percentage increase between east and west so disproportionate? Why is the increase in value on the east side so different than that of equivalent houses in other towns?
I would think that it would be in the best interest of those on the west side to get the property values up on the east in order to lessen the tax burden. This will only happen if the east side of town is seen as a very desirable place to live as opposed to an alternative for those who can't afford Madison or Chatham or Westfield.
The east side has been seen as a step child of this town since I was a kid. As any of those who have lived here for a long time. It's no secret. It may be to you, but it's not to us. I'm not saying this to be destructive. I just want to break the circle and change it. I thought and still think that this idea is a wonderful way to start. I am sorry that you don't agree.
Your sarcastic remark about my asking everyone at your panty raid what side of town they were from was uncalled for. My suggestion was to hold what in marketing is called an interrupt survey at a few town functions. The purpose would be to obtain some data about who was attending the functions in an effort to improve them and improve the whole process in the town. You could ask what neighborhood they were from, how long they had been living in town, how they heard about the event, if they were enjoying it etc. Is that too complicated for you, or are you just afraid of what the data might indicate? |
Harold
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 9:15 pm: | |
I've heard it said that you guys on the west side
don't wear panties,....only over-sized bloomers!
[Some are soooo large you could almost cover an suv with them!]
But all kidding aside, this is a serious discussion about bringing the town together.
The Truth, I don't have an answer about your question about why our housing values are so low on this side of town.
Anyone?? |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 9:30 pm: | |
Joan and Eb. Why don't you take your inane discussion elsewhere. In fact, start your own thread or I'm sure there's an AOL chat room just waiting for you. Frankly, I don't care if you wear them, don't wear them, change them, don't change them or put them on your tiny little heads. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 12:36 am: | |
Although I've surrendered, I would like to drop my white flag for just a moment. It seems that after well over 100 posts since Thetruth07040 first started this discusiion on March 12th, one fact still remains. The side of Maplewood known as the Hilton section,The Harbor or just plain old eastside, will, as it always has been, still remain 2nd best. For those who have remained true-blue all these years, keep trying and don't let up. It is just unfortunate that so many folks can no longer see the trees, for that thick forest keeps getting in the way. Having lived in Maplewood for almost 4 decades, raised a family and worked for the town for close to 30 years, I learned many things. One of which is that rules change continuously, depending upon situations and needs at any particular time or place. So until the idea of changing the location of the July 4th celebration suddenly becomes the "idea" of the "right person"...please don't hold your breath. What really hurts, so many folks hear what is being said....but they never really listen. My white flag is back up...I thank you for your time. I remain, Good Old Days |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 8:07 am: | |
To Goodolddays and all:
Please remember that the "east side" encompasses more than just Hilton. It extends beyond Dehart to the section of Rutgers with all of its factories, to Newark Way (oh my is it really named that?) with its duplex houses, to Hughes and where I grew up and "Little Hughes", to Jacoby, Menzel, Porter Rd, Field Road, Brown St, 44th St alongside what was once Olympic Park, and even, yes, a piece of Chancellor Ave. It rolls down to Troy Court and Evelyn Court. To me it also spreads over to Hillcrest Rd, Orchard Rd and Irvington Ave. These are area which are bounded by Irvington, Union and Newark, not Millburn, South Orange or the Reservation. When do you figure the last time was that someone from Sagamore Rd (or our Town Council for that matter) found themselves driving along or visiting friends on Van Ness Court? If the Earth (or Irvington) opened and swallowed it they would barely notice. |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 9:01 am: | |
You know, Thetruth, your sweeping generalizations are appalling. I live west of the train station, but I go to springfield ave for various shops and services - Hobby Shop Royal Dodge Vitiello's Mplwood Awning & Shade etc etc - I go to DeHart Park for Arts in the Park and who knows how many baseball games; I take my MMS daughter to friends' houses on Burnett and Boyden and whatever other streets. And I don't think I'm alone here. Let me ask you - when was the last time you went to the other DeHart park (off Ridgewood Rd), or the Durand-Hedden house, or the antique and used clothing stores on Ridgewood rd? Take your 4th of July comments to the Civic Association - get involved - something! |
Michael
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 10:16 am: | |
I think holding the circus and 4th of July festivities in DeHart Park is a wonderful idea !
We don't have to choose one park or neighborhood over another. We could alternate or rotate. And while we're at it, let's also reopen up the basketball courts in DeHart Park and Maplecrest Park so that the Memorial Park basketball courts are not the one and only outdoor basketball courts remaining in all of Maplewood's wonderful outdoor recreation areas. |
Nilmiester
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 10:28 am: | |
Why did they close DeHart and Maplecrest courts anyway? One set of basketball courts is not enough for the whole town, especially in March! |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 10:43 am: | |
Appalling? Sweeping generalizations? I shop in the Village often. I eat there often. I use the little magazine Store on Ridgewood often and yes I've shopped in the vintage clothing store there too. I used to live on Cedar. I went to "A taste of Maplewood" at the Women's Club. I've been to The Underground Concerts at the Main Library. I have friends who live on that side of town and visit them. Yes, I have been to the other "Dehart Park" which by the way is called Orchard Park and is off of Dehart Rd! What else would you like to know?
I appreciated the fact that you frequent this side of town. Trust me...for every one of you there are 100 others who would no sooner shop the Ave or come over here than they would fly to the moon. My message is not intended for you or those like you. It is for the greater number who have and continue to deny that this side of town exists. |
Joancrystal
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 11:26 am: | |
Thetruth07040:
I'm sorry if my comments offended you that wasn't my intention. I strongly believe that we have to think of Maplewood as an entity -- not a group of loosely knit neighborhoods that just happen to share the same zip code.
When I moved to Maplewood 20 years ago, no one I met, in any part of town, spoke of an east/west division. In the years that have followed, I still haven't adapted that frame of mind and neither, to the best of my knowledge, have my friends. People did speak of two historical settlements -- Hilton and Jefferson Village, each of which evolved separately in colonial times with its own community and its own business district. At some point they grew together. This may be why we have two main shopping districts today. Maplewood is now one town and I would like to see it remain that way.
I think you will find by reading this and other threads that most of the people here favor "restoring" Springfield Avenue to a more vibrant commercial district. Many are seeking an economic solution to improving the relative value of houses in the Hilton district by creating precisely the kind of magnets there that you and others have referred to in earlier posts. By identifying and implementing planned improvements that suit the needs and character of the community as a whole we can make this happen.
I see your suggestion in placing a part of the 4th of July Celebration in Hilton as having motivations based on what's good for Hilton rather than what's good for Maplewood and it is that partisan thinking that gets me mad.
By the way, many people do celebrate the 4th of July in Hilton by spending a good part of the day at the Maplewood pool!
Part of the reason that housing prices are lower in Hilton than other parts of town is because they tend to be smaller houses on smaller lots than what is found elsewhere in town. At the moment the the real property market seems to be favoring larger houses on larger lots; thus the comparatively higher property value jumps in the R-1-7 and R-1-5 parts of town. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 12:20 pm: | |
Joan,
My comments about housing prices was not a comparison of prices in Maplewood but rather for comperable houses in other towns. I was asking why the houses in the Hilton section sell for less than a COMPERABLE size house in Chatham or Madison or Cranford or Westfield.
As for what best for Maplewood, sometimes you need to do what is best for a particular area of a town in order for it to benefit the whole town in the long run. In any event, why wouldn't having some of the 4th celebration in a park over here benefit the whole town. I still have not heard any real reasons. |
Eb1154
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 12:41 pm: | |
The Truth,
Sounds like you've "got your panties in a bunch", you need to relax a little. You may have started a serious conversation (and I personally agree that the 4th should be celebrated on the east side of town)but your presentation and follow-up leave a lot to be desired. You want the people on this board to take you and your ideas serious but when someone disagrees with you; you freak out. My suggestion to you is to take a step back calm down, fix your panties and try openning your ears and mind to other people's suggestions.
Joan, still no luck finding the panties but I haven't given up yet. |
Napes
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 12:58 pm: | |
Thetruth07040, it seems to me to be quite obvious why houses in Hilton sell for such different prices as those of comparable size, lot size, etc in Chatham, Madison and Westfield. The Hilton houses border undesirable areas of Irvington. The others do not. It's the Irvington factor, as simple as that. Many people would rather choose a small 3-bedroom on a narrow lot in Madison than a similar one just a few blocks away from the Irvington border. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 1:16 pm: | |
Eb: Thanks for pointing out that my purpose in life is to make sure that my presentation and followup are acceptable to you. I stick to the points and address the issues which is much more than I can say for your approach.
But thanks for the advice anyway.
Napes: If that is the case (and to some degree I believe you are right), what can we do to protect the value of houses here? Shouldn't we concentrate town efforts here in order to insure that other positive factors offset this problem? |
Nilmiester
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 1:56 pm: | |
We need to prevent crime on the eastern borders of town, whether that means a neighborhood watch or police patrol on the borders. Many people will stay in their neighborhood and stick it out but most people move from crime to protect their children. They don't gamble with them. |
Thetruth07040
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 3:19 pm: | |
We discussed this issue to some degree in a number of other threads such as The Irvington Factor and Crime in The Ledger. I suggested a Neighborhood Watch but got no real responses. I agree that we need to be particularly tough on crime in these neighborhoods in order to send a message that we won't tolerate it. The Forest Hills section of Newark is surrounded on all sides by high crime areas and it has always remained as an oasis. Madison is bordered on one side by Morristown and yet its housing values continue to climb. It is possible but the right steps have to be taken. One of the first steps is admitting that there is a problem and this town has always had an aversion to giving any appearance that there is a crime problem. I have been told that our police department had to buy their own 9mm pistols as having the town purchase them would create the wrong image. I do not have any facts to substantiate that claim but it is the kind of story that you hear when you talk to people who are "in the know".
However, although related in part, that is not the topic of this discussion. I'm trying my darndest to keep this focused. If you want to discuss that topic further, I suggest that you start a new thread. Thanks |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 3:38 pm: | |
Well, Madison doesn't exactly border Morristown per se. At least not the urban part of Morristown. The Dodge estate sits as a large buffer for a good deal of that border. Then there's Convent Station, Loantaka Brook Reservation and Morris County Golf (Country?)Club in between, too. As someone who has lived in both towns, I can honestly say it is quite different to live on the border to Irvington than to live on the "border" to Morristown.
Not that Madison doesn't have its own share of crime. It does. And serious crime, too. But the perception I think is quite different.
Bacata |
|