| Author | Message | ||
     Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2006 |
I think you Maplewoodians should also ask for a swimsuit competition as part of your election. | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1042 Registered: 2-2002 |
Now you're scarin' me. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13888 Registered: 1-2003  |
factvsfiction, now I'm getting angry. You deprived us of you for three years?! | ||
| Lester Jacobs Citizen Username: Lester Post Number: 110 Registered: 10-2005 |
I think Lester is more than qualified. It will be good to bring some fresh thinking into town government. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5017 Registered: 9-2001  |
John Q. Adams, it’s OK, call them like you see them. Aquaman, check your altitude; you’re not making any sense. Come on, I’ll give you one more chance, it’s time to get off the fence... | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 56 Registered: 4-2006 |
Tom Reingold- Well, Tom a free house in Maplewood would have gotten me on board much sooner, just no one was offering. My election question, if Maplewoodian, would be : which candidate supports a parking deck for Maplewood Village? Seems it could handle both the downtown and the train station, but would probably have to be initially bonded. I am a bit curious as to why some Maplewoodians seem to think that their TC choice can have the American troops brought home from Iraq. Any of them have Donnie Rumsfeld's private telephone #? To my friends in Maplewood I say " Be About Parking". And get a big box store on Springfield Ave. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13893 Registered: 1-2003 |
Interesting. If you've been reading MOL for three years, you may have noticed that I feel there is adequate parking in Maplewood. I know many people don't share that view, but when I ask how long it takes to find a spot and how long it takes to walk from a parking spot to a destination, I don't get any concrete answer. I suspect it's because if we started to quantify answers to those questions, we would see that things are pretty much OK. Furthermore, paying for parking so that there is always enough means we've overspent. I want things to be difficult at the worst times. A big box store, for better or worse, may only be a dream, because the properties are so small. Take a ride along Hilton Ave from Indiana St to Vermont St. Hilton is one block south of Springfield Ave and parallel to Springfield Ave. You'll see residences behind the commercial properties. Even if these residences disappeared (a euphemism for you-know-what), it leaves small parcels of land. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5021 Registered: 9-2001 |
...right, as I've said for years, lets "Be About Parking". Let's find a developer to build an office building and parking garage at the soon to be "Old Police Headquarters Site"... the train platform has to be extended so the new building and the public can enter and exit from the parking garage. Permission to park there is first by tenants and Maplewood resident permit... This will free up some street parking on both sides of the station for shoppers... | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 65 Registered: 4-2006 |
I am glad my comments so enthuse you Maplewoodians! If it was me annoying your political class, like you people seem to do, I would be asking your candidates about whether they propose to have a property tax re-assessment done any time soon. MSH which I believe had the property tax re-val the same time as you, is doing one in 2007. Or would this issue cause your taxpaying residents to gather at your town hall with lighted torches and pitchforks? | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 566 Registered: 1-2004 |
lives in Millburn? hmmmm....... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5022 Registered: 9-2001 |
...go back to MSH or wherever you came from FVF. Another 30 day wonder who blew in from our checkered past. IMHO, I doubt there are very many who are all that enthused by your comments, and the last thing we need is another mole in our garden... | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7317 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bottomline: I'm not sure if you were referring to me or someone else when you commented about the need for interesting questions to pose to the candidates at the coffee you plan to host. In either event, please feel free to use any of the issues I posted earlier in this thread. Factvsfiction: Parking was a big issue years ago, before the days of midtown direct. When midtown direct came in, NJT offered to build a parking deck (where Nelsons is I believe). The offer was hotly debated and turned down because of fears of clogged streets and automotive emissions among others. Instead, Maplewood pioneered the concept of creating a jitney route which would bring rail commuters from their homes to the railroad station via mass transit. One route has now grown to three and the jitney concept has proven very successful. A lot of people would agree with Tom's statement that parking in town really isn't a problem. You will find quite a few people opposed to the concept of big box stores in town. They require additional municipal services and addtions and/or modifications to the infrastructure, pose potential quality of life problems for the town's residents and are unlikely to provide a net gain in tax revenues collected. Considering our density of population and lack of open space for development, many feel that the present structure of our commercial districts would better support smaller business establishments. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 67 Registered: 4-2006 |
crabby- I simply enjoy your wonderful town and intelligent and creative denizens. According to what I am told people come to MSH for the schools, but I believe people come to Maplewood for the town. My hats off to you Maplewoodians for your hard work and effort in making it so. AJC- Well excuse me! If I was looking into moving to Maplewood I would ask about whether the town planned a property tax re-assessment. It seems to be a pretty good question when towns now hit the five year mark or so after a re-val. Should I instead have proposed the town create a large, say 15 block, bed and breakfast zone as a means of stimulating more ratables before a re-assessment is even considered? I was not saying you should do a re-assessment, to be clear. But being so chastized I will go back to debate with the "security moms" in the MSH section. Joan- Parking is still difficult at times in Maplewood Village, perhaps the lot next to the building where Maplewood Matters is could be a modified deck? I think more parking affects the nature of business tenants you get, which allows landlords to charge higher rents, which makes their properties more valuable etc. Since you "own" Springfield Avenue you might as well get the most out of it. If not big box than perhaps quality retailers like in Westfield. They don't have humongous sq. footage for stores there either. The Police Dept. being out there will also be good for business. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 879 Registered: 8-2001  |
Joan, So sorry for taking my time getting back to your well-worded and thought provoking queries. Nancy and Lester and I have been terribly busy with coffees and just because I'm a campaign manager doesn't mean that I can ignore a waiting room full of patients!!! Nancy and Lester support a local jitney (shared services with South Orange) the jitney will run all day in concentric circles within our two towns. Nan and Les call it "The Ring of Friends" Has a nice "ring" to it - don't you think? VOTE NANCY AND LESTER!!! -- WHAT'S THE HARM?" We reject lawn signs and request our supporters (the best!) write our slogan in Round-up on the "stream" setting on their front lawns. Thankey. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5025 Registered: 9-2001 |
You’re excused FVF... Listen, anyone really looking to move to Maplewood would have moved here, tax reval or not. IMO, only someone with a horse in this race would be involved in this section. Who’s your daddy? As an outsider, you care as much about Maplewood as I do about MSH, and I don’t! Being you’re just another mole, I suggest you crawl back in your hole and stay there… I hope anyone who is serious about our town has picked up on your covert political agenda by now... BTW, Aquaman, who are you in bed with? Listen, your phony baloney nonsense is really getting old. FWIW, if anyone wants to know “What’s The Harm” I’ll tell you. The harm is you. If Nancy and Lester know about this thread, and they should by now, and haven’t responded to denounce your stupid comments, their campaign is nothing but another political scam with smoke and mirrors. FWIW, if Vic and David or any of their on-line supporters have nothing to do with you or your candidates, IMHO, I think they should say so... | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11343 Registered: 5-2001 |
Fact, here are some facts on revaluations and reassessments. A reassessment is done by the town assessor and doesn't involve inspecting each and every rateable. This is usually done by juggling the neighborhood factors. This is, I believe, what MSH did in 1991 or 1992. A revaluation involves inspecting every rateable in the town and working up a assessment for each structure based on the inspection. NJ law (or regulations)require a reval every ten years or when to COD (a measure of fairness) exceeds 15%. This law is obeyed about as often as the speed limit on the GSP. Maplewood underwent a reassessment in 2000 that resulted in taxes in some parts of town going up by a third or more (some individual properties saw taxes increase by over 50%) and in other parts of town taxes decreased by a similar amount. There was political fallout. All the members of the TC either choose not to run again or were defeated in their bid for reelection, although one of them is now back on the TC. One of my hobbies is to watch sales information. In addition, one of the ex TC members and a computer whiz who is now on the Planning Board and no longer posting here, did a study a couple of years ago showing that, surprise, sale prices increased most in the area where taxes decreased and least in the area where taxes increased the most. I suspect if a reassessment was done now most of the effects of the revaluation would be reversed. I don't know if MSH is under court order to reval or not. I know SO is. Because of the political fall out most towns avoid the process for as long as they can. I suggested a couple of years ago that the parking lot between the train tracks and Maplewood Avenue be double decked. This wouldn't have caused much visual impact, but there were no takers. Joan is correct on the history of NJ Transit wanting to build a parking deck for commuters. They built a lot in SO and the traffic is horrible. Why doesn't MSH have NJ Transit build parking decks in the resident only lots around the train station in Millburn? Probably for the same reasons MW choose not to accept NJT's offer. All of the above illustrates the insanity of funding most county, town and school services via property tax, which is very much the case here in NJ. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2006 |
ajc- Very, very shortsighted dude. What goes on in neighboring towns is in fact, very important to the economic health, property appreciation stability, and quality of life of your own. You should be interested, for example in Millburn/Short Hills downtown development/re-development plans in terms of whether it can be helpful in generating or decreasing business in neighboring areas, such as Maplewood.Take off the small town blinders. BTW you sound perennially cranky, and why are you posting at 1:24 A.M.? Are you an angry insomniac? Yes, I really do like Maplewood and South Orange, and I have no "political agenda" in either town. Why are you so paranoid about "moles"? If we ever found a home we absolutely loved and desired more than our present home, we would be there, in either town. I do recall the bad old days however, which you seem to forget, when houses sat on the market in M/SO and didn't move. That can affect us all in this area, including MSH. Given the continuing high taxes and lack of ratables and should the prices on NYC apartments sufficiently decline, it would be a mistake not to have leveraged what you can to keep your town chugging along in the impressive way that it has so far in the 21st century. Oh yeah, so sorry for my admiration and enjoyment of your town. Hope you are not part of the town welcoming committee with that 'tude. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5028 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Why are you so paranoid about "moles"? I'm not paranoid about anything or anyone... I'm angry!!! Let me try to be more clear. You, who ever you are are trying to screw around in a real election with real people. You and that other jerk, Aguaman, think you're real. Well you're not!!! If you want to screw around somewhere as coming from MSH, do it in MSH, or do it on another thread where your kind hang out and jerk each other around. I don't play around with those people who want to run my town and spend our tax dollars... Listen, I don't care what advice or suggestions anyone makes about Maplewood unless they are able to put a real face to it, and take responsibility for it. When I post, I believe must readers know who I am, where I come from, and know how to reach me one on one. I stand behind what I say on this message board, and I'm responsible for it. You don't! As for Aquaman, who or what ever that sick jerk is, "it" should walk back into the swamp "it" came out of until "its" hat floats!!! | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5029 Registered: 9-2001 |
...one more thing, Joan, Tom, Bob, and other real people who have participated on this thread about Kathy and Ken, and these other two so called other candidates; unless you know who you're talking to, I wish you guys would stop feeding these trolls! The primary is just around the corner and we have yet to cover any serious issues. We have to live with these two people elected to our township committee for three more years, and this election for the most part represents the way our town is going to be governed for several years to come. IMHO, we really don't need these two jerks screwing around with our heads and distracting us from the real issues of this campaign... Ken and Kathie are real, they have accomplished most of what they said they would from their campaign three years ago, and they deserve our attention and respect... As for me, I intend to see that they get it, I hope you will join me in seeing that they do! | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 567 Registered: 1-2004 |
random thoughts by crabby: Bobk said, "Maplewood underwent a reassessment in 2000." I thought it was a reval. "What's the Harm" is quite catchy. I like it. I wonder if any of the candidates would like to instill a reval every five years. I think it's a good idea (as long as my taxes don't go up any further, choke choke choke) ajc- chill pill, man. This thread is more fun than any in this section in ages! f vs f - I think you're only partially right about why people move to MSH or MSO. They move to Maplewood for the town, the homes AND the schools (other people might not want our school issues, but we love 'em). They move to MSH just for the schools (they could give two hoots about the homes since they just tear 'em down anyway). | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11344 Registered: 5-2001 |
Crabby, it was a revaluation. As I have said many times before I really shouldn't post, at least anything semi-serious, before the coffee kicks in.  Since it is no longer my issue I wouldn't go into the software Certified Valuations (the company MW used for the reval) allegedly provided that would allow the assessor to adjust values and thus taxes based on the prior years sales. | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 570 Registered: 1-2004 |
How's life in the big WO? You hangin' at Essex Green now? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5030 Registered: 9-2001 |
Some very direct thoughts by Ajc: Remember where we are folks; this is: Mostly Maplewood: Related to local governemnt. You're NOT in the Soapbox! Therefore, I said, "IMHO, we really don't need these two jerks screwing around with our heads and distracting us from the real issues of this campaign..." Change that to three jerks! I've already said "What The Harm Is"... and now I'm putting you on my •••• list as well. You want something catchy try, "Aquaman scraped the bottom of the swamp for Crabby and that's a Fact, not Fiction". How's that? I'm not going to chill out pal!!! What don't you three understand about this thread, about the four people who are willing to give their time, money, and talent to our town? If you three want to talk about what it takes to make this town a better place to live, then come out of your hole and stand tall... If you rather just play and jerk around, there's a lot of other space and topics on the message board to do it... I'm sick and tired of a few jerks trying to screw around with our political system here in Maplewood. I'm taking a stand for some serious dialog by real people who are out to make a positive difference in our community. I've heard from to many people for to long how they are disgusted with the nonsense and back and forth debate over our local elections from a few wise guys screwing around with the candidates. I know Kathie, Ken, and Bart personally, and they are not running for office for any other reason than they believe they have something to offer our town. We're damn lucky to have such dedicated people willing to do what they do for us. I refuse to allow this process to continue to be a joke or playground for a few idiots interested in disrupting the process. I can't speak for the other "Johnny Come Lately" couple, but IMHO, I see them as spoilers and up to no good by the way and the timing they entered the race. I could change my opinion on this board if they were to stand up on their own and be counted as serious contenders with a solid platform for our town... In the meantime, the three of you clowns are on my •••• list. Say what you want, offer suggestions till you're blue in the face, play with your pals on any thread you want, all you want; but you better stay out of our "local campaign" or learn to deal with me every time you don't! | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13915 Registered: 1-2003 |
Bart is running again? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5031 Registered: 9-2001 |
Yes he is Tom... He has agreed to carry the banner so to speak. The man believes in himself, has worked hard on the CBAC this year, and has a lot of talent to offer the community. He understands how high the odds are against him winning, yet knows that the issues he raises will either be picked up by the other candidates, and over time his ideas to improve things is town will make a difference. I personally believe they will... He's a good man Tom, and I hope if Bart is not elected, that next year the Township Committee offers him an appointment to one of the more important committees in town. BTW, thanks for trying to get this thread back on track... | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13917 Registered: 1-2003 |
You're welcome. I felt I owed it to you, because I was afraid you were going to bust a blood vessel. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5032 Registered: 9-2001 |
Trust me Tom, I'm not going to lose any sleep over this stuff... However, IMHO, someone has to stand up to all this nonsense year after year. Kicking a little butt now and again is what's needed to get "real" people focused on the real issues. I'm not interested any longer in taking prisoners. No more compromises. As far as I’m concerned our Maplewood election process is serious business for serious people, interested in serious issues... period!!! Do you agree most posty one?  | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13919 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yes, I agree, and I'm pretty impressed with those on the TC and with those who run. We always get good choices, as factvsfiction points out. We are lucky to have such civicly active people. I'm naive politically, so maybe that's why I don't really understand the reasons for the fighting factions in town. I tend to agree with all of them. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 880 Registered: 8-2001 |
Ajc, "but you better stay out of our "local campaign" or learn to deal with me every time you don't!" Listen Bub, I've had enough of your republican skullduggery! My candidates don't need your brand of potty-mouthed malarkey! I'm running a campaign for 2 good democrats, and by golly, let's let the voters decide without your negative spin. There's no room for your seditious lies and nonsensical claptrap on THIS campaign trail buck-o. Tom Reingold, You've always impressed me as an open-minded person, would you like to attend a coffee or wine and cheese for Nancy and Lester? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13921 Registered: 1-2003 |
I'd love to, time permitting. I try to go to coffees or debates for all the candidates for TC and Board of Ed. I hope there is a website listing the times. But please email me at noglider@pobox.com | ||
| breal Citizen Username: Breal Post Number: 875 Registered: 6-2002 |
Aquaman called someone who disagreed with aquaman a liar. | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 425 Registered: 8-2003 |
He also called him Bub and buck-o. Maybe this is the start of the hardball phase of the campaign. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 81 Registered: 4-2006 |
Give ajc his own talk show " Anger Management" on your community access station. He needs an outlet. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 100 Registered: 4-2006 |
Bob K- As crabby noted you had a re-val, back then. If it was me I would always ask my town leadership or candidates about their intentions on doing re-assessments. I have expressed my opinions on the tax consequences of the appraisal of properties for property tax purposes in another thread. Interestingly, some Somerset County towns instituted a pilot program to do that annually when Whitman was Governor. I also happen to track sales data for the towns in our area. Maplewood has advanced significantly since the bad old days in the '90s, but has it developed enough more commercial ratables? And when will the Springfield Ave. proposals come online? It's up to you people whether you feel there is a need to speed the plow on that and address whatever area NIMBY-ism you have. | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 572 Registered: 1-2004 |
You people? Well, I never! jk  | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7331 Registered: 5-2001 |
Aquaman: I hope you encourage your candidates to stop by Maplewood Village and/or Springfield Avenue on Saturday mornings between now and the primary election so tht those of us who are not well connected enough to get invited to coffees and the like will have a chance to discuss the issues with them. It would also be nice if they could attend some of the local events scheduled in May and June and do some walking tours of the neighborhoods throughout town so people can get a chance to know them better. None of these activities will cost them anything but their time. Running an exclusively online campaign is likely to backfire. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7333 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art: Aquaman is a real person who has identified himself on MOL on more than one occassion. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 102 Registered: 4-2006 |
crabby- Well I have been chastized by ajc for the very temerity of posting on a Maplewood thread as a non-resident. Frankly, we are all in this together, but hey, some people are insular, you know? To respond more to BobK, MSH declined to create a parking deck at the Millburn train station as a result of the NIMBY opposition of people on neighboring Cape Ct. and Glen Avenues. But a parking deck concept in MSH is not dead, as one consideration is creating one at the site of the current town hall if a new one is built, or perhaps even going back to the old Millburn station proposal (although it is denied by town officials) Fact is, IMHO, older towns such as ours need parking decks to attract quality retailers and aid commercial appreciation, so they can pay " their fair share" of town property taxes. Town street and parking layouts there were designed to meet early 20th century needs don't really cut it these days. Maybe a parking deck on Springfield Ave. and a shuttle to Maplewood Village? Who knows. Millburn/Short Hills politicos are now heavily pursuing development/re-development here because of the tax issues. All I suggested was that Maplewood not rest on its laurels and ramp up its development plans. The supply of Ny'ers is not endless, and apartment prices in the city will decline making them more affordable. Some tax relief could come from more commercial ratables. Plus the higher the taxes go, the less buyers are willing to pay. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5033 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Aquaman is a real person who has identified himself on MOL on more than one occasion." Are you talking about Dr. Arthur Curry? Listen, if Aquaman and Dr. Curry are one and the same, even though he can he breath under water, he has no other super powers. This is why I told him to walk into the swamp until his hat floats. Joan, real Super Power figures don't lie!!! FWIW, the man has proven himself to be an on-line liar. I'll believe he has risen when I can put my fingers in his gills... Have you met Aguaman Joan? How about Factvsfiction, or Crabby? Joan, as I said in the past, I don't have time for these wise guys as players in our local election unless they can be accountable for what they say, and who they represent... BTW Tom Reingold, not for nothing, but do you have any idea who you're having a conversation with? Have you and Joan both met these three? Listen, I can understand your story about being politically naive, but don’t you think you're going too far. If as you say you are, "pretty impressed with those on the TC and with those who run", than show them the respect they deserve and STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS!!!! | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 109 Registered: 4-2006 |
ajc, did you serve in the Nixon White House? Just asking. I am not, nor have I even been a "troll". I think you need a bodyguard to post anything on the Maplewood portion of this site with ajc around. Nice chatting with you all. Take care. |
