| Author | Message | ||
     Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 881 Registered: 8-2001  |
ajc, Fella, your scurrilous lies are making me pig-biting mad! Listen buster, when I want your opinion I'll rattle your cage, capische? Leave us good Democrats alone and stick your republican-pinko propaganda where the sun don't shine pally. Dear Joan, Your intelligent and well-reasoned suggestions are much appreciated. Nancy and Lester are all about progress. Moping around the village begging for votes isn't what Nancy and Lester are about. I think seeing our candidates in the village would flummox voters. "Are they running for office or raising money for the Cougar Kickers?" That's what people will ask themselves Joan, and as Nancy and Lesters' campaign manager I must protect them from the irreversible confusion that may result from any hare-brained schemes. As always, thank you for your big help Joan, and keep those ideas coming! Dr. Arthur Curry, Esq. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7335 Registered: 5-2001 |
Factvsfiction: Most, if not all of the towns in the area that have parking decks in their commercial areas have much larger continguous commercial districts than Maplewood does. Millburn, with its several square blocks of commercial properties would be much better suited for a parking deck than Maplewood. The former Saks Fifth Avenue property on the Millburn/Springfield border, for example, would make a perfect site for a parking deck and development and administration could be shared by your two towns. If we had a property that size available in our commercial district, which we don't, we would have a new police station by now. IMHO, there are too many other uses Maplewood residents would prefer to have any vacant/underutilized land allocated for. A parking deck would be very close to the bottom of just about everyone's list. A better campaign issue for Maplewood would be what our town can do to further reduce automobile dependancy in town. Improved mass transit, continuation of plans for bike lanes, encouraging residents to walk rather than drive short distances when feasible, encouraging development of car pools, etc. would help to further preserve our environment and reduce our dependance on fossil fuel. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5035 Registered: 9-2001  |
"Have you met Aguaman Joan? How about Factvsfiction, or Crabby?" Did you miss my question Joan? FWIW, I think this is a strange way for a campaign manager to support his candidates. Why would Dr. Strangelove tell us Nancy was the Valedictorian of her class ('52) at Columbia High school, and also a Maple Leaf Award recipient? This guy is all wet, and if I was one of the candidates I would drown him... Meanwhile, today I saw Vic DeLuca standing on Springfield Avenue in front of the bank handing out campaign info with a young woman who I believe was Nancy. Now there is a guy who would make a good campaign manager. MMMMmmm, no, there couldn't be a connection between Vic and Aquaman, could there be? NO, Vic wouldn't have anything to do with anyone lying about someone he is supporting to sit next to him on the Township Committee. Actually, this raises an interesting question though. Is Vic supporting this new slate because he feels Kathie and Ken are not doing a good job, or is it as generally thought, just to put his pal David in the Mayor's seat? Well, what ever is going on, it would be nice if someone else would speak up to help clear this mess up... BTW, I'm glad to see FVF has decided to move off this thread. I'm sorry if he felt my comments were personal, they weren't. The truth is, for me it's all about making sure we have an open and clean campaign. Any thread in Mostly Maplewood: Related to Local Government, is no place for posters to play games with their identity, especially with regards to our local election process. IMHO, real issues, require real solutions, from real people... | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7341 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art: I disagree. A fair and open campaign should encourage input from anyone who wishes to contribute. Just because someone uses a nickname when posting on line (you don't sign your full name to each of your posts either) or admits to living in a neighboring community, doesn't mean they can't have a valuable contribution to make to discussions regarding issues affecting Maplewood. Furthermore, I don't believe in bullying anyone off a thread just because you may find fault with one or more of their statements. It is far better to present facts which counter the argument. If, for example, you suspect that Nancy did not graduate from CHS in 1952, it might be more effective to say something like "I have a copy of the 1952 CHS Year Book in front of me and there is nobody named Nancy listed as being in the class. Did she use a different name when she was a student at CHS?" This assumes that there was nobody named Nancy in that class. Aquaman or somebody else reading this thread could then have either presented a CHS yearbook picture of Nancy from 1952 or the name she used in CHS (if it was not Nancy), or Aquaman might have admitted that he might have been wrong about the graduation year, etc. Just my opinion. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 136 Registered: 4-2006 |
Hello Again! Joan- I don't think what you stated is an issue in terms of creating a parking deck. You would be suprised what developers can shoehorn in, in terms of parking lots or decks. I believe the main source of auto emissions is idling vehicles so that a fast, efficient way to park is more advantageous than cars driving around constantly seeking spaces, or waiting for other vehicles to exit a space. I think that in most older communities unless you want to re-create a 19th century farming village, you need to address parking as part of increasing revenues and commercial development. I support a parking deck in MSH, for example. I would point our to ajc, who is growing on me, that in the towns that I have business interests in I often point to Maplewood as an example of a cutting edge municipality. For example the nail salon ordinance, taking over 2 miles of Springfield Avenue, etc. Your politicos have tried in some positive ways and don't live in the past, which is a major problem in some local communities who think the way they did things 50 years ago is the be-all, end-all. Our biggest issue here in NJ is property tax reform. The proposed convention is a joke, and nothing much will happen with Corzine either. Too many vested interests. Towns need a solid mix of both residential and commercial ratables to protect themselves and their future. My comments have nothing to do with your political race, and I don't even know the positions of your candidates. | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2679 Registered: 6-2002 |
So, Art, why didn't you go up to her and introduce yourself and ask her about her qualifications and positions on issues? Then you could have enlightened us. You describe the person you saw as a "young woman". If you were not just being polite then you have certainly resolved one issue. Anyone who graduated from High School in 1952 could not be described as "young". Truthfully, having met the met the woman in question on a few occasions I knew that the reference to graduating in 1952 was a joke. It is clear that Aquaman, whoever he or she is, has nothing to do with the campaign of any candidate and was just pulling our collective legs. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7344 Registered: 5-2001 |
Anon: Agreed. I think those may have been Art's stats Aquaman was quoting with tongue very much in cheek. Factvsfiction: Clearly you and I disagree on the parking deck question. However, I would love it if you could convince me that I am wrong. First of all, I would agree with Tom that there isn't a parking problem either on Springfield Avenue or in the area referred to as Maplewood Village. (Full disclosure here: Tom and I both live within reasonable walking distance of both commercial districts while I assume, being in MSH you do not and that can affect one's perspective.) However, on those occassions when I do drive to a destination at either district, usually the first leg of a larger trip, I have absolutely no problem parking. Most people who complain about parking in the Village want to park in the one spot directly in front of their destination and this is often difficult to do. Nobody who knows the location of the parking lots directly off of SA has ever complained about lack of parking. Secondly, there really is no available space for a parking deck in the Village and this renders the conversation moot. If you don't believe me, please take a walk through the village and the surrounding streets and tell us where you would place a parking deck if you were a developer. Finally, as I stated before, most of the Maplewood residents who were around at the time a parking deck was being considered for the Village area were opposed to the idea because of the additional vehicular traffic a parking deck would bring to that part of town. All of the streets leading into and through the Village area are one lane in each direction. This could easily result in a long line of standing/idling vehicles waiting for their turn to enter/leave such a parking facility. Thus we opted for an alternative which would reduce the overall demand for people to bring their cars into the Village area. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5036 Registered: 9-2001 |
You’re always the ultimate diplomat Joan… Well, it looks like we’ll just have to agree to disagree. How’s that for being agreeable? IMHO, anyone who wants to PLAY should go to the sections of the board where one can expect to find that behavior and not where the candidates and the future of our town is being discussed. As for using my initials, and often my full name, the people posting where I hang out on the board know who I am, and who ever Aquaman is, he damn well knows who I am… And, more important, you know who I am. A fair and open local campaign should NOT encourage distractions from any pinhead who wishes to distract from the real issues, the real solutions, or the real people who are willing to serve our community... Valuable contributions regarding issues affecting Maplewood should be made in person at the Township Committee meetings. They can wait around all night like the rest of us to get a word in edgewise... Now to the issue of bullying someone off a thread... You seem to have far more time and patients to engage any Tom, Dick, or Harry who raises something that interests you, which BTW, is most things on the board. I think the more effective way to say something is to say what you mean then mean what you say. Aquaman could have admitted he was wrong about the graduation year, etc. but has chosen to continue to be a jerk about all this. As for FVF, he seems to be likable enough, and smart enough to be an asset, but like you and Reingold, he’s all over the board and is fast becoming other MOL darling. I guess I’ll just have to settle on being the bully who is unwilling to allow people to mix the towns business with their own personal posting pleasures, IMHO, at the candidates and the towns expense. Of course, that’s just MY opinion as well... BTW, Anon I will introduce myself to her when I get a chance to spend five minutes or so. I have a number of questions to ask her. When is the first debate, if there is one? Also, when you're my age, most women look like "young women"...  FWIW, being you met the woman and knew this was a joke, why didn't you get off your butt and say something? As for Aquaman, nothing is clear with "it", and only goes to prove my point! We don't need any old jerk just pulling our collective legs on this section of the board. If you and the others want to play around with our candidates, you can expect me to be playing around with your heads as well... Sorry, but I'm off to the International Hair Show in the city. I have a lot more to say on the matter, but I'll have to save the rest of it for later tonight. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 139 Registered: 4-2006 |
Joan- Many people in Millburn live within walking distance to downtown Millburn, a number of people in Short Hills live within walking distance to the Short Hills train station and small business area, that does not prevent the need for a parking deck. I think you are fairly fixed in your position so I would not be able to convince you otherwise. Except to say that parking is what attracts quality retailers or developers to a town that has an already established street system and buildings. Feasibility on Springfield Ave.? I think in the coming years many towns will "live or die" as it were from the amount of commercial ratables they receive in addition to residential property tax payers. Read Maple's complaint in the other thread about his property taxes going to 20k from 12k since he has lived in Maplewood. ajc- I would welcome your comments in the MSH thread about MSH issues. I have no problems with " outsiders" bashing or approving of things in my town. You frequently get new perspectives and things perhaps you did not think of as you are too close to the problem, issues, or personalities. I have posted in the M/SO threads because currently there is not much going on in the MSH thread, as the school board election is over and downtown development as an issue has not yet taken off. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5037 Registered: 9-2001 |
FVF, thanks but no thanks... I have more than enough to think about and TRY to contribute too right here in my own town. This is not to say that we can't learn from others, but like in business, if you don't have a financial interest in it, it's just a game... I'm sure our paths will cross again, so good luck, be well, and stay the hell out of our local politics and things will be just fine between us! | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7350 Registered: 5-2001 |
Factvsfiction: I am not opposed to the concept of a parking deck in one or more of the commercial districts in Maplewood. I just don't see where one could be placed without removing ratables which bring in more revenue than a parking deck plus added business in the town's business districts could. IMHO, Millburn and Maplewood have developed along very diffrent lines. We are much more of a bedroom community for one thing and our combined commercial districts still don't come close in size to the commerciasl districts in MSH, especially if the Mall at Short Hills is included in the equation. Furthermore, MSH has 24/78 running right past the town, one-way three lane roads through much of the downtown business district and other amenities not found in Maplewood which would be more condusive to a parking deck solution. If we are to encourage better existing and/or additional commercial development, we are going to have to use some of that creative ability you lauded us for earlier in this thread. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 141 Registered: 4-2006 |
Joan- So how do you propose to increase your ratables and reduce the tax burden on your residential property owners? This is the seminal question in all our neighboring towns. ajc- still cranky and its only 11:26 a.m.? Jeez. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7354 Registered: 5-2001 |
Factvsfiction: If I knew the answer to that question, I would already have shared it with all five of the TC members and anyone else who would listen. Sometimes there is no easy solution. Sometimes we arrive at the best solution by default, after considering and rejecting other possibilities. Dialog such as this helps because it generates thoughts and attracts thinkers with varying experience and skill who may through concensus be able to come up with precisely the right approach. I for one would welcome any creative approaches you might suggest. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5038 Registered: 9-2001 |
Joan, Libby went ahead, and I plan to meet her later on, so I'll try to answer your question. "FVF", it's after 12PM and I've had my coffee, so you're welcome to put in your two cents if you're still interested and have nothing better to do in MSH... Joan, clearly you and I disagree on the parking deck question, and it was polite of you to ask, but I’m not sure anyone can convince you you’re wrong on this one... First of all, there “IS” a parking problem on Springfield Avenue and in Maplewood Village. Try and keep in mind that these are business districts where the easier it is to park, the better it is for the businesses. It’s true that most people who complain about parking want to park in the one spot directly in front of their destination, which is often difficult to do, and only goes to prove my point. Secondly, there “IS” available space for a parking deck next to the train station at the police building site, and behind in the parking lot just south of the post office behind the stores on Maplewood Avenue. You know you always amaze me how you know or knew most of the Maplewood residents who were around at the time a parking deck was being considered. Even more amazing is that you knew they were all opposed to the idea because of the additional vehicular traffic a parking deck would bring. For what ever reason, I seem to find that you and many people on this board always seem to find ways how things won’t work, in favor of other things that in reality probably don’t work… As just “one” example, IMHO, a mixed use professional and medical office building at the present police building site, with a parking deck with full access to the train platform, would actually “greatly” reduce traffic congestion from both sides of the train station. As it is now, most of the traffic on the park side of the station must exit on to Baker Street, or in the Village on to Maplewood Avenue. Meanwhile, all traffic leaving the new parking garage could now use Dunnell to Oakland, Jefferson, and Valley, or Oakview to Valley, and still be able to go up to Baker… The town can then offer commuters who already purchase parking permits, garage space while taking back appropriately less street space, giving shoppers supporting our local merchants more street space on both sides of the tracks. Do we need to consider a larger parking fee? You bet we do. I can’t think of very many places anymore where we don’t pay dearly to park. This type of use for that site would be a plus for our economic development efforts. With this plan, patients and customers all along the tracks from New York to Hackettstown would now have easy access not only to the Professional Building, but to dine and shop at all our local stores in town. BTW, what a nice new ratable for Maplewood to help pay off the loan for our new Police Department headquarters on the Avenue. I see it as a win-win-win for everyone, well everyone but ALL the people you know who were opposed, who by now have probably moved out of town where parking and property taxes are better!!!!!! What will it all cost you ask? Well, that’s a fair question that a local study commission along with a few professionals can work out if we can get past all the local red tape, NIMBY’s, and the nay sayers who frequent this board. I for one would be willing to work with other positive thinking residents of like mind to see what the possibility’s are... | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 573 Registered: 1-2004 |
All steroid-size SUVs should be charged double because they take up two parking spots (has anyone ever seen one of those Escalades actually parked properly?) | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7356 Registered: 5-2001 |
Factvsfiction: As you said previously, what we really need to do is rethink the way in which New Jersey residents pay for public education. Putting the burden on each individual school district (why may often equal a single town as in the case of MSH or just two towns as is the case with SO/M) and then directing what little education money is available at the State level to Abbott districts is fast becoming a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, I doubt anything will work to change this arrangement as long as there are so many voters in Abbott districts (which frerquently coincide with our largest population centers) to press for maintaining a status quo which is to their advantage. Perhaps a massive gentrification of our urban areas would work to change this balance but that will take a considerable amount of time to complete. What can Maplewood do in the meanwhile to relieve residential real property owners of such a massive tax bite? Not much perhaps. To begin to reduce our dependence on residents paying for the bulk of our school, municipal, and county needs by shifting more of the burden to commercial and/or industrial interests, we need to identify what types of business could succeed in our town given the high tax rate which applies to businesses as well as residents and the comparative lack of infrastructure to support either big box stores or large numbers of motor vehicles. Encouraging buesinesses which require less overhead such as service businesses, offices, and retail establishments which can survive with minimal inventory is one possibility. We could address the limited street parking by creating remote park and shop area(s) in places apt to have more parking (the pool parking lot in the off season perhaps?) and offering shuttle service to the commercial districts in town. We can encourage businesses selling heavier items such as furniture to schedule home delivery for a reasonable cost so people don't have to park immediately in front of a retail destination. Imagine a supermarket location (such as the present A&P where customers phone in their orders or place them over the internet and the store delivers on a fixed schedule. We could also make better use of the train service into Maplewood Station to encourage shoppers from out of town to use mass transit to get to/from their destination. Perhaps a package with NJT which would include round trip rail fare, a meal at one of our many village restaurants, movie or other event tickets, discount shopping booklet, etc. These are just a few very preliminary ideas to throw open for discussion. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7357 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art: Parking deck data is based on a survey taken by the Transportation Committee when NJT first approached the town with this idea. For the record I supported the parking deck at that time since NJT was prepared to cover a substantial amount of the cost. According to the results of the survey, I was very much in the minority. What you propose for the site of the present Police Station could work but I see too much competition for the site already. Ideas range from a recreation center to residential units to proposals by commercial developers. I just don't see a parking deck winning out here but I could be wrong. Another thing which would work against a parking deck at that location stimulating commercial business in the Village is that it is located on the wrong side of the tracks. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 152 Registered: 4-2006 |
Joan- Some comments about your posts, which are excellent in discussing substance: 1) Parking decks do not increase traffic congestion or emissions. Consider the location of the parking deck in Summit which is adjacent to a lighted intersection and busy Summit Ave.. I understand they have not had any problems. From my own use of your downtown and from comments from others there is a parking problem for Maplewood Village. One of the reasons for Maplewood to control a segment of Springfield Ave. is to be able to have speed and traffic controls which you would not have if it was a still county road, which can facilitate the placement of a parking deck. It would additionally be a source for shoppers and a draw for businesses to locate there, knowing there are x number of spaces for customer shopping.Ajc's proposal for the police station is also a consideration. After an intial bonding its possible that it may actually end up generating positive revenue. A new feasibility study is needed. 2) "Gentrification" is, given it's NY application, a dirty word, but "improvement" is not. Based on studies I would think condos or loft-like construction would draw generation x and y New Yorkers to your re-development area. Available shopping and an extension of the jitney service to NY trains would make it very attractive. You then create the replacement generation of your current homeowners. I would forget about school reforms at this point or a constitutional convention on property taxes. Those dogs don't hunt as they say. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13944 Registered: 1-2003  |
I might be convinced that Maplewood has a parking problems if I saw some quantitative data, which lists time it takes to find a spot, time it takes to walk from spot to destination, etc. Time yourself next time you mutter to yourself and post your times here. I think the complaints stem from the different kind of parking we have in Maplewood, compared with the kind we have in malls. In malls, you enter the mall property and walk across the property to your destination. In town, you park in a different place each time you go to a different destination. You may cross several property lines. This may increase the perception of a problem that isn't there. When you walk from your spot at the Livingston Mall, you walk farther than you ever have to walk in Maplewood. Maybe you can convince me that the perception of a non-existant problem needs fixing. Maybe this perception keeps shoppers away. What's the fix? I don't know. Perhaps the fix is to add unnecessary parking. Or perhaps we just need better signs to show drivers where the parking is. | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 286 Registered: 9-2003 |
And perhaps we need somebody from Maplewood to champion the issue instead of somebody from Millburn. I mean what's with this cat? Why is he so wound up about parking in Maplewood? | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11367 Registered: 5-2001 |
Tom, if I am going downtown for dinner and have to park a five or ten minute walk away that is fine. If I am dropping off the laundry or picking up the newspaers the walk seems excessive. I think many people are used to the idea of nearby parking when doing errands. But I do admit to being somewhat time obsessed. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13960 Registered: 1-2003 |
You are probably not more obsessed than most people. I think we all are. I'm just as bad. It's a 15 minute walk from my house to town. I almost never walk, because it seems like a waste of time. Then after I drive, I think how silly that was. Either that, or I get annoyed over the fact that I really didn't have that little bit of time to spare, either because I have too much to do or because I didn't plan things better to allow myself to walk. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5041 Registered: 9-2001 |
"perhaps we need somebody from Maplewood to champion the issue" Well, that would be nice if someone else was willing to step up to the plate. I've changed my mind about FVF. It has become evident that he knows more about what's going on in our town than probably 90% of the residents who live here. I don't know if I agree with everything he has said, but I don't agree with everything anyone says... Mr. Reingold, what would you do if someone "convinced" you that the perception of a non-existent problem needs fixing? Joan, a lot has changed and I agree with FVF that it's time for the powers to be to take another look. Personally, I don't feel we need another recreation center, and if we did we really can't afford it. For the time being, residents should save their empty appliance boxes. Kids just love to play in them… As for a parking deck winning here you may be right. Meanwhile, I haven’t been able to confirm it yet, but I heard that Summit turned down the Summit Medical Group from building a deck over their parking lot. The result is they have decided to move out of town. I’m sure that’s not the only reason, but parking matters, and the Summit Medical Group moving is going to put a hurt on the merchants in Summit. FWIW, I believe trying to attract developers to build a Professional Office Building with a parking garage at the Maplewood Train Station will solve more problems than it would make… I’m sure NJ Transit would provide easy access to the parking garage and the existing parking lot on the north east side of the station. With all the New Yorkers moving here, maybe they could attract their doctors to move too? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13965 Registered: 1-2003 |
ajc wrote: Mr. Reingold, what would you do if someone "convinced" you that the perception of a non-existent problem needs fixing? Mr. Christensen, if I were convinced, I would ask the TC to find a way to add parking. I would ask the residents to support the idea. How else could I help? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5042 Registered: 9-2001 |
"I would ask the TC to find a way to add parking. I would ask the residents to support the idea..." ...that will do my fine friend, that will do! However, seeing as I have failed to convience you, what will it take, or who else among us can convince you of the need? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13972 Registered: 1-2003 |
I've already said what it will take to convince me. I'd need to hear some statistics on how long it takes to find a spot and how long it takes to walk from spot to destination. It would help a lot if the data were collected in a scientific way, i.e. not anecdotal. But anecdotes might be a good start. I find it odd that whenever I ask people for these numbers, they become quiet on the subject. It makes me wonder if my questions make people realize temporarily that the problem is minor. I believe you go to Maplewood Village often. How about if you kept a log for a week of how long parking takes you? Then the next problem is to decide how long is reasonable. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5043 Registered: 9-2001 |
It's not just about you or me and how long it takes us to locate a parking spot. Sometimes it's longer than others, but the perception is always that there's never a space when and where you need it... FWIW, we really don't need a scientific study. You can ask almost anyone in town if we need better parking and the answer nine out of ten times will be yes!!! Over the years I've done many studies for many different reasons and every time the result was the same. Last year when I moved the Chelsea Set from Baker Street to the new location at the train station I did a study. Hundreds of Libby's customers complained about how bad the parking would be. Then I asked how the parking was where she was on Baker Street, the answer was the same. As you see we moved from Baker Street anyway. The perception by most people I speak with is that parking in Maplewood is an issue. Tom, the simple undeniable truth is, if we had a parking garage for a larger portion of the 2500 daily commuters in and out of our train station, it would greatly help free up more parking spaces for our shoppers. It’s just that simple. Face it, we are a commuter town, and right now a significant portion of our traffic congestion and our limited amount of parking space is all contributed to them. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13979 Registered: 1-2003 |
ajc wrote: FWIW, we really don't need a scientific study. You can ask almost anyone in town if we need better parking and the answer nine out of ten times will be yes!!! Art, you asked me a question. I gave you my answer. You don't like it. What else do you want from me? You asked me what would convince me, and now you're saying we don't need that. Well, maybe "we" don't, but I will if you want to convince me. If you don't want to convince little old me, fine, but you asked. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5044 Registered: 9-2001 |
OK Tom, I got your answer. I no longer want to convince little old you, but at least I tried! I'll move on to the folks who really matter. Hey, Ken & Kathy & Nancy & Lester where are you? Does anyone else think improving parking in town is a problem the Township Committee should be dealing with? Listen, it's “May Day” and none of you are from Mexico, so let’s get to work on this election guys. This thread is your party, and in a month from now we all need to vote. BTW, are any of you against illegal immigrants? Should Maplewood close our boarders? Do we have a right to secure our parking spaces? | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 168 Registered: 4-2006 |
Fruitcake- Just bored. We started discussing parking earlier in the thread. Joan, ajc, and Tom are all pretty knowledgible people who are fun to post with. Have considered Maplewood residency at times, if the right house strikes. Tom- hard to measure time it takes to find a parking spot. you can do traffic studies but it is not the same thing. | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 1169 Registered: 7-2001 |
Maplewood has no parking problem. | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 2410 Registered: 5-2001 |
Whether or not we do have a parking problem - and I'm not convinced we have a problem - building a parking garage for our commuters will not free up space for the shoppers. The commuters cannot legally park - and therefore primarily do not park - where the shoppers want to park, which are in the 1 or 3 hours spots and lots. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 169 Registered: 4-2006 |
drewdix- Whether you have a parking problem or not, a parking deck can facilitate customer parking and train station parking. I would suggest you do a new feasibility study on it to see what you want to do as a town. If you are un-decided, follow whatever debate comes up about it in MSH. It should be quite interesting here. BTW, has your Springfield Ave re-development scheme been rolled out yet? I am curious about what is proposed beyond a police station. ajc- Damned with faint praise? Well I guess I will accept it, since you seem to have such exacting poster standards. | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 575 Registered: 1-2004 |
If everyone realized that it's not really that far to walk a few blocks, then we do not have a problem. The problem is that people want to be in THE space in front of wherever it is they are going. Sometimes I think that people would drive their cars right through the front door of Kings if they could. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13988 Registered: 1-2003 |
factvsfiction, Springfield Ave development has been in progress for years. If you come by every few months, you will see the progress. The Prospect St crossing has looked spiffy for a year or two. They're sprucing up the Vermont St crossing presently. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 882 Registered: 8-2001 |
LOL!!! factvsfiction, our know-it-all neighbor allegedly from "MSH" suggests that Drew Dix perform a feasibility study ! HAW HAW HAW!!! Does anyone here believe factvsfiction is an overly interested neighbor from Millburn? Quit peddling your foul baloney here, fvf. This thread is for real personas only. Thankey. Art Curry | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5046 Registered: 9-2001 |
...there you have it folks, I'm out numbered three to one. Interesting, very interesting... OK, I've provided testimony I've gathered from hundreds of residents and customers over the past few years who said they have problems parking. I'm personally in and out of town everyday and have experienced problems on average of at least once or twice a day. Meanwhile, Drew simply says, "Maplewood has no parking problem." Wendy says. "...a parking garage for our commuters will not free up space for the shoppers." Well, as I said, if the town takes away street parking from the commuters for space in the parking garage, then we'll have more space for shoppers. And finally, Tom is waiting for a scientific study to be convinced there's a problem... Are there any scientists in the audience? Where's the evidence against the garage folks? FWIW, I thought, "Just say NO" was about drugs, NOT about parking garages... | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13992 Registered: 1-2003 |
Let's drop science. What's the longest you've had to search for a spot in the last two weeks? Libby's shop would be a great place to start a survey. Drop the question, "is parking bad?" and replace it with "how long did it take you to find a spot?" You'll have dozens of responses in a week, right? Are there empty chairs in Libby's shop that you can attribute to bad parking? As I said, I'm willing to be convinced, but if you bend over backwards NOT to convince me, well, then here I am. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 175 Registered: 4-2006 |
tom- I mean the tear-down, build stuff | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7365 Registered: 5-2001 |
Factvsfiction: How frequently do you visit the Maplewood portion of SA? If you visit the avenue with any regularity, you will see that there has already been some tear down/build new construction on SA. The process has been going on for years. |
