| Author | Message | ||
     ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5047 Registered: 9-2001  |
OK Tom, drop the science and I'll post a survey at the Chelsea Set and keep you advised. To answer your questions, (even though you still didn't answer mine) first, the longest time I looked for parking was about ten minutes. Second, Libby's chair is almost always full, and I don't believe I would be able to attribute any empty chairs to bad parking, however, it's totally possible some customers would rather shop or get their services where the parking is more convenient... Aquaman, anyone who lies and jerks around like you do is a loser. I’m having real trouble understanding why your candidates haven’t denounced you by now. Vic, Nancy, Lester, is this how you are going to run your campaign? In my book you've all lost your minds if you allow this thread to continue with Aquaman leading the fight. Dave? Maybe you or Jamie can figure this out? Is he an imposter? I'm beginning to feel bad about this for his candidates, can someone please throw in the towel? FWIW, the better question now is not about FVF, it’s whether anyone here believes Aguaman is really the campaign manager for Nancy and Lester? I'm going to have to keep swinging until I hear different. So here, eat some more of your own words loser! Fella, your scurrilous lies are making me pig-biting mad! I’M JUST STARTING ON YOU! Listen buster, when I want your opinion I'll rattle your cage, capische? GO FOR IT. Leave us good people alone and stick your pinko propaganda where the sun don't shine pally. NOT A CHANCE. Nancy and Lester are all about progress. WHAT PROGRESS? Begging for votes isn't what Nancy and Lester are about. REALLY? Seeing our candidates in the village would flummox voters. THAT’S INTERESTING. They are running for office not raising money for the Cougar Kickers. THANKS A LOT. As Nancy and Lester’s' campaign manager I must protect them from the irreversible confusion that may result from any hare-brained schemes. AQUAMAN, YOU’RE THE ONLY HARE-BRAIN AROUND HERE. Yours truly, Dr. Arthur Curry, Esq. Campaign Manager for Nancy and Lester for Maplewood Township Committee | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14005 Registered: 1-2003  |
Sorry I missed your question, Art. What was it? I no longer want to convince little old you, but at least I tried! I thought you decided that trying to convince me was too much trouble.  | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 884 Registered: 8-2001  |
Art, OH YEAH??? I'm ready to play you a little tune, something that sounds like CHIN MUSIC Mister! I got your number and that's not whistling Dixie, Trixie! Tom Reingold, As always, you cut through to the meat of the matter and are a voice of thoughtful reason. There is no parking crisis. Sometimes folks have to drive around the village once to find a parking spot during the midday. Nancy is a well-known power-walker, she logs an impressive 97-103 miles weekly, whew! Nancy founded "Perspire to Melt Your Spare Tire!!!" which drew 30,000 participants in '05. Last year was Central Park, this year we'll do it right here in MAPLEWOOD! See you all on May 28 and let's get ready to rumble off those pounds! | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 178 Registered: 4-2006 |
Tom- seen it, want specifics. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5048 Registered: 9-2001 |
Tom, I changed my mind to change your mind. I figure you're worth the trouble. The only problem is I don't know who would be the bigger prize, changing your mind, or changing Joan's mind... As for you Aquaman, I'm up for your Chin Music. I'll meet you at Fist City, Knuckle Junction... Lets do it! | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 14986 Registered: 10-2001  |
How about at the Home Depot? Ya wanna meet there mister? | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 885 Registered: 8-2001 |
Art (Heh, ajc) LOL! You still slay me after all these years!! Do you want to reveal our little secret or should I? Bing-bammingly Yours (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) Ol' Sawbones Curry | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 1170 Registered: 7-2001 |
Maplewood has no parking problem. A parking deck is an utterly silly and unecessary idea. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5049 Registered: 9-2001 |
Come on Drew, put some substance behind your position. Why is it silly? Why is there no parking problem? You must have something to offer up your decision... Aquaman, I have no secrets. And, FWIW, I'm too old, too tired, and too wise to play your silly games. Bing-Bam? No thank you pal. Listen, I'll say it again, go for it pal... | ||
| Nohero Supporter Username: Nohero Post Number: 5343 Registered: 10-1999  |
Re: Parking. Didn't we have this discussion in town about ten years ago? I remember that a parking deck was proposed, to be placed between the tracks and Memorial Park. I also remember that there was a lot of opposition. The end result was the creation of the jitney program, as an alternative to additional commuter parking. Since then, jitney routes have expanded. Just from entirely personal and anecdotal experience, I can't see that we're in any kind of "parking crisis". | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14022 Registered: 1-2003 |
ajc wrote: Come on Drew, put some substance behind your position. Why is it silly? I think it's up to you to show that the problem exists and needs a solution. I invited you to do that and you said it wasn't necessary to do that. If Drew should put substance behind his position, why shouldn't you? You've barely described the conditions in subjective terms. | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1045 Registered: 2-2002 |
Sometimes it takes me MOMENTS to find parking in the village or worse, I have to walk two blocks! These situations are intolerable! Hurting shopping? In the words or Yogi Berra, -"Nobody goes there anymore, -It's too crowded." | ||
| Dogbert Citizen Username: Dogbert Post Number: 95 Registered: 1-2006  |
I agree with steel, there are times when I have to walk the entire length of the village from my spot to where I want to go. I propose that every store have its own parking deck with an elevator directly inside so that i don't have to walk at all anymore. And for the commuter parking, if you can't find a spot, no matter how late you go in, it's because you don't know where to look. There are lots of commuter spots within a 5 minute walk of the station that are available every day. | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1046 Registered: 2-2002 |
I propose that all shopping in the village be done over the internet including Jimmy bringin' me me pints from the Pub! "Carful there Jimmy, -yar spillin' em agin blast ya! Dun make me get up from this char! Now I've gotta hit "Refresh" on me browser agin". | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 886 Registered: 8-2001 |
Let's get this thread back on track. Thanks for the great questions, Joan. Nancy and Lester are FOR: Reducing NJ's over-reliance on property taxes. Increasing Maplewood's commercial ratables. Keeping your taxes in check. Rotating the Mayorship every 3 years. Attacking gang activities. Protecting citizens from harm, disease, violence, crime and petty nuisances. Smart financing-seek out lower borrowing rates, like from the State of Arizona. Delivering a pleasurable community in which to domicile. Becoming America's most admired township. Increasing youth initiatives. Improving recreation facilities without raising taxes. Seeking shared-services with neighboring communities. Now before you ask how Lester and Nancy are going to accomplish this, ask yourself this: If they did all this, would you vote for them? If they couldn't do all this, would you vote for them? | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 197 Registered: 4-2006 |
Aquaman- and a chicken in every pot? I believe Aquaman and ajc should arrange a 3 round boxing match for charity. Or maybe wrestling? In the meantime I look forward to following your byzantine electoral contest in the News Record. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7371 Registered: 5-2001 |
Aquaman: Each of the points you mention in your candidates' campaign platform sounds utopian except for the rotation of Mayor every three years. Wouldn't this provision lead to an emphasis on short term rather than the long term planning needed to carry out the rest of your agenda? Factvsfiction: Good luck finding any kind of election coverage in the News Record which pertains to either Maplewood or South Orange. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 887 Registered: 8-2001 |
Factvsfiction, This is a conversation between A (Aquaman) and B (Benign voters of Maplewood), so C yourself out of it. Butt out. Go solve MSH's problems. Shut it, or I will unleash a rash of •••• and you will not like it, see. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 888 Registered: 8-2001 |
Joan, "Good luck finding any kind of election coverage in the News Record which pertains to either Maplewood or South Orange." Nice Catch. Somehow our (brand) new friend from MSO has gleaned the ins-and-outs, nuances and subtle political code that defines Maplewood politics from...The News Record? Our new friend has discovered MOL right in time for election season to boot! Golly Gee factsvsfiction, you know so much about the reval (whoops, I mean "the re-val", you read the paper, but you can't spell it like the NR does) traffic studies, municipal parking, etc and so on. YOU should be on the Township Committee buck-o, 'cause you sure is smart fer a fella who just reads the local rag. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5050 Registered: 9-2001 |
"I can't see that we're in any kind of "parking crisis." Nohero, you're right, it's not a crisis. However, more parking is an issue that has plagued our town for years, and we're still living with it. Is everyone going to be happy with a parking garage solution? No, there will always be those who are happy to just maintain the status quo. I’m not one of those... FWIW, a parking garage will not only help relieve some of the parking issues, but it will also become an important piece of the Economic Development puzzle, even provide a little property tax relief to boot. The present site of the police headquarters is up for grabs. Finding a developer to build a professional office building and parking deck could provide cash toward the loan for our new police building, a new six figure ratable, reduce traffic congestion in and around the train station, bring new business to town, increase ratables, and provide the merchants with more street parking for shoppers. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 208 Registered: 4-2006 |
Aquaman- I agree to serve, (after 1 year residency), my non-negotiable demands are: 1) A free house above the village, clearly under-assessed ( at the low of 15%) after the next RE-ASSESSMENT. 5 bedroom, 3.2 bath Colonial or Tudor preferred. 2) Paid advisors Joan, ajc, and Tom Reingold, and chief-of-staff Sbenois. 3) Designated personal parking spots in front of Kings and Maplewood Stationary. 4) Free News Record subscription. 5) "The Donald's" cell phone # for Springfield Avenue development. ( " Trump Parc Springfield Avenue" coming 2009) As for your threats, feh, I am of hearty ethnic stock. Besides I think ajc can take you. Arm wrestling, boxing, or even bowling. I would only be worried if you are a Scientologist or terrorist. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 889 Registered: 8-2001 |
Ajc, "Finding a developer to build a professional office building and parking deck could provide cash toward the loan for our new police building, a new six figure ratable, reduce traffic congestion in and around the train station, bring new business to town, increase ratables, and provide the merchants with more street parking for shoppers." We go way back, so I'm gonna be gentle with ya big guy. We have a professional building next to the police department on Dunnell Rd. It has a "vacancy" sign on the front lawn, it always has a vacancy sign on the front lawn. We have a professional building on Valley street in the old Map Building, it also sports a "vacancy" sign. We have professional buildings on Springfield Avenue with...vacancy signs. Hope that helps ajc. The only one hand wringing about parking problems is "factsvsfiction", who lives in Millburn or Short Hills or MSO as the kids say. | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 2419 Registered: 5-2001 |
Even after a one year residency I could never support anyone who misspells stationery. Sorry Fact. But them's the breaks. But I do like your spunk. So perhaps after you've improved on your grammar - if you have kids then I'm sure they're learning tons from the great Millburn/Short Hills school system and will share their knowledge with you - I would consider you. P.S. Understand S1701 before you get too upset with your so-called education overspending faction. Wendy | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 210 Registered: 4-2006 |
Wendy- So you are saying all Essex County politicians can spell? Do you vote on that basis? Wow, an informid voter! Oh, sorry ,informed. Actually I bet I am more familiar with S1701 than you. What's the spending cap Wendy? What is it tied to? If you are so "all that" then I am sure you have not only solved the M/SO school problems, you found them a new superintendent too! ( Did I spell that word right Wendy?). I assume you are a published author on "leveling" also? | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 891 Registered: 8-2001 |
hey Leave Wendy alone - OK? | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 213 Registered: 4-2006 |
Aquaman- read my Essex post | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 426 Registered: 8-2003 |
Aquaman, What's with the Fred routine? I assume FvF is one of your own alter egos, somebody to banter with when the rest of us get weary and don't take the bait. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5051 Registered: 9-2001 |
Aquaman, it's not Fred, I left him at the Township Committee Meeting around 10PM... I'm fairly sure he wishes he could have left too... Actually, after 20 minutes I got dizzy watching the Merry-go-round regarding the discussion item "Next Redevelopment Zones", I couldn't stand it any longer. Let me para-phrase a little dialog with those of you who missed it. We have enough on our plate. No we don't! Yes, we do! Let the EDC do its work! Not without our direction. OK, switch... No we can't. Yes we can. No. Yes. Yes. No. That's what I said in the beginning. No it isn't. Yes it is. We can't let the EDC do what they want. Wait, they provide us with ideas. No, let them give us more ideas on Zone 1 and 3. I thought we had a plan for 1 and 3. Wait a minute, what's the big picture? I won’t trouble you with more of this nonsense, but the bottom line is the Mayor wants the EDC to look at some other potential redevelopment zones to try and get ahead of the curve, which makes total sense to me… Hey, IMHO, its not like we’re paying them, it’s what they are best qualified to do, and the more areas of town they can look at, the better it is for the TC to move forward with the plans they already have on the table… Ugh! Meanwhile, upon arriving home I was pleased to see they voted in favor of moving the Surveillance Cameras agenda forward... FWIW, it’s interesting to see how well they all work together... | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 221 Registered: 4-2006 |
I am not now, nor have I ever been, Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta. and I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. Not once. And that " is" the truth. But Aquaman is so annoying I may decide to move to Maplewood just to run for office to spite him. Keep it up man. | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 427 Registered: 8-2003 |
You guys are too tough on Aquaman. Finding fault with what he says is too easy, like stepping on ants. My feeling about him is, "Aquaman -- What's the Harm?" | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1047 Registered: 2-2002 |
 Friends can disagree. I'm not surprised that the surveillance camera issue was "moved forward" at last nights TC meeting but I was very disappointed in the caviler WAY in which it was moved forward with phrases such as, " Give our police chief two cameras to use on a trial basis TO USE AS HE SEES FIT" wha? exsqueeze me? and "I work in New York and know that I'm on camera 24/7." -So what? This is not New York, it's Maplewood, -that's why it's called Maplewood and not New York. This is also not East Orange, (cited by the Mayor) which has 150 cameras everywhere, (seriously what reality-tv-nut wants to live in such an environment except my good friend Art who can never get enough attention?) and for good reason, they've given up, -"Hey let's get a gazillion cameras, -make people feel good". -swell. -maybe East Orange should have used better more effective means of keeping things safe years and years ago instead of now desperately putting up band-aid cameras every freakin' where which do precious little except make people feel safe the way they feel safe inside a 7/11, -smile while you get that slurppy. -Absolutely no mention of WHERE the cameras are to go, (in fact, my most excellent good friend Mr Pettis seemed to deliberately obfuscate that question, "we are under no obligation to divulge that at this time" -what's up with that? -I thought EVERYBODY wants the cameras, -what's the secret about? -It shall be known soon enough won't it? HOW LONG the "trial" is to last? WHO is going to be monitoring these cameras, HOW long the files are to be kept or with what other agencies the files can be shared? All of these issues need to be established BEFORE a program is embarked upon, not "worked out" by a "safety committee" after it's too late. -Precious little discussion of whether there are better, less intrusive and MORE EFFECTIVE ways to limit or PREVENT crime, (as opposed to just "watching crime" and then rejoicing that we have pictures of the bad guys, -wheeeeeee!). Fred wanted that argument both ways. On the one hand he said that the cameras prevent crime and on the other he said that according to some official in Perth Amboy, (another "role model" town, sheeez), "criminals are dumb, -even when they know the cameras are there they do the crimes anyway and we've got the tapes to show it", -so which is it? Equally little discussion about what measurements will form the basis of such a trial other than "we'll see if crime goes down in that area" -and what if it goes down on that corner from say 5 crimes to 3? -Is that deemed a success? -And what if crime goes up during that same period on the next corner from 0 crimes to 2? -Do we put cameras on that corner and so on and so on until we all feel really really safe? The much maligned (by some) David Huemer was the only one to rightly frame an opposing argument to this sad development when he countered Mr Pettis's reference to the ubiquitous, (too big a word for Mr DeLuca according to himself), presence of cameras elsewhere as any sort of justifying allowance of cameras everywhere. Mr Huemer stated that just because there is a ubiquitous presence of other deleterious things, ('nother big word for Vic, ok I know he was joking), such as advertising or drinking, that that is not a reason to carry it further. -QUITE THE OPPOSITE, -which is precisely the point! Where does it stop unless somebody sez, "no, that is NOT a good thing"? instead of, "other people have it. let's get some ourselves. I wanna live in a glass house too mom!". The philosophy behind such measures as cameras and other illusions of safety is an incremental disaster, it is the death of liberty that most people can't see because it moves at glacial speed as people get "used to it". David was also absolutely correct when he countered the Mayor's revelation that "There is no established legal right to the expectation of privacy in a public space". Yes, we know Mr Mayor, we may not be lawyers but everybody has watched enough "Law and Order" to know that, but that is not the point. -It's not about "LEGAL" rights fer Chris' sake, -it's about the much lauded so-called "Quality of Life". It's about the desire for privacy EVEN in a public space, EVEN if you are doing "nothing wrong", EVEN if there are other people around. -I've said it before and I'll say it again: ______________________________________________________________ -There is a vast difference between being in the view of other persons on the street going about their business and being peered at anonymously by someone who's business it is to watch you. ______________________________________________________________ Privacy is liberty. Safety does not come from cameras. Some people feel, no, some people UNDERSTAND that and others don't. Apparently myself and others have a different world view of the recently spoken phrase "vigilantly defend and improve the quality of life vital to our diverse community". -Carry on -Peace | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5052 Registered: 9-2001 |
"...except my good friend Art who can never get enough attention." Come on Steel, your old bad rusty side is starting to show again pal... It's time for you to be chipped, sanded, painted, and sent back to sea. Before you go though, maybe you can explain to us folks how you get through the day being as paranoid as you are? What are you David and Vic up to that you’re hiding from the rest of us? You afraid some one might catch you guys doing the Springfield Avenue Shuffle again? ;-) Being you seem to have watched the Township Committee meeting very closely last night, I’m sure you picked up how your two pals were also very skeptical about why they weren’t getting their fair share of coverage in the quarterly Mapleleaf Newsletter.} Talk about paranoid, I guess that’s a gene you Democrats must be born with… I mean this is really being out in “left” field when someone else on the committee implies there’s a conspiracy when the Mayor gets two articles in the newsletter. Watch out Karen, next quarter they may want you to start writing with your material with your “left” hand. Listen, without security you can forget about your liberty, and privacy. It’s like expecting to live in peace without having our armed forces. The cameras are for watching out for the bad guys, not the good guys. Catching someone after the fact may save other innocence people from being assaulted, robbed, raped, and murdered. Sadly, this is life in the fast lane. If you want the good old days you are going to have to pick up and move out to places that fit your life style. Maplewood is as much a part of the big city as Queens is to Manhattan. The first WTC bombers were from Boyden Avenue, and the next ones might also come from town as well. Interestingly, I just happened to stop in to say hello to Marie at the skateboard shop on the Avenue yesterday. When talking about all the improvements along the Avenue, we couldn’t help but discuss the difficulty the police continue to have catching more of these drug dealers hanging around the Duncan Donuts. The dealers like hanging at the boarders where they can move between towns by just crossing the street. With their cell phones they are able to stand watch and warn their buddies when the cops are coming. It’s a tough job catching these low life scum drug dealers, and cameras will go along way in helping to clean up any other problem areas in our community. Thanks Fred, Kathie, and Ken, for looking out for us and giving the police the tools they need to do their job. If we can’t trust are own police in Maplewood, who can we trust? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 14033 Registered: 1-2003 |
ajc wrote: What are you David and Vic up to that you're hiding from the rest of us? It's the old "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" argument. | ||
| jamie Citizen Username: Jamie Post Number: 504 Registered: 6-2001  |
For the Official Record: Factvsfiction is not Fred Profeta | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 1048 Registered: 2-2002 |
Thanks Art , I can always count on you for a chuckle. To all: I am supporting Ken and Kathy for reelection, -just not on every damn issue. I would hope that other citizens and TC members would not find it necessary to agree with one "side" or the other on every subject much as Ken voted opposite Fred and Kathy on the letter to Cody thing (Constitutional Convention stuff), last night etc. Think for yourself. Speak your mind. Vote. -Wayne Sullivan | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5054 Registered: 9-2001 |
...I always knew there was something I liked about you Steel. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1798 Registered: 5-2001 |
I'm not sure the cameras would be any more effective (possibly less effective) than really bright lights in the parking lot of Dunkin' Donuts and a 24/7 security guard. If the parking lot is a known spot for drug dealers and customers - isn't Dunkin' Donuts responsible to keep it from continuing to be a public nuisance? Wouldn't a request to the corporate offices to maintain a safe parking lot be the place to start? Street drug deals are hard to ID when they transpire right in front of your eyes - it's a handshake, or one of those hugs where they shake and pat each other's back and that's it. You never see the hand-off of money/product. I don't see how a camera can pick that up. It seems like one of those issues that just makes people feel safer, but in reality the best way to keep areas safe is with police/security guards and good lighting. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 236 Registered: 4-2006 |
Is Aquaman under video surveillence? Perhaps he should be. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5055 Registered: 9-2001 |
"I'm not sure the cameras would be any more effective..." This is a big part of the problem here in Maplewood. Most objections are about doubting if security cameras will be more effective. Then there's the fear of having the police spy on us. I'd much rather have the police watching us then all the people monitoring us everywhere else they have cameras, which is damn near everywhere. The fact is video cameras do work, and having them is a thousand times better than not having them. Why do you think all the stores and public places keep installing them? It's because they work... We must do everything we can to keep ourselves safe. I know, police/security guards and good lighting also helps. Even getting corporate offices to keep a safe property helps. Hey, parents’ teaching their children about the dangers of drugs helps too. Let’s be safe and not sorry… | ||
| Fruitcake Citizen Username: Fruitcake Post Number: 289 Registered: 9-2003 |
Is Aquaman under video surveillence? I dunno, is there a camera in the men's room at the Port Authority bus terminal? |
