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Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 399
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 12:50 pm: | 
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I just received a reply to a September email sent to John Gross requesting to be advised of any meetings in which the proposed sculpture would be discussed.
Here is the reply I received today, for anyone else who might have an interest:
Quote:As requested, please be advised that the Tony Smith Sculpture will be discussed at the next Conference Agenda meeting, February 15th beginning at 7:30 pm in Village Hall.
(And thank you for the reply Mr. Gross!)
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I. Kabish
Citizen
Username: Parkingsux
Post Number: 304
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
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I wondered what took so long. Could you ask him to put water quality on the agenda too? My camel needs a refill. I like to ride high when directing artistic investment plans. As for Tony, I'm sure he'd be proud of the Old Stone House nestled behind the Seniors' Home today.
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talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 206
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 11:11 am: |
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WHY ARE WE SPENDING MONEY TO UNDO MONEY SPENT???
WHY WOULD WE TAKE DOWN THE GAZEBO AND FOUNTAIN TO PUT UP A SCULPTURE?
DONT WE HAVE ENOUGH THAT SOUTH ORANGE CANT FINISH OR TAKE CARE OF THAT ANOTHER PROJECT NEEDS TO BE STARTED UP AND PUT ON THE PLATE. SOUTH ORANGE WILL LOOK LIKE A WAR ZONE......
IF THEY WANT THE SCULPTURE PUT IT UP BY THE HOLIDAY XMAS TREE IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE BUILDING - FULL VIEW IN FRONT OF EVEYONE, NOT BY THE TRAIN STATION WHERE IT IS OUT - OF - SCALE ...
LESS IS MORE.........................
DONT UNDO....................................
MOVE FORWARD NOT BACK.......................
DONT LET GIFT GIVERS DECIDE THE BEST LOCATION FOR ITEMS IN OUR VILLAGE.........................
DONT SPEND MY MONEY AND THEN XXXX IT AWAY......
(YES I KNOW MONEY HAS BEEN RAISED, BUT MONEY WILL BE SPENT)
RESIDENTS ARE NOT AGAINST ART OR THE SCULPTURE ,
IT IS THE THOUGHT OF WHERE IT WILL BE PLACED AND THE PREVIOUS PROJECT THAT WILL BE TORN DOWN.....
WAKE UP A BE WISE |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 413
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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So, talk-it-up, I guess you will be in attendence at the 2/15 meeting, right? |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 33
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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The metal copy, which is what we will buy, (yes, a copy, will block the view on the North South axis of Sloan Street.
It will be a dark metallic presence.
The light and clean lines of the gazebo apparently bother the doctor glooms on the board.
When you consider SOPAC blocks the view of south mountain from the train station, it seems that perhaps there is no hope until all is dark.
No business or light at lake beifus, shop rite, vose avenue, town hall deli sites,
and no light from the board of trustees.
jd |
SoxHater2090
Citizen
Username: Soxhater2090
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 8:48 pm: |
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jd
You're right the sculpture, (copy or original), is absurd! The family should donate it to the Town, or the Town should graciously refuse the "opportunity" to purchase it.
SOPAC isn't altogether a bad idea; why should S.O. residents continue to give their $ to Maplewood and Millburn, or have to traipse to Rt 10 or Essex Green to see a movie?
Further, why should S.O. residents have to use the Maplewood Tennis Club for parties if they want to have a catered party in a "room"?
Ill-conceived is that SOPAC is buried BEHIND all the buildings, and the town did not exercise eminent domain to evict Bunny's...they were quick to threaten/execute that strategy at the Shop Rite site (that's progressing really well)... they bought the Midas building- and let it sit there for years before THD purchased it- or they should have tried harder to make a deal with them (Bunny's) to re-locate into one of the many empty buildings, so that the brand new Performing Arts Center would have frontage on the main artery...
AND one less empty site...(kill 2 birds with one stone)....
As far as undeveloped or incomplete projects, it seems that THD is proceeding... they've owned the site for much less time than any of the others you mention, and it appears to me, anyway, that there's actually progress going on.. not just a fence like at Beifus and "Sayid" Plaza.
And, a little OT, but when did a block with a few buildings become a "Plaza"?!?!
Dictionary.com gives the following definitions of a "plaza":
1-A public square or similar open area in a town or city.
2-A widened roadway forming the approach to tollbooths on a highway.
3-A parking or service area next to a highway.
4-A shopping center.
I hardly think the knocked down rug store with a fence in front of it, even with the plan as pictured on the Village website, is qualified to be called a Plaza.
jmho.... |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3350
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
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On the agenda it says:
1. Tony Smith Sculpture
A. Judy Wukitsch to comment.
I don't know who that is, but I'd guess she's part of the group looking to raise/spend money for the statue. I'd guess this will NOT be a forum for the public to express concerns about this excessive use of taxpayer dollars, but rather a forum for this person to tell us how great she thinks this fiasco is.
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bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 22757
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:06 am: |
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Mayhew, I know we'll never agree on the statue, but public remonstrances gives you the opportunity to communicate your displeasure. I, for one, would regret losing this opportunity because the voters feel helpless with those they've given office.
This sculpture will be good for South Orange. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3935
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 2:03 am: |
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MHD Judy Wukitsch is the director of the Gallery of South Orange at the Baird.
I think if the town had put the question of whether or not our taxes should pay for this over priced paper weight on the ballet in our last election the majority of the taxpayers would have voted "NO THANKS!"
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talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 208
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 2:21 am: |
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The point is:
We the Village of South Orange may accept a gift graciously if it is appropriate. If there is a restriction as to where it should be located then maybe it should not be accepted.
I also understand that money is being raised to place it, but I am also understanding that money is being spent to undo the fountain and gazebo and put it somewhere else. Maybe that money would be better spent somewhere else, perhaps tending to things that have not been tended to (the StoneHouse might be one of those things, although there are a multitude of others or it could be saved!) Actually why not use it to tear down that God awful ramp at the Baird and restore the entrance. It would be the greatest artistic statement yet!
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3938
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 2:36 am: |
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talk it up-
Can't tear down the ramp at the Community Center. It has to be 'handicapped accessible.' |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 425
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 8:25 am: |
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Im not handicapped, thank God, but it seems to me that the ramp at the Baird would be exhausting and very difficult to manage. It is like the S-turns! With the high brick walls, it might even be a bit scary.
About the statue, maybe Judy W. is going to suggest that it be erected at Floods Hill, or somewhere closer to the Baird! I bet half the resistance to it would dissolve if that were the case!
Regardless, please don't be discouraged from attending. The project hasn't broken ground yet, and this may be the last chance for the BOT to be made aware that many taxpayers feel strongly. At least consider watching on tv or your computer and phoning your opinions in during the meeting!
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jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 395
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 8:30 am: |
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MHD-
Judy Wukitsch is the Director of the Gallery of South Orange and I beleieve works for the guy who is head of the Recreation Dept, whose name escapes me (Andy something). She was the wife of Lenny Pierro who I think got the art gallery off the ground, being an artist himself. Judy appears to be a really dedicated person to the arts and she has done a lot to bring South Orange to the forefront in the arts. Having said that, I think Lenny (who has passed away) was the one spearheading a movement to bring the Tony Smith sculpture to town. I remember there being a fund raiser in Maplewood Women's club a few years back. I think Judy's intentions and motivations are in the right place, I just think this project, cost and priority are wrong.
We need a BOT and VP who knows how to set priorities and appropriate funds accordingly, not a group who answers to the latest popular cause. I bet she was asked to talk about this to deflect some of the community ire. Nevertheless, those who believe that we, as a town, have bigger fish to fry, or better places to spend our money, or other places to install this fait d'accomplis, better speak up. The days of sitting back must be declared over. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3946
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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Andy's last name is Brady... I think the perfect place for the TS thing is on Bill's side lawn. That way we won't have to relocate the gazaboo. I think we need to get as many people as possible at that meeting. As taxpayers we shouldn't have to fund something that was supposed to be a 'gift.' I just think the taxpayers money could be better spent and that we should have been given the chance to vote on whether or not we wanted our hard earned money spent on this statue. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 427
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 8:42 am: |
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So you'll be there too, Jayjay? The more the merrier!
I wish I knew approx. what TIME the sculpture would be discussed. It seems that it is at the very end of the agenda.
Eric D., if you're reading this, can you comment as to how seriously a resident calling in their opinions/concerns is taken over someone who is physically present? (It's $10/hr for a sitter if I can find one on a school night.) |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3351
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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PDG,
I don't believe the resident call-in "feature" is available until April. |
talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 211
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 9:45 pm: |
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The ramp at Baird is not built per ADA standards. Also one can access the building through the entry at the basketball courts. Even if you wanted to have a ramp at the front, it did not have to be such an overstatement. You can barely get in the front door. (It looks more like somebodies relative was in the masonry business and won the contract. It is the overkill that used to exist on the front of village hall. ) |
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