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Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 290
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 2:21 pm: | 
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MHD, my answer to your statement:
“I do hope you can make a request for a construction schedule, including an anticipated start date, end date and key milestones and will share that with us all very soon.”
There is an unresolved issue regarding easements on that property. The issue is presently under negotiation; until it is resolved it would be futile to request an anticipated start and ending date for the project. When the attorneys resolve the issue, I will ask for a construction schedule and I will share it with you. If I do not, please remind me to do so.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3437
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 2:39 pm: |
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Trustee Devaris,
Thank you again for your honest and realistic answer.
I do agree with your statement that "The issue is presently under negotiation; until it is resolved it would be futile to request an anticipated start and ending date for the project."
Although, on the other hand, Edwin Matthews stated emphatically at the meeting Monday night to Dan Goldberg that the easement issue will NOT impede the developer at all. I find that incredibly hard to believe. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 464
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:13 am: |
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Eric, what is wrong with the response is that the Township can set a time limit for finalizing the easement issue (as Ed Matthews stated). From this one can develop a project plan that makes certain assumptions and slack time for contingencies.
Until this project is completed we cannot see any revenue that had been assumed in the Pilot calculations and payment for the property the Township purchased (Bond/Note) for this project. |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 218
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:16 pm: |
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While we manage to keep this thread alive year after year, we are getting no results. We need to find a new way to be heard and force the Board to take action. If they cannot open a grocery store, then they should at least be held responsible for the appearance of the building. At this point, I think Bill Calabrese should fish into his own pocket to fix this problem, if necessary. If we could impeach him or demand a resignation from him, I think that would be the way to go. His gross mismanagement of this project is an utter embarrassment to the town. And, the fact that he can show his face in town without such embarrassment just goes to show how delusional and misguided he is. It is time for him to step down and let someone with some real experience in redevelopment take the reigns. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4222
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:42 pm: |
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Eric-
I have a specific question. Why won't the BOT allow the residents to vote ob whether or not we want this 'gift?' |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4223
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
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Only problem though Neen is people keep electing the same people. My mom and sister were two of those people. Both said they won't the next time around. |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 148
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 1:20 pm: |
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An opinion is not a conflict of interest.
You are surely entitled to have your own opinion, but may not be permitted to vote upon it.
jd |
Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 219
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 2:28 pm: |
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I don't understand how anyone could vote for someone who has allowed one of the central buildings in our downtown area (and the one first seen by outsiders coming to town by train) to look like a crack house for 5 years! |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2494
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 2:44 pm: |
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Because that is not their primary voting issue.
though I can't tell you what is... |
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 3265
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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Could someone post a picture of the Shop Rite building from the train station. It is a direct reflection of the governance we have in town - nothing more and nothing less!!!! Pathetic and pitiful...
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Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 294
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 5:51 pm: |
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JTA,
My response to your question above, regarding the Tony Smith sculpture:
Quote:Eric-
I have a specific question. Why won't the BOT allow the residents to vote on whether or not we want this 'gift?'
Because the residents never asked.
I think that there are two ways for putting a question on the ballot: a) the public can put a question on the ballot if a petition is presented to the BoT signed by 2,000 residents (someone please correct me if I am wrong on this one); or b) if the majority of the BoT votes to put it on the ballot.
Now, if your question is why doesn’t the BoT put the question on the ballot, I can only answer for myself: I believe that by electing the members of the BoT the residents entrust them to make all important decisions for the community. If a majority of the residents disagree with a BoT decision, there are venues to communicate their disagreement and put pressure on the BoT to reconsider their decision. I don’t feel there is enough public pressure against the sculpture to justify putting it in referendum. On the other hand, I feel a great pressure from residents who wrote letters to the press, who came in scores to a BoT meetings, who attended a successful fundraiser in great numbers, who are in support of the project.
The only place I feel pressure against the project is here on MOL. However the MOL anti-Tony-Smith faction is by no means the majority of the S.O. residents.
I respect the opinion of those who oppose the sculpture here on MOL. That is why I try to respond to as many non-hostile, non-sarcastic, non-truth-distorting questions as I can. Some of the comments here are valid educated comments. But I have heard also a lot of questions/comments from a larger segment of our community, from all walks of life, who are supportive of the project. These people are exposed to the same information that people on this board are exposed.
So, as far as I am concerned, on this issue I am serving the interests of the majority of the residents.
I hope JTA that I answered your question.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3472
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 5:54 pm: |
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Quote:on this issue I am serving the interests of the majority of the residents
Eric - can you confirm that YOU are in fact a member of the Committee responsible for the fundraising on the statue?
Can you also comment on whether any of the committee members contributed to your campaign last year? |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 152
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 6:09 pm: |
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Eric: I detect a strong whiff of hubris arising from your latest posts.
jd |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1392
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
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Eric, how many residents have you polled who are not MOL readers or members of the fundraising committee, and who have actually knowledge of the financial aspects of the project?
Overall, I hear a great groundswell of apathy and non-information, rather than of eagerness for this project.
Where have the community at large (non MOL posters) gotten any detailed information on this project? If MOL is a bad info source, for G-d's sake, help the town develop another. The News-Record doesn't fill the bill!
(By the way, I'm not necessarily against the sculpture, but am quite against the lack of information and what seem to be ever changing financial commitments. If the plan is right, I may be a supporter, but right now I have little faith that the plan is right, or that the costs are controlled) |
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 296
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 9:53 pm: |
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MHD and Susan1014,
Please find my answers to your questions under the Tony Smith thread. I don't want to drift any further this thread.
Thank you. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3512
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 10:12 am: |
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We recently learned that the original Beifus building only had a 6 foot basement, which should have been an obvious sign there would be a "water problem" on the site.
Since many people have speculated the same "water problem" will occur at the Shop Rite site, does anyone the height of the current SHOP RITE basement? |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 224
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 11:28 am: |
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Eric
Nice "rhetorical" device. Susan1014 asks perfectly reasonable, but uncomfortable, questions of you and you re-direct.
Eric, I suggest you and the other Trustees take a moment and think about what you're doing on this sculpture. Pretend that the project is not the Tony Smith sculpture, but some other project the Village is funding (I realize this is a difficult leap of imagination, as most of what the village spends money on is a suitable use of public resources and the TS sculpture is not, but please try).
- You have an OPTIONAL Village project of very significant size - the equivalent in cost of TOTAL annual budget for Street Repair - but even that budget number is not firm
- You do not have established sources of initial funding and no sources of ongoing funding for ongoing maintenance (this imaginary project is expected to be a target for graffitti)
- The project will transform the physical appearance of the most prominent piece of real estate in town and yet the vast majority of residents have no idea the project is happening and those that do know, have not been shown a rendering of what the project will look like
YOU WOULD VOTE TO SPEND MONEY FOR SUCH A PROJECT?
The unfortunate answer for a number of trustees and the VP is that they repeatedly support such half-baked projects that inevitably leave us, the taxpayers, holding the bag.
Eric, I thought you were part of the solution.
This project is the sort of project that should be subject to a referendum. At bare minimum, I request again that a detailed budget and drawings in context be published in the Gaslight.
Eric, you're hiding behind the activism of the few. If you really cared about the view of most residents, you would support shedding maximum light on this project. The advocates of special interests never favor that approach, so I suspect you will not in this case.
I'm cross posting this in TS sculpture thread so no re-direct is needed.
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Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 304
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 1:10 pm: |
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Susan,
I am sorry I disappoint you. I try my best to be a part of the solution, but I hope you understand that there will be many issues in town where I will not be in agreement with every single resident. I enjoy very much the intelligence, wisdom, civility, and clarity of your posts, and I respect your opinion, so let’s agree to disagree.
I believe that my role as a trustee is to base my judgment not on the popularity of an issue, but on what my conscience tells me it is good of the Village. I will of course listen to all the pro and con arguments before I take a decision, but in the end I will vote my conscience. If my decision happens to be popular so much the better.
As for the Tony Smith Sculpture Project, I must direct you to my 3/7/06 3:49 pm. post in the Tony Smith thread, where I signed off the issue.
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susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1411
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 2:22 pm: |
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That is fine as an answer, and as an elected official, I respect your right to do what you think is best, without necessarily basing your judgement on the popularity of the issue.
What I was troubled by in my earlier post (which you have not really addressed) was your implication of a groundswell of support from a generally well-informed general populace.
I have yet to see evidence of good public information, or of strong support outside of those involved in fundraisers for it. It is true that MOL is one of the few places where there is any opposition, perhaps because it is one of the few places where there is any information as to the actual cost and implications of the project.
On the whole, I and others on MOL are strong supporters of you, as well as being fairly well informed on local politics.
However, given the lack of factual communication to the general public from our town and our media, it is unfair to marginalize the few who actually choose to be informed as marginal voices and misrepresentative of the town when some of us happen to disagree with you.
I'm marginally a supporter of this statue (while a foe of some of the ways that the project has been accomplished), but am not at all sure that the support will be so strong from the general population once the statue is in place, and the tax bills have increased. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3514
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
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Quote:what my conscience tells me it is good of the Village
Eric - what does your conscience tell you to do when the public is being LIED to by other members of the BOT? Do the right thing, Eric. |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 171
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 3:35 pm: |
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You weren't elected for your conscience.
We all have a conscience.
You were elected because you seemed to be a breath of fresh air.
Seemed.
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Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 306
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
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Joel,
I was elected because, over the years, I have demonstrated that my words turn always into actions, and that my actions are always based on my conscience, and not on the direction of political winds or on popular trends.
As a member, and president of Main Street South Orange, I, together with other members of MSSO, sided with the BoT on the 1996 issue of whether or not to declare Sloan Street and S.O. Av. in need of redevelopment, because my conscience told me that this would be for the best of the Village. I did that despite some popular resistance against that move.
As a member, and eventually president of the Coalition to Preserve South Orange, I, together with other Villagers, fought tooth and nail from 1998 to 2003 against the BoT's desire to build 198 rental units in the quarry site, because my conscience told me that this would not be for the best of the Village. I did that despite the fact that all members of the Coalition were called nimbys by many of the Villagers.
I was elected because my actions, so far, have demonstrated that my conscience is in the right place.
I am sure you have a conscience too. I have put mine in public view for everyone to see.
The fact that I was elected because I seemed to be a breath of fresh air doesn't mean much. Every politicians can fake that before the elections. What is important is whether I can be a breath of fresh air after the elections, and whether I can keep blowing fresh air for the years to come. That, only time will show. All I can do is try, and that I promise.
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Debra Davidson
Citizen
Username: Peanutslady
Post Number: 136
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:23 pm: |
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From what I understand about constitution of a building. Is the sight must be inspected before work can be done? There also are lot of permits that the builder has get before work can begin. You can't just go in and build on a piece land. You are not going to know were the electrical lines are, were the gas lines are and the pipes that supply water to the town are. If you just go in and build without know this you can cause a great deal of damage and harm 1000 of people. Every time you build something it must be inspected to make sure you compiled with all the codes. Please I'm sure town want to get the new market built as soon as possible just like we all do, but it has to be done in the safest way possible. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3518
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
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Debra,
Safe? - yes
FIVE YEARS? - no |
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