| Author |
Message |
    
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4231
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 8:13 am: | 
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talk - I do believe a referendum requires the signatures of 25% of the registered voters (hence the 2000 signatures that DeVaris referenced).
Fred - If you are simply comparing "South Orange Specific" vs "Mostly Maplewood" topics, the stats are pretty meaningless because people from both town posts across all topics.
Sheena - Yes...I am glad we spoke and discussed some options offline instead of having a "flame war" online. Further plans for the petition will be "coming soon"  |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 690
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 8:28 am: |
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Sheena-
If many people signed the petition in order to show support for the position, but felt it would be damaging to them personally to be identified (either becasue they may work for the village, or for ReMax or may be neighbors of TSC members, etc.), then it would be a betrayal to them to forward their names to the BOT. The intention of the petition it seems to me is to let the BOT know how many bonafide voters in town are against what they and a small group of pro-Tauites are doing. If the BOT wants the names certified, Marge can do that. But barring that, what the BOT should be concerned about is how many people are represented by the petition, NOT who those people are. BTW, how many names of bonafide voters in town have the pro-Tau group collected? All we are told is that a majority of residents in town support their position with absolutely no documentation whatsoever. |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 578
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 8:57 am: |
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Mr. Schmidt:
Why not?
Perhaps we have more to say, because more needs to be said than what is heard from our trustees.
jd |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2021
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:47 am: |
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..the "secret" of this site and moreover the forum -- it actually runs under at least 2 URLS -- guess which one seems (to me) to be primary... (*not* Maplewood!) /p |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 711
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:10 am: |
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jayjay,
The petition ends with "We the Undersigned"....
I have a hard time grasping why people would put their name to public document electronic or hard copy when many people are looking at it, can see the name above theirs, etc...
If people want to show support but not be public about it, the best time to do it when you're voting because that's very personal... not on a petition.
It's speaks volumes about the S.O. political climate to think that people aren't allowed to have an opinion that conflicts with the current powers... This isn't 'war'... it's about putting your name to a document that requests reconsideration on an issue given our current financial responsibilities and priorities and there's nothing wrong with that.
Like I said, MHD and I spoke about different options that would protect confidentiality and eliminate individuals who don't want their name public. I'm waiting to see what he gets a consensus on from others in the group. |
Stuart0628
Citizen
Username: Stuart0628
Post Number: 275
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
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MHD,
I signed the petiton--and went out of my way to sign the hard copy version of the petition that will likely carry more weight--with the expectation that the petition would be submitted for the BOT's consideration.
Talk-it-up and everyone,
One big hurdle to my wife's and/or my attendance at BOT meetings is child care coverage. (Often I am working late on Mondays and so I can't spring the spouse to go). You are welcome to dismiss the following as another of Stuart's hare-brained schemes that will never work, but...can we arrange group babysitting nearby (at one of the churches/synagogues within 2 blocks? In Village Hall itself? At the Library? Across the street at Messy Artist/Music Together?) so that concerned citizens with kids can show up and remonstrate? |
Nancy - LibraryLady
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3574
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
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If you don't want you name associated with the stand of a petition, don't sign the petition. |
phd6786
Citizen
Username: Phd6786
Post Number: 32
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:24 pm: |
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Frederick,
If you count the names of posters in South Orange Specific and those in Mostly Maplewood you will find that there are much fewer posters in S.O. than in Maplewood. Yet the number of posts are almost three times more. That is because S.O. Specific is used by a small group of people who all we do is talk among ourselves, always on the same issues, all political, using two or three usernames each. S.O. Specific only represents a very small segment of the town, with people who spend too much time in front of their PC’s, and too little time out in real life.
Case in point: the last BOT meeting. After all the hoopla in these threads of “let’s all show up at the meeting and speak up”, nobody from MOL got up to speak and only two or three of us were present, in deafening silence.
I am for drastic changes in our government. We have to get rid of all of them, both the BOT and the administration, and replace them with new blood. Elections are only 11 months away! We need to canvass South Orange, find the right people to govern us, and start a campaign NOW.
But we wouldn’t get that here on MOL. Unless this vocal group in these threads organize a Political Action Committee and come up with a plan on how to recruit and promote candidates we are wasting our time here. I have little time to organize, but I will follow such initiative and support it as best I can, when those who spend so much of their time on these threads complaining and showing off their literary aptitude, spend it more wisely by starting an organization with wide public support. People are sick and tired of all the shenanigans going on in town; they will embrace a well-organized movement for change.
(Watch it. This post will prove very unpopular here. Watch how I will be attacked, vilified, and how I will be labeled “a crony of the BOT”, because I speak an inconvenient truth).
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4233
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:37 pm: |
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PHD for BOT! |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 999
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:38 pm: |
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Nope, not going to attack. Attacks are not nice, not needed, and very rude..
I am with everyone who says enough is enough. I missed the boat to speak on Monday night per my previous post. I have stood up twice at previous meetings and spoken, shaking in my boots both times as I do not like public speaking, but will do it again, and again if necessary.
Who would I like to see in the administation and on the BOT? Plain and simple. I don't care about polical persuasion, gender, etc etc, all I want them to "be" is pro South Orange, intelligent, receptive to the thoughts and suggestions of the residents/taxpayers, open to new ideas, loyal to South Orange, honest and hardworking. I have probably missed something out, but you get the general idea. I don't think I am asking too much and I don't think this will be too hard to find. We all know what we don't want so that's a start.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 4010
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
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SOP: Your next post will be #1000. Make it good.
-s. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1010
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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Soda,
I think I failed.... i've been on words association etc...
Sorry if I let you down!!
addition to post...
I just checked, it was me offering to cook an English dinner for someone, so since I was being a nice person I count that as being a good post!!!  |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3372
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 3:57 pm: |
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phd, not an attack, but most people here are not under multiple usernames, as far as I can tell. Plus, your comment:
"I have little time to organize, but I will follow such initiative and support it as best I can, when those who spend so much of their time on these threads complaining and showing off their literary aptitude, spend it more wisely by starting an organization with wide public support."
is one that most of us echo. No one has time to organize. We all have full time jobs, and many of us have young children to take care of. That is the reason you see the low turnout at meetings. It is easy to say "no one showed" to the BOT meeting that you went to. People have shown up at many others in the past. You might want to look at the video archive of the meetings to see how these people are treated by the BoT.
As for the number of posters, I would guess we have around the same number as Maplewood. We just have, what I would consider, bigger issues than they do, which are very emotional for many here. |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 712
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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Offer on the table
If someone can get a location - I def. can get some people to watch over kids while parents go to the BOT meetings. I think Stuart's idea is wonderful.
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SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 418
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 5:04 pm: |
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Sheena, great idea to talk directly to MHD about various options concerning the petition.
Also, thanks for the offer for child care resources. Hope people respond to it. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1012
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 5:14 pm: |
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Sheena,
That is a tremendous and very generous offer to make. I would hope that a goodly number of SO residents realise this is a great opportunity to know their kiddies will be safe and they can go and voice their concerns.
An offer on the table from me, is if you let me know the night this will happen, I will provide milk/cartons of flavoured milk for all the kiddies and a box or two of vanilla wafers or goldfish snacks.
SOP
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4234
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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I think we also need to insist that the location of the babysitting tunes in to the BOT Meeting on TV to help teach the children how NOT to act!
edited to add: Sheena, I think one option for the petitions is to simply email them to Taylor. That way I can say they were sent, but mysteriously they will end up in "email heaven". LOL! |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 713
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 8:25 pm: |
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SOrising - MHD is a trooper... anyone who can keep up with my frequent 10,000 words a minute vent, is definitely a winner in my book
So - we will have caretakers... we have milk AND wafers/goldfish... now we need a location... hmmmm. I'll shoot off an email to VH and see if we could use one of the rooms there during the meeting. But I'm predicting in advance, and not to be a skeptic, that there are 'legal implications' of providing a service on village property that would hold to village liable if anything were to go wrong. This alone will probably be a bureaucratic mess of waiver forms and physicals and training... and who knows what else... but I'll keep my fingers crossed.
MHD - I couldn't agree more... I was hoping I could give the kids a play by play using appropriate language for their age group... It'd be something like "bad.... no no no no.... bad.... no no no no".
This whole email heaven bit is quite disturbing - first - where's our separation of church and state  (couldn't resist) and second - I'm quite sure emails from people on this board go straight down... to somewhere else, lol. |
talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 244
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 10:13 pm: |
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PHD,
I agree with you.
Stuart,
I understand. We used to cover for each other to attend meetings. It would be great if Sheena got a response from the trustees.
It is important that we address them at the board meetings. I think the meetings for the local areas are basically a way at this point of disarming the residents.
I must apoligize for no show Monday, but I think I just needed a break. All worn out from them and work.
I usually follow through with what I say, but lately I am very disheartened by residents not coming down to give the Trustees a piece of their mind. (The Trustees don't seem to have any problem doing that.)
I also do not see how a repeat performance from some of the ladies in town can hold any water. Were they afraid that everybody was going to show.
Sheena,
Doesn't Seton Hall feel badly about not being included. Example, the Tau and everything stuck in the middle of South Orange, do a project and then re-do it in one spot without even getting the life out of the original and yet...
travelling up South Orange Ave toward Seton Hall Entrance and the Entrance to South Orange hardly any improvements (yes I know they added the gaslights).
I wish they would open the original entrance to Seton Hall as a pedestrian entrance to connect the Village and Seton Hall more, what would that entail, another guard, I think Seton Hall can afford it.
Tau should be located up by 76 SO Ave toward the rest of the Village and Seton Hall. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5380
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 7:37 am: |
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I think Library Lady offered to watch the kids a few months ago. If you need people to help watch the kids she'd mostly help out. |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 714
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
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Alrighty - well I was correct about liability issues so a room in VH is probably not a possibility. If anyone else can find a location, let me know.
talk-it-up - different aspects of SHU - students have signed the petition, I know people in the art dept. who like the idea... but as an institution, I don't think there's really an official position.
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talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 246
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:53 pm: |
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It shouldn't be a position of the University.
BUT
I would think the Village would be better served if TAU were located up in the direction of Seton Hall. At least near South Orange Ave and Valley.
I would also think that the Village and Seton Hall would be better served if there was at least a pedestrian entrance to South Orange at the old entry to Seton Hall where you enter the original main campus, historic side. It is a shorter walk to South Orange and could be a beautiful entry to Seton Hall. May be more inviting to South Orange Residents. Better town-gown.
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Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 58
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 5:54 am: |
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Speaking of town meetings to discuss "issues"...
Someone who lives close to the area of the shooting and killing on SoOrange Ave stood and spoke at that safety issues/special meeting a few weeks back. I know this person quite well, and what he proposed made good sense to me. His proposal included a suggestion to close off the busy avenue access to Fielding Court and replace it with continued curb. Make it a dead end on that end of the block, IOW. He had a whole plan drawn up. a very nice plan, I might add. and a fairly inexpensive one.
In speaking recently with this gentleman at a social function, it was made known that he has yet to hear any bit of reply from any BoT member, and has tried numerous times to get in touch with Mr.Calabrese, only to be ignored. This act is getting old real fast, dear friends and neighbors.
I have now heard that not only has the Village NOT taken this suggestion made by its citizens seriously, and has NOT had the common decency to respond to several letters, which actually ASKED for a response, but the BoT is now considering, if it has not already granted a variance to the guys who own the pizza place (Village Pizzeria) for the express purpose of -get this- putting in a parking lot!
Can you IMAGINE the cars and litter and traffic accidents and NOISE this will generate? At all hours, mind you, since the pizza place is open until 11 PM. And this , in a residential area? We in the Montrose section are NOT a business section of town!Just what we need, a parking lot next to our homes. Headlights in the bedroom at 1 AM , or at any time of day or night when someone uses the proposed lot to turn around and skid out of here in a hurry.
This property in question once was part and parcel of the first house and property on the block,which I believe is # 7 Fielding Court. I'd have to look at it to be sure, but it is the first property on the blockon the same side as the pizza place. Why should that property be taken from The Montrose Section and turned over to be used by people whose address is on So Orange Ave? It was subdivided with a variance for a house to be built on it, and that (and that alone!) was the plan that was accepted for the variance. This happened years ago, but even then, what was being proposed was not deemed acceptable by the residents here. We tried in vain to have the variance denied.
The land was sold off in an act of spite by an owner who was a general contractor in Jersey City, and who refused to accept that the neighborhood folks here objected to an ugly 4 family house being stuffed into that small area.(Hint: this is NOT Jersey City!)She told us ahead of time that we would be sorry we voted against her housing plans. Well, the dirty work was done, the variance was granted, and she sold her tiny bit of ''extra'' land.
And so once again, we are forced to deal with a proposal for a variance grant, for what we in the neighborhood once again consider to be an inappropriate use of the land. This is a TINY bit of ground. It deserves to have grass and kids on it, not a house or a parking lot!
The couple who lived in that house for many years was a doctor and his wife who, in good weather, would take afternoon and evening tea in a lovely gazebo he had built on the side yard... yes, in a SIDE YARD, the same area which is in the plans to made into a parking lot! That is hardly enough space for a parking lot!
Consider that the family who now resides in that home is facing the unwelcome prospect of fumes, litter, noise, bass-pumping music, etc... as do other nearby residents of the block. My windows already shake when cars are stopped at the traffic light at So Orange Ave and Ward/University Place(s). Already, I cannot hear my television or radio when the windows are open for the lovely spring air.
Adding a parking lot to the mix of traffic on so orange Ave will only decrease property values here and add to the mess. Just take a look at the filthy parking lot over by the front entrance to Seton Hall U. Right across the street from SHU, it's a mess! and now? Truly, it's unthinkable, but another one could possibly be considered a good idea?
How can we STOP THIS PROPOSAL DEAD in its tracks?
Fielding Court is part of Montrose Park and it is a designated historical area. We are not, repeat NOT a business district! We are and want to remain, residential!!
Thanks for listening, MOL. Any suggestions for us?
Jersey girl |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 596
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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Elections soon.
Get out the vote, not only of those those who get their prescriptions filled by our own Nero - who gets drivers to take them to the polling places in town.
Educate your neighbors, speak up at board meetings, and don't give up.
Never, never, never give up.
JD |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2833
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 9:58 am: |
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Jersey Girl: I have never received a letter regarding plans for fielding court from a resident. I would be more than willing to consider any reasonable (and legal) requests to improve the strip of stores.
As for the variance being requested, that proposal would go before the Board of Adjustment. I would suggest to residents do as Joel says - make sure you go to the BOA meeting when this is up for discussion.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4260
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
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Wow...Mark & Joel agreeing! This is a historic occasion. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 430
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 4:35 pm: |
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Jersey girl, I'm sorry to hear about the bad situation you've described. It degrades the whole town, not just the Montrose section. Longer term, vote the present BOT out of office and actively work towards the goal of replacing them with more representative and responsible Trustees who care more about the town. The story you tell is pretty objectionable.
Shorter term, it seems you must fight variance after variance, but you might also try to make the current zoning even stricter than it is, so that granting a variance would appear, to any rational person, anyway, even more difficult to accomplish.
Sadly, I am not the least surprised at all the proposals the gentleman you described being ignored. Perhaps Trustee Rosner will work with you. But clearly, you and others should not have to repeat yourselves a hundred times until they are blue in the face. That is why other officials are needed. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 60
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 4:17 am: |
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Thank you to Trustee MRosner for your swift reply. I will be happy to locate a copy of the letter and hand it to you. It was read aloud and was requested to be entered into the record at that meeting held to discuss ''safety issues'' so you can easily locate it within the record of that meeting.
The problem with trying to chat with Mr Calabrese is that the person trying to speak with him was directed to call him at the pharmacy, and he was always too busy to take the phone, understandably, while at work. Apparently there was no place to leave a voice mail for him? That seemed weird to me. Someone should be able to take a message for Mr. Calabrese and make sure it is delivered, wouldn't you agree?
Thanks to all who show an interest in our towns. The situation here has become deplorable, and looks as if it will only be getting worse, if this parking lot variance is granted.
SoRising, thanks for your sympathetic support. You are correct, the entire town IS degraded, when something like this disrupts the neighborhoods of our beloved So. Orange and Maplewood.
In another thread Grove Park being used for prom pix was discussed, with some negative perceptions of the evening and comments from unhappy folks included. Imagine the mess of a parking lot close to this lovely park? Even though it is not directly related to that thread's topic, if you read how offended some people are at having to share Grove Park for one evening a year, you can imagine how the families on Fielding feel about anyone even considering paving over a piece of property for use as a parking lot!
Thanks for hearing my concerns, So and MOL-ers. I appreciate your kindness.
Jersey girl |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 61
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 4:20 am: |
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And ps... I would be happy to help with child care during town meetings.
Jersey girl |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 600
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 9:05 am: |
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I like Mark.
Mark likes me.
We're a happy family.
With a great big hug, and a kiss from me to you, won't you say you love the BOT too!
Is Bill C really Barney?
jd |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4262
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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No - Barney has a grasp on reality.  |
vermontgolfer
Supporter
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 471
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 1:10 pm: |
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And he's PURPLE! |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 432
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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Jersey Girl, sorry to hear our Village President bated and switched you. (Talk to me at work; can't talk to you now, too busy.) What a great representative head SO has! I hope we respect ourselves enough in the next election to get someone better. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 69
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 1:32 am: |
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An update in brief: Received phone calls today from some neighbors on Fielding and surrounding streets. The gentleman who offered the letter with suggestions for better management of the So orange Ave end of Fielding Ct was finally able to not only reach Mr Calabrese, but apparently they talked for quite a while, plus this neighbor traded phone calls and messages with our town engineer. This happened just today or yesterday... very recently. And all involved conducted themselves in a pleasant and professional manner. They get high marks from me right there!
Now I need to see the follow-up to this one-on-one informal meeting.
The idea that this is a residential area, not a business strip, needs to get through to everyone involved.
Thank you to Mr C and to the others who listened to what the people in the neighborhood desire... and to those who took some time to understand the problem more thoroughly. We were feeling so betrayed until this bit of encouraging news came though. Let's keep a positive thing going...!
Jersey girl |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 614
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 6:43 am: |
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Thank you MOL, too.
jd |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 100
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 8:56 am: |
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Sheena - could the church across the street (the one with 'DiverseChurch.org' banner in front) be utilized for space for childcare during the meeting? I know I could get my husband, and many other neighbors to come to the meetings if childcare was available. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 435
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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I agree with Joel, Jersey girl. Note the timing. You got real responses only after you complained on MOL. Please don't forget it in the next municipal elections. I really hope you can get what you need from town officials. Please keep us posted. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 436
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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Elizabeth, that's a great idea. Maybe Sheena would check with the church? |
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