| Author | Message | ||
     Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2005 |
Does our township's officials live in a bubble...do they not look outside of South Orange for solutions to problems... Half of the issues that are discussed in the top few threads are all common problems to other towns in this state...Why don't we look to our nieghbors and see how they combate some of these issues that seem to never correct themselves, Doesn't anyone watch News12? NOISE AND COLLEGE RELATED ISSUES, POLICE, FIRE, AND EMS SERVICES, CONTRACTOR ISSUES, GARBAGE COLLECTION? Why is it our town's enforcement has the bite of a small mouse...but other towns have the bite of a doberman??? Just an observance. | ||
| Taylor M Citizen Username: Anotherusername Post Number: 336 Registered: 8-2004 |
You really want us to answer that O and G?  | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 17 Registered: 2-2005 |
Absolutly...I think this coincides great with what was mentioned in the SHU thread about other towns taking hardline stances on issues such as college crowds...How come other towns try to solve problems and in South Orange we just hear about change coming soon...if you follow this message board the onlythings that get solved quickly are decisions made regarding salaries and benefits to village officials. | ||
| Taylor M Citizen Username: Anotherusername Post Number: 340 Registered: 8-2004 |
O and G I could agree with you more. The problem is we keep voting in the same people time and time again. Things need to change! ...if you follow this message board the onlythings that get solved quickly are decisions made regarding salaries and benefits to village officials | ||
| Allan J Rosen Citizen Username: Allanrosen Post Number: 136 Registered: 4-2003 |
In this age of communications of course the BoT is aware of problems and solutions in neighboring and distant communities in N.J. Similarly we have been cutting edge in a number of areas and other communities have copied us. | ||
| singlemalt Supporter Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 840 Registered: 12-2001  |
Similarly we have been cutting edge in a number of areas and other communities have copied us. Thanks Allen, I needed that one. Tough day at the office and that really made me laugh. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 1956 Registered: 5-2001  |
Malt, Maybe Allan was referring to Beirut, Irvington, Camden or some of those towns in Monmouth County that Christopher Christie recently "visited".  | ||
| Walker Citizen Username: Fester Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2003  |
It looks as though the town is going for a record in the Guinness Book World Records as the town with the oldest undeveloped redevelopment project. | ||
| Alonso Mosley Citizen Username: Jack_walsh Post Number: 27 Registered: 2-2005  |
Some other records they might be shooting for: Highest taxes. Worst school sestem (open to students from neighboring towns) Most "Coming Soon" signs Worst Performing Arts Center. I don't know who designed that but it looks like a big hole in the ground. Most empty lots and storefronts. Dont forget our historic Fire house. It's so nice that we wont even let our firefighters sleep in it. I think what this town really needs is more banks. I don't think 30 is enough. | ||
| D. Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 5479 Registered: 4-1998  |
How long has the Saks property in Millburn lay fallow? No good excuse for either one, just curious. | ||
| Walker Citizen Username: Fester Post Number: 76 Registered: 4-2003 |
Fallow describes a significant part of Downtown South Orange and this in a town where the Trusties are always harping on the fact that we need more rateables. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 643 Registered: 1-2004  |
Alsona- Are there really that many banks? And a while ago people were complaining about nail places. | ||
| Alonso Mosley Citizen Username: Jack_walsh Post Number: 28 Registered: 2-2005 |
I exaggerated about the #of banks but there are a lot. | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 319 Registered: 10-2004 |
I think you exaggerated (a lot) about the school system too. happy weekend - MC | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2005 |
What good are new rateables if you are giving away tax breaks to the new properties??? Again with the News 12, Green Brook Twp in Somerset county just past one of the strictest laws regarding out of township students attending their schools on a relatives address. I tried to find the link but couldn't...I guess I'm not as interent savvy as I thought. | ||
| shoshannah Citizen Username: Shoshannah Post Number: 769 Registered: 7-2002 |
The Saks property is in Springfield. | ||
| SO Refugee Citizen Username: So_refugee Post Number: 35 Registered: 2-2005  |
Not to be extremely critical, but the village tends to be a reflection of VP Calabrese's business. Anyone been in there lately? Selling modern medicine in a 70s atmosphere. It's kind of charming, but you want to spruce it up to make it more appealing. I love the village and there are nice places to shop and eat, but there's room for more improvement. | ||
| Alonso Mosley Citizen Username: Jack_walsh Post Number: 30 Registered: 2-2005 |
I didn't exaggerate about the school system mjc. Take a look at Columbia High School in the am and pm. LOTS of taxis from Irvington and Newark. Do you know what that means? That means that there are kids attending school in this town (at the expense of the HONEST, hard -working tax payers that actually live here) that dont belong here. Same with South Orange Middle School. All these people have is "Grandma's" address in S.O. There's many issues that this town has to tend to. MANY!!! One of these issues is our very poor school system. | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 320 Registered: 10-2004 |
Alonso, do you have children in the school system, or are you a "drive by" observer of CHS? Our youngest is graduating (presumably) this year, and in 15 years of close attention and personal experience we have found the district to be pretty much all we could want - sound curriculum, skilled, imaginative and dedicated staff, many kinds of opportunities. Are there things that could be improved? Yes, starting IMHO with some physical plant issues. Of course $ is always an issue and choices have to be made. But a "very poor school system?" Not in any reasonable sense of the words. What district would you consider NOT a "very poor school system," and what considerations lead you to live in SOMA, and not there? Assuming you're right about the number of students coming in from out of town (and frankly, I don't see as much evidence of that as you do, given documentation requirements, home visits in questionable cases and the requirement that students be living with a documented legal guardian if not with parents), what does that actually say about the district? Why would families choose to do that if it's a "very poor school system?" Please pardon my testiness, but I'm recently very weary of offhand blanket condemnations of the SOM schools. When a person sees something that needs to be improved, let them take it up with the appropriate teacher/principal/ district officer, and bring it to public attention if appropriate. Lay out the facts, gather support and get something done/changed. Meanwhile, let's give credit where credit is due and not bad mouth the whole system. cheers - MC | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 421 Registered: 3-2002 |
I'm with you MJC. |
