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Message |
    
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 9:00 pm: | 
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Shelley,
You're volunteers, and you don't expect kudos, but you ARE asking for money. You have sent out a direct mail to thousands of people, one that TRASHES the village for being late and unprofessional, and your letter was late and unprofessional. And yet you are asking for money to help fight the late and unprofessional people at the village. It makes zero sense.
Also, where is/are the extreme language and base insults? That seems like a deflection. |
gotcha
Citizen
Username: Gotcha
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 9:15 pm: |
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Why in the hell would a organization that purports to love the Village want to
4) Draw*** intense media attention to the dismal situation in the Village
They sure is a great way to attract and keep new families and business, especially since the situation in the Village is by no means "dismal"
It is very disturbing that this type of language goes out on a fundraising letter under the signature of one of our current Village Trustees. He serves on the board of an organization that wants to trash our community in the public media? For shame!!! |
longfellow
Citizen
Username: Longfellow
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:26 pm: |
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WHOA THERE, just hold on a second..."drawing intense media attention" to dismal conditions is what the media is SUPPOSED to do. It doesn't trash the Village. If there were a water main break, the media would be all over it. My understanding (from first-hand conversation) is that SOAR would like to focus on PROBLEMS already there. Like how many more years of empty eyesore lots and empty buildings do you want to see? Getting the media, which tends to be biased or absent around here, to FOCUS in on some bad things (and possibly bad people) is NOT trashing the Village! It's trying to make it better. There are people with open minds (hello? anyone?) who might see that claim as making the Village more livable, that is, trying to improve things. In fact, a little media attention could do just that.
Sorry to rant but sheeeesh, we're shouting at people for trying to help.
As for Kurt's initial letter, wow--some pretty good points. Shelley's answer, typos and all, was just as good and even more passionate, IMHO.
And really, what's the bigger crime here? SOAR's letter being late or the four freakin' years without a supermarket on SO Ave? And does anyone really pretend to not know why that is, and the base corrupt politics behind it?
SOAR has its problems. SO has its problems. But at least SOAR addresses the town's. All I see here (see and hear) is a real sideswipe at SOAR for...what? Sending a letter after the election?
C'mon. Really. |
SO Refugee
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 514
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:37 pm: |
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Shelley,
Not trying to insult you, but, if you and your board do not have the time or resources to edit a letter so that it appears fresh and relevant, how can you expect to accomplish your primary goal of convincing fellow citizens that your group is worthy of receiving a donation?
To think that you are "at a loss" regarding the backlash, I find disturbing. Good luck with SOAR because SO is in need of redevelopment...however, if you want people to join your bandwagon, you need to do a better job making your case. |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 11:04 pm: |
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The biggest problem I have with this (and so do a few other people I spoke with before writing my inital letter) in in the collection of money.
We're all upset at the village for the way they're handling things. We're all paying a boatload of money to the various forms of government that are supposed ot be helping us.
So now this organization comes along, and they want more money. Ever hear the phrase "throwing good money after bad?" I'm trying to determine what it is that this money will accomplish. Otherwise it's just good money after bad.
Here's another similar situation, one that everyone is familiar with.
In the 70s, the costs of health care were skyrocketing. The government stepped in and collected money in the form of taxes to create and administer a little something they cooked up called the HMO act. It created HMOs and this was supposed to solve the problems that we had.
Now, that's all screwed up. Different folks come along and say "health care costs are skyrocketing, this HMO thing is all screwed up, we need a single-payer system."
So now they want to take it to the next level. Single payer system will help because more buying power yada yada economies of scale yada yada yet these were the SAME EXACT ARGUMENTS used in the 70s to create the HMOs.
Of course, this will cost more money to set up, but the promise is saved money in the future. Right. I'd love to see the specifics, and also there's a slew of questions, but of course the way things work now federeally this will just be tacked onto some war appropriates bill with no prior discussion.
So go back in time here in South Orange, the town is struggling, the village steps in and says "we have the answers to the problems, we're going to redevelop the downtown just pay up and we'll take care of it" and of course they screw it all up.
Next up SOAR comes along, and while they might have the absolute best intentions in the world, they still haven't shown in any way that they can make the problem better. And now they want additional money from us to fix the problem the other guys are creating with our other money.
Say SOAR has one single goal, and that was to get the development out of the hands of the town and into the private development corp that they are talking about. And that's it. I would be overwhelmingly in favor of this and I would donate my time and expertise to help make it so. I would encourage other people to do the same.
However, it's not clear they have the focus or ability to do so. On their mission page, they refer to a DRC then later something else called a DRMC and also something called a DMC. When I see this many acronymns in one place I get nervous, and I'm a software developer. Which is it?
Their message isn't clear, their focus isn't clear, and I'll stand on this point repeatedly, the minute you start raising money from people you should have your act together. Get the website organized. Make it clear what your objectives are. Don't send out a letter that is confusing at best and out of touch at worst.
This is what I'd like to know:
1. Who are the people that make up SOAR? What are their accomplishments thusfar either with SOAR or previous, and what makes them qualified to do what they say they will do? This matters when you are asking for money.
2. Clearly and concisely, what are the golas of your organization, and more importantly what steps will you take to reach these goals? From your site: "Therefore, SOAR calls for the immediate establishment of a DRC/DMC(Downtown Redevelopment Corporation and Downtown Management Corporation) to assume full responsibilities for the Redevelopment of the Downtown area of South Orange." That's awesome. Only,
a. How will you make it happen?
b. Do you even have the power to do so?
c. Who will be in the corporation(s), who will the board members be?
d. What will the compenstation be for these people, and where will the money come from? From your site it looks like you have your eyes on $164,000 per year of various salaries of posisitons that you want to liquidate and some other money that would come from liquidating another organization.
I guess I'm looking for something like a business plan. If you want people to invest their money, I think it should be really really clear where it's going to go and how soon to expect results. |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 11:09 pm: |
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forgive the typos above, i think i'm coming down with strep. |
longfellow
Citizen
Username: Longfellow
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 11:38 am: |
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At the risk of sounding like a SOAR apologist or defender, I'm going to take a short pass at answering Kurt, in a general sort of way, since I don't have 'inner circle' specifics.
(BTW, strep in summer is nasty--get antibiotics if it worsens. Rest. Feel better. Don't let MOL aggravate you further!)
To the point: I've met some of SOAR. They are activist, motivated people---lawyers, tax attorneys, CPAs, media folks, other professionals and concerned citizens, even a politican and a student or two.
You ask how they can accomplish anything. How does anything get accomplished? How did the Vietnam War get stopped, and how will the Iraq war get stopped? By increasing awareness in the general public. By citizens making noise. By citizens building consensus.
Case in point: SOAR marched on Village Hall last November, some 200 strong. They demanded action on the supermarket. Did you know that the "nervous" Village officials just happened to turn the lights on THAT NIGHT in the old ShopRite and invited people in to see that "they had plans?"
Just a coincidence after 4 years? I don't think so. And now Mr. Choi has signed a contract and we'll have a supermarket back this year.
SOAR didn't do that alone, BUT THEY HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN. Ask the members of the BOT. Public pressure works, even in a semi-entrenched autocracy such as the one we have in South Orange.
But the occasional solo irate letter to the Board does nothing. It takes organization and passion. Do you go to BOT Meetings? I was at one where a SOAR member (as I found out later), gave a gentle-turned-rousing speech that elicited cheers from the (bi-partisan) audience. I think his name was Martin. Another fellow named Tom spoke with calm and intelligent purpose and the Board was clearly paying attention. He was newly associated with SOAR as well.
I was told that SOAR doesn't want to BE the DMRC, they just want one. They don't want salaries. And they don't want much of your money, either. Please don't give any if you need a complete business plan to convince you. I give to a bunch of charities and causes and I don't ask for that. Either you trust 'em or you don't.
Yeah, they screw up the acronym (DMRC/DMC?) and the letter was late. So far, though, I haven't seen a better alternative. If you want to start one, be my guest.
And someone from SOAR Private Messaged me to say thanks, and who am I anyway.
The answer is: I'm just like you, Kurt. I want to see things get better. Our only difference, really, is that I'm willing to give SOAR a shot, based on what I've seen them do so far. |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 177
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 11:42 am: |
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very nice longfellow...very nice.
Sheena |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 244
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:23 pm: |
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While SOAR and its leader can be criticized for tactical errors along the way, it's currently the only relatively consistent voice, beyond the bounds of MOL, highlighting government ineptitude with downtown redevelopment.
The real crime is that BoT mollified and anesthetized SOAR in the months leading up to the election by promising change, while stringing along the DMC committee. Starting with our Village president's public pronouncement that he favored a community-based group with its own attorney and engineer, and concluding with BOT DMC "discussions" delayed to 10:15pm, private meetings beyond public purview, and blatant procrastination on this matter.
Along the way, SOAR lost its voice, political machine operatives stepped in, and the rest is -- as they say -- history. If SOAR is the wrong vehicle to highlight what's wrong with municipal government and the News Record either is too lazy, incompetent or corrupt (yes, those official notices bring in a lot of ad revenue that could go to the Star Ledger), then who will continue to burn the midnight oil to keep the public awake and informed?
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Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 9
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:25 pm: |
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Longfellow,
That was a beautiful post. Put some John Williams behind it and you have the dramatic turning point in a Spielberg film.
Okay, so maybe that's a bit uncalled for.
Only, wait. You say you give to charities and you trust them or you don't. Why are you doing it? Are you giving as a tax writedown or to help the cause? And how do you know to trust them? Because they're nice?
When I give to charity, I find out (from a 3rd party when possible) how much of my money goes to administrative costs and how much actually gets to the end cause. You can be a not-for-profit charity and spend 80% of your collected money on postit notes and offices and gas and other expenses. Personally, when I give money it's for two reasons, to feel good and to help other people. I'm not going to feel good or help people if only 20% of my money goes to the cause I'm contributing to.
You mention vietnam. Is this really anything like that? Protest marches? This is a small neighborhood with some redevelopment issues, not a superpower sending their kids over to die in a jungle beating back the red scare.
Of course the town opened the doors that day and said hey, look, we're doing something. Would you expect otherwise? You're attacking them publically, and they answered. To believe that that march was responsible for Mr. Choi signing the contract is something else entirely. I'm not saying that they had no effect, you can't just say oh look at these great coincidences that are happening it must be because of this stuff we're doing.
If it feels good and it doesn't hurt anyone, by all means do it. March on town hall, file FOIA requests, whatever. Dance naked in the Beifus lot and take pictures and send them to the paper in protest. Awesome.
But they're asking for money. They don't need a complete business plan. Here's a starting point:
1. How much are they trying to raise?
2. What will the money be used for?
3. Who will be spending the money? What are their qualifications? I have to keep going back to the shoddy letter to make this point, but if that's how their spending their money, there's a problem there.
It's a letter. Type it up in Word or OpenOffice or whatever, send it around to Shelley Stile, Tracy Randenelli, Andrew Kleinberg, Loren Liebenthal, Martin Bearg, Sheena Collum, Lewis Dorf, Tom Oser, Jamie Gorodensky, Daria Knarvik, Nancy Gould, Howard Levison, Eric DeVaris, and have have them proofread it. That many eyes should have been able to catch the fact that the letter was about ancient history. Oh, and state your fundraising goal and how much you're trying to raise. You're not a thinktank, you have a specific agenda. "We're trying to raise $2000 to hire a professional blah blah and have them x y and z. Extra funds will be put into an account and will be used for the following upcoming plans, which aren't fleshed out: a b c"
Two days later have someone pay for the copies and postage with a credit card, and earmark the first money coming back to pay for those costs. Then you'd have a timely, professional fundraising letter.
Instead I get a letter that's all "village bad bad bad bad bad bad" and here's some stuff that we're working on that's irrelevant to what's actually happening in the real world.
Where's the plan? Usually when you raise money it's to do something. Kids will sell me stuff or wash my car cos they're raising money for uniforms for their team. The local daycare co-op will have a fundraiser where they'll put tiles on the wall and you buy them for X and the money raised is to expand the co-op with a new addition, or buy a playground set.
You know, specifics about what they're doing with the money I'm supposed to be sending them. Not feel good statements about watching PILOT and pressuring officials. Otherwise, what am I doing, buying them a nice lunch when they meet? I don't know, I can't tell cos they're not telling me what their fundraising goals are.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2547
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:28 pm: |
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Two Sense,
Yes. In a town with "non-partisan" elections, since there is no "opposition party", it is very important to have an independent watchdog group to try to minimize the corruption. SOAR has done a pretty good job of acting as the watchdog group. As for minimizing the corruption, that part still needs some work.... |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 179
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:31 pm: |
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Minimalist -
SOAR meets this Wed. why not attend?
If not, and you have problems giving money - the solution is quite basic... don't.
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Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 205
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:32 pm: |
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I want to clarify that I am a dues-paying member of SOAR since 2002, but not a member of its policy-making Board. Having said that, I support fully the goals and objectives of the organization as stated in their Mission Statement below.
It is unfortunate that some posters in this forum focus on and are critical of an untimely fundraising letter and its typos, rather than focusing on the essence of who SOAR is and what it does for the Village.
I know for a fact that the people who devote their time, energy, and money sitting on the SOAR Board of Trustees, are residents who have the interests of our Village at heart like, I expect, any one participant in this forum. The only difference is that they have chosen to air their objections to the ways the Village is run, and carry their message beyond the MOL message board to the wide open world by attending BoT meetings, using their true names. As a private citizen, I am thankful for their work. They are honorable professionals who try to right what they perceive to be wrong; I am sure many of the posters here would do the same. If their approach is different than the way you would address a problem that doesn’t make them wrong, and they certainly do not deserve the bashing they receive on this thread.
I can hear it coming: “Of course you support SOAR, Eric DeVaris, they endorsed your candidacy for Trustee”. Yes, they endorsed my candidacy and I support them because we have the common belief that redevelopment of our downtown should be representative of the wishes of our residential and business community, and it should be guided by a professional in the field of redevelopment.
SOAR has raised the public’s political conscience to levels that few organizations have done so in South Orange. The saga of this fundraising letter (a shared effort of printing it by several individuals in their private copiers, rather than paying to have it printed professionally) shows the frugality of SOAR’s Board and their need for our financial support.
I humbly suggest that we have a good look at what SOAR has done for us all, and try to help them, rather than pick on the date of a letter.
--------------------------
Mission Statement of The South Orange Alliance for Redevelopment
SOAR has come into being in order to serve as a citizen watchdog group for the ongoing plans to redevelop the downtown area of South Orange.
Our goal is to assist in the Redevelopment of South Orange by searching out ways to improve and facilitate the process as well as to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest or abuses of power.
We seek to establish a Downtown Redevelopment Corporation (DRC) that is structured according to the guidelines of the Redevelopment Act, the Act that has empowered the Village's own redevelopment. We further seek to apply those same guidelines and principles to all committees associated with the redevelopment.
We seek a town government that is responsive to the concerns and needs of the community first and foremost. We will support candidates for the Board of Trustees who believe, as we do, that we can do a much better job concerning the redevelopment, as well as those who support the concept of open government.
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Tribble
Citizen
Username: Tribble
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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That's the thing about bulletin boards, chat rooms and blogs - it keeps people's ever-widening buttocks firmly implanted in their aeron chairs as they eloquently spout on about the action that needs to be taken in their world. Keep at it SOAR, and your kind. |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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Eric DeVries writes:
"It is unfortunate that some posters in this forum focus on and are critical of an untimely fundraising letter and its typos, rather than focusing on the essence of who SOAR is and what it does for the Village."
I honestly don't think this is unfortunate as SOAR and its backers not getting the fact that the criticism isn't about the date of the letter, it's about the fact that SOAR is critical of the town and the way they're not transparent and the fact that they spend our money badly, and yet, and this is the KEY POINT, they seem like just another group of the same people. No stated concrete use of the money they're trying to raise, not even so much as their qualifications (at least when I vote in the BOT election I see lots of info about the candidates ahead of time) and yet they expect to be immune from criticism?
This isn't about the date on the letter. |
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1475
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:50 pm: |
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Not to drift this thread, but I am wondering -- where does Main St. South Orange come in to all this? |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 180
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:00 pm: |
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Minimalist,
You're points and rants are well taken.
Money continuously loops in order to get out information. While SOAR doesn't need millions of dollars it does help to have a base seeing as though we want to be able to send out newsletters, etc. to keep the public informed. Money was also collected at the March to pay for the hundred + lawn signs concerning the lack of redevelopment that went out to the residents that attended. Your comment re: "Otherwise, what am I doing, buying them a nice lunch when they meet?" - well that surely has not happened while I've been a member and I take a great deal of offense to why you'd make such a childish remark.
Qualifications - I'm sure I'm the one with the least on the board seeing as though I'm a student however:
I'm a double major in political science and int'l relations/diplomacy and minor in economics and a pre-law student (business law to be exact). I'm also the student body president at SHU and sit on a wide array of university and student committes that deal with planning as well as the University's Budget Committee. I also negotiate all contracts on behalf of the Student Government.
You still have not answered my question. With all this information you feel so inclined to post publicly to attack SOAR - why not attend the meeting on Wed? Seems pretty simple.
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6708
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:08 pm: |
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quote:Eric DeVries writes:
Who is Eric DeVries? Shouldn't software developers be more detail-oriented? It's DeVaris.
(My main point being: by focusing on the small you ignore the larger picture of people doing what they can to keep government honest. As the News-Record has given up its role as a conduit of information to the citizens of South Orange, let's at least agree that SOAR's presence as a watchdog is helpful in keeping important issues in front of us.) |
Lucy
Citizen
Username: Lucy
Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:24 pm: |
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Shelly:
I never received a letter from SOAR, but would like to send a check. When and where is the next meeting? |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:27 pm: |
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Dave,
Good one! You sure got me! Thanks for answering my questions!
Sincerely,
Kurt |
longfellow
Citizen
Username: Longfellow
Post Number: 38
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:37 pm: |
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All right--now we're getting heated. I'd really prefer to keep the level of discourse courteous.
Kurt I chuckled at your semi-cheap shots. John Williams, buy them lunch, etc. They're not necessary, but I think most of your posts are rational, so let's forget about them.
Eric is quite eloquent, and did he mention that he was active in SOAR (and a lot of other things) BEFORE running this time? He's got a lot of good stuff to say, albeit in very LARGE type.
And no offense Sheena, but I don't think Kurt is ranting. He's expressing his POV. Over and over and over...(there's my cheap shot!)
A couple of responses: I don't investigate my charities and no they aren't write-offs; they are groups I believe in--most publicly explain how they allocate funds, and the ones that don't are reputable by sheer dint of history.
Which is to your point: SOAR should indeed better explain the uses of the funds they raise. You win on that one, to the extent that people who do not know or trust them need convincing; plenty of us do not because we have seen them in action. And beg to differ, but it is like 'Nam in a very, very microcosmic way--public outrage brings action. Without the noise they made there would have been NO movement on the supermarket, just as there hadn't been any in years. (This directly from at least one irritated Trustee.)
So SOAR has some effect---plenty of posts are saying that. SOAR has some history. But you're not satisfied without a description of credentials and use of funds. You know what? I think you've got something. (Beyond strep that is.) SOAR should outline their financial intentions--if only to bring in some shekels from the Out-and-Out Doubters, of which you are currently atop the Leaderboard.
Oh man, I'm not trying to be snide, just keep it light. Note that the tone is meant to be friendly!
As for coming to a meeting: yikes. After all these posts? Don't use your real name if you do...
 |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6710
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:53 pm: |
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Kurt,
I do share some of your concerns about SOAR and its communications. Clearly they can do better and be a better example of what direction they want to take the village in. My comment was meant to put that into a slightly larger perspective. I don't share your fear (which I infer) that they are going to use money raised inappropriately. |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:56 pm: |
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longfellow,
thank you.
my name for any meeting that i go to will be "Bob Roberts." or wait, if i tell you that i won't be anonymous, right?
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longfellow
Citizen
Username: Longfellow
Post Number: 39
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 2:19 pm: |
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Doesn't matter. The SOAR Assassination Squad (led by Agent Sheena, their version of "Alian,") is already setting up shop outside your home...
(it's a joke, kids) |
longfellow
Citizen
Username: Longfellow
Post Number: 40
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 2:19 pm: |
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That was "Alias" |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 185
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 2:54 pm: |
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Agent Sheena?
That actually has a nice ring to it.
Minimalist - your name can be forever chicken if you don't come. You have valid concerns and we're working on reorganization. Your input would be priceless. So don't be be a little MOL dweller and come out and help. I'll buy you a latte. |
Tracey Randinelli
Citizen
Username: Traceyr
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 12:57 am: |
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Besides some other (very appreciated) stuff, Longfellow said, "SOAR should outline their financial intentions--if only to bring in some shekels from the Out-and-Out Doubters, of which [Minimalist is] are currently atop the Leaderboard."
As SOAR's former treasurer (I'm now the VP), I might be able to address some of the various concerns about SOAR's finances. Where does our money go? I don't have the checkbook in front of me, but I believe that last year our funds went toward the following:
• One year's worth of web hosting and the Southorangesoar.org domain name. (BTW, we paid the tab for this out of our own pockets in prior years, and we maintain the web site ourselves rather than pay someone to do it.)
• The aforementioned lawn signs that were distributed to marchers at the March on Village Hall
• A "Redevelopment Update" flyer that we had professionally printed and distributed throughout the Village. (That piece, BTW, was--I believe--the only communication we actually spent money on. Any others, including the flyer about the march itself and the "letter to the BOT" template that was distributed at the march were printed using the "do a few at a time at the copy machine at work when no one is looking" method.)
• The Fundraising Mailing That Will Live in Infamy. (Again, the costs involved were for the bulk mailing itself--the writing, typesetting, copying, etc. of the fundraising letter were all done using SOAR members' personal expense and time.)
I think that's about it--Shelley, Sheena, and any other SOAR members, please let me know if I've missed something.
In any case, if you have any knowledge of the various costs I just mentioned, you can do the math and come to the (correct) conclusion that our bank account has never been massive--certainly not in proportion to the amount of discussion that has been spent on it over the past few days. For every dollar we spend on something, there's another dollar of a member's own personal money spent that will in all likelihood never be reimbursed.
So what are our financial intentions for this year? Pretty much the same ones as last year: Fulfill our mission statement in the best way we can, without members having to go broke doing it. If we take in some membership dollars, great--maybe we can send out a few more pieces of snail mail rather than email, or do the quarterly newsletter we talk about but can't afford to send out. If we don't make any money, ok--we either keep paying for stuff we do out of our own pockets or we go under.
Which leads me to the membership drive, and everyone who has been offended by the letter's lateness/message/typos/unprofessionalism/whatever. People, it's very simple. No one is holding a gun to your checkbook. If the letter didn't sit well with you, DON'T SEND US MONEY.
But I WILL ask you to do this: do SOMETHING. Obviously, people have a lot of concerns about redevelopment in South Orange (as evidenced from two pages of posts complaining about the grocery story generated in about eight hours). So get your heinie out of your chair, turn off the computer, and get to work! Write a letter to the News Record or Star Ledger expressing your concerns at the state of redevelopment in the Village. Attend a BOT meeting, and if you don't want to approach the dais with your concerns, at least support your fellow Villagers who ARE speaking. Stop by the Prescription Counter or Village Hall and voice your concerns to the Village President. Work with your neighborhood association to improve your own neighborhood. Donate to another Village organization you do support. Or maybe, just maybe, hold your nose and give SOAR a few moments of your time to help us become a better organization. (At this point, my opinion is that people's time is even more valuable to us than their cash.) But for goodness sake, don't just shoot your complaints about the state of the Village into cyberspace.
Let me end by thanking Minimalist/Kurt, the originator of this thread. Although I don't agree with everything you've said, you've certainly raised some valid points. And you've got people talking about our group! (Who was it that said that the only bad publicity is no publicity?) I join Sheena in inviting you to our next meeting, and hope to get a chance to talk to you in person.
Tracey Randinelli
Vice President, SOAR
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Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 193
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 1:30 am: |
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Tracey, you are so great and positive.
So great that I must do a PLUG!
Find out more about redevelopment (and alot of other MOL topics) on Tracey's NJ.Com Blog:
http://www.nj.com/weblogs/southorange/
Enjoy! |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 14
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 8:07 am: |
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For the record, I relocated my business here and so far employ 2 fulltime people that reverese commute, and also have had multiple contractors that live in South Orange and Maplewood work with us on multiple occasions. At my office that I lease in South Orange. We're growing, and we'll be hiring additional people. Which means either employing people from the area or bringing them in from other areas. Does that count as doing something to improve my neighborhood? I mean, I think it does and this is my main investment in time and money in my neighborhood. It's a decent location to do business, there's train and bus service, the biggest problems are parking and in my opinion not enough office space in the area to bring in the kind of bodycount one would need during the day to sustain the commercial/retail areas we have now. If you filled every storefront now I don't think they could all stay in business without it.
While it's true that I haven't been to a BOT or SOAR meeting thusfar, I've talked with some of the people involved in the redevelopment and I've even helped someone secure financing to open another business here. My belief is that these are the things that I am best suited at to help build up my neighborhood, and these are the things that I've been doing.
That said, if I'm not swamped on Wednesday making up for the time I'm taking off from work this week due to illness, I'll be at the abovementioned SOAR meeting.
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Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1171
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:19 am: |
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Minimalist - Your comment about not enough office space is interesting and well-taken. It's my understanding that one use considered for the Beifus site was an office building. The Village decided to go with what was originally apartments with retail on the street level. It seems that an office building may have been a better use than condos.
It would have brought more business to the downtown during the day. Also, during the week, it may have helped the restaurants in the evenings. This is one of the reasons restaurants in Red Bank do well during the week, and not just weekends. |
Tracey Randinelli
Citizen
Username: Traceyr
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:27 am: |
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Minimalist/Kurt: I believe the next SOAR meeting is NEXT Wednesday (July 6). Lemme double check and get back to you with the date, time, and place.
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susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 738
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:52 am: |
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Tracey,
Thanks for your words (and for your ongoing blog). I appreciate your work, but will not be joining as my current volunteer leadership activites with local scouting and a local homeless services organization take up all of the time that I can spare during working and evening hours. We can't all serve every cause, and I'm tired of being accused of sitting on my a** and doing nothing simply because I carve out time to participate in this online community.
Please take what is said here in a mode of constructive criticism. I'll happily give my financial support at minimum to SOAR or an equivalent organization once we have one that seems effective to me.
No way I'll give to one that is spending postage on the sort of out of date letter that just went out, or that lists seeking bad press for the town as one of its key goals. Or to one that makes unsupported claims in local elections (I'm still waiting to hear why SOAR believes that Eric will be able to vote on the various S.O. Avenue redevelopment tasks, when he feels that he cannot).
I've no doubt that you are well-meaning and out of pocket personally (as am I for every non-profit I serve...). I'm looking forward to supporting SOAR or some other organization when I see one that has its act somewhat together. Sorry I can't be more supportive at this point. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2033
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:59 am: |
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Spitz: Just for the record, Mr. Beifus decided for several reasons it was not economically feasible to build office space, not the village. The BOT preferred to see additional office space.
The main argument has to do with parking. For each 1,000 square feet of residential space, only about 1.5 parking spaces are required whereas an equal amount of office space would need significantly more parking (anywhere from 6 - 10 spaces per 1,000 square feet).
Of course, the hot residential market just fuels the desire for condos at this time too as opposed to office space.
To me, this was another reason not to give Beifus a PILOT. The PILOT could have been a way to encourage office space being built just like we used a PILOT at the New Market site to get a market there. |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 15
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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6-10 for every 1000 square feet, sounds like heaven. I lease a measly 675 square feet in the pnc bank building, but because of the parking shortage here we only get two spaces, sounds like we should have 3-6. That actually makes sense because I could fit 5 poeple in here rather easily and non-cramped. the building wasn't built with enough parking, and it's a real problem. it was the one part of my lease that wasn't really negotiable. i bike in and there's other nearby unmetered parking so it's not the end of the world, but it's not great either.
to bring in another thread, that's why I think it's a mistake to get on choi's case (or whomever's case will end up there) to open before he has ample parking. if i were building anything retail in this town, i would insist on it. and given all the interminable delays that have of course been brought to the attention of the press by various people/organizations, I'm sure he's very very aware of the delays, and so who can blame him for insisting that it be in place beforehe does anything with the site? even if you're paying taxes, it's worth it to leave it idle for as long as it takes, because the minute you start work you're paying significant dollars out of pocket or with the clock ticking on interest, and you don't want to open with limited customer potential, still having to staff and pay utilities, etc.
then again, i'm one of the people who would rather drive to, say, the samurai sushi in millburn versus the one in maplewood, because unless i park illegally somewhere in maplewood I can't get in and out of there in under 40 minutes. i'd rather eat glass than drive there and try to park. pretty much i only go to maplewood to go to the movies or st. james's gate (and I usually walk when i go there) which the frequency is way down since our son has entered the picture. oh and arturo's pizza, which usually involves parking in that yellow-painted half-spot across the street to pick up the order. sshhhhhhh, keep that last bit on the down low.
sorry for the lack of caps.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2034
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 2:27 pm: |
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Minimalist: I can't figure out how your building was built with so few spaces. What do you do if you have someone come visit you? I could not imagine having an office building in the downtown (like where Beifus is) unless they put in ample parking.
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Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1973
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 2:45 pm: |
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I'm sure glad Beifus and SOPAC won't have that problem!!!!  |
Minimalist
Citizen
Username: Minimalist
Post Number: 16
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 2:53 pm: |
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mrosner,
From what I hear, when the plan was put together in the 60s or whatever to build that building, they were planning on tearing down the other building that sits on that block, but that was fought back and it was too late to do anything about it (alt stories: the bank forced it through, the builder knew someone at village hall, etc) so they built it with the limited parking. I also heard that this came after a long delay in getting valley hooked up to scotland, I was told that valley used to continue through the block where the smoke shop etc is, end at south orange ave, where you had to do a right-left to get onto scotland. Or so I hear. This is all hearsay from people that have been in town since forever. I don't know how accurate any of it is. But if that's how the roads used to work there, yikes.
That has to be the worst setup for a drivethrough bank I've ever encountered. They just remodeled so I guess they'll be there for a while. From what I gather they pay about $400 in rent (the beauty of long-term leases) so I doubt they're going anywhere anytime soon.
If we have someone visit us we feed the meter for them or instruct them to park on prospect. Or if it's someone we really want to impress, one of the people that drive in will park out on prospect and we'll give the visitor instructions to park in one of our spots. It's a minor problem, because many of my clients i've never even met in person, and those that we do meet with in person are in NYC and we just go there. We've only had 4 driving visitors in the 14 months i've been there. Visiting contractors just make do, but since they live in maplewood and south orange for the most part, they understand. |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 258
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 - 3:20 pm: |
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The PNC Building is a parking disaster that, no doubt, is the result of incompetence or corruption (deja vu, all over again?). There's absolutely no visitor parking, other than for the bank, and there's a full-time rent-a-cop/guard to ensure compliance.
I visited an attorney there, and was told by the guard to look for a space in the neighborhood.
P.S. Yes, Valley Street used to end at South Orange Avenue, in front of Mailboxes, Etc., requiring drivers to turn right and left to reach Scotland Road. Beyond the development of Livingston Mall and opening of I-280 and I-78, this traffic engineering feat probably did more to make S.O. Village a north-south thruway than any other "improvement." [It's been said by professional planners that traffic engineers are the worst enemies of thoughtful downtown revitalization.] |
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