| Author | Message | ||
     Artchristensen Citizen Username: Artchristensen Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2002 |
I guess it's time to join the group..... Before I share what I'm thinking, I'll share with you who I think I am. Who I am is a 62 year old man who feels half his age and who has yet to achieved half his potential. Who I am is someone who loves his wife and family, loves his home and town, loves his work, loves his life, and lives it powerfully. Who I am is a son, a brother, a dad, a granddad, a husband, a boss, a partner, a friend, and much more. Who I am is the possibility of all people being fully self-expressed. How people see me is… Who I am is a nice guy who will give someone the shirt off my back. How people see me is… Who I am is someone who believes in fairness in dealing, and is willing to call it as I see it. Who I am is a communicator, a negotiator, and a good one to have around as a fighter for a just cause. Who I am, is who I think I am. Who do you think I am? | ||
| romatc Citizen Username: Romatc Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Arty, This is Tommy Colella (Eddy's brother) calling. Long time no see but hope all is well with you and your family. Check out my post on the Official Maplewood forum under "Boyden Ave. Residents Unite Against NJT Buses!" If you could help I would appreciate it. Take Care, Tommy P.S. That's some heavy stuff you wrote! Beautiful! | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1503 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks Tommy... I just noticed your post here. How interesting that you posted your message on my 63rd birthday. BTW, I enjoyed that cup of coffee we had the other morning, and yes, I'll be working on your suggestion! Best wishes again, especially to your brother Eddy. Please keep me informed! | ||
| Aldan O. markson Citizen Username: Aldan Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2003 |
Hello Art: I just got signed into this system. Not sure how it works ... perhaps you will explain it to me when we next meet. Aldan | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 1535 Registered: 9-2001 |
Aldan, Welcome to the wonderful world of MOL... It's a good idea to also sign in in the new member area. You'll get the idea on how things work by just reading some of the posts for a while... Good luck! | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2386 Registered: 9-2001 |
Hi, thanks for the visit... No, I've nothing new to add to my information yet. Its been over seven months, so I just thought I'd just check it out, and kind of dust it off a bit. Stay tuned though, I may have some very interesting things to say before the end of this month... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2848 Registered: 9-2001 |
Well, February ended almost six months ago. My how time goes bye.... Things always seem to take longer than I think they will... My interesting news was that my wife was moving her salon, The Chelsea Set, to 2 Depot Plaza, behind Valley National Bank. And, now after she spent over 25 years there, Art Gartenlaub, George Moore, and I opened an Internet Cafe called “Here's 2 the Arts” at her old location at 97 Baker Street. OK, let me try this again... "Stay tuned though, I may have some very interesting things to say before the end of this month..."  | ||
| Duncan Citizen Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 2471 Registered: 12-2001  |
Art you can't possibly mean that those 462 interveneing posts weren't intersting???!!!??? Can't wait to get down to H2TA. Soon as they are done demolishing our bathroom. And I finish this movie. Then I'll haul my guitar down for an open mic night.  | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2851 Registered: 9-2001 |
Love to have you... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3818 Registered: 9-2001  |
WOW! It's been almost two-thousand posts and 10 months since my last update... Well, this past week I experienced another setback from Maplewood's Board of Adjustment. Last year the Board voted 4 to 3 in my favor that there was a prior non-conforming use of my property as a bed and breakfast, but 4 to 3 against me stating the use was abandoned prior to WWII. I successfully overturned the ruling in Superior Court based on improper interference in the hearings by the township. Monday night, a year later, four members of the Board voted against me again, and only three members voted with me on the issue of abandonment of the use of the bed and breakfast between the years of 1931 and 1947... Holy Bed Sheets! That time period was before me or anyone on the Board of Adjustment had even been born! Oh well, it's back to Superior Court for another appeal, only this time I'm also going to apply for a Use Variance at the same time as well! I don't feel this issue should just be about me. FWIW, I have tried to get the politicians in town to pass an ordinance to allow bed and breakfast homes in Maplewood for the past eight years. Our community could easily use at least a half dozen or more B&B's. Over the years I have personally hosted the friends and family of literally thousands of local residents, and probably turned away more than double that number I was unable to accommodate. Interestingly, two years ago the town added a clause to Maplewood's Master Plan to encourage bed and breakfast in the community. Within the last year or so both the EDC and Planning Board have made positive recommendations to the township committee to pass an ordinance. I'm hopeful this year it may finally happen. In the mean time, it sure would be helpful to hear from some residents who feel developing a workable ordinance would be a positive direction for our town to take. IMHO, permitting certain types of properties to apply for permission to provide B&B services is the only sensible way to go... | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 6957 Registered: 1-2003  |
Art, how can we help? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3820 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks for asking Tom... Yes, I would appreciate support from any residents of like mind. After six years of trying, I still remain resolute in my efforts to continue petitioning the township committee, and anyone who will listen, for an ordinance to permit bed and breakfast in our community. As I’ve said in the past, this is not just about me. The simple fact is many residents in Maplewood and South Orange need a convenient place to house visiting family and friends. There are no convenient places nearby and the chances of anyone building a hotel or motel anytime soon are slim to none. Meanwhile, by passing an ordinance to regulate bed and breakfast homes, the township committee would be providing a much needed community service for residents needing short-term accommodations for their guests, and would also give our town a much-needed financial economic shot in the arm. I’m preparing a petition to circulate around town to request the township committee introduce an appropriate ordinance, and would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in signing it. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 4423 Registered: 12-2001 |
Art.. I will sign. Bring it on. | ||
| DeborahG Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1402 Registered: 5-2001  |
Me too! | ||
| LibraryLady(ncjanow) Supporter Username: Librarylady Post Number: 2531 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art, Would the signature of a South Orangina help? I've got 4 registered voters in my home more than willing to sign. Boy could I have used you this weekend with my mother up from Florida visiting for Dan's graduation. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3822 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks Duncan and DeborahG.... Librarylady, Actually, yes, we need all the signatures we can get! I plan on applying for a bed and breakfast variance there as well. What with Seton Hall and all the guests I've had from South Orange over the years, you guys need to pass an ordinance there as much as Maplewood does... FWIW, when the developers who planned to build a 120 room hotel across the street from Bunny's backed out of their deal, the residents in both of our towns got screwed. We all could use somewhere to put up our family and friends when they come to town, and right now bed and breakfast homes are our only hope. The only problem we all face are NIMBY'S!!! This is why I have been such a strong advocate for passing an ordinance that deals with any possible downsides, and provides sensible guidelines we all can live with. Thousands of towns throughout the country have fair and workable laws on the books that allow for peaceable co-existence between B&B's and their neighbors. Unfortunately, our two towns have too long ignored the economic, and collective social values of having these valuable assets exist within our communities. I invite everyone who agrees to join the struggle. | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 13594 Registered: 10-2001  |
I'll sign twice. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4838 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art - Lend me the petition for a day - we'll get tons. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 6454 Registered: 4-1997  |
Why not just ask for a variance? Or have you already? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 6978 Registered: 1-2003 |
I'll sign it, and so will my wife. You might want to set up an internet petition, like the political groups have. If it doesn't hold legal weight, you could use it as a checklist of people willing to sign on paper, and then you could visit their homes. And once the paper or internet petition is out, please publicize it. I expect you'll have a lot of success. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3824 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks "S" and Mem... I'll have some petitions made up next week. "Why not just ask for a variance?" Dave, It's a lot more complicated than that. I plan to apply next week, however, an application for a Use Variance probably won't be heard until at least September. The dilemma is my application does nothing to help anyone else who may be interested in opening a bed and breakfast in our community. Therefore, in the mean time, it’s important to get signatures of residents who support having an ordinance to set rules and regulations for the overall benefit of the community. The only way this can be done is through the township committee passing an ordinance. Please keep in mind that the township committee is not permitted to get involved with, or influence the Board of Adjustment and visa/versa. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3825 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks Tom, How do I set up an Internet petition? I’m afraid I'm not familiar with how a political group operates for that purpose. Do you have a sample I can use? The petition really doesn't need to hold any legal weight. Once I get the paper or Internet petition out, I will publicize it. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 6979 Registered: 1-2003 |
I don't know whom you can call to have a petition set up, but we sure have a lot of internet technologists here on MOL, including the Ross brothers. I am subscribed to moveon.org, which sends me petitions. I click a single button which adds my name to a list, which moveon sends to my legislators. This makes "signing" very convenient, which helps make the petition big. I also have the option of adding my own comments when I submit. If you call enough internet hosting companies, you'll find one who can set this up. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 4471 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art- Can you you post more about the types of rules you think the ordinance should address? Based on your experience over the past few years of how the B&B affects you & your neighbors, I'll bet you have some ideas. I'm really curious because my family has stayed at your place & we all loved it. I hate not having the option available. OTOH, having a neighbor who hosts at least a dozen people & thier families in his home every Wednesday night, I am personally experienced with the quality of life issues associated with the traffic, noise and parking problems of this type of regular event in a residential neighborhood. What rules/regs do you think would make everyone happy? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3826 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks for your suggestions Tom, you're worth your weight (6979 posts) in GOLD!!! Good ideas Greentree, and thank you... we loved spending time with your family too. I have a busy week ahead of me, but I'll be posting a lot more information in the future that will be helpful in allowing everyone to make an informed decision on whether or not they should support having bed and breakfast homes in our community. Obviously, there is a lot of information available, so questions/concerns posted here would be helpful. Thank you all.... | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 6457 Registered: 4-1997 |
Art, If you go with a variance you may be the only B&B in town. Why lobby for legislation that would only open up competition? You could be the Microsoft of B&Bs. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3828 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thanks, but I know that Dave... I'm sure there are many in town who know this issue has never been just about me. This is why my open and persistent efforts over these many years has been mostly about fighting for what I feel is best for our community... Our immediate community alone needs a minimum of 100 guest rooms, and even then the potential for more rooms would be unlimited. What with Winchester Gardens and Seton Hall’s needs alone, even ten B&B's like mine would barely handle what is needed. | ||
| SO Refugee Citizen Username: So_refugee Post Number: 400 Registered: 2-2005  |
Count me in to sign as well. Try http://www.speakout.com/takeaction/ for a petition. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 5430 Registered: 12-2001 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR | ||
| Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 215 Registered: 1-2006  |
ajc, I've never addressed you here on MOL because our first communication was so awful. In case you don't remember, you wrote: "'I'm really not interested in partisan debate...' Really? Who are you Jersey Boy, and why should we play with you? What's your game pal? You are new here, so where do you shine off asking such personal questions of total strangers? I'm sick and tired of you people coming in here thinking because Jamie gave you an access code you can just butt into our political business. You want to play? You want to know my philosophy? I’ll give you my philosophy when you learn how to spell it!!!! Now get the hell off the board until you’ve gone through the new comers section and properly introduced and identified yourself... " (Obnoxious fonts removed.) I was just trying to decide where to eat for dinner tonight, when I realized you own a local restaurant, and you do not post anonymously. Shouldn't you consider new posters as potential customers? Or even current customers, who you might offend? J.B. | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 3169 Registered: 11-2001  |
And one more thing, Art//// I'm hughing for this guy, he makes a good point////......  | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 4051 Registered: 5-2001 |
JB, FWIW, Art desn't own H2TA anymore. And, for those of us who know him and even disagree with some of his views, he's still a nice, generous guy with a big heart. His online persona does not always portray the real thing. | ||
| Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 222 Registered: 1-2006 |
Thanks VIG. That answers my question. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 12593 Registered: 1-2003 |
I agree with VIG. Art's a really good guy. He and I are always happy to run into each other. Art C, I must tell Art G that he should change the restaurant's name to Here's One The Art. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4805 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Shouldn't you consider new posters as potential customers? Or even current customers, who you might offend?" Good point JB... I agree, some people tend to offend easier than others. I haven't bothered to check the Bogs in a while and just happen to catch this. I don't remember when I posted that wise crack, but I do remember doing it. I thought I followed up with a comment that said it was meant as a joke? After re-reading it, I'm sorry but I still have to laugh at all the reactions. As I remember, besides you there were a number of others who also took my comments seriously. As for some of the other satire I’ve seen on this board, this was so outrageously rude and obnoxious, it’s hard to believe anyone could think it was for real. Listen, I’m sorry you’re still bothered by the incident, and I would like to extend you my sincere apology for my bad taste in making you the butt of my practical joke. BTW, you’re right, I don’t post anonymously. So if you run into me in town sometime in the future, please let me buy you a cup of coffee or something... | ||
| COCO Citizen Username: Coco Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2006 |
COCO-COCO-COCO, COCO COCO COCO COCO, COCO COCO COCO COCO-COCO COCO COCO COCO!! | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4809 Registered: 9-2001 |
Thank you... This is one of the most intelligent posts I've read on MOL lately. | ||
| COCO Citizen Username: Coco Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2006 |
coco | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 5892 Registered: 12-2001 |
he must be coo coo for coco puffs? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4841 Registered: 9-2001 |
...no Duncan, just coo coo. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6007 Registered: 12-2001 |
Art Have you heard from Sean C. since his surgery? Is he ok? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4904 Registered: 9-2001 |
...yes, he called Libby right after returning to his home in the Bahamas. Actually, he made a number of valuable suggestions that the girls have already made to the script. Meanwhile, they are still looking for a female lead, any suggestions? | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6067 Registered: 12-2001 |
whats the age group/type and I may well have@ | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4906 Registered: 9-2001 |
...Libby is looking to contact NJ girl, Heather Locklear, 40's, blonde, sassy and classy... Gila is also interested in Christine Ebersole and has given her a copy of the screenplay. As we know she's pretty busy right now and hasn’t gotten back to her. All in all, the ladies are open to your suggestions... | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6072 Registered: 12-2001 |
I will email Gila. Heather Locklear and Christine Ebersole are not at all the same "type". Maybe Jane Krakowski? From Ally McBeal? I'll email Gila or you can have Libby call me. Either way. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4907 Registered: 9-2001 |
...true. The ladies have different ideas about it, I was thinking of someone like Lora Ingram...  I passed your message on... | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6073 Registered: 12-2001 |
I can see why. OOOO la la  But can she act or just host a radio show. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4908 Registered: 9-2001 |
Who cares if she can act, I doubt if any of the politicians will notice anyway... | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3653 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art may be a great judge of political horseflesh, but I doubt the feisty/psychotic Ms. Ingraham will oblige if he can't even spell her name properly. Sorry I haven't got a current (i.e. short-haired, Jean Seberg brunette look) pic for you, Art, but here's how she prefers to be addtressed:  Best of wuck with the scweenpway... -s. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5000 Registered: 9-2001 |
..."I doubt the feisty/psychotic Ms. Ingraham will oblige if he can't even spell her name properly." Do you think 5,000 posts on MOL will get her attention? | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3776 Registered: 5-2001 |
Twy Mawy Matawan. -s. BTW: Kudos on 5000. |
