| Author | Message | ||
     woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 93 Registered: 9-2002 |
I am now convinced that Mr. DeVaris should be elected. He's definitely a politician with all those "Mr. Rosner, as our trustee, you should have known..."'s  Welcome {back?) to MOL, Mr. DeVaris. Now, on a more serious note, without getting into politics (there are lots of other threads for that), is there an opportunity for public viewing of the current plans and any studies done to determine the value and feasibility of the Arts Center? Ms Stiles implies there are none. Mr. Rosner impies that there are/were. Is there even a list of the SOPAC board somewhere (I couldn't find one in my very cursory glance at southorange.org). Does SOPAC have a website, or dedicated space on the town website so that the board can communicate with the town? Just as Mr. Rosner shouldn't get beaten up for all that's wrong with the village administration, no one representive of the SOPAC board should be held accountable for all the decisions made. But it would be nice to have a formal venue for getting information. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 276 Registered: 4-2002 |
Woodstock: There was a feasability study done several years ago. I think Ms. Stile is suggesting that a new one should be done (I don't want to speak for her, but that was my impression). SOPAC does not have a website and before the jokes fly there is not one under construction. I imagine once Seton Hall becomes more actively involved they will set one up. Any person can make a request for the study or the minutes. The architectual plans are handled differently. In order for the plans to be released the person must sign off on several points of concern. Some of it has to do with post 9/11 security issues and some have to do with confidentiality. They can then be reviewed at Village Hall. If you want a copy, you must pay for them as you would for copies of any documents. As I said earlier, there are some minutes and documents from the early days when it was strictly a volunteer effort are not available because they were never turned over to the village (and before Mr. DeVaris tells me I should know.... there are several people who might have copies and I know at least one of those persons is actively looking for them). A dedicated space for communicating with village officials is coming (I won't say soon, but sometime this year). For now, email is the best way, but you can also call or send a letter with any questions or comments. Mr. Gross's email is jgross@southorange.org. Just understand that sometimes the questions might not be answered for several days. The elected officials on the SOPAC board are Allan Rosen, Steve Steglitz, Bill Calabrese and myself. Each year going forward one of the village trustees is removed from the board. The Village President is always on the SOPAC board. Currently there are five non-elected board members who are all residents of S. Orange. I will try and post their names next week (I want to make sure I have them correctly spelled). At one point the SOPAC board will have at least 15 members but it can be larger (I think it can have up to 29). Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Brian O'Leary Citizen Username: Brianoleary Post Number: 1283 Registered: 3-2002 |
One can only imagine what a board with 29 members will be like  | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 277 Registered: 4-2002 |
The BOE - j/k Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 95 Registered: 9-2002 |
Mr. Rosner, To whom should a request for the plan and minutes go? You mentioned Mr. Gross, but I get the impression that that is only for Village business, not SOPAC requests. Also, other than the elected officials mentioned, can you (or anyone here) tell us who else is on the SOPAC board at this point in time, or where we might be able to get that information? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 278 Registered: 4-2002 |
SOPAC requests should be directed to Mr. Gross. He would have the other board member names too. I would post them now, but I have my official list at home and figured I better make sure I post the correct information. (or else get another Mr. Rosner should have known... post from Eric). Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Shelley Stile Citizen Username: Sstile Post Number: 22 Registered: 12-2002 |
It is fairly absurd that Mr. Rosner would suggest that you can contact John Gross to get information on SOPAC! Given the fact that I and Bill Dahn have been doing just that for the past 3 months and have been stopped at every juncture by Mr Gross, we are now forced to initiate mediation proceedings at the state level to procure what is public information!!!!! As for all the reactions to finding out information on the SOPAC plans (Nr Gross' duo-title, the lack of theatrical space, etc.), I have suggested for months now that you can access this info on SOAR's Website and once again, I suggest you do so. The lack of progress in redevelopment and SOPAC is highly attributable to Mr. Gross' and Mr Calabrese total involvement in every single detail of the aformentioned projects. Nothing happens without their knowledge and approval. Everyone else is kept in the dark. All major decisions have been made by them. This total lack of professionalism has been the impetus behind the call for a Downtown Redevlopment Corporation ...which has also been put on hold by the powers that be! Get the picture? | ||
| woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 97 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ms Stiles, I have read the SOAR website. You did research on your own. I'd like to do the same. Would you want me to take what the town says at face value, without looking into it myself? That's all I'm looking to do. I understand your concerns. I would like to look into it as well. I (and I'm sure others) appreciate the work you're trying to do with SOAR, particularly the website. It's a good way to get your side of what's going on. I'd like to get the other side as well. | ||
| nwyave Citizen Username: Mesh Post Number: 36 Registered: 1-2003 |
Mark, You mentioned that you are in favor of a downtwon dev corp. Has there been an analysis of the cost of that - would it be made up by lower costs elsewhere (i.e. if an individual is getting paid for more than one position now) - or is it all incremental? How much $s are we talking about. I think that specifics here would be helpful from a cost benefit analysis. Any imput from the other candidates on their thoughts re the cost of such an entity would be welcome as well. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 279 Registered: 4-2002 |
I am in favor or a downtown management corporation. The DMC would not only participate in redeveloment issues, they would be responsible for the maintenance (cleaning, plantings, etc) of the downtown, business recruitment, parking issues along with a few other areas. It would be headed by a paid person who would have assistance from volunteers. A formal outline for a plan was presented to the trustees that was put together by a large group of volunteers. It was suggested that over the next few months that they would formalize and fine tune the presentation while looking into what legal aspects need to be dealt with. They were hoping that we could start the DMC this fall. Some of the costs that would fund a DMC would come from budget savings to the village as well as from some other sources. The final numbers have not been presented nor has the final proposal. Although Patrick Joyce moderated the meetings, the BOT decided to keep give the volunteers as much leeway as they needed to bring forth a plan so it would not be viewed as overly political. There are volunteers from Main Street, Chamber of Commerce as well as members at large. I cannot give you a final number becuase it has not been given to the trustees yet. We would like it to be completely funded by redirecting money that we currently use for some of these services. I must stress the importance that we want this to be a positive effort and there were numerous open meetings. I would hate to see this whole effort fall apart because of a few negative people and I would ask that people hold off on making any judgement until they hear or read the reccomendations. Woodstock: Despite Shelley's comments, Mr. Gross is the person to contact for information or documents. If you are unable to get the information in a timely manner, please email me and I will do what I can to help. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Brian O'Leary Citizen Username: Brianoleary Post Number: 1287 Registered: 3-2002 |
Although a reorganization of existing services to fund a DMC is a good goal, I'd favor forming one even if it meant investing in one for a couple of years. We feel that a separate DMC will to significantly accelerate the pace of development downtown. The payoff would be in bringing unused or underused properties online much sooner, increasing Village ratables and thus tax revenue. By relying on experienced, professional talent, we'd also be able to work with developers reach agreements that are in the best long-term interests of the Village, avoiding properties that are overbuilt, provided tax relief that shifts the burden of municipal services to other property owners, or both. www.opensouthorange.com Vote Line B on May 13th | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 216 Registered: 5-2001 |
Professional talent? You mean not having TWO Pharmacists doing urban planning? My father is a pharmacist and he is very good at what he does. However, I wouldn't want him responsible for municipal planning which is a completely different animal. | ||
| doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 46 Registered: 3-2003 |
Messrs. Rosner and O'Leary: Going back to your exchange of posts on April 20-21 regarding Ford Farewell, Mr. Rosner said that he wouild have the Village attorney contact Mr. O'Leary about the paperwork with Ford Farewell, which Mr. Rosner said was already a matter of public record. Has Mr. O'Leary been contacted? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 281 Registered: 4-2002 |
Good point Brian and I did state in public when the presentation was made that the village should be willing to invest addittional funds in a DMC if need be (and I am sure they will be needed). A DMC is also an excellent tool to work with existing landlords to help them improve their locations to make them more attractive. Many storefronts in the village sorely need improvements and we need to give a DMC the power to force certain storeowners and landlords to make improvements. I won't name any stores or landlords because I would not want it to be viewed as political, but clearly this is a problem that we need to work on. The village in conjunction with Main Street has something called the Fronts Program which has helped finance most of the new signs and awnings in the village (all financed through the village credit card). This has been a big help but even with this program available refuse to invest in their business despite proof that making a store attractive helps their business. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Edwin R. Matthews Citizen Username: Edwinrmatthews Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2003 |
Mayhewdrive questions the Village's professional talent and seems to suggest that because our Village Administrator is a licensed pharmacist that he is some how unqualified to be our Village Administrator. Indeed if that were his only background and experience he would not be qualified but he has over ten years prior government experience including four years as the Township Administrator in a larger municipality. He also holds certifications as a Public Manager, Municipal Finance Officer, Public Housing manager, in labor mqnagement as well as Incident command of Public Emergency management. While South Orange has had several excellent Administrators John Gross is by far superior to all of them. One of his strengths is his ability to work well with people and understand people. A skill no doubt perfected while he was operating a pharmacy. Despite the fact that John was solicited to submit a resume for the vacant administrator's position in Asbury Park he did not do so in part because of his loyalty and committment to South Orange. We are fortunate to have him. I suspect the major reason you are attacking Mr Gross is because he negoiated the agreement with Trammell Crowe which all but a few, including your self, viewed as an excellant alternative to the 198 rental units that had been proposed for the quarry site. While there are some who think all is fair in war and politics the fact remains it is not fair to challenge the professional competence of Village employees merely for political expediency The real irony of your comment is that most of the Planning for the redevelopment (which I guess you think Mr. Gross is unqualified for) is done. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 285 Registered: 4-2002 |
doublea: I did not follow-up to confirm other than to make sure that an initial contact was made. I left it up to them to figure out when they could meet. Maybe since both of them have posted one of them could let us know. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Shelley Stile Citizen Username: Sstile Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2002 |
What is interesting is the fact that I hear everyone referring to a DMC, a Downtown Management Corporation which is NOT a Downtown Redevelopment Corporation!!!!! A DMC would do much of what Main Street presently does for the VIllage with added responsibilities. Managing the facade replacements, garbage and litter collection, working with the merchants, insuring that all downtown activities are managed and coordinated, etc. A Downtown Redevelopment Corporation moves into the realm of management of the Redevelopment process, I.E., negotiating with the contractors and attorneys, overeeing the entire redevelopment process, promoting the downtown and seeking new stores and public relations, etc. The Task Force headed by Patrick recommended a DRMC...make no mistakes about that. Already I am suspicious that the Redevelopment arm...what this town needs most urgently and what the SOAR petitions supported, is being ignored. When the recommendations went to the BOT, those of us in attendance had a sinking feeling, from BOT member's comments, that they would bury the DRC and push for a DMC...thereby leaving the control of the redevelopment still in the hands of our VIllage President, Village Administrator and Village Attorney with the rubber stamp of the BOT. Needless to say, given the fact that the Redevlopment Act was passed nearly 10 years ago, that arrangement is not working. As far as Mr Matthews comments about the credentials that our Mayor and Vilage Adminstrator hold as developers,give us a break. One does not hire a Redevlopment Director because he is a very nice guy and can talk to people! One looks for real experience in redevelopment, working with contractors and designers, urban planning expertise, legal knowledge of redevelopment issues, etc. Being our town's pharmacist and a nice guy does not qualify Mr Calabrese to handle the redevelopment . That is exactly why the authors of the Redevlopment Act of NJ recommend the establishment of a DRC to handle the process ,with a highly qualified Redevelopment Director and a special Board...with no more than 2 Village employees/elected officials on that Board. Those 2 persons would also have one year limitations on their terms! As far as working with the public and promoting a government that involves the town's residents, Mr Gross has failed miserably. He is the most non-inclusive and secretive person I have ever worked with and the exact opposite of what we need in a Village Administrator. I have only to point to the SOPAC issue as proof. The fact that he is both the Village Administrator and the Executive Director of SOPAC contributes to the on-going problems of time management for our Village's issues and real expertise. The manner in which the Mayor and his cohorts have set up the redevelopment efforts are an affront to every resident of this town and should not be tolerated! | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 289 Registered: 4-2002 |
Shelley: The task force has not completed their work and I said at that meeting I would be willing to consider giving the DMC (or DRMC) input into the redevelopment process. I felt the current arrangement could be improved and that was one of the reasons the BOT wanted to create a DMC headed by an executive director with experience in managing a downtown. To this date, SOAR has not submitted one signature to the village. As I have said many times, I am sure that they have the signatures, but they never presented them to the BOT. Anyone can claim to have 1000 signatures. It would be helpful if you actually shared with others Shelley. As you can see, Ms. Stile is pushing her own agenda on how the final version should look. She would like to ignore the work of the task force and only she should decide on the number of elected officials and what their terms should be. I would like to think we have a more inclusive process. I think the other volunteers would like to think their suggestions should be considered before a final decision is made. By the way, when did you work with Mr. Gross? I did not know that the two of you had worked together. For those of you who do not know, Mr. Calabrese was elected to the position of Village President by the residents and that gives him the right to head the village. The same is true of whomever is elected to that position. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| openspacer Citizen Username: Openspacer Post Number: 41 Registered: 6-2001 |
Shelley, I do not recommend giving the Village your list of 1,000 signatures. If you do you can bet that Leadership with Vision will contact each and every one on your list and tell them how not only do they support the task force's recommendations but they "invented it" as well. Also, everyone on the list will become what the administration calls "sore people". There is no doubt that you worked very hard to gather the signatures and build grass root support for opening up what you feel are closed processes. Please don't give them to anyone and risk losing the momentum you have created. Of course, you could contact everyone on the list and ask them to Vote Line B. That might convince the non believers. Dan Shelffo | ||
| Shelley Stile Citizen Username: Sstile Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2002 |
Mark- We, SOAR, will bring the petitions with all the signatures to the next BOT meeting if you wish. Just let us know and we will have them there for your perusal. SOAR will not let them remain in your hands as we do not want our supporters contacted for any political reasons. The DRMC involves both a DMC and a DRC...as outlined in the recommendations by the Task Force. SOAR had nothing to do with those recommendations...we simply support the concept of a DRC as outlined by the Redevelopment Act of NJ. That is the act that was adopted by The Village (per BOT) to redevelop our downtown. There is no personal agenda here Mark . You have repeatedly accused me of a personal agenda...exactly what would that agenda be? I am not running for public office. I seek no Village appointment. I have no financial stake in anything with the exception of my investment in my home here in South Orange. I cannot have a personal agenda... The only gain that I, along with the other residents of this town, could possibly have is to protect our real estate investments and our quality of life by seeking to improve and facilitate the redevelopment of our downtown. To accuse me, or any other concerned resident of South Orange, of a personal agenda is both illogical and mean-spirited. I supoprt the DRMC...a Downtown Redevelopment arm to take over the work of redeveloping the downtown as well as a Downtown Management Corporation...to handle the daily management of South Orange. That is what the Task Force recommends, that is what the NJ Redevelopment Act recommends and that is what the residents of South Orange support. To turn this into a personal issue is totally inappropriate and nonsensical. |
