| Author |
Message |
    
Silvio Dante
Citizen
Username: Silviodante
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 1:37 pm: | 
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spw784,
If you want to know the hours of blasting, simply go into the Prescription Counter & ask for the store hours.
You can then be assured no blasting will take place outside of those hours when Don Calabrese is at home.
.....or else someone will be swimmin wit da fishees.... |
NCJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 899
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 8:11 pm: |
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I think Mr. Dante has overstepped the boundaries of civility with that last post. Whadda ya say, Dave? First, last, and only post???
NCJ aka LibraryLady
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Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5033
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 10:01 pm: |
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Dante, please... no more infernal posts or the Oracle will get on your case.
thanks
btw, what's wrong with swimming with fish? Never understood that. |
bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 371
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 12:29 am: |
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Give me a break! Is satire barred from SOS? Am I in Kansas??? Please let me know, and I'll censor myself in your dreams.
I believe "sleeping with the fishes" is somehow more dangerous than merely "swimming." You can drown if you swim while visiting fish, however, especially with granite flippers.
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mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 342
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 7:45 am: |
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Nancy & Bob,
To say it was "unrealistic" to hope for no development in the quarry is not true at all. If you have been reading the Star Ledger over the past 5 years, you will have seen that numerous municipalities across NJ PROACTIVELY acquired and protected properties from developers.
Unfortunately, in South Orange, we have politicians like "Trammell Crow" Theroux who made campaign promises to preserve 20 acres, but then cowered under the alleged threat of lawsuits by the developer, instead of standing up for the residents.
Meanwhile, thanks to the CPSO, we have $1.25 million in Green Acres funding from the State, which has yet to be spent, and even worse, to my knowledge no additional applications for funding have been submitted (we were initially told that when the money was spent, you could reapply to the state EVERY YEAR for more money). |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3314
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 8:26 am: |
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Mayhewdrive:
Building sports fields (as an example) would be prohibitively expensive because of the terrain, both natural and man made and would introduce a new set of traffic problems. I am not sure buying the property and leaving it be would benefit anyone in South Orange other than those who live near the quarry and, thus, probably not a good way to spend village funds.
Don't get me wrong, I support CPSO and I think you did a wonderful job in keeping the development to a reasonable level. You and your organization should consider what you accomplished a major victory. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3315
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 8:26 am: |
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Mayhewdrive:
Building sports fields (as an example) would be prohibitively expensive because of the terrain, both natural and man made and would introduce a new set of traffic problems. I am not sure buying the property and leaving it be would benefit anyone in South Orange other than those who live near the quarry and, thus, probably not a good way to spend village funds.
Don't get me wrong, I support CPSO and I think you did a wonderful job in keeping the development to a reasonable level. You and your organization should consider what you accomplished a major victory. |
NCJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 900
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 8:35 am: |
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Mayhew, I never said, posted or implied that " it was "unrealistic" to hope for no development in the Quarry">
Bets, to strongly imply that an elected offical with an Italian surname is associated with the Mob, ("Don Calabrese"), goes outside the borders of satire and teeters on the edge of libel, don't cha think?
NCJ aka LibraryLady
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bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 372
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:14 am: |
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Bob,
Your example is unsupportable. There was never an outcry for a "sports" field. I'm curious to know how you latched on to that term. Perhaps the unfortunate campaign suggestion that South Orange purchase a portion of South Mountain Reservation for use as a soccer field??
Nancy,
I don't cha cha think. There is a perceived mob mentality at work in South Orange. Just ask Don Steglitz or Ma "We lay down for developers" Theroux. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3316
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 12:28 pm: |
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I picked that up from Eric's post (8/18, 5:48pm). He used the term "desperately needed recreational space" which I inferred met sports fields, which this area does need. I have also heard/read of this as a possible use previously. I guess he could have been talking about hiking trails or something else, but given that the Res is a few blocks away that didn't come up on my radar screen.
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patjoyce
Citizen
Username: Patjoyce
Post Number: 16
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:44 pm: |
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Buying a house near a dormant quarry which has blossomed into an environmental jewel is nothing like buying a house near a highway or an aiport. The political and social winds in favor of open/recreaton space versus developer's rights had clearly shifted in 1997, almost three years before the present developers purchased an option to develop the site. While most political choices carry ancillary economic baggage,I believe the decision not to pursue preservation of the Quarry will prove to be a mistake. The Village has incurred costs to purchase the Shop-Rite site, and by borrowing money for the Arts Center, yet these costs are justified on a political level because the reward of having a top notch supermarket and/or entertainment mecca in the middle of town is worth it. I doubt that a similar analysis taken from an environmental/recreaton viewpoint ever occurred. The analysis provided by CPSO to the governing body regarding the econmics of preservation showed how the town could preserve without overtaxing the budget. That analysis was rejected and the cost of that decision remains to be seen.
Patrick Joyce |
sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:58 pm: |
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Someday my great, great, great grandchildren will come to South Orange to see where I lived....maybe by then the downtown will be the entertainment and shopping Mecca. Right now it is a dust bowl..watch out for the tumble weeds |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 347
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 9:15 pm: |
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Congratulations to "Trammell Crow" Theroux, her boyfriend Gross, Calabrese and all the other people who were so anxious to bring development to the Quarry.
Today they must have celebrated as dozens of trees were destroyed along Harding Drive to make way for the "impressive" duplexes with 10 foot backyards. A construction sign has been erected, trees have begun to come down and blasting is scheduled to begin.
Congratulations. The developer must be glad to have people like you on their side. Too bad the residents aren't as fortunate. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 2002
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 9:18 am: |
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At the far end of town
where the Grickle-grass grows
and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows
and no birds ever sing excepting old crows...
is the Street of the Lifted Lorax.
...
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back.
(Text from this site.) |
Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 54
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 10:32 am: |
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I am getting feedback from neighbors around the quarry that the developer is encroaching onto the environmentally sensetive 10 acres that was declared a wetland by the Department of Environmental Protection.
I would suggest that anyone who has firsthand knowlege of such acts call the DEP hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP.
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aneighbor
Citizen
Username: Aneighbor
Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 7:09 pm: |
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You would have thought we would have learned by now...
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
And they charged all the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
-Joni Mitchell - 1970
- Counting Crows - 2003
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bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 373
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 12:47 am: |
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Just a box of rain.
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patjoyce
Citizen
Username: Patjoyce
Post Number: 18
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 12:48 pm: |
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Hey Mister, That's Me up on the Jukebox. |
mary032
Citizen
Username: Mary032
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 12:03 pm: |
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This morning I visited a friend in Newstead and drove by the quarry entrance on top of Tillou Rd. Wow! What a revelation! There, in front of me I saw a flagrant illustration of the irreparable damage the people of South Orange are doing to our nature. On the right-hand side stands a densely wooded forest, as the left-hand side used to be. The left-hand is now razed down to dirt; no tree standing! This contrast of the two sides made me almost cry when I envisioned the right-hand side looking barren exactly like the left. I felt guilty that I didn’t do more to support the people who fought against that development; I am new in this town and didn't grasp the importance of the fight that was going on. What kind of politicians have supported such development? What happened to McGreevey’s anti-sprawl declarations? What a shame! |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 353
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 1:07 pm: |
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Mary,
Yes...it absolutely breaks your heart when you see the total destruction of the mature trees that were there for decades. I am amazed how LAZY developers have become that they no longer leave any existing trees. Certainly I think this housing project is a HUGE mistake, but if it is going to happen, you would think that keeping existing trees would only enhance the value of the project & the surrounding area. This is certainly not just a South Orange issue...it is universal across NJ.
As for politicians that supported this development.....uh....no comment. |
patjoyce
Citizen
Username: Patjoyce
Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 3:54 pm: |
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Mary- For a history of what has now become the sad strory of the quarry you should check out the web site for The Coalition to Preserve South Orange. (Sorry I don't know the web address) As to politicians and their support, I do believe that the posters on this board (Mark and Alan)were sympathetic to the coalition's goals. I am not sure they were given the best advice regarding the issue. As my property abuts the southwest quadrant of the Quarry, an ethics panel has forbidden my participation in any official political action taken by the Village. I have been informed that certain agreements between the Village and the Developer will be discussed at the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees scheduled for September 8, 2003 at 8:00 PM. If you attend the meeting you should be able to come to your own conclusions as you watch and listen as the politicians discuss the issues.
Patrick |
mary032
Citizen
Username: Mary032
Post Number: 12
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 6:00 pm: |
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In other towns, when politicians support a project ignoring the public outcry against it that the quarry has had, one wonders who paid whom? Is there such a hanky-panky going on in this town? |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5068
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 6:23 pm: |
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Yes, presumably the developers paid the owner of the private property.
Here's the CPSO's web site: http://www.preserveso.com/ |
Washashore
Citizen
Username: Washashore
Post Number: 58
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 10:14 pm: |
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It's not a moment too soon to begin to think about BOT elections in 2005. Who would be the best leaders and hence the best candidates? How can we start now to raise a War Chest to rival that of the incumbents' developer-fed coffers so that we can get our message out, in spite of the News-Record's silence on the issues and challengers? What issues are the key ones that will galvanize the Village to THROW THE BUMS OUT? |
Silvio Dante
Citizen
Username: Silviodante
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 11:31 pm: |
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Corruption? In South Orange?
Fuggedaboudit!
Say it ain't so. |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 357
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 9:16 am: |
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Patrick,
Above, you stated that "certain agreements between the Village and the Developer will be discussed at the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees scheduled for September 8, 2003 at 8:00 PM. " If all agreements are not yet finalized, why is HEAVY construction occurring at the site daily beginning as early as 8am?
According to the News Record, the Beifus site is dormant because all agreements aren't yet finalized.
Can someone help me understand the difference? Why is the quarry under construction already & why is Beifus completely idle? |
Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 56
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 10:06 am: |
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Construction is starting before 8:00 AM.
Are there any local laws on the hours of construction? Can they blast on the weekends?
There are old faded signs from the quarry's operational days that prohibit trucks from parking and idling early in the morning. I think these existing laws should be enforced and new more restrictive ones enacted to avoid a total deterioration of the quality of life in the neighborhood.
The timing of this is predictable. No one is around. Everyone is on vacation providing for deniability later and less complaining now.
What is the town going to give the developers on September 8th? Abatement? Roadwork? Infrastructure? Or, has it already been given and all that needs doing is the roll call.
Can anyone say, “Closed session”.
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patjoyce
Citizen
Username: Patjoyce
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 4:00 pm: |
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The construction noise ordinance permits construction between the hours of 7AM -6PM. There is nothing in the ordinance about blasting, which is why I asked that it be put on the agenda for Septmeber 8.
Patrick |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 363
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 7:38 am: |
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For almost 5 years, many of the Trustees have said "there is nothing we can do" and "our hands are tied". However, aren't ordinances which control hours of construction & blasting SOLELY the responsibility of the Trustees?
Let's hope they do the right thing & adjust these hours to put the concerns of residents ahead of the concerns of the developer. |
Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 57
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 7, 2003 - 8:29 am: |
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Site preparation for the development of 69 housing units in the quarry has begun. The devastating impact of the project start has left a lot of us in shock. The loss of old growth hickory, ash maple and mighty oak trees, some with a three foot diameter and over a century old, was swift and permanent. The sound of bulldozers and the sickening snap of tree after tree being forcefully removed is not pretty. The noise, dust and odor are constant irritations that will be with us for years.
And, blasting will begin shortly. The site preparation will involve the leveling of the six story five-acre mountain pictured above.
On Monday night September 8, 2003 certain agreements between the Village and the quarry developer will be discussed at a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees scheduled for 8:00 PM. The hours of blasting are also scheduled to be discussed.
The developer is doing this for financial gain. There is no incentive for them to make this project any easier on the town. Please come Monday night and urge the Board of Trustees to protect Village from the project itself and it's side effects of construction traffic, roadway wear, idling trucks and blocked streets. Construction safe guards will become increasingly important as the Village moves forward with all its planned projects.
Now is the time to make your voice heard. I urge you to come to Monday's meeting, voice your concerns about the project and question the trustees about how they intend to protect us.
All citizens will be given a chance to question of the Board of Trustees about the quarry project and many other quality of life issues facing our town.
I urge you to ask questions. We need answers about the quarry as well as:
SO Performing Arts Center - What's going on other than a plywood fence?
Beifus - What's going on other than a timely demolition? Why does this project have to encroach on our town pool?
Shop-Rite - What's going on? When will we be able to shop in town again? Just how soon is coming soon? How much is the site contamination going to cost the taxpayers?
Irvington Ave - What's going on? The summer is over. Where are the changes?
What's going on? There is a plan to turn the tennis courts over to a private operator? Why? What's the upside? What's the downside?
To see pictures of the site prep go to:
http://www.shelffo.com/cpso/botmeeting.html
To see pictures of what was lost go to:
http://www.shelffo.com/quarrylast.html |
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