| Author | Message | ||
     ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3562 Registered: 9-2001  |
If anyone thinks it’s too early to predict the Fall election, let me give all of you engaging in this conversation something else to think about... Being out numbered more than 4 to 1, I’m taking a stand for the idea that the few thousand remaining Republicans in Maplewood should, can, and will decide who the mayor of this town will be, not the feuding Democrats. Say as an example, the loser of the Democratic primary decides to run as an Independent, or even as a write in candidate. And, lets say the Republicans in town decide that because of the overwhelming odds against electing a Republican, we don’t run a candidate. Instead, we agree to put our combined support for the candidate of our choice. It’s kind of like if you can’t be voting for the one (Republican) you love, love the one you feel most supports your moderate, or conservative ideals. In the matter of this thread, and a November election between Fred and Vic, who do all you feuding Democrats think best represents the more moderate middle road of local politics? | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 185 Registered: 8-2003 |
Bob K, In the interest of fairness, it's important to quash the myth of the $10 million bond issue. At one time there may have been some sort of $10 million plan for Springfield Avenue. But actual expenditures to date have been around $4 million, of which about half was local bonding and half was state grants. Of course, that's distinct from the question of whether the streetscape improvements have delivered value for money, or whether they were premature in the broader redevelopment of the avenue. Ajc, You're always a creative thinker, but you're on Fantasy Island with this one. Fred will be the top vote-getter in the Democratic primary, and Vic would never run in a situation where he needed to depend on Republican votes. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 7772 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bottomline, I don't have the actual numbers spent so far and I admit to sloppy posting. The $10 million figure was what I believe the TC authorized to bond for SA capital improvements, or was it just talk? It has been awhile I admit and as shown earlier in this thread my memory ain't what it use to be. I am not going to be critical of the work done so far. 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing.  | ||
| Barbara Citizen Username: Blh Post Number: 440 Registered: 5-2001 |
And please don't correct the date of the Money Mag article - I want to be 39 forever! I think it was last month's issue, in fact. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3563 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Vic would never run in a situation where he needed to depend on Republican votes." Really, then the fact that so many Republicans in town changed their party in the primary to vote for Fred didn't go un-noticed.... Therefore, even if in the highly unlikely event that Vic managed to pull off an upset in the primary, Fred could probably run as a Whig and still win with our Republican support... So, Mr. Bottomline, I suspect I made my point!  | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 4376 Registered: 10-1999  |
Actually, any unsuccessful primary candidate (whoever that might be) may not file a petition to run as an independent in the general election. N.J.S.A. 19:13-8.1. Also, primary day and the petition deadline day are the same, so candidates can pick one or the other method, but not try both. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3564 Registered: 9-2001 |
"...or even as a write in candidate." Nohero, if he wanted to, and I don't believe for a second he will need to, Fred could win as a write in with his present base and the full support of the Republicans in this town... | ||
| Michael Janay Citizen Username: Childprotect Post Number: 1623 Registered: 1-2003  |
Art, I find it hard to believe that Any republicans will vote for Vic. Vic is a good guy, maybe he could oust one of the weaker TC mambers, but Fred is mayor and doing a great job. Vic's got to be crazy to run against Fred. I also think you may be right that the GOP of maplewood should refrain from running a candidate against Fred. It would be a massacre of such epic proportions that would probably make Ed May's run look like a close race. | ||
| jet Citizen Username: Jet Post Number: 771 Registered: 7-2001 |
Wow thats great, now maybe my wife will let me put a for sale sign in front of our house once she finds out that the guy who cost us $5000.00 per might be mayor again. This town can't afford Vic 2 . Doesn't Irvington need a mayor,he can slide over there. | ||
| Lifeis swell Citizen Username: Lifeisgood Post Number: 8 Registered: 1-2005 |
joeltfk, Aren't you the person who started the music censorship? Your endorsement of Vic has just confirmed that the vote is totally in Fred's favor. Enough said. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 961 Registered: 5-2001 |
S - I just started reading this thread. Maplewood was named one of the 10 best towns by Money magazine, but it wasn't Vic who got the article going, and the article never would have run if it wasn't for the involvment of certain private citizens who worked in the publishing business. Vic had nothing to do with that article. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4706 Registered: 5-2001  |
My house value has increased, thanks to the Midtown Direct putting Maplewood on the map - and believe me, it did - I have lived here since 196X and have watched all the positive changes that went with it (except the overcrowded village). On the other hand, my taxes have doubled in the past several years due to reval mis-management, and I don't live on the hill. Now that Fred's mayor, I finally feel safe enough to investigate my taxes without retaliation. | ||
| jeffl Supporter Username: Jeffl Post Number: 1010 Registered: 8-2001 |
If you think that having Fred as mayor is going to lower your taxes, think again. Wait until you see your next tax bill. If you think that Vic is responsible for your taxes being high, you don't know what you're talking about. The reval is mandated. If the current assessed value of your home is higher than the market value, appeal. I doubt that's the case. The progress you've seen on the Avenue has more to do with Vic than any other elected official. It's just amazing what a lightning rod Vic has become for unfounded complaining. | ||
| jet Citizen Username: Jet Post Number: 772 Registered: 7-2001 |
Hey, jeffl thats politics , see Jim Florio. I think he handeled the reval poorly, I think he's more for the east . I'm very comfortable with Fred. I vote in every election. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 7776 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jeff, don't you remember the large tax increase Vic and the boys and girls on the TC put through along with the reval under, presumably, the theroy that nobody would notice? The reval wasn't "mandated" by the tax board. It was done voluntarily. If Vic had waited a year to do it, once the runup in values all over town was more apparent he might still have one of those big leather chairs. Vic deserves a lot of credit for having the guts to attack the SA issue. However, his "if we build it, they will come" development plan wasn't working. Everyone is trying to make the upcoming primary Vic vs. Fred, winner take all in a steel cage match. In actual fact there are two seats up for grabs, Ian holding the other one. | ||
| jeffl Supporter Username: Jeffl Post Number: 1011 Registered: 8-2001 |
This will be my last post on this topic because this kind of "stuff" can go on forever and it has little value and never changes anyone's mind. If I'm not mistaken town must do tax revals, as mandated by the state. The reason for this is so that people pay their fair share of the tax burden. Folks on the east side of town were overpaying their share of the burden and those on the other side of town were underpaying. The reval corrected those imbalances. Where did you come up with "his 'if you build it they will come'" concept. Vic ACTIVELY recruited businesses to the avenue. If you have any question about how involved and successful he's been with the avenue talk to someone from the Springfield Avenue Partnership. Yes, this isn't Vic vs. Fred. For some reason people want to make it into that. Signing off. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4707 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hey Jeffl, The tax reval may have been mandated, but the way it was handled was not well at all. Everyone knows it was heavily in favor of the east side, while many in the rest of the town got crushed, causing my parents to leave if your friends want to continue gloating over that one. Plus I've already had to appeal - they had taxed me as if I had a live-in attic, a finished basement, imaginary bathrooms, etc. Those were mistakes that were just a bit out of the ordinary, hmmmm. As for Vic being a lightning rod for complaints, I guess you weren't around when he was mayor - this is nothing compared to then. | ||
| Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 4381 Registered: 10-1999 |
Sheesh, don't you people know that there are three things you never discuss in polite society in Maplewood? Religion Politics The "Reval"  | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 7777 Registered: 5-2001 |
Yeah guy, I gotta take a chill pill!! | ||
| Strawman Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 4604 Registered: 10-2001 |
Let's not forget Vic for some selfish pathetic reason fighting Art's B& B well after he was no longer Mayor. Why? Because he's a bad guy. |
