POST OFFICE SITE DRAMA (summary)

Hi

I know there are other threads out there but who has time to read all that mud-slinging anhyper-rhetoric.

Can someone (or plural) please post briefly in as objective a manner as possible what the current state of this issue is?

Who is developer?

What is there plan?

Pros and cons?

Who are the folks behind the yard sign campaign (I like it btw) and how does one get in touch with them?

When is the election everyone is talking about?

Who in the election supports the developers and who doesn't?

Please keep it simple so the rest of us can get the facts quickly.  

Disclosure: completely against an apartment building going into that space; would like to see some communal use or more commercial space instead.  I will vote against anyone looking to build more high-density, tax-free status housing as we see popping up all over.

I can answer a few of your questions.  The developer is JMF Properties.  Here's the link to their most recent presentation:

http://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Maplewood-Post-Office-Redevelopment-Power-Point-5-6-15_reduced.pdf

The election is on June 2nd.

Here's a link to the petition on Change.org. 

https://www.change.org/p/maplewood-nj-township-committee-stop-the-demolition-of-the-post-office-building/u/10460381

To get a sign, please email villagekeepers@yahoo.com. They will deliver one to you.

Hope this is helpful. 

sweetsnuggles 

Thank you exactly what I'm looking for.  Now just need to do some research on which candidates are pro and con the development.  I normally don't get involved in local politics but this time is different. I think they are making a HUGE mistake with this development.  

touba said:

sweetsnuggles 

Thank you exactly what I'm looking for.  Now just need to do some research on which candidates are pro and con the development.  I normally don't get involved in local politics but this time is different. I think they are making a HUGE mistake with this development.  

 So you know absolutely nothing about it (based on all the questions in your OP), but you think they are making a HUGE mistake?

I know absolutely nothing about you...

Keep in mind the timeline of the Post Office development and the elections. It was approved by the Village Alliance already, it goes before the Planning Board next. It will almost certainly be approved prior to the election. So, while the Post Office issue may be important to many, a vote in November for someone taking office in January is not going to fix this current issue, if you think it's an issue at all.

That said, your vote could change things that happen in the future, but most likely will have zero bearing on the Post Office site.

Are you saying the Planning Board meeting is before June 2?  They had better listen to the outcome on June 2 before they approve anything.  

ArchBroad said:

Keep in mind the timeline of the Post Office development and the elections. It was approved by the Village Alliance already, it goes before the Planning Board next. It will almost certainly be approved prior to the election. So, while the Post Office issue may be important to many, a vote in November for someone taking office in January is not going to fix this current issue, if you think it's an issue at all.

That said, your vote could change things that happen in the future, but most likely will have zero bearing on the Post Office site.

I've lived in this town over 30 years so spare me please.  And how long have you lived here?

Red_Barchetta said:

touba said:

sweetsnuggles 

Thank you exactly what I'm looking for.  Now just need to do some research on which candidates are pro and con the development.  I normally don't get involved in local politics but this time is different. I think they are making a HUGE mistake with this development.  

 So you know absolutely nothing about it (based on all the questions in your OP), but you think they are making a HUGE mistake?

I know absolutely nothing about you...

I've lived here with my real name Wendy Lauter since 1987 and you know nothing and Red Barchetta is right on. Please add up the number of years people on the Village Alliance WHO VOTED 14 TO 2 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT LIVED HERE. SHEESH.

Edited to add the link to the excellent reporting from the Village Green from the VA meeting/vote:

http://villagegreennj.com/towns/government/post-office-development-moves-forward-planning-board-review/

Great point Red. This appears to be a case of knee jerk nimby.

Red_Barchetta said:

touba said:

sweetsnuggles 

Thank you exactly what I'm looking for.  Now just need to do some research on which candidates are pro and con the development.  I normally don't get involved in local politics but this time is different. I think they are making a HUGE mistake with this development.  

 So you know absolutely nothing about it (based on all the questions in your OP), but you think they are making a HUGE mistake?

I know absolutely nothing about you...

There is a planning board meeting next week, but I doubt this would be on the agenda that quickly, despite that it was reported during the MVA meeting that the developers were already working with the planning board and engineer towards there site plan approval. It doesn't appear to be on the Agenda right now, but Agenda's change even the day of the meeting.

I can't predict what would happen to votes later on if Greg wins the primary, however, the TC voted unanimously to approve this development. One vote would note change that, not even two votes. If the TC was more split on this issue, I could see June 2nd making a difference in the TC's mind. The TC was more split on the PILOT however, so there could be a chance June 2nd might change people's minds. And IMHO, I do not think the developer would split if they lost the PILOT, so we'd still get the development, but we would also have a developer who is less likely to want to comply with everything since their ROI just decreased. So, also IMHO, it would be a mistake to revoke the PILOT at this point. And I happen to agree that the PILOT probably should not have been granted, though I am also happy it is only a 5 year PILOT instead of 30 years.

Based on the title of the thread I thought someone had written a play or a screen play about recent happenings in our little hamlet.

Ibsen comes to mind or Chekhov.

If it is made into a screen play I want to be the left handed outfielder who wards off the construction equipment with a hail of tennis balls................till help comes in the form of an injunction handed down from the Supreme Court.

No idea on what grounds it would be based but I have a few months to figure that one out.

Poor touba! Stuck his head out of a foxhole and instantly got it shot off by vigilant MOL snipers.  Against the New Jersey-ization of one's communal 'backyard', resistance is futile.

touba said:

I've lived in this town over 30 years so spare me please.  And how long have you lived here?

Red_Barchetta said:

touba said:

sweetsnuggles 

Thank you exactly what I'm looking for.  Now just need to do some research on which candidates are pro and con the development.  I normally don't get involved in local politics but this time is different. I think they are making a HUGE mistake with this development.  

 So you know absolutely nothing about it (based on all the questions in your OP), but you think they are making a HUGE mistake?

I know absolutely nothing about you...

 

I'm not sure why this matters, but I've been here since 1996.  

You state plainly that you don't know the details and don't have time to sort through these threads to get information for yourself.  What am I missing here?  None of this has happened behind closed doors.  

pastrez said:

Poor touba! Stuck his head out of a foxhole and instantly got it shot off by vigilant MOL snipers.  Against the New Jersey-ization of one's communal 'backyard', resistance is futile.

 Interesting.  If you're referring to me, well a diligent search through all the threads on this topic will not find me either emphatically supporting this development or opposing it.  

If you mean that I instantly sniped a post by a late comer stating a strong opinion that is supported by no knowledge of the issue, well then I'm guilty, and thank you for the acknowledgment. 

Red_Barchetta said:

touba said:

sweetsnuggles 

Thank you exactly what I'm looking for.  Now just need to do some research on which candidates are pro and con the development.  I normally don't get involved in local politics but this time is different. I think they are making a HUGE mistake with this development.  

 So you know absolutely nothing about it (based on all the questions in your OP), but you think they are making a HUGE mistake?

 Funny, that.  

Twelve minutes.  Twelve.  Might be a record.

author said:

Based on the title of the thread I thought someone had written a play or a screen play about recent happenings in our little hamlet.

Ibsen comes to mind or Chekhov.

 Ionesco.

Or Woody Allen

Touba = TROLL 

sarahzm said:

Touba = TROLL 

I don't think so. However, touba is going to the wrong place for information. Touba should be reading the village green if he/she wants an objective answer to his/her questions. 

If anything, too much has been written about the PO site and yes, it can be daunting and confusing to go through all of it.  There have been years of meetings and discussions which have lead to this point.  Much of it is documented but it will take some time and effort to uncover the unbiased facts.  Start with a search of the official town website.  Listen to those meetings recorded on YouTube.  Review the site plan.  Visit the site yourself.  If you want to know each of the candidate's position on the issue, ask them directly, rather than getting this information filtered through others who may already have formed a strong opinion on the issue or any or all of the candidates.  Once you have gathered the facts and done some analysis yourself on the relative impact of doing nothing, repurposing the existing structure, or doing something new with the space, you will have a clearer idea of where you stand on the issue.  Those who are presently screaming loudest may or may not have the best handle on the multiple ramifications of what is done with the site.

However, as stated above, this is likely a non-issue as far as the TC Democratic Party primary election is concerned.  The issues surrounding this proposed construction will almost certainly be decided before the newly elected TC members take office in January.  There are plenty of other issues out there which will need to be shaped by and acted upon by our Township Committee going forward.  Those are the ones you need to focus on as far as the primary election is concerned.

@touba-

There is a lot to catch up on  

You might want to check out OhNo60.info for more issues with the PO  

There are so many issues that one can be overwhelmed- from the Kings issue to the financial which do not add up to the lack of a feasibility study for the existing building to the mayor's outrageous hot headed behavior in public 

Further there are issues of public officials and committee members who need to recuse themselves from this process. there is quite a tangled web of activity here. Does anyone know the rules for this?

The project will need to be re-reviewed by the MVA and PODRS before going to PB  as there were 4 amendments to the approval  - they were really conditions for approval  

So it is not likely that this can go before PB soon  

I propose that the whole lot of them should have their next public meetings inside the Post Office building as I doubt if any or few have poked their head in to see the amazing open  light filled space in there .

"outrageous hot-headed behavior in public"?  That's one I haven't heard before.

Though the below borderline libelous accusation is REAL interesting (if not a sign of purely desperate tactics).  Please back this up with facts if you don't mind.  Who are the parties that should recuse themselves and why?  I'm sure we'd all like to know who is illegally involved in this in the interest of transparency, and to ensure this isn't more baseless garbage being thrown against the wall.  I'm sure Fred also probably doesn't appreciate the implications of his name being tossed about by you in such an unseemly and mudslingingly negative manner either.  Thanks.

IndaSechzer said:

Further there are issues of public officials and committee members who need to recuse themselves from this process including candidates, campaign managers, realtors who may are already be aligned with the project financially, folks who sit on numerous committees and are basically recommending this project to themselves, TC members who sit in quorums on committees, and more. there is quite a tangled web of activity here 

Remember the days when Inda had several logins on MOL and was ardently pushing the town hire her firm to "handle" the post office project?

Recuse much?

Whatevs.

I don't know all the names on the MVA or the PODRVS but those I do know are  civic minded volunteers who in many capacities have given hours of service to this community and are of unquestionable integrity ( including a realtor who is a competitor).  I don't agree with all of them but I find the attacks here, and those who make them abhorrent.  

When people attempt to tarnish those with whom they disagree by throwing baseless accusations (as has been done here  repeatedly) they only sully themselves and discredit their position.

IndaSechzer said:

Further there are issues of public officials and committee members who need to recuse themselves from this process including candidates, campaign managers, realtors who may are already be aligned with the project financially, folks who sit on numerous committees and are basically recommending this project to themselves, TC members who sit in quorums on committees, and

I remember that Inda was a principal in one of about 8  firms that bid on some aspect or another of the Post Office building

construction. " Ardently pushing the town".................I did not notice her taking out any adds or passing out flyers........I did not notice her doing anything that the other 7 or so firms did not do.   She will frequently furnish facts that are inconvenient  for some to hear.   I am sure she causes much discomfort among the TC apologists and minions.

Recuse is not a bad idea for other parties but not this outspoken lady.  To suggest that for her is a form censorship for those who do not kiss up.      

The election for the TC will be on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, that is, six months from now. I do not know what the issues will be or who the Republican candidates will be or what their positions on any issues will be.

June 2nd is the date for the Primaries and the Democratic Primary is contested. The opponents of the plans for re-development of the PO site would like that Primary to be single-issue. I do not think it is. There are many reasons for voting for or against any one of the three candidates if you are a Registered Democrat.

Your memory has been conveniently (for you ) selective.

author said:

I remember that Inda was a principal in one of about 8  firms that bid on some aspect or another of the Post Office building

construction. " Ardently pushing the town".................I did not notice her taking out any adds or passing out flyers........I did not notice her doing anything that the other 7 or so firms did not do.   She will frequently furnish facts that are inconvenient  for some to hear.   I am sure she causes much discomfort among the TC apologists and minions.

Recuse is not a bad idea for other parties but not this outspoken lady.  To suggest that for her is a form censorship for those who do not kiss up.      

Dave

Do you remember when this website had rules?  No slanderous statements allowed...?

Do you remember when I tried to change my avatar to my real name and the webmaster wouldn't grant it?

Are you aware that a majority of folks on MOL still use avatars?  Why don't the rules change to have everyone use real names?  then maybe we will see who is pretending to be whom.  

Dave where do you live?