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The Alternative Press
NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SUMMIT, BERKELEY HEIGHTS AND NEW PROVIDENCE

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Letters to the Editor, April 2008

April 28, 2008

“Woodstock in Cranford”

Dear Editor:

A press release popped up on the Union County Government’s website confirming my belief that some people in this world can always be counted on to be predictably consistent. I am of course referring to the all Democrat UC Board of Chosen Freeholders and George Devanney, our beloved County Manager . The press release is about the new and improved MusicFest 2008 taking place in September at Nomahegan Park in Cranford .

This year’s invasion of a quiet residential neighborhood will not only feature a repeat of last years Rock On!! Walkathon but a 5K Rock N’ Run, an additional third stage and now the event will take place on Friday night as well as the usual Saturday from dawn till whenever. You have to hand it to these guys they just won’t give up a great free reelection campaign event when they see one.

I am sure that the local residents can hardly contain their enthusiasm at the prospect of having cars blocking their driveways on the narrow residential streets for two days and nights rather than one. And how exciting to anticipate possibly finding a devoted concert attendee camping out under the shrubbery on a finely manicured lawn because they didn’t want to spring for a hotel room at the Springfield Holiday Inn or loose their much coveted parking space.

This year the walkathon and newly added 5K run will again raise money for the Love Hope and Strength Foundation, “Nephew George’s” favorite charity, and it looks like Devanney will once again benefit with an opportunity to travel to the far reaches of the globe. Last year with the help of sponsors, he was able to climb with his “teen idols” to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal this year they will be sending him off to Machu Piccu in Peru . Inquiring minds can check it out here for details http://www.perurocks.org clicking “trekkers” you will find George.

Part of the proceeds raised from the walk and the run will be sent off to Peru, however the board wised up this year and the second charity will be is The Valerie Fund; a venerable New Jersey organization that supports children stricken with cancer and blood disorders and their families. "Atta Boys" go to the board for making a good choice this time keeping at least part of the money here in NJ.

Last year they turned over thousands of dollars raised to an organization that in essence was a group that lobbied for our tax dollars to be spent on embryonic stem cell research. The ill fated effort was defeated at the polls last election day when wise NJ voters decided that the state shouldn’t plunge deeper in debt by pursuing this controversial science.

What looks like a serious effort to legitimize the two day campaign event the Freeholders have managed to suck Overlook Hospital into the mix as their main sponsor. Hopefully the hospital hasn’t dug too deep into their pockets to lend financial support to recreate “ Woodstock in Cranford ” as even a few grand could go toward a charity care bill for someone who cannot afford health insurance.

The Freeholders claim that they are merely giving the taxpayers what they want and as a side bonus they are showcasing Union County and contributing to the local economy as they say concert goers are likely to shop and eat dinner that day in downtown Cranford .

They also point out that last year the event drew 50,000 attendees and this year even more are expected to come making MusicFest one of the fastest growing events of this type in NJ. The press release encourages lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets be brought along but what the heck why doesn’t the “Gang of Nine” just go for it and erect a tent-city on the campus of Union County College.

Pat Quattrocchi

Garwood, NJ

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April 17, 2008

Re: School Board Election

Dear Friends and Fellow Residents:

Once again you have honored me by voting to continue my membership on the New Providence Board of Education. Additionally, you have supported the budget to provide a well-rounded educational opportunity for our children.

I am sincerely grateful for your support and will continue to represent the best interests of all the residents of the Borough of New Providence to the best of my ability. Most especially, I will continue to advocate for the interests of our school children. As I have repeatedly stated, education is the most important function of government in any community. Children are our future and we are working to ensure that their future may be as promising as possible. With your continued support the Board of Education, along with the school administration and all of the staff, will ensure that our children are provided the tools to compete in an ever-changing world.

To Mairym Azcona, our neighbor and fellow candidate. I with to thank you for your interest in our district and our children. It is not easy to be a candidate and I salute you for your fine effort.

Sincerely yours,

Robert C. Lucid

Member, New Providence Board of Education

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April 10, 2008

Re: Overdevelopment Update

Dear Editor:

As always, I appreciate your efforts to keep your readers informed about important public policy issues in our community. Unfortunately, an important public policy discussion has taken a turn for the worse. Although I fully understand that my decision to serve in public office might lead to unwarranted personal attacks from other candidates and office holders, I am surprised by the source of such a blistering attack on my credibility, motives, and intentions. I am also surprised that it was included in a communication devoted to faith and religion.

In response, I want to be clear about my source of information concerning the Faith Lutheran Proposal. My source is Pastor McPherson, who twice presented details about the proposed development project to the Borough Council. During the presentation, I asked questions and received answers about every issue that I have raised. As an elected representative of the citizens of New Providence, it is my responsibility to evaluate the information that Pastor McPherson provided to me. Moreover, as a Councilman, I have an obligation to lead an open and informed public discussion about the Church's desire to change the public policy of this Borough by rezoning Mountain Avenue to permit new high-density residential housing on existing commercial properties.

The church bulletin does provide some new information that was not shared by the Pastor when he appeared before the Borough Council, which is that the Faith Lutheran Church has offered to construct 109 lower income housing units in order to satisfy state-requirements that would be triggered by their proposed 435 unit high-density housing project. This announcement answers the question of how the lower-income units would be built, and it alleviates concerns that the Borough would otherwise need to permit a developer to construct hundreds of additional market rate units as payment for building the lower income units.

Nevertheless, it leaves us with a proposal to construct a combined 544 units of high-density housing in New Providence, which would cause our housing density to increase by well over 10 percent. A ten percent increase in a single development project is simply too large, especially in light of the fact that this is not the only high-density development project currently proposed, under construction, or near completion in New Providence. One such development is near completion on Floral Avenue, another is about to begin on South Street, and repeated plans have been submitted for other proposed developments on Union Avenue and Central Avenue. Another developer may still be planning to seek variances to construct high density housing on Elkwood Avenue. However, the size of all of these proposals, even combined, pale in comparison to the massive proposal from the Faith Lutheran Church.

Remember, too, that the BOC proposal in 2005 called for only 240 townhouses and condominiums on Mountain Avenue. Even with the Church's new offer to build the 109 lower income units, the development project is simply too big for New Providence.

In addition, I will note that I voted twice, once as a member of the Planning Board, and once as a member of the Council, to enact an ordinance to permit nursing care facilities on Mountain Avenue. I am not opposed to the Church’s efforts to provide care for the elderly. However, I have very strong concerns leading me to oppose the massive “independent living component” of the project, and the massive lower-income housing obligation that it triggers. To be fair, selling a market-rate townhouse to a 55 year old couple has absolutely nothing to do with providing care for the elderly. In fact, units at the Church’s West Caldwell facility cost as much as $500,000 to $750,000 each. That hardly sounds like a solution for seniors looking to stay in New Providence. By contrast, the proposal calls for only 60 nursing care beds. Again, I don’t oppose the nursing care element, and it is unfair and inaccurate to suggest otherwise.

Finally, it is unfortunate that the Church has chosen to marginalize opposition as a biased attack. While this will make the policy debate even more difficult, the fight continues to be of vital importance to preserving the character and quality of our community. To suggest that I should remain on the sidelines and remain silent shows disregard for the community that elected me and the governing body on which I serve. It is nothing short of outrageous for the Pastor to thank Mayor John Thoms and other town officials for their support, but to attack me for opposing the project. Elected officials must properly take a position on this policy issue. I intend to continue my efforts to lead an open and informed public policy discussion. I can only hope that those who support this massive development might refrain from further impugning my motives and character.

Councilman J. Brooke Hern

New Providence, NJ

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April 3, 2008

Continuing Care Retirement Community

Dear Editor:

Silent no more, our Family of Faith Lutheran Church needs to set the record straight. We had planned to do this in a public forum open to the entire community, so that folks could ask their questions about our Continuing Care Retirement Community and the positive impact it would have on New Providence. Such a forum would allow us to respond to those who have questions or concerns about this proposed gift to our community. But since that forum will be a few weeks away, in light of recent letters to the editor, we feel a need to clarify the intentions of Faith Lutheran Church and its partnership with Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSM) since our motives have been maligned. There is much that could be shared regarding the distortions and misinformation that is being actively shared by a few with their agendas in the community. Simply put for the moment:

In the coming weeks LSM and Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting a community forum to share facts and data on our attempt to try and find a way to allow seniors to continue to live in New Providence;

Faith Lutheran Church has absolutely “0” financial gain in the Continuing Care Retirement Community for our Town.

We look forward to the CCRC as an opportunity that will further our ministry that embraces diversity within our interfaith community of New Providence and our surrounding communities.

Simply put, Faith Lutheran Church is a servant community that gives everything we can away to care for God’s children, and for people to imply otherwise, is a gross distortion of what we have been about in this community for over a quarter of a century. During this time, we have literally shared millions of dollars to care for the poor, the elderly, the hungry, the homeless in New Providence and beyond. To suggest otherwise is morally irresponsible and grossly inaccurate. We invite you to visit our website at www.famfaith.org to learn more about our special Family.

Watch for our announcement of the community forum, and we especially hope the recent letter writers will join us. It will be an informative and interesting evening for our community.

The Rev. Walter Lichtenberger, STM, Pastor, Faith Lutheran Church

The Rev. Dr. Murdoch MacPherson, Pastor, Faith Lutheran Church

New Providence, NJ

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