If a flyer you see is not acknowledged here, its not from me. Some people are coordinating efforts, some aren’t. That’s all I will say on the matter. It’s certainly a learning experience.
If you are putting the energy to do flyers, please contact me, coordinated efforts give the most “bang for the buck”. I understand the desire to do SOMETHING, but in some cases it may set the effort back.
Thanks.
Tom
http://manalapan.patch.com/articles/sonnenblick-focuses-solely-on-audi-dealership-at-public-hearing
Its important to remember that the issue is all dealerships that could exist on that corner (multiple)
Last night the courtroom was packed, and more testimony and specific questions at Ray Catena’s team. The meeting went on until 11:40.
They key point here is that approval could mean more dealerships and more traffic, and environmental issues, and just more dealerships on . It changes the character of the town, and not for the better. We want manalapan to contiinue to be a great place to live.
People were saying nice things about Ray Catena. Which doesn’t lessen the need for this not to happen. This is not limited to him. Others will come if this is permitted. No doubt representeed by jerry. Our fight is not with Mr Catena, its with the concept.
We have discussed an fought on details, which will will continue to do, but the point is, this is simply wrong for manalapan. Strangley we are hitting them on details that they are not required to respond to until it is approved. This is extrmely risky.
I also disagree with the premis that the building will fall into disrepair. C’mon, listening to this you’d think it will suddenly turn into greek ruins!
I was actually suprised at the theme of the night was, what about if this worse thing was there instead? Well, gee, no I wouldn’t want that permitted use there either. Thinking about it later, if you’re using that use as a threat, maybe it doesn’t belong in the master plan either!
Dealerships don’t belong, as you wouldn’t find Springsteen music on the classical station, it doesn’t belong, its jarring to the audience, yet is perfectly welcome in another location/station.
Meetings Wed/Thursday at 8pm both days.
Critically important to have a huge turnout! Don’t assume your neighbors are coming, and stay home! Come out and meet them there!
51 people attended last one in the rain, and with World Series game going on, its that important! Come help defeat multiple dealerships on Rt 9.
If you spoke last week at the meeting, and we haven’t spoke or emailed, please email me today
Many people have sent e-mails, and thoughts regarding this.
We need your thoughts and questions on this. Please take a moment, and jot them down in an email to tom@maddenfamily.org
While many of the comments will follow the themes of noise, traffic, aesthetics of the building, etc… some people have surprised me with additional points. The fact that we had an audiologist testify at the meeting was amazing.
Its critical that you attend the meeting to stop this. It would be great if you’d get up and speak, but I realize many people don’t feel comfortable doing that. But we still need your thoughts on the matter.
Such as:
– Why are we second guessing a master plan that has served the town well for decades? Yes, you are required to revisit the master plan periodically, however, you are NOT required to change it!
– Why are you spending township consulting resources to entertain this change, simply because Mr Catena asked (as noted in the last planning meeting)? Is Mr Catena paying for the township engineers report on the impact ? (not implying a bad thing, just that the town shouldn’t be)
– Many of the candidates state they are against over development and preserving open spaces. Why don’t you realize that over development is not only residential? Yes, houses do put a strain on infrastructure, but so will this!
– What are the planning boards guiding principles in making development decisions?
We need more of these types of questions. Again, it would be fantastic if each person would ask these questions individually, but if you know you’re not, still make yourself heard.
I can not stress enough the importance of attending both the Town meeting, and the Planning Board meeting to stop the dealership(s). We need a massive showing of support to underscore how bad an idea this is. Note that this is not just that one building, its an 84 acre zone surrounding the intersection!!! That could mean multiple dealerships. This goes beyond the proposed Ray Catena dealership, we need to stop the notion of any dealerships on Route 9, for all the reasons we have been discussing. Its simply not needed, will not bring in significantly more income.
Again, its critical to attend the Township Meeting on Wednesday at 8pm, and the Thursday Planning Board meeting at 8pm at the municipal building. As one of the speakers noted at the last meeting, it is important to stop this now, while we can, once this goes much further it’ll take far greater effort to stop it.
Don’t stay home. unless you want a row of dealerships to work its way north into Manalapan, and to sit through even more red lights, waiting to make the jughandle.
Please all plan to attend next week’s meetings.
There is the Township Committee Public Meeting next Wednesday at 8pm.
This is a Planning board meeting on Thursday at 8pm
The more people we have attend these meetings, the better the chance we have of stopping this.
We also need to write individual letters and send them. They balked at the petition… however KEEP SIGNING IT, if you haven’t already. The White House is reacting and responding to petitions on their site… and the planning board doesn’t recognize it… c’mon. Apparently it has potential future bearing, but I am hoping we can stop this in the early stages.
Please also write letters to the editor, and other media.
I’m organizing a meeting at the library between now and and the meeting.
Please understand that if given the go ahead to convert this building to a dealership, the other building could be next, and the one across the steet. I’m looking into the map document, but from what I understand OP-3 is 84 acres surrounding that intersection.
Please also join and spread the facebook group (stop07726dealership)
07726concerns 