Great Spin Job - The "All Opinions are Welcome, but Sorry no Instigators" Board

BR · Status: Offline

Great Spin Job

RockawayMe · Status: Offline

I don't know him, but I thought this was weird:

Did he or didn't he? Kelley accused of licking official's face in hall dispute
By AUDREY DAVIE Editor April 04, 2007
ROCKAWAY TWP. - Tucker Kelley, a frequent critic of township officials, was charged by police last Wednesday, March 28, with licking Councilman Michael Dachisen's face as the two argued in the hall of...

And then you have to pay to read the rest of the article.

Link

karen · Status: Offline

I'd be interested in knowing whether he has some sort of opinion on the things that matter to us.

Since he has never registered to vote before, why would we assume he even cares about our town?

Maybe he's just a tool for the Sceusi-RT-Haters club, to try to defeat our current mayor (remember Ted and Russ talking about how Lou will be so easily defeated because of all the "harm" he did the town during the Christ Church mess.

)

Speaking of that, how does he intend to make sure Christ Church doesn't stretch the rules imposed by the planning board, if they start building? Or I guess I should say DOES he intend to monitor that at all?

I'd be interested in knowing what his positions are on the issues.

I'm concerned because Lou is so well liked, people might not bother to go out to vote just knowing that he'll win.

But it's apparent that there are lots of people who've somehow been convinced to put Kelley signs on their lawn. How in the world did he do that?? And if he's so well qualified, why doesn't he tell the citizens of Rockaway Township what he plans to do as mayor??

p.s. is he the guy who owns the "Pig Farm" or whatever it's called, where you can pay to ride your quad/dirtbike?

Rational · Status: Offline

I can see the great temptation to vote against Sceusi. After all, he did not represent the best interests of RT. Remember when he said at one of the meetings that he would allow the CC issue to go all the way to the supreme court. I guess that was a load of crap, wouldn't you say?

But, voting for a face licker is a bit distasteful no matter what the inclination is to vote Sceusi out. If there was another viable candidate for that office, I would vote for that person in a heartbeat.

MrBill · Status: Offline

I have yet to see what Mr Kelley stands for or what changes he is proposing to make if he is elected Mayor. Is it his contention that he will be elected strictly on name recognition? Does anyone here speak with him, if so, could you find out when he plans to make his intentions known to those of us who actually vote.

MrBill

edit for spelling, I hate spelling mistakes on my posts.

-- Edited by MrBill at 06:41, 2007-05-24

Lisa Salberg · Status: Offline

I will say this much. I did a great deal of research into the legal avanues available to use in the CC matter including local, state and federal options. The current Mayor and council acted within the law, used all tools available to them and represented us well. Had CC not had the legal actions DISMISSED by the judge the town would have continued to defend the town in legal action, in my opinion. The fact that the legal matters have gone away is due to the FACT that the judge dismissed the case, not that the town backed down.

I have also spoken to Tucker Kelley about the CC matter and his responce was "I do not know that much about it" He further told me it was not a great concern to him, this was several months ago at a the kick off to the Mayors re-election event. In his mailing, which I did not get but saw a copy of a friends he makes no mention how he will handle this important matter. I am very concerned that he has never voted prior to this year... why now? Why was it not important before?

I know that it would be nice to have good options to choose from in an election - but I only see one qualified option for mayor. At the end of the day you have to ask yourself who is going to do the best job and is best skilled for the job. Maybe it is 18 yrs of HR management speaking here but who has the skills for the job? I know what I think and due to my position on politics that is something I will express in the voting booth.

Have a nice day!

Lisa

-- Edited by Lisa Salberg at 08:18, 2007-05-24

Rational · Status: Offline

Quoting Lisa:

"The current Mayor and council acted within the law - - - "

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You are missing one word in your statement. It should have read:

The current Mayor and council acted within the UNTESTED law - - -

What do you think that the purpose of a planning board is? If you think that it is a simple interpretation of legislative law, then why are planning boards not replaced by judges? The reason for that is that a planning board is supposed to represent the best interests of a community when it comes to development. Planning boards have tons of discretion when arriving at their decisions. Our planning board could have very easily stood up to ireland, but it did not. They did not have to sucomb to the threats by ireland based on untested law.

In short, our mayor may be a nce guy, but that is not what we need to run a town in crisis. He is a little girly-man.

So, the choice is between a girly-man and a face licker. Hmmmm. Not much of a choice and that really sucks. What is the matter with this township?

-- Edited by Rational at 10:22, 2007-05-24

Lisa Salberg · Status: Offline

I have to disagree with you, this has nothing to do with "untested" laws this has to do with land rights, and following the law in regards to land use. Regardless of liking the project they have rights. Regardless of the tax implications they have rights. Regardless of the type of business, they have rights. To have violated these rights would have placed the entire town in legal trouble and we would have been wrong and paid the price.
Now having said this, we are far from over and done with this. There is a great deal of work yet to be done and the DEP still needs to take action. We must keep up the pressure to pull the exemption, up hold the C-1 status and protect the endangered animals living in the area. This is something that requires skill and experience in working with the state.

Honestly if you do care about the town and do not like the way things are going... I can not help but ask, when was the last time you attended a town council meeting? Are you on any committees? Are you willing to help?

Is Lou a nice guy, yes I think so, does that matter, no not at all - it is skill and experience that get the job done. Is Tucker a nice person, I think he may well be although I do not know him very well, yet again being nice does not matter - does he have the skills and experience for the job...that is the question.

June 5 - vote and see what happens.

Rational · Status: Offline

Quoting Lisa:

"I have to disagree with you, this has nothing to do with "untested" laws this has to do with land rights - - - "

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Pray tell me - - - if planning boards are simply there to respect land rights, then why do planning boards exist? Please explain that one to all of us. Make it real clear. Because, based on your theory, the pb could easily be replaced by a judge.

That is not how things work, Lisa. The pb could have turned down cc based on absolutely no legal logic whatsoever. It just would have been more work and expense for the township. But, as the saying goes, ya either pay now, or ya pay later. This pb under the tutalage of Sceusi has chosen for all of us to pay later.

ps -

I do not go to pb or city council meetings because it is madening to watch these faux process in action. You saw what three years of planning board meetings accomplished for the township - - - they wasted a lot of peoples time with a death by a thousand cuts (1 week each month). It was ridiculous and the show was not the least bit entertaining.

And, I do not get involved in politics because it does not pay a decent wage; much more money can be made working a real job.

-- Edited by Rational at 11:29, 2007-05-24

karen · Status: Offline

It is my impression that the mayor in particular, along with the planning board, cares a great deal about the CC issue.

Keep in mind that he is among us...above the CC property and he will be sitting in traffic right along with the rest of us. I believe he did everything in his power at the time to keep our lives from being IMPACTed by the traffic

Rational · Status: Offline

Quoting Karen:

"It is my impression that the mayor in particular, along with the planning board, cares a great deal about the CC issue."

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Yup - - - politics is all about impressions and very little about facts, actions and accompishments. This situation is a prime example of that.

-- Edited by Rational at 14:16, 2007-05-24

karen · Status: Offline

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one; I am convinced he tried his best to do the right thing by this township.

More importantly, I'm convinced that Tucker Kelley could give two $hits.

Lisa Salberg · Status: Offline

Craig,
You may have any opinion you wish, however when it comes to the fact, the law and the rules in which a planning board functions under you are wrong. If you have any question about it I would suggest you attend a meeting of the town council and speak to the town attorney. I attend many town council meetings, I have not ever seen you at one, you may find it enlightening to attend some day. I hope to see you there.

Lisa

Rational · Status: Offline

Why would I ask the town attorney? He has a dog in this fight. He is probably part of the problem. I did one better and asked my own attorney(s). At the risk of being redundant, the answer is that planning boards can do whatever the hell they want to do so long as they are prepared to do battle in court. That is why it is a board. Otherwise, it would simply be a Judge rather than a committee. Understand now?

That means that we could have told ireland and company to go to hell and let them sue through the court system. Sceusi told us at one of YOUR meetings that he would persue this all the way to the supreme court.

I guess he is just another politician, 'cause he did not do that, now did he?

As I said before, too bad that there is not another real candidate in this race. And as for going to town meetings, I do not need to have a bunch of bs shoved down my throat by a bunch of pols. That is what happened over the course of the PB meetings pertaining to cc. That is what we call in my business a "dog and pony show". It is interesting that you bought into all that crap.

-- Edited by Rational at 22:55, 2007-05-24

Lisa Salberg · Status: Offline

Your post lacks one thing Craig - facts. You have missed the big picture here and at this point in the game it is clear you have no interest in seeing the reality of situation and that your anger is clouding your judgement. I deal in facts and the facts are clear - our town officials have followed the law and not doing so would have placed the town in great finacial risk - thus they have done the best they could do with a bad situation...so far. This matter is not over and needs to be completed.

As for not attending meetings - frankly your comments are a cop out - it is so easy to judge others from the sidelines but hard to have to deal in facts, truth and work within the structure created by law.

Try to have a good weekend.

Lisa

Rational · Status: Offline

I agree with your statement that they followed the law - - - the untested law that Sceusi said that he would challenge up to the Supreme Court. Or, did you forget his declaration to that effect.

As for cost to the community, what do you think that the cost is really going to be when all of our real estate values hit the trash due to the overall IMPACT that this thing is going to have on anyone living in this G-d forsaken place?

As I stated earlier, either ya pay now, or ya pay later. Sceusi and company have simply chosen to pay later with destroyed real - estate values.

karen · Status: Offline

So, I guess there really IS no information out there about Tucker Kelley, and that's why people do nothing but criticize Sceusi rather than try to figure out what "the alternative" has to offer.

Well, as the saying goes, I'll take the "known evil" over the unknown any day of the week.

We just have to make sure people get out to vote.

Rational · Status: Offline

Our votes will be protest "no votes for the mayor column". What else can one do to express total displeasure with the choices?

karen · Status: Offline

Well, that's being productive.

Rational · Status: Offline

We just had a better idea; we are both going to write you in.

karen · Status: Offline

Oh no you don't! lol

Unlike Tucker, I'm not going to run for mayor just because I have a couple of opinions--I know full well how supremely UNqualified I actually am! Why don't you run?

Rational · Status: Offline

Quoting Karen:

"Oh no you don't! lol"

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I do not think that you have much choice, lol! Besides, we think that you would make a great mayor. Certainly much better to look at and not the quientesential pol. Would be refreshing for all of us to have you in there.

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Quoting Karen:

"Why don't you run?"

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Three reasons:

1. I am as politically incorrect as they get, and I simply could care less about that fact.

2. Nobody would vote for me due to number 1.

3. Just in case number two was not true, the pay sucks and there are much better ways to earn a living.

Rational · Status: Offline

KAREN FOR MAYOR

-- Edited by Rational at 15:24, 2007-05-31

ChuckMueller · Status: Offline

Gee I wish I had read this before the election. I would have voted for Karen too. This was the first time in years that I didnt vote, because I refused to vote for Sceusi again and would not vote for the other face-licker. Very sad indeed. Regardless of what you think of what Sceusi and company did during the CC debacle (and I am one that agrees with Rat on that whole thing), it still remains his administrations fault that CC is here to start with. If they hadnt been asleep at the switch they would have been working with HP to get a suitable tenant in there. They were just laying back fat, dumb, and happy to get their taxes every quarter. Rat, I know exactly what you are talking about regarding the property values. My house has been on the market for 2 months now without a single offer. A realtor friend of mine told me that had this been prior to 2006 we would have easily gotten $450K, now we are asking $389 and cant get an offer. If CC really comes to fruition, forget it. A bad market will become much worse.

BR · Status: Offline

Chuck

Ask your realtor to run you a report that shows homes sold and under contract in RT for the past year and a half. Sort by Days on Market, List Price, Sale Price. I think you will be surprised that there are 339 homes - most sold for close to asking price - some over. Recently in "northern end" many homes have sold 600K to over a mil. In fact I know of 2 homes around 14 yrs old that just sold in the Old Beach Glenn area 600-700K where the buyers are totally gutting them and remodeling. probably dumping over 200k into them.

While I wont argue that the threat of a mega church may have a bearing on some buyers decision, I think what keeps RT housing prices slightly lower than surounding towns is the high tax rate and lackluster test scores in the elementry and middle schools.

I think what you are experiencing is a buyers market coupled with a lot of competition in your price range. Again, have your realtor show you what else is avaialbe in RT in the 350-400K range so you know what potential buyers are comparing your house to. You may even want to pretend your a buyer and have your realtor show you them.

Hope this helps

ChuckMueller · Status: Offline

Thanks BR. Yes we have seen that. I know there is a tremendous inventory out there right now and that has had a very negative effect on prices. I keep a close watch on the monthly sales. Yes there still are sales, but the rate has slowed tremendously. That along with the number on the market have had a double negative impact on us as sellers. All I was saying is that if there are any further negatives brought into play on this already weak market we are really going to be in bad shape.