I just wanted to report that I have not received any response to my letter(s) which I sent to both the DEP and the Governor complaining about the capricious nature of their decision to exempt CC from the Highlands legislation. This is no suprise to me, whatsoever; I figured that they would at least send a form letter, however.
Chuck - - - have you received a response to your letter?
Will do. I noticed in today's DR article the DEP spokesperson said they have no intention of reversing any of their exemptions. They are up to 7 now that they have granted. I have no problem with the commission reviewing applications and granting an exemption if warranted, but I do have a big problem with it happening before there is any commission seated and when the plans arent adequately reviewed or are incomplete and then some clerk gives it a rubber stamp anyway. And to do so without providing for any input from other affected persons or town officials, seems to smack of unconstitutionality. The town cant grant a variance without the surrounding people being notified and having input, why should the state be able to?
Without a commission, it also makes the system more susceptible to graft and corruption. But, we have been running the NJ government that way for years now. Why change? Also, I have been pointing out that the DEP is not going to change this exemption in particular for reasons mentioned elswhere. And it never will, despite the Sierra Club or persuation by the President of the United States. It will never happen! Better put your eggs in some other basket folks or move to another town like we are in the process of doing.
