I'm sure this will make everyone's weekend. I just got a call from Rob Jennings, Daily Record asking if I was aware that The Christ Circus is having their first service tomorrow. Of course I wasnt. Last I heard they hadnt even applied for the necessaary permits to open the temp sanctuary. Guess they dont need any stinking permits. I thought I heard elephants coming up Green Pond Rd. And it starts...
No permits? No problem. Don't you know who we're are dealing with? I am sure that he does not think that things like that apply to him, and he is right, they do not. After all, who in RT would ever even think to take him to task on it?
Look closer - they are have a PRE-Construction service, they need the permits for construction as of yesterday I am not aware that any permits have been applied for. However it is unclear if they have an emergency plan, proper seating and a list of other items... I did also hear some rumors last week that someone was looking at the property and that CC is having serious $$ problems - this as I saw black pickup with Pink CHRIST CHURCH lettering passing by???
Further, the DEP has a ton of new regulation and the C-1 status of the Hibernia and Bever Brook will be in the Federal Register in May, new storm water rules are in effect, the highlands exemption is now under further review...and oh yeh one more thing the former ex. director of the Highland Council is now the Gov. chief of staff. I have spoken to him in the past and he knows the importance of the land at 140 - the exemption at that point was not in the control of the highlands council but the DEP he expressed frustration about that.
It aint over by a long shot... can you all say Kiddie Academy??? Look it up - NO building on this property until ALL IRCA sites are cleared.
Have a nice service tomorrow it may be the only one ever.
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Gee, I wish I had gone. I would write something real nice there. If they are pushing ahead and holding Pre-whatever whatever's and putting carpet down, I wouldnt think they would be entertaining the idea of selling. Thats probably just wishful thinking. I wish it too, but I doubt it. I heard they had 3 RT cops there today to control the crowds and all the traffic that never showed up. It was probably just to keep the locals out so us low class, needy, hicks didnt show up and cause a disturbance.
Such a shame the state and Feds cannot stop this service today. Calling his opposition the devil even though he backtracked later after realizing his freudian slip will be his undoing.
According to the article in today's SL they had 1000 people show up and at least 20-30 RT residents show up every week asking when they will start having services. Me thinks the Rev been hitting the pipe to heavy lately. Even if Russ stops a couple times a day it cant seem like that many people.
UPDATE: They have APPLIED for a building permit for the work INSIDE the building, the permit was only applied within the last day or so, it had not been issued as of this morning, so they should not be doing any work until the permit is issued.
We have submitted a letter to the editor, I would encourage others to do the same. The use of the work "devil" was an insult to all those with legitimate concerns over a mega building project. He should be ashamed of himself.
here is our letter: The devil is in the details On Saturday April 26, David Ireland held a meeting at the 140 Green Pond Rd; property Christ Church purchased several years ago. During his address, he is reported to have said they reside in the very space that the Devil said we couldn't have, while we are not sure whom he was refereeing to, we can pretty much guarantee that the only devil is in the details. These nasty little details include protection of our water via the new C-1 designation given to the Hibernia and Beaver Brooks, the new storm water regulations, the new laws requiring all Industrial Recovery Site properties be completely remediated prior to the building of a school, (all of which they must comply with) the fact that a portion of the property does not have a Highlands exemption (lot 7), the fact that the Highlands exemption issued to Christ Church is again under question due to the fact the calculation of footprint of the entire building is inconsistent with other Highlands properties in Rockaway Twp, and a laundry list of other items protecting the land from construction and safety matters that have yet to be addressed by the applicant. Further, the 4/26 service was held violation of the law; as there was no permit issued for the event. No approval was on file as of Friday, April 25, for the event. The approval for a temporary sanctuary was very specific and included the requirement of pew seating, not folding chairs and a myriad of other conditions such any an emergency egress plan, none of which was in place for the event. It is such a shame that after all this time the applicant still cannot comply with the law and has resorted to name calling.
Sincerely, Lisa and Adam Salberg Kim and John Jenkins Voices of Rockaway Twp.
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
"Further, the 4/26 service was held violation of the law; as there was no permit issued for the event. No approval was on file as of Friday, April 25, for the event. The approval for a temporary sanctuary was very specific and included the requirement of pew seating, not folding chairs and a myriad of other conditions such any an emergency egress plan, none of which was in place for the event. "
So if this is the case, why isn't Rev large bills being fined? Can anyone answer this?
How can it be that if you put up a shed or a deck without the proper permits our building officials are all over you, yet this egomaniac book salesman can get away with doing whatever he feels like?
It appears that a different set of laws applies to CC then the rest of the "devils" in RT, shocking isn't it?
Do you think the Rev dipped into his book profits to pay for the three RT officers?
And where are these 20 to 30 people a day that stop in at CC from RT that can't wait to join? At that rate every resident in RT will be a member. What a joke.
I think that you are asking a rhetorical question as I am quite sure that you are smart enough to know the answer. But in case you do not know the answer it is:
He is not being fined because he is a Black Guy who owns a Church.
I was at the town council meeting last night - I would suggest you each call the mayors office and ask the question about what penalty will CC have for its violation of the law. As of last night they were issued a letter telling them they violated in the law and no penalty was given. I will tell you that there were a total of 9 people in the room last night - too few to show them that we are watching and we expect action. Contact your council person, the mayor and demand that ALL property owners be help to the same standards.
The ONLY permit issued to CC so far is a demolition permit for the interior of the building.
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
I sent the following letter to the DR and SL today.
"Here we are today worshipping in the very space the devil said we couldn't have," the Rev. David Ireland told his congregation.
Once again the (not so) Reverand David Ireland shows his true colors. He has over the last 4 years called anyone in Rockaway Twp who opposed his mega project, un-Christian, and un-believers among other things. He has sued the town and our officials, and made it clear that he intends to "crush" the opposition and nothing would stop him from realizing HIS dream. It has been apparent to many of us that he never cared, nor does he still care, anything about the people who have lived in Rockaway Twp for their entire lives. Now he is calling us "the devil" and "evil" for still disagreeing with him. Once again he has thumbed his nose at RT by holding services without the proper authorization and permits from the town and I call on the Twp of Rockaway to hold him accountable for his actions. I am a great supporter of Religious Freedom in our country, but I am in great opposition to any Religious Extremism. Any religion that touts itself to be the only "true" religion and everyone else will go to hell, is, in my book, one to be wary of. It matters little what race, creed, or color you are; when you take the myopic view that you are the only one who counts, you are not anyone I care to associate with. Besides the obvious negative impact, to the environment and the infrastructure that this unwanted and unneeded "church" will have, the fact that I am being forced to subsidize his "religion" has never seemed right to me from day one. This was not a local member of our community that wanted to expand, nor was it even a group from our own county, yet we, as long time residents of RT will be forced to pay increased taxes to support it and make up for its tax exemption. The fact that a bad law, called RLUIPA forced RT to accept this mega-circus does not make it one bit more welcome by this resident now, then it was 4 years ago and the Not-So-Reverand's continuing "hate speech" only shows that sometimes first impressions are correct.
Chuck, I agree with you. This sure is a lumpy, bitter tasting log we're being fed.
It's twice as frustrating because political correctness ultimately caused this to happen and because of that same PC'ness we can't even express our opinions honestly.
