Just more evidence of their self-important perspective--the law doesn't matter! That's just the devil trying to keep them out. Well, they showed us, didn't they! __________________ http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/OPINION01/805010309/1094/OPINION
Spirituality and the law
Saturday's ceremonial worship service by Christ Church in Rockaway Township may have been a rousing success in terms of attendance -- about 700 people -- and spirituality. But it looks like it may have violated municipal zoning law.
Township officials say that the church, which won a three-year battle before the planning board to relocate from Montclair to 140 Green Pond Road, held its service in an old industrial building without a needed certificate of occupancy. Mayor Lou Sceusi says the church has only a demolition permit to renovate the site.
The mayor says the township, which did nothing to halt the service -- a police officer was on hand for traffic duty -- will not issue the church a summons. But he said church officials have acknowledged the oversight to the township and have pledged cooperation in the future.
Given the bruising approval process -- one marked with lawsuits, civil rights investigations and occasional name-calling -- it is to the church's benefit to scrupulously follow the law in the future.
So let me get this straight, the mayor knows that Christ Church and the Rev. Ireland broke the law but is not going to at least ticket them for an unlawful assembly (akin to a slap on the wrist). No fire offenses? No warnings? I'm sorry, but the law is supposed to be followed by EVERYONE without exception. Why should one person, or one group be allowed to sidestep the law. By allowing this to happen, the mayor is setting a very bad precedence which could come back to haunt Rockaway Township down the road. Especially if Christ Church and it's board of directors sees that there was no action taken this time around. What is to stop them from doing anything else with an example of inaction as the mayor, Police dept, and building dept has shown? What is to stop them from breaking ground, removing contaminated soil, or paving/over building the property at this point in time?
So I guess it's ok to do things in RT without permits. I mean how can the Mayor slap a fine on anyone if he doesn't do it to cc? I think we should all take advantage of this free ride.
Rat you are so right, we haven't seen anything yet from Rev book seller and his flock.
No laws are too big for this guy to break.
I'm just thowing this out there; with the cost of gas and consumer goods increasing every day, the flocks free cash flow has to take a hit, therefore less cash for the Rev's pocket book. Possible financial issues on the horizon, one can only hope.
I don't understand! Why wouldn't I just get a warning like cc? Wouldn't that be discrimination if I got fined and cc didn't? I'm sure I'd be able to fight this if it happened.
Call the town office, call the mayor, call your council person... tell them what you thing... show up at the town meeting - demand EQUAL treatment under the law. Venting on a message board is fine, but nobody is going to act on a message board comment - CALL, write, show up let your voice be heard.
Thanks, 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.
Nobody in Government is going to respond against a Black Church in any way, shape or form, period.
Get over the naive crap, Lisa. Face reality - - - we have no say.
I grant that it is still possible that Christs Circus may still go down the tubes, but it will not have any relationship to what we have done to fight it off. We are basically impotent against it by the very nature of the society that we have created.
It will only go away if it fails for financial reasons which are totally out of our control. I give that probability around 10 percent.
Those who sit and complain on the internet and take no action to communicate with your elected officials about your feelings you will get the reaction you should get - nothing. I am sure you will find fault with any and everyone and thing that is not done how you envision it to be. For those who take the time to communicate and voice your concern to those in a position to take action you will see results from your efforts.
The fact is -if nobody complains then there is not reason for the town to take action. A few well written - factual letters will get the attention it should. Name calling and resorting to childish behavior will never yield results.
One other thing.. I noticed in Snowflack's blog that he claims he recieves a call from someone saying awful things about race but he did not know who it was. Didnt the Daily Record ever think of using caller ID? Frankly I do not think the call ever took place and it was an attempt to stir the pot.
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.
"Those who sit and complain on the internet and take no action to communicate with your elected officials about your feelings you will get the reaction you should get - nothing."
It is highly presumptious of you to assume that folks here on this message board have not communicated with our elected officials about this. However, I can speak for myself and I have done that, just to be able to say that I did. On the other hand, I do not expect any reaction to my communications because I do understand how things work - - - something that you have yet to learn (and my never learn).
Chuck, The only change they made was in the title which does change the focus to the "event" not the "Plan" but I do not know if that matters at all.
Craig, Re-read what I wrote - I did not single any one person out, it was a general statement. While you choice is to view the world one way I see things very different - and in my world it is working out just fine. For example - a group of my fellow advocates have been fighting for 10 years for something called GINA - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act - this would permit people to know their genetic information without employers and health insurance companies holding it against you. You may recall several years back when Jennings tried to twist my words about "going to Washington" - that statement came from my stating that things could happen in Washington to help us all (like GINA). Last week after a 10 year battle GINA passed the House and the week before it passed the Senate and the Pres. has said many times he will sign it - which should happen in the coming weeks. The system does work for all, sometimes it just takes time. Take a step back sometime--- the world is not always how YOU see it.
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.
Bravo to Charles Mueller for his eloquent letter to the editor on May 5. I think he wrote what everyone is thinking in Rockaway Township. It is amazing what people can get away with in the name of religion. Christ Church is a mega church and will be bringing a mega traffic mess to our town and a mega mess to our fragile environment. We will all pay the price in Rockaway Township for years to come. I was appalled last week when I saw the article in your paper stating that the people of Rockaway are now welcoming this mega church. Don't think so.
EMILY KULLMAN
Rockaway
__________________
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.
Yeah I saw that. Good to know there are a few good people out there who arent fooled by all the crap. I dont know who that person is, but if she thought that was "eloquent" she probably would have loved the unabridged version of the letter.
's signing off
