Is Voices of Rockaway Twp. an “anti-church” organization?  Absolutely not.  This is an accusation made by a few people who seek to confuse the true issues regarding the proposed redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd. 

What is Voices of Rockaway Twp.?  We are a 501 c3 non profit organization committed to providing information to the Rockaway community on matters related to development or redevelopment of environmentally sensitive land.  Among our objectives are to increase awareness of projects during the planning process and encouraging residents to get involved in the process. 

Where did Voices of Rockaway Twp get the information included in fliers and handouts regarding the Christ Church plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd.?  Directly from Christ Church.  All information contained regarding plans, programs, and operations were taken from the Christ Church website www.christchurchnj.org, from videos made by Christ Church (available for viewing at www.voicesofrockawaytwp.org/pages/6/index.htm, and from various news articles written about Christ Church.

Who “spearheaded” Voice of Rockaway Twp?  Voice is a collaborative effort between 4 long-term Rockaway residents committed to informing our neighbors and encouraging them to get involved.  

What is the position of Voices of Rockaway Twp on religious freedom?  We believe each person should be free to worship as they wish.  We are firm believers in freedom of speech and freedom of expression. 

Does Voices of Rockaway Twp believe in the “master plan” of Rockaway Twp?  Yes we do.  We believe that towns must set plans for growth and development.  These plans must take into consideration appropriate locations for all services, retail, industry, health/safety, education, religious institutions, municipal functions and residential space.  Important parts of this plan are the preservation of open spaces and protection of environmentally sensitive areas, which the Green Pond corridor is specifically defined as.

What does Voices of Rockaway Twp think of the membership of Christ Church?  We think they are likely nice people who are exercising their right to worship as they wish and we respect them. 

What does Voices of Rockaway Twp, think of the leadership of Christ Church, their public relations firm and their legal team? We know they have not provided consistent information to the planning board and to the DEP.  We know that information given to us directly from David Ireland was found to be false.  We know that David Ireland refused to provide growth numbers so that we may truly understand the size of the project  We know that countless requests for information from the planning board have been disregarded by Christ Church.  We know Christ Church has blamed Rockaway Twp for delays that they themselves caused by not being prepared. We think the fact that a large public relations firm has been aggressively plotting against the people of Rockaway Twp is an indication that there is a complete lack of consideration for the extremely valid concerns of the residents.  We think the bullying tactics of the law firm ‘representing’ Christ Church is nothing short of placing the planning board under duress in an attempt to threaten them into providing a favorable response to an application that is severely flawed. 

Does Voices of Rockaway Twp believe that there is no other location for Christ Church to build their dream?  No we do not.  There is a wonderful opportunity a few miles away, the old Hercules site is actively seeking someone to redevelop it.  The Hercules site is a few miles west of Rockaway Twp and is directly off of Rt. 80 and Rt. 46.   The site contains “brownfields” therefore it is eligible for significant funding for clean up. 

Will Voices of Rockaway Twp stop its work to inform resident and protect environmentally sensitive land in Rockaway Twp? No we will not!