Last night the phones started ringing first it was Reuters, the Star Ledger then the Raggod (whom I told I will no longer speak to and hung up on them).
Reuters was first, I was a little confused as to why they picked up the story now...then the Ledger called and said that CC had closed on the property, which explains the hard line PR work.
This is a very interesting choice for CC for many reasons. It is clear that CC is aware that they may not get the approval they seek as their application has many problems and CC has been unwilling to provide information to the planning board. If they do not get approval they will have a large piece of property they will have to sell. Currently the land is zoned for offices, thus it is a taxable property, I hope CC has the address of the tax collector.
Time will tell how this plays out.
Lisa
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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.
Rat-I thought you were moving and running from the whole problem. Why don't you, cause obviously your motto is when the going gets tough, the tough run. ED is the coward's way out. What would we do with the land? I think fighting for our rights is the only right thing to do. They will be paying taxes until the zoning is changed. That may take a long, long time. I find it amusing to be getting revenue from them right now. Plus all the upkeep they have to pay for on the property. Small things matter, not just the big picture, which is all you think about.
I think there motive is simple. They are getting their foot in the door.
The big question is:
Are they obligated t o pay property tax or not. Does a religious non-profit (ha) title-holder pay propety tax regardless of the property's use?
If they pay tax, we might as well milk them for another year or so in the PB hearings, if not (and I hate to say this) Then I would have to agree with Rat. ED time. We take it off their hands for 9M and spend another 1M demolishing the structure, building lacrosse fields and jogging paths. Keeping this land available in case a new school is needed in the future.
I am not worried. Judging by the Mayor's comments in the DR. He has Ireland's number. This thing may drag out longer than we had hoped for, but in the end good will prevail over evil.
Mark these words. He will not pay taxes on that property. This comes from the one who has been almost 100 percent correct on this thing since the beginning. And, obviously, ED is off the table now. No longer even a faint possibility. You guys really have put yourselves in a corner. Now, go ahead and shoot the messenger.
ps - and yes, we are moving out. Just fixing it up for sale right now. Drive by and you shall see.
"Small things matter, not just the big picture, which is all you think about. "
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Another very Naive statement. The only thing that matters is success. The rest is bs. In this world, there are winners and loosers. RT is the looser in this game and it is its own fault that it landed there.
Not naive at all. RT is not a LOSER (spell it right, please), even after all the trouble YOU caused the town. If we did what you say we'd have even more problems. You're the naive one who thinks that ED is the only way to handle this. We would have plenty of lawsuits then. RT officials are being very careful for a reason. As far as taxes, I'm not sure. Maybe another legal fight over this. Time is on our side. And I think our officials are more knowledgeable and learning more and more than anyone on cc's side. Sorry you are of little faith.
I see that no one has commented on Rat's mention of the Mayor's opinion that this will eventually be approved. Rat has been basically correct all along. And he is correct now. CC closed because they know approval is only a matter of time now. Now that the prop is owned by a church, they will not pay taxes, sorry Lisa, but that's the way it works. And as for time being on ours side, the more time it takes, the more money CC raises. Why do you think they were able to close on this now? They raised enough money. They might not even have a mortgage.
As for Rat doing damage to RT with his comments, I don't think so. He was only being honest aboiut his feelings, which is a very positive trait if you ask me. Face it, if you were all completely honest with your feelings on this, Rat's rants would pale in comparison.
So why don't you give the guy a break and focus your anger elsewhere?
I may be of little faith, but my judgement has been excellent.
And, by the way - - - we have voted with our feet. The real estate contract is signed. Time to find another peaceful place to live - - - one that will be similar to the way RT once was but never more shall be.
This is actually not that unusual an occurence ... sometimes megas close if they think they are going to lose the land (or the price) ... although it is still no guarantee of getting in as several megas have found out... in the past many have sold the land they purchased at a profit... i would assume cc feels they got a good price & if worse comes to worse they will re-sell.
