Ok, lets see how much they edit my letter to the editor or maybe they will put it in as a correction...I just sent this in on (9:30pm Sunday May 2nd). I had been meaning to send it in sooner but recent unfortunate events did not allow me the time to do so. They need to make this right, it’s a prime example of the their lack of news gathering skills.
My Free Speech Forum
I am amazed that a “news” organization would decidedly print “facts” without researching them first. In your slanted article on 04/30/04 you implied that My Free Speech forum was associated with VORT by saying, “…posted on the message board of a group opposed to the building plan…” Since Rob Jennings obviously is showing this board as a reason to paint Rockaway Township in a negative light, I don't feel it's fair to imply that VORT started the board.
I, Scott Stark, started the “Rockaway Township Free Speech” forum, not V.O.R.T. All because I attempted a little satire (starting my own church to avoid taxes) on the NJ.com Rockaway Forum and my post was removed. I was and still am very offended that this venue for opinions and ideas was censored. As a former U.S. Marine, I truly grasp the value of my rights, and freedom of speech is held closest to my heart.
The Free Speech board is just that. Anyone discusses anything (not limited to the Christ Church project, but that seems to be what everyone wants to talk about now). VORT put a link up to my forum because they were overjoyed to finally have the ability to say their peace and not be censored. To be honest, I hope Christ Church does the same. If the Christ Church parishioners are truly trying to be good neighbors, they can chat with the people of Rockaway and understand their opposition to the church.
At the Rockaway forum on NJ.com, it appeared that someone from the church somehow commandeered the site. It was obvious that only one side was being permitted to speak.
I object to the statement that the church-opposing messages that were deleted were deemed offensive. I have made hundreds of attempts at posting “sanitary” and non-inflammatory comments about the negative impact that the church could have on our community. NJ.com was deleting not only messages that opposed the church (however diplomatically stated) but even simple planning board meeting reminders!!!
Whoever was doing the censorship DID, however, choose to leave certain posts on the board--posts that cast our town in a negative light, such as a couple of racist posts. However, every argument that was presented civilly and logically was deleted.
Management was notified at NJ.com and now the posts are not being deleted. Instead there is now a “flame” campaign against VORT--"VORT is a group of weird people. Why are they so strange? Why are they against a school?" Of course, these posts must be rebutted--and that, folks, is about all you'll now find on the NJ.com Rockaway forum. NJ.com has made itself irrelevant.
There is a link to this forum on the website of a group of people who support the church, Residents for Truth in Rockaway. Would this mean that this forum is also affiliated with this group? If so, it would appear that this forum offers a very balanced perspective.
This needs to be corrected by the Daily Record, I did not consult nor am I directly associated with Voices Of Rockaway Township or any other organization. Rob Jennings’ selective journalism omitted many facts in order make the article more controversial. What a fabulous example of sensationalism.
My forum: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=17042
The censored and obsolete Nj.com: http://www.nj.com/forums/rockaway/index.ssf
Voices of Rockaway Township: http://www.voicesofrockawaytwp.org/pages/4/index.htm
Residents for Truth in Rockaway: http://www.rockawaytruth.com/links.html
Good idea...it shows that their is an active, grass roots group that is growing and working proactively.
The people opposed to the church moving here are not doing so to support VORT.
As I see it, it is the other way around....VORT brought to our attention in a public forum what was happening.
The presention was made from the side of Rockaway Township resdidents....and presented a case for us to review.
There was a period in the presentatoin that opened the microphone to the audience...some asked questions....some made statements...Christ Church could have made a statemtent if they wished....supporters of Christ Church could have made statements...none to my recollection did.
VORT hired an attorney....and thank goodness they have, because they are working in a professional, organized manner on behalf of the township resident who does not want a project that has so many things that are not in our best interest.
Otherwise, we may not have been made aware of what was happening. And if we did know what loomed, we would be faced with questioning the applicant from the floor microphone.
I support VORT for the work they have done so far to organize and bring information to light.
Christ Church has their chance to sway my opinion. Ireland's resistance to give straight forward answers to questions, hiring PR firms, the Beckett Fund, accusing to sure the planning board memnbers if they didn't find in his favor, performing cheap tricks like having a movie in a town he never showed interest in prior to his application, his willingness to abandon the town that he grew his congregation in, using our paid police to escort himself around during the board meetings, the alleged tactics on the NJ.Com board, cries of racisim and racial bias, transparent overtures of an "Olive Branch" that offered to scale back a couple of towers' height, and traffic reports that are biased have made his attempts unsuccefully so far to me.
Even his feeble attempts to buy my vote with ball fields were dashed when I heard the limitations to their use.
My children will not need his drug rehab, sex-ed or other "out-reach " programs.
I care enough for my kids to move them to a town like Rockaway, and make time to teach them, what they need to know....If they get into trouble will provide for them what they need in the way of the absolute best help that I am positive is proffessional and not run by deacons, ministers, trainees, or unproven rookies or a program that is church based. I am sure the residents of this are able to do the same for their own children if desired...
I have no gripe about a religious instituion having tax-free status.....However....I don't believe that a town should be required by law to support a instituion that falls under RLUIPA standards that presently mantains membership equalling 25% of the towns population and with extrapolated membership numbers could far exceed the number of taxpaying residents. That seems like an unfair burden to import.
So...to sum up MY OWN PERSONAL thoughts... I see VORT as a part of the oppostion team....not THE oppostion team.... The oppostion team is many individuals doing what they believe is right, in thier own ways, to que up behind the goal of defeating the applicaton....not lining up to propel VORT.
If VORT where to so something I don't like....it would not change my feelings about this Mega-Church taking over Green Pond Road.
So...to the two families that started VORT...thanks...to the family that put together this bulletin board....thanks...to each and every resident that speaks out on this board and exchanges ides..to the residents that stand at baseball parades handing out meeting announcements, and stuffing mail boxes -thanks...to every resident that talks to a neighbor....to every resident that gets off the couch and makes the effort to go to these meetings...thank you ....
And to the hired and elected employees of this town....do your job...protect the township from this....I am sure many will reward you with thier vote and chat you up if you do your job....as many will campaign against you if you fail.
Thanks for serving in our armed forces and helping to preserve my freedoms in the freest country that this world has ever known.
Thanks for starting and maintaining this forum. I realize it does take time and it is appreciated.
Thanks for your explanation of why you believe this board is not controlled by VORT.
I would be inclined to mostly agree with your reasoning if not for one point. That is the issue of the "Top Billing" or stick status that has been given to Lisa Salberg's post. I have debated this point in detail with Karen, and my reasoning on this is clear. If preferential treatment is given to even one of VORT's posts, then a connection to VORT can't be denied.
If this "preferred status" is removed, then I will agree that you are maintaining the site without bias.
matthew - hello neighbor. the sticky thing is karen's attempt to guide discussion abount theology away from the top of the board. she has offered this to everyone/org. to emphasize an important topic in their opinion. however, that was not me, my wife happens to just know my passwords.
