Note: This is a guest blog post submitted by a reader under the pseudonym, Silence DoGood. While I may frown on anonymous comments on blog posts, this is not anonymous; I know who the writer is, however, they hope the merits of their arguments (not their identity) will carry the day when it comes to passing judgment on what they present. And in case you’re wondering: no, the writer is not me, nor is it anyone running for office. Both major party candidates for mayor have been invited to submit a guest column in the coming weeks.
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Dear Neighbor,
Perhaps you had the benefit of receiving a letter from our fine City Council At-large members and our county freeholder, Rick Proctor, seeking support in the Democratic primaries in June. I don’t normally take to commenting on things but it seems like with all things in life, there is a time and a place. This time it came to my mailbox and while I realize that the challengers lost, I think this will be a similar argument against the Republicans or any other challengers to the established Democratic Party candidates.
A great many things have occurred to me recently but I will get to those in due time. For now, two items catch my notice. First, the letter described what can only be conflicting if not altogether hypocritical stances. “We are proud of the accomplishments and represent ‘Change that Works for Rahway,'” and yet just a few lines down, they note “now is not the time for on the job training.” So what type of change do we need here? Or is this similar to — and I hate to use this as a reference — Fox News (9:10 of video), which slams polls when they support Obama and then touts those same polls when they serve their interests, like stopping universal health care.
Secondly, “Change that works”… yes, we do have a hulking new hotel downtown, and certainly there are other projects that were built over the past eight to 10 years or so, like the parking deck across from the refurbished train station. But are they all working for Rahway? The mailing mentioned three items/issues that Democrats appear to have a handle on: stable property taxes, economic growth, and preservation of quality of life.
Stable property taxes
Does anyone remember the sewer fees that were separated from our property tax bills that were supposed to save us tax hikes — but left us with quarterly bills for water and sewer charges that, according to my math, are actually a hike? Check your old property tax bills against your last year’s worth of sewer bills if you don’t believe me.
Economic growth
What about the heap of dirt that sat across from the unfinished construction on Main Street, which at one time eventually became covered with grass and weeds because it sat so long. I hear we have a great new piano for loan but hardly a pedestrian on the street to listen to it, even if it was played. And do you recall the lawsuit with overzealous developers just across from the library that leaves the city and us taxpayers holding the tab for street improvements?
Quality of life
I know it is subjective but could an uglier building (the new hotel) have been built, any more out of scale with the downtown? One that I hope won’t become public housing considering lawsuits, lack of residents and possible foreclosure. I believe it took three years for sidewalks to go back on Main Street in front of the rusted steel fingers pointing to the sky, as if asking when they will be covered with walls and a roof.
Perhaps less subjective is the lack of attention to the repair of the steps at the NJ Transit train station. Why aren’t our city representatives being more proactive on our behalf to have this fixed?
A pocket park on the corner of Monroe and Essex? Maybe I’m not as progressive as some, or don’t quite think we have the same feel as say Brooklyn, or am I just not impressed with the other pocket park across the street from the arts center — which cost taxpayers a pretty penny. Smells more like a favor to a political supporter…
Or is this the change that all incumbents say you shouldn’t offer their opponents? To be honest, I can’t remember a time in the recent past when times weren’t a little difficult for the average citizen in this country. I’m not sure their opponents can do a better job and, to be fair, there have been accomplishments to the town that I have overlooked. But is it really fair to claim that change that works for Rahway means not giving someone else a chance to serve our community? Have they cornered the market on good change?
I have other thoughts, but I will save them for another day and another letter.
Sincerely,
Silence DoGood
Facebook Comments
A regretable post. Until now this forum has been absent of politics, which is what attracted me to it as a source of information concerning redevelopment. While this article doesn't endorse anyone, it clearly has no place here."An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."Benjamin Franklin
I think that there's a difference between leaving anonymous comments, and posting an entire blog anonymously. What was so terrible in this that the author chose to remain anonymous?Anonymity, at least for me, reduces the credibility of the author completely. The reason I read this blog is that the main author hides nothing – even meets his readers on occasion at local watering holes. It's why I BARELY look at the local forums, sick with propaganda and rhetoric – generally from anonymous sources – although people may think they know who's posting.As to the opinions expressed, I don't disagree entirely. I don't think the hotel is ugly, and I think some of the local restaurants may benefit from them. We use the hotel when we have business people traveling, and I know they eat downtown instead of the chains on Rt. 1 because they can walk. The "pocket parks" are cute, but I don't entirely understand what I'm supposed to do in them. Just sit? Enjoy the street noise and empty buildings? I'm generally a fan of anything grassy or with trees, but cement pocket parks are even more of a mystery to me.In short, I think both sides need to tone down the rhetoric and answer for the situation downtown. REAL ideas, not theories. And whoever has the best ideas for Rahway, and the downtown area, should win, not because he's the most popular, or knows the right people, or has the prettiest flyers, but because he's got better ideas for Rahway.But, that's probably a pipe dream anyway.
Mark, I'm disappointed that you gave this person an anonymous soapbox to vent. You've ensured that the discussion in the comments section stay on toping and don't sink into ad hominem attacks or irrelevancy. Today's blog post does Rahway Rising a disservice. Legitimate issues are hidden among innuendos and like too many critics with a political axe to grind, this post is devoid of any suggestions on how to improve Rahway other than a tired – yet rather timid – "throw the bums out" mantra.I've come here for your thoughtful and substantial discussions facing downtown Rahway. It's what made Rahway Rising stand out among other news/opinion sources. If I really wanted to read anonymous rants, I can visit the swamp known as the nj.com forums. Now I guess you've blurred the line between the two 🙁
I didn't know this blog turned into a political action site.
Has Mark been replaced by Jim D?
I stopped reading after the gratuitous comments about Fox News and Obama … whatever.
This was a horribly written post without a clear enough point or purpose to warrant its own posting and should be taken down immediately, especially if Mark knows who wrote it but will not privy us to that information. To the writer: take a stance and state it, then give us the relevant facts and why you came to your conclusion, and what the counterpoints could be. Looks like politics are in your future… lots of words but nothing relevant to say!
Wow. This was a pretty unfortunate posting Mark. This used to be a friendly informational website about a town (although has its problems) that we do love and want to improve but also celebrate, which is why I believe we do come check this webpage. However pushing political motivated scripture during election time is not what I'm interested in. It is your blog so you can post whatever you like, but it doesn't mean I have to visit it anymore.And for your information, and whatever political lobbyst wrote this, every town in this country is having problems with growth and taxes. We're just now emerging from the worst economy in decades. Walk through Westfield, Cranford, Red Bank, Princeton…all top NJ towns with dozens of empty storefronts. It's not a Rahway problem, it's an American problem. It's not a red state or blue state problem, it's not because of Obama, Bush, Fox News or CNN. Economies need to rise and fall, its a cycle. If the economy always went up we'd have inflation.And as resident of the Skyview building, I take offense to those comments as well. I enjoy the building very much and think it's beautiful inside and out. Although the sales have stalled its actually pretty full of renters with capacity levels not unlike other buildings in town. So to call my home potential public housing is a disgrace. And the hotel has been doing remarkably well with business booming. And I can't tell you how many times I've walked through the lobby and heard guests asking the front desk about places to get food and drinks in town. This "ugly" building has done more for local businesses and government tax coffers so things like amphitheaters and parks could even be dreamed of.I would expect comments like these to be from a poster but for you to publish this rag under your name is pretty shameful.Finally, I agree with Michelle's comments above. Commenting anonymously is much different than posting blogs anonymously. As an Anon writer, I'm only commenting on your blog, I'm not leading the discussion. So who cares if my name is Bob or Kate or Tom.I'm so sick of politics. Thanks for letting it invade yet another facet of my life.Regards,Bob, Kate & Tom
This site has turned into something that i no longer want to read. I'm deleting it from mt favorites now!
Jeez you guys, he's given us plenty of quality blogs, interactions and information.One blog post that you don't approve of and you're deleting it?Pretty freakin' harsh.As I said above, I disagree with the poster AND the anonymity, but not enough to never come back! I enjoy this blog, and share it often.I just probably won't share THIS particular post.
I usually like this blog. Most of the posts are informative and well balanced. By comparison this post is rather weak and one-sided.While the writer may not be anonymous to you, he or she is anonymous to us. I would really hate to see this blog sink to the level of the NJ.com Rahway forum, which is riddled with anonymous political trolls.I am sure that your anonymous friend means well, and I don't think he or she is a troll, but I think their comments would be better suited to the comments section of the blog.I would really like to see Mark interview all the candidates about their vision for redevelopment. Now that would be a great post, or series of posts!Now, regarding the content of the guest post: A lot of issues are raised, but where are the solutions? Yes, there is the appearance of slight of hand in the sewer fee changes. This may have been done to get around, or in anticipation of a future need to get around, tax increase limits. The citizens aren't dumb, we know our total expense (taxes/sewer) went up. Most towns have seen tax increases in recent years. One practical downside is that we can no longer deduct the sewer expense from our income taxes. I'm waiting to see when our garbage collection is extracted for the same reasons.I would have been shocked to see economic conditions in Rahway bucking regional and national trends. The economy will recover, but it will take time. I think Rahway may be in a good position when things do come back.I don't think anyone is going to be in a position to demolish Sky View in the foreseeable future. I don't think it is ugly. However, I would like to see it better filled with tenants, and business.The piano isn't a bad investment, if it actually brings acts that can attract an audience who will spend money in Rahway.I am annoyed that it takes so long to have the train-station steps rebuilt. I really hope less corrosive ice removal techniques are used this winter so we don't have the same problems in a few years.I think it would be imprudent to give up and abandon Rahway redevelopment at this point. However, we do need to take the state of the economy into consideration. We need a sustainable vision for the downtown.
Can I ask all of you Anons a question?Why do you post anonymously? What are you afraid might happen?Does anyone else see even a teeny bit of irony in so many anonymous posts complaining about an anonymous post?Perhaps if everyone had to use their real name, online interactions would be more polite. If you have an opinion that you can defend with facts and speak politely, why on earth wouldn't you put your name on it?
One note on the substance of the post: I've been wondering for months when someone would raise the issue of the broken stairs at the train station. For all of rahway's charm, and all of the possibilities for it's future, the train station is the town's lifeblood. Without a quick commute to NYC, this town shrivels away.Our city leaders should make it's upkeep a priority, even if the land is owned by NJTransit. Two sets of stairs have now failed. Why doesn't the mayor — and the city health officer — get them ALL addressed before someone gets hurt?The main staircase should have been rebuilt in a week. It's been 6 months!
every single one of you failed to mention the girl scout house . the one thing that means something to the original rahway people and its falling down but nobody seems to care.
"The main staircase should have been rebuilt in a week. It's been 6 months!"That's government for you. I am sure some construction firm with political connections will make a nice fat profit on it whenever someone finally does get around to repairing it. And I'm sure it will be a half-baked job so that it falls apart in another 5 years and keeps the construction gravy rolling in. I mean, really, it's 2010 and we can't build a set of stairs that lasts for more than 10 years?"For all of rahway's charm, and all of the possibilities for it's future, the train station is the town's lifeblood. Without a quick commute to NYC, this town shrivels away."Indeed, apart from the physical deficiencies at the Rahway train station, Rahway's local officials should also be lobbying for better train service to/from the Rahway station. There are essentially no express trains into NYC in the morning. I asked NJ Transit about this a while back, and was given some ridiculous answer about how adding an express train from Rahway to NYC wouldn't make any difference, because the train would be running on the local track anyway … as if it were not possible for a train to depart Rahway and switch over to the express track.
Ohai, lurker comment~Slightly off-topic, but in regards to the girl scout house… looked at their website site lately? Yeah, it doesn't display right for me; the text overlaps and everything. I emailed them about a month ago and offered to reboot their website, give it a fresh redesign, and a content management system for easier updates and site management completely for free. I need some resume padding, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for volunteer service as well. No response, of course. :/On topic: I honestly don't mind a little bit of politics mixed in with the regular stuff, so long as this place does not become inundated with it or simply a horn for a particular side (we have enough of those already). Development and redevelopment are inextricably tied with politics; without a working government system and people in it willing to work for their communities and the country as a whole, nothing gets done. I don't have any answers, and those demanding solutions haven't presented anything constructive toward such solutions themselves. These aren't easy problems to solve, after all.
I too, don't mind the addition of Mr. or Ms. "DoGood's" post. However, I would like to say something about the Skyview/Hotel Indigo having just recently stayed there for a couple of weeks while waiting for my home to be ready to move into while being renovated.While it's true that the building is having many financial difficulties and I don't disagree that it could have been designed in a more sensitive manner perhaps; the hotel itself is apparently booming. While there, it was sold out completely the entire 2 weeks. We had booked one of their only 4 large suites due to needing actual living space. However we had to move into a smaller room the last couple of nights because of the hotel being sold out by the time we'd booked. I have to say that it is run very well, the staff go out of their way to accommodate you, it's clean as a whistle, comfortable and quiet too which really surprised us being right across from the train station. It has some drawbacks; the "restaurant" has limited hours and if you have kids well, don't expect them to find anything kid-friendly for the most part for instance. But overall it was a great experience and best of all they worked with us on the rate when they heard we were from Rahway and in a bind with our housing situation. Anyway – I just wanted to let readers know what a good experience we had and if they ever had out of town guests in need of a place to stay, I give it a good recommendation. Much better than a lot of other places I've been to recently, and they deserve the business.Ok, I'll jump off my soap box now :p
Thanks for all the comments. Apologies for the delayed reply, I was going to share my thoughts earlier (in the interest of transparency), but between being out of town and becoming ill last week, I just couldn't find the time.I'm heartened by so many comments about not wanting the blog to devolve into what other online forums have become. For anyone reading since the beginning, you know that was among my biggest fears. I sincerely appreciate the sense of ownership that reader comments have conveyed.With the guest post itself, I thought I'd try something different on the blog. I've had previous suggestions and thought this might be an opportunity.I can appreciate those who don't take stock in anonymous writers/commenters. What struck me about the piece was that it was from someone who's not a political hack with an axe to grind but an average, reasonable person who's observed redevelopment over the years. As the note said, the writer wanted to be judged on the merits of the argument rather than their identity. It's a concession I made.It wasn't something I received and blindly posted or took lightly. I was sent something before the June primary (a campaign mailing was the impetus behind it) but I though it unfair to run without being certain that I could offer a rebuttal before that election, if necessary. So I considered it most of the summer whether to, and how, run it.The writer was hoping to prompt more participation and discussion from citizens. In the end, that's probably what pushed my final decision (because that's something I often consider one mission of the blog), since it's the first mayoral election without an incumbent in 20 years.I thought the post made interesting observations that might get that discussion/participation going. That it didn't offer "solutions" to the issues raised is a fair criticism. Could it have been better written? In hindsight, perhaps, but at the same time I thought it important to not heavily edit the writer's original remarks.One question for readers who say they don't want to see "politics" infest the site: I offered the two mayoral candidates an opportunity to submit redevelopment-related posts and plan to post them this week. Is that something in which you're not interested?Thanks again to everyone who took the time to post a comment or email me directly. I sincerely appreciate any and all comments, but particularly from longtime followers like Not Considering Rahway/NCR, Mr. Rahway, archjjg and Realist, whether I know who they are in some cases or not. Thanks for reading!
Okay, Mark…we'll slap you on the wrist this time but I hope you learned your lesson that this experiment you tried was a failure. I hope that you'll return to more objective, informative posts that has made Rahway Rising one of my favorite blogs.