Dear Editor: This letter is in regard to the 1600 Park Avenue controversy as covered in the Reporter these last two weeks. 1. The developer’s public remarks were focused on the importance to the community of bringing people to Hoboken, whereas the anti-development faction is concerned with the aesthetic impact on the area. Both concerns are appropriate, and if each side could see the importance of the other’s view, we might have more light and less heat here. John Branciforte’s letter, January 9, documented concerns about the variances being requested for the project, and the developer should address himself to those issues. At the same time there are some people who would obstruct any project at this site under any circumstances, citing the usual mantra about congestion and so on. This is just as irresponsible as a developer who builds merely to maximize profit, and should be spoken out against as strongly. Hoboken’s population now is about 40,000 people. In 1910, its population was 70,000 people, with transportation and services not nearly as efficient as they are today. There is room to grow, but the people who come here should not be callously evaluated as a source of traffic, sewage, and trash, nor as cash cows to be milked. They are vital human resources of culture and skills which our community sorely needs, and should be welcomed as such. They should also be encouraged to leave their cars in the garage when going to Manhattan. 2. Helen Manogue (January 17) made some remarks about renters as a less-desirable (than building/condo owners) class of Hoboken citizen. As a small landlord, I have noticed that tenants are taking an increasing interest in Hoboken’s community affairs. Many renters today do so only because they cannot afford to buy, not because of a lack of commitment (I could not qualify to buy my own building at today’s prices). My current tenants read the Reporter and care about local affairs, without my prodding them, and I met at least one renter recently at a community meeting. I would have agreed with Helen at one time, but there is a whole new breed of people coming to town to rent. They will be transient only if they are forced out of town by escalating prices. 3. There was a remark made (January 17) by a citizen at the recent public meeting for the project, who said he was in favor of it but was concerned that he was making enemies by doing so. A significant reason people avoid getting involved with politics and speaking their mind in public is the polarizing nature of the personalities involved. I think this is especially destructive in a small town like Hoboken, where the loudest voices (the ones that wind up in the paper) are not necessarily reflective of an actual mandate of the people. We need leaders who can build coalitions with skillful compromise and conciliation rather than trying to overwhelm dissenters with inflammatory rhetoric. I personally would really like to see the new Reporter owners start off their paper’s stewardship by doing some polling on issues like 1600 Park. I want to know what my neighbors think, and I cannot discern this from the various parties who want to tell me what they think we all think. Jeff Faria