Dear Editor:
The latest lawsuit by the so-called “Friends of the Waterfront”, finally shows what this small group of short time residents is really about. What they want is for their small group, which amounts to less than 1% of the residents of this town, to control the future of Weehawken. Their most recent lawsuit, which is just another delay tactic exposes them what they really are, a group of political anti-development zealots, whose only interest is their own self-preserving goals.
How can you be against a waterfront road that will provide the ultimate in public access? These people are not environmentalists. How many of their leaders have you seen at Weehawken Clean Up Day? If they are really community minded, how many of them do anything for the community except complain at Planning Board meetings? Their only purpose is to impede Weehawken’s future by trying to stop waterfront development. It should be obvious to all residents that no matter what concessions the Planning Board, Developer or Mayor makes in regards to development, it will never be enough. After two years of Planning Board hearings, numerous private meetings with the mayor and developer, which resulted in significant changes in the development plans, which I might add they agreed to, they are still not satisfied. This revised development provides for over 40% open space, containing parks, recreational complex, public walkways and parking. Let’s tell the Planning Board and our Mayor and Council, we trust their judgment. It is time to stop negotiating with these people and begin building Weehawken’s future, not only for the jobs and tax ratables but also for the much-needed open space and waterfront access the development will bring.
I have been a resident of this town for 30 years and an active member in the community for just as long. I urge all my friends and neighbors to stand up and be counted and write letters. Don’t allow this small group that only seems to show its face when there is some construction going on, to stall this waterfront project any longer.
Chuck Barone