Thoughts from a MAAC opponent
I received this via e-mail and then asked and received permission to publish it on the blog:
Dear Mr. Graham:
On Saturday, December 16, 2006, your column appeared in the Asbury Park Press. In bold letters, you claimed that the "West Long Branch Zoning Board is 'out of touch'". You accused the three members of the board who voted to deny Monmouth University's recent application to build a 5,000 seat arena of being selfish and wrote that they should be ashamed of themselves.
Sir, I disagree with you. The zoning board members are appointed to represent the Boro of West Long Branch, and those three members voted correctly that an arena such as this is not "inherently beneficial" to the Boro and its residents. The university has already increased its enrollment beyond the number made in a promise a few years ago, and it has expanded its geographical footprint beyond another promise it had previously made. It is reminiscent of the old Pac-man game, as it gobbles up everything in its path.
Are you a resident of West Long Branch? Do you live in the area near the university? How many Zoning Board meetings did you attend, and did you hear the concerns of the residents? You describe those concerns as being "perhaps some additional vehicles on their streets at 9 in the evening". What do you mean by that? There would be significant increased traffic both going to and coming from events. There already is a problem with traffic and parking due to the university. My street, and others in my area and elsewhere, is used by students who do not park on campus, and leave their cars all week, despite assurances by the university that there is sufficient parking on campus. I have seen these cars interfere with leaf collection, telephone repair and tree trimming by companies to protect power lines.
You addressed the university's intention to limit the "capacity events" hosted by Monmouth University, and then you wrote, as the university stated, of the probability that the arena would be made available for area and community functions, and as a host for high school athletic events. More events, more parking and traffic problems, far in excess of the 16 "capacity events".
You quoted Mr. Christopher, the Zoning Board chairman, as saying that the "university compromised greatly. Further, he is quoted as saying that "I am sure there were others and residents who disagree with me". Well, unless he was not listening to the testimony and comments from the public and his own board members he had to have heard the objections and reservations of the attendees at the meetings he was conducting.
Finally, you concluded your column by accusing the three board members who voted to deny the application of having a political agenda, of being "out of touch", and of acting selfishly and shamefully. Mr. Graham, I submit that it is you who is out of touch, and of having such a narrow focus that you cannot see the forest for the trees.
Sincerely Yours,
Monroe Fisher
My comment: I replied to Mr. Fisher that we agree to disagree. Just a few other thoughts on my part.
I felt some of his comments "I have seen these cars interfere with leaf collection, telephone repair and tree trimming by companies to protect power lines" were really not directly related to the MAAC but were separate issues.
As for the traffic dealing directly with the MAAC..it is on the record the traffic engineers from both sides were in agreement.
As for the "capacity event" situation..this from reporter Carol Gorga Williams' Press story on the WLB Zoning Board meeting: "On Thursday, the school proposed 16 university-sponsored capacity events and said non-university events would - (and this is key in my opinion) - have to be approved by the borough in advance. Those would include functions such as high school graduations and athletic tournaments.
So...if I have this correct..other events beyond University events could not be held without Boro permission.
As for public opinion, in my column Mr. Christopher was quoted as saying, """I could see no reason, with all of this, of voting against it,'' said Christopher. ""I'm sure there were others and residents who disagree with me.
""But there were residents last (Thursday) night and throughout the application that agree with Monmouth.''
I do not pretend to be aware of these of these "promises" or "geographical footprints" Mr. Fisher refers to. That doesn't mean he is incorrect, but also here we do not have MU's answer on these matters.
Even though we differ on our views I respect Mr. Fisher's opinion and am asking anyone replying to Mr. Fisher, pro or con, to do the same.
Please be advised to limit your comments to the issue at hand and do not make it personal in any way, or it will not run.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
Dear Mr. Graham:
On Saturday, December 16, 2006, your column appeared in the Asbury Park Press. In bold letters, you claimed that the "West Long Branch Zoning Board is 'out of touch'". You accused the three members of the board who voted to deny Monmouth University's recent application to build a 5,000 seat arena of being selfish and wrote that they should be ashamed of themselves.
Sir, I disagree with you. The zoning board members are appointed to represent the Boro of West Long Branch, and those three members voted correctly that an arena such as this is not "inherently beneficial" to the Boro and its residents. The university has already increased its enrollment beyond the number made in a promise a few years ago, and it has expanded its geographical footprint beyond another promise it had previously made. It is reminiscent of the old Pac-man game, as it gobbles up everything in its path.
Are you a resident of West Long Branch? Do you live in the area near the university? How many Zoning Board meetings did you attend, and did you hear the concerns of the residents? You describe those concerns as being "perhaps some additional vehicles on their streets at 9 in the evening". What do you mean by that? There would be significant increased traffic both going to and coming from events. There already is a problem with traffic and parking due to the university. My street, and others in my area and elsewhere, is used by students who do not park on campus, and leave their cars all week, despite assurances by the university that there is sufficient parking on campus. I have seen these cars interfere with leaf collection, telephone repair and tree trimming by companies to protect power lines.
You addressed the university's intention to limit the "capacity events" hosted by Monmouth University, and then you wrote, as the university stated, of the probability that the arena would be made available for area and community functions, and as a host for high school athletic events. More events, more parking and traffic problems, far in excess of the 16 "capacity events".
You quoted Mr. Christopher, the Zoning Board chairman, as saying that the "university compromised greatly. Further, he is quoted as saying that "I am sure there were others and residents who disagree with me". Well, unless he was not listening to the testimony and comments from the public and his own board members he had to have heard the objections and reservations of the attendees at the meetings he was conducting.
Finally, you concluded your column by accusing the three board members who voted to deny the application of having a political agenda, of being "out of touch", and of acting selfishly and shamefully. Mr. Graham, I submit that it is you who is out of touch, and of having such a narrow focus that you cannot see the forest for the trees.
Sincerely Yours,
Monroe Fisher
My comment: I replied to Mr. Fisher that we agree to disagree. Just a few other thoughts on my part.
I felt some of his comments "I have seen these cars interfere with leaf collection, telephone repair and tree trimming by companies to protect power lines" were really not directly related to the MAAC but were separate issues.
As for the traffic dealing directly with the MAAC..it is on the record the traffic engineers from both sides were in agreement.
As for the "capacity event" situation..this from reporter Carol Gorga Williams' Press story on the WLB Zoning Board meeting: "On Thursday, the school proposed 16 university-sponsored capacity events and said non-university events would - (and this is key in my opinion) - have to be approved by the borough in advance. Those would include functions such as high school graduations and athletic tournaments.
So...if I have this correct..other events beyond University events could not be held without Boro permission.
As for public opinion, in my column Mr. Christopher was quoted as saying, """I could see no reason, with all of this, of voting against it,'' said Christopher. ""I'm sure there were others and residents who disagree with me.
""But there were residents last (Thursday) night and throughout the application that agree with Monmouth.''
I do not pretend to be aware of these of these "promises" or "geographical footprints" Mr. Fisher refers to. That doesn't mean he is incorrect, but also here we do not have MU's answer on these matters.
Even though we differ on our views I respect Mr. Fisher's opinion and am asking anyone replying to Mr. Fisher, pro or con, to do the same.
Please be advised to limit your comments to the issue at hand and do not make it personal in any way, or it will not run.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
posted by Tony Graham at 11:42 PM
10 Comments:
Tony,
MU's opponent who wrote you his counter-opinion has a pathetically weak issue.
He's concerned about his leaf collections, deliverys, and phone repairmen getting to his neighborhood because MU students are parking on his street. If this were as bad an issue as he claims, he and his neighbors would have, long ago, had the local police
simply post signs that parking there is for RESIDENTS ONLY -- ALL OTHERS WILL BE TICKETED AND TOWED. Mr. Fisher could then have his street back, and get his leaves picked up with no problem!
Here we go again -- Mr. Fisher states very authoritatively:
"there would be a significant increase in traffic both going to and coming from events"
Haven't we already gone down that road (sorry for the pun) -- traffic EXPERTS (let me repeat
E X P E R T S (from both sides) have stated traffic from MU capacity events would not be a problem!
Mr. Fisher obviously has an agenda.
Tony,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but
don't WLB residents get a tax break for having a large ratable such as MU in their midst?
and don't WLB residents (along with surrounding communities) benefit from MU students who do community-related projects in their towns?
Yet Ebenezer Fisher and his cranky cronies can only find the bad with MU, and parade themselve before zoning board meetings trying to kill the goose who's laying the golden egg for them!
I hope Mr. Fisher does not object to the last comment. I let it run because - 1. It made some good points, 2. It was funny (I thought) at the end.
Do these people really thing we will ever pack the MACC to capacity? I for one don't ever see that happening unless we bring a large market team to campus.
To person who wrote - "I guess we can't talk about negative things here huh?"
Yes we can.. as long as it's not malicious.
This is not my comment.
It was sent in to the blog and I did a little editing and cleaning it up..
Who on earth do the people of WLB (excuse me) "Fisher" think is comming to MU's games, the "Pope". Who is going to pack the MAAC to capacity. We are not talking Bruce Springstein or DooBy Brother reunions, we are talking about college sports events and community functions. What 4 hours max for the games then the clear out. The majority of the capacity would be the students anyway which are already there, duh. And who the $%#^&$&* is picking up leaves, repairing lines and delivering packages at 7 in the evening.
Tony,
On another board, I’ve seen proposals that suggest MU look at the upcoming property at Fort Monmouth as a viable alternative for a MAAC. Is this truly available or just gibberish?
Where did you see this? I would like to give it a look.
I for one...like the idea of perhaps an off campus MAAC type site..if the MAAC remains mired in the WLB mud.
MU president Gaffney is adamant about having the MAAC on campus..which is the ideal plan.
But..MU needs a MAAC to remain competitive in D1 -- wherever it is.
As a resident of West Long Branch, I object to the suggestion that "Resident Parking Only" be posted on local streets. It would make it difficult for personal guests to park when visiting residents.
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