Posted by David Casson (68.36.82.35) on November 17, 2002 at 08:52:09:
In Reply to: Re: Yesterday's meeting with Cunningham posted by Dan Sicardi on November 15, 2002 at 13:17:11:
Dan, unfortunately, we only had 1 hour and everyone was asked via e-mail to submit questions that they wanted asked at the meeting. We didn't even get to cover all the questions that were submitted but we would like to have the mayor back at a future time to finish up. We have to find out what his availability is and then schedule accordingly.
Due to the probability of the meeting going out of control if we allowed an open forum with an hour time limit, we had to be as tight as possible. There most probably should have been a list to sign up for at the meeting and a line for the questioners. This way, the questions could be spread out a little more. There would have to be a limit of one question per person though and then, we run the risk of not having the questions tie in to a workable format.
As far as "the group", you are a member of the coalition by living in the area. We want your active participation so we do not exclude anyone. As with any group, there is always a core group of participants and a core group who just attend but take no further action and then a core group who never attend. Our immediate goal is to convert all the attending members who do not participate into active members who can give us fresh ideas and can help us implement them. I would like to see you take an active part in the planning and implementing the meetings and if you are interested, run for an officer next May when we have our regular elections. We actively encourage participation and we also encourage debate (civilized, of course). You don't have to tow the "party line" to be a member.
Monticello Avenue's redevelopment is a real opportunity for you to get involved (it doesn't take all that much time and it is fun to be in on the ground floor of this). We have a definite vision for a really great arts and entertainment neighborhood in Jersey City...and no Burger Kings!! The Medical Center is a real piece of the puzzle and we need fresh ideas like yours to help push this a/e neighborhood into reality.
My idea is a magnet school for the Performing and Visual Arts that would encourage all the kids in Jersey City who are arts inclined. The Medical Center is a large enough building to accomodate several proposals, including a school to ease the overcrowding. There are several proposals that we are aware of, including affordable housing for seniors and veterans. These are good ideas and I am hoping that the groups with the other proposals will want to work with us to help make all of our dreams a reality.
We have already considered the parking situation on Monticello for an a/e neighborhood. We have ideas to help alleviate the potential parking problems that include some of the surrounding vacant lots and ties to the PATH and light rail via jitney.