Posted on 05/21/2004 8:06:58 AM PDT by thenderson
|
ASSEMBLYMAN, 26TH DISTRICT MORRIS AND PASSAIC COUNTIES 101 GIBRALTAR DRIVE, SUITE 1-A MORRIS PLAINS, NJ 07950 (978) 984-0922 Fax(978)984.8094 |
|
| For Immediate Release: May 20, 2004 |
Contact: Amie Forgatch 973-984-0922 until 4:30 P.M. 973-769-1374 after 4:30 P.M. |
On July 4th, we will be celebrating our Nation's 228th birthday. As we reflect on that day, we also remember the sacrifices that our fledgling nation made in order to have our God given rights.
Since its inception, the protection of property, the protection of one's land, has been central to those rights expressed in our Declaration of Independence and codified within our Constitution.
Today, in not so subtle a way, our state is challenging whether the protection of those rights andd principles still apply.
The `Highlands Bill' with no funding source, with no reasonable expectation for equitable reimbursement of property, is counter to our Founding Fathers principles of protection of rights, and freedoms.
The state can make up all sorts of reasons for acquiring this land, or any land, through. legislative or regulatory annexation but without a fair and just compensation those arguments all ring hollow.
To the people whose land is being taken: Does it make a difference whether it is the State of New Jersey or Vladimir Lenin, himself, who is taking their land?
To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln -- If we do not believe in the principles of our foundation as a nation, in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution, then tear it up. Tear it up and start all over again.
If, however, those principles are as important to us, today, as they have been for the past 228 years -- then let us strive to reaffirm and protect those rights and freedoms.
Proceed with Caution with the Highlands BillThe Communist Manifesto, 1848 Karl Marx and Frederick Engels
"The Abolition of existing property relations is not at all a distinctive feature of communism." (You can say that again)
"No man is good enough to govern another man without the others consent."
Assemblyman Pennacchio asks: |
This is a much more complicated issue than both sides like to admit. Many factors are involved here, including water supplies, property taxes, local planning and special interests. There is widespread disagreement among many private and public entities as to this plan.
While I am no fan of McGreevy and didn't vote for him, I do give him a little credit for having the guts to face this issue. Something needs to be done about the Highlands before the big developers roll over that area like they have been doing in Central New Jersey.
I used to be for complete local control and strong development until I lived with the results of it. Now I am not so sure that is the way to go anymore. Living in Central New Jersey and seeing the tremendous problems that come with heavy development and the dirty extortionist tactics that "some" developers use to get their projects through, has soured me to the whole process.
While I am not a big fan of state master plans, it seems that is the only way to keep areas from being totally destroyed. Small communities are definately at a disadvantage in battling big developers who have a way of suing the cr*p out of any municipality that won't let them build what they want, where they want.
Tell me about it.
Our township is being sued by a developer because the town has not yet met its state mandated quota of low income housing. Until our (recent) move to New Jersey, I had never heard (or conceived) of the possibility that a state could force a community to provide a minimum number of low income homes -- essentially state mandated slums. How can this be legal? Or, for that matter, constitutional?
The way I've always viewed it, if I want affordable housing, I should move to an affordable neighborhood. Seems that's not the case anymore. Now it's someone else's responsibility to make sure that I can afford to live in an upscale neighborhood. The hell with the people who've earned their way into it.
Hooray for "diversity!" We're really just one breath away from communism, aren't we?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.