##M:[more]##1.) As a resident of West Windsor, when I first heard of the minimum proposed number of housing, I was surprised and concerned about what it might do to our community and its resources. I still have those concerns. When I have been out knocking on doors I have heard many residents share the same concerns. I support referendums and questionnaires to help determine what our community wants. This is too big of a project with too great of a long-term impact on our community for the five members of Council to decide without sufficient public input.
2.) West Windsor should find a place for Project Freedom. Project Freedom has several campuses in Mercer County, but none in our Township. This will provide housing to individuals with disabilities and help West Windsor begin to address its affordable housing obligations. For more information about Project Freedom, visit projectfreedom.org.
3.) Once open space is gone it is gone forever. We need to continue with the open space tax, preserve as much open space from our plan as possible, and strike the right balance of both purchasing open space and developing what we have for use by our current residents.
4.) A. Open Government. If the government was open, people would have already been able to discuss whether or not they wanted a transit village, prior to the Township paying $400,”000 on this project. In addition, I feel that the planner should have disclosed his opinion about the 1,”000 housing unit minimum at the beginning of his contract rather than wait until mid-April.
B. Need for Alternate Transportation Designs. I am concerned about traffic and pedestrian safety. We need more sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, as well as bike stands throughout our Township, so that people have the ability to not use their cars. I think we also need to consider the idea of having a “loop bus” or shuttle to offer our community an alternative means to get to the train, the mall, and to our shopping areas.
5.) I have spent 25 years as a fireman helping people in their time of need. I know how to react when people are in need and am not afraid to take whatever steps are necessary to protect them. My extensive experience in public safety gives me insight to the issues that are paramount to police, fire, and emergency medical services, and the ability to recognize problems or potential hazards early and not be afraid to address them. This is all about public service.
In addition, I spent five years as a commissioner on a zoning board for a municipality. In that role of deciding whether to approve an application, I learned a lot about balancing the interests of the community, the leaders of the community, and the applicants. I learned that what is good for one, may not be good for the other, and always maintained my objectivity and tried to do what was best for the entire community now and in the future. I also learned that if these different interests are willing to work together and compromise that we can usually come up with a plan that works for everyone.
