Voters have a clear choice between two distinct approaches to managing West Windsor. Our opponent Ms. Epstein doesn’t like my suggestion that a large data center can be built on the Howard Hughes property. In spite of repeated questions from residents, she never said what type of commercial development she would prefer on the property. While she said, “we can do better” several times, she never offered up any ideas of her own.
Personally, I’ve always tried to offer suggestions whenever I’ve felt there was a need to change something within the township. It does little good to complain. The good comes out of the solutions offered. For example, when residents first became aware of problems with the train station redevelopment proposal, I did a business analysis of the plan and presented it to the community, complete with recommendations.
Recently, when all of the candidates were invited to discuss the fund balance at a council meeting, I updated old spreadsheets I’d done over the years and did some additional research. In contrast, Ms. Epstein admitted she’d never seen the budget.
One of the problems with naysaying every commercial entity that’s proposed for the Howard Hughes property is that it will further contribute to the problem of the last 16 years: residents are paying more and more of the total tax bill each year. Marathe, Geevers and Manzari have outlined a proposal to reverse this trend.
Our plan is to bring in an experienced business development director to identify businesses—anywhere in the world—that would be well suited for West Windsor and would enhance our tax base. A concerted effort would then be made to bring such businesses to appropriate sites in our township.
This would certainly include the Howard Hughes tract. Facilitating the construction of commercial entities on this property would generate a substantial amount of tax revenue which would reduce the tax burden on residents and provide funding for infrastructure and other improvements, all without burdening our schools.
It would clean up the neglected property, create jobs and eliminate the threat of an enormous housing development on that land. In the case of the data center idea, traffic would not be an issue, and the buildings could be powered by new-generation solar and completely hidden with trees and shrubs.
Additionally, we will streamline our internal approval process so that any hesitancy to do business in West Windsor is eliminated, and we’ll support those businesses already in town to ensure that each has the optimum opportunity to be economically successful.
Marathe, Geevers and Manzari will implement creative and practical ideas that help protect the value of all of our homes, so that West Windsor remains a very desirable place to raise our families. We live in a great community and we promise to keep it that way.
— Virginia Manzari
Manzari is running for West Windsor Council.
