I received another question about the golf course from a resident who lives in that neighborhood, asking about how I view particular issues associated with that property and how it impacts families that live nearby. I hope this will help folks understand how I approach such questions. The framework applies to any issue, I think. By the way, the offer to discuss at the end of my response below goes for anyone in town. Feel free to call me and if you like my response, please share with your friends. Thank you!
Hi Jonathan,
I am a West Orange resident living [in the neighborhood near the course]. We have lived in West Orange [for more than 5 years].
My reason for reaching out is to understand your position on the Rock Spring Golf Club (RSGC). As a resident very close to the entrance on Rock Spring Road (RSR), our household and other neighbors are very invested in the operation and future of the RSGC.
Some current and future local concerns are:
Traffic levels and speed along Rock Spring Road
Noise levels from events / functions at RSGC (particularly outdoor)
Preservation of green natural landscape
Avoiding big development (due to its impacts both during construction and after completion)
Would you be able to share your position on how if you were elected you might be able to balance the needs of the wider township with those of the local residents in our area (near entrance to club) and those in the other RSGC surrounding areas (upper Gregory, Walker Road, Northfield Ave).
Please note I will likely share your response with the local residents near the RSGC entrance (Rock Spring Road, Raynor Road, West Road) as we have a private chat group with about 30-40 households in it.
Just FYI: One of the residents shared your response to a question about RSGC on your website already: https://www.jonathanredwine.com/post/i-received-a-question-about-the-golf-course-and-taxes. If there is something you'd like to add to that for the local residents near the RSGC entrance that would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
My response:
Hi,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes I a lot of what I think about the golf course is included in that blog post you included in your note. Number one in my view has to be preventing large scale “development” and preservation of the open space. I would not support a proposal that includes large scale development.
The traffic issue is another question - and inherent to the existence of a thriving golf course. First I would say that speed limit enforcement is critical. My house is very near to the intersection of Northfield and Gregory so I fully understand the need for better traffic enforcement in West Orange. So I would start there with increased traffic enforcement since that is the easiest first step, I think. Speed bumps could help, but I think often inconvenience local residents, so would need the support of the neighbors.
If there is a way to introduce a new access point to the golf course, that could make sense, but I am definitely not an expert and that seems like a longer-term down-the-road type of idea that I would be happy to examine and possibly pursue. However that requires planning of the type that our town needs, but, frankly, doesn’t excel at, to say the least.
Noise needs to be controlled by ordinance and subsequent enforcement. From a policy standpoint, I think functions should be limited by time and also by noise level. I am not sure what the right level is, but that is the way I would approach the balance between operation of the facility and making sure that infringement on surrounding residents’ right to peace and quiet in their own homes.
By the way this is not a problem that is unique to your neighborhood. I heard comments by residents who live near the Llewellyn Parq pub on Harrison Ave. about noise and inappropriate activities that occur in their neighborhood, emanating from that facility. All of these issues are enforcement issues in the first instance, but should also be addressed by policy.
Abstractly, the way I approach issues like this one (after listening to residents and understanding what the issue is), goes something like this:
1. Enforcement of current policy/law.
2. Examination of a persisting issue in the face of improved enforcement.
3. Discussion and consensus on improved policy that balances the needs of residents against reasonable needs of non-residents. (This one requires judgment and trust.)
4. Improve policy to address issues identified.
5. Follow up to ensure that improved policy is implemented and enforced.
To me the central question in this election is whether I (as a voter, not a candidate) trust the people who have run the town for so long - decades - and whether they have reliably worked to address issues residents identify as important to them. If so, great - stick with them. If not, or you’re not sure, then I hope folks will think about who is likely to listen to their concerns and act on those concerns to try to address them. It won’t always be perfect, but all I can promise is that I will try and that I’m not beholden to any developer, or anyone else that does business with the town.
Thanks very much for your questions. I hope this helps. And answering them helps me clarify in my own mind what I think the right approach should be! Always happy to discuss with you or others. Feel free to email or call me: 917-565-3341 is my cell number.
Best,
Jonathan
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