Fair Haven critic should get his facts straight
Guest Column
Thomas Gilmour
As a citizen of Fair Haven and one of the candidates in this past week’s election, I was pleased that the tone of the recent campaign for seats on Borough Council was focused on issues rather than personalities and seemed to signal a return to a higher level of discourse, courtesy and cooperation "for the good of the borough" among all of us … Democrats, Republicans and independents. I felt that we were all participating in a healing process that would allow us to achieve the greatest possible good for all of the people who live in Fair Haven. I still believe that.
It was, therefore, disheartening to read that our town gadfly, who was conspicuously absent during the campaign, has come out of hibernation. Using his usual scare tactics, distortion, personal attacks and untruths, Joe Szostak, lacking a positive agenda, has decided to again make the continuing review of Fair Haven’s historic ordinance an issue for his exploitation. It’s unfortunate I must waste my Sunday afternoon answering Joe’s accusations, but I am tired of his continuing bashing of our town, its employees, administration and council.
In his letter to the editor, he would like you to believe that the council is secretly working on ordinances that would jail residents for minor infractions and charge exorbitant application fees. The truth is the council is in the initial stages of reviewing its planning and zoning process, which will include a review of the present historic ordinance.
I have spent the last eight months reviewing our present planning and zoning ordinances, and the process we use to implement those rules. A significant part of that research included interviewing many residents, including Mr. Szostak. This review will be separated into two phases: first, the council will review recommendations to improve the town’s planning and zoning process. Our objective will be to make the process cost-effective and easier for the applicant to understand. It is my projection that if implemented, the recommendations will reduce the cost to the town and taxpayers by 50 percent. I expect to introduce the recommendations at the Nov. 27 Borough Council meeting. Once we have made a determination on those recommendations, we will begin a review of the present historic ordinance. The one we will be reviewing is the one passed in 1993 as the product of a strong bipartisan effort to preserve the historic heritage of our community, not the November 1998 tabled draft that Mr. Szostak refers to in his letter. As always, there will be ample opportunity for public comment.
While I have your attention, I would like to set the record straight regarding confusion that was brought up during the campaign regarding the concession stand at Fair Haven fields. Mr. Szostak reported (as editor of his self-promoting publication, the Fair Haven Voice) that the borough had spent $94,000 and borrowed another $30,000 to complete the project. Fact: To date, Fair Haven has spent $70,074.40, according to Laurie Finger, our CFO.
This is less than the original projected budget! Construction costs were largely limited to materials and utility service costs. Labor costs, normally accounting for one-half of total costs, were provided by volunteers.
The parents of the 500-plus children that participate in recreation programs every weekend at Fair Haven fields deserve a building that provides rest-room facilities (none available right now) and basic refreshments. This is a triumph in volunteerism and a fine example of how the residents, Recreation Commission, and council came together to get things done. Very soon, Fair Haven will have a state-of-the-art facility built for half the cost and, best of all, projected to generate revenues within five years that will cover the total cost of construction. What’s the issue, Joe? Get your facts straight!
Mr. Szostak displays a number of bumper stickers on his car that are critical of Fair Haven, one of which reads: "Don’t retire to Fair Haven. Move to America instead." I don’t know about other residents, but I find that offensive. I think Fair Haven is the finest residential community in the state.
I am proud to serve with all the dedicated individuals on the present council who invest a significant amount of time to keep our community a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Mr. Szostak’s Fair Haven Voice claims to be a "Publication of Concerned Citizens for Fair Haven." For someone who takes so much pride in bashing our town, I have to question his "concern." If he truly were concerned about our great town, instead of constantly trashing Fair Haven and promoting his personal agenda, he would be investing his time in working with us to develop solutions.
Thomas Gilmour is a member of the Fair Haven Borough Council