In response to last week’s letter from Mary DeVoe of South River, let’s do the math. Mary, the 105-acre Otken farm was assessed at $57,500. The township has bought the property for $6,375,000.
That is 110 times the value of the property, and in my opinion quite generous. I don’t know how you came up with your numbers. Did you seek information from council President Francis Womack?
I am one in favor of condemnation, and would gladly sell my property to the township if it were identified for a public use and needed for the greater good. And, Mary, I would sell for a lot less than 110 times its current value, and be reasonable in my dealings with North Brunswick, the town I love. If not for condemnation, Mary, you and I would not have roads, rails, schools, electric and gas service, etc. You apparently do not understand the use of condemnation.
Now, let’s talk about the questionable sum offered the Otkens by U.S. Home. If indeed the original offer was $10 million, the Otken family certainly should have signed the contracts years ago, taken the money, and moved on. If that offer was contingent upon North Brunswick changing the current zoning, and issuing use variances, than we must agree that was not a bona fide offer at all. However, like I have said for years, there never was a bona fide offer from U.S. Home. How did we confuse this issue?
If Exxon offered $50 million to the Otkens with plans to build an oil refinery, would North Brunswick have to match that offer to preserve the parcel as open space? Of course not. And surely, people wouldn’t want the refinery there, just like we don’t want any more massive residential development. Local government has an obligation to the residents to provide services, and North Brunswick is grossly overbuilt and terribly underserved with active recreation facilities. Condemnation aside, 99 percent of our residents are strongly opposed to further massive residential development. I believe our civil liberties have been violated, giving back "our property" so U.S. Home can develop 500 houses. We need parks and recreation facilities.
As you claim abuses of the Fifth Amendment, let me remind you, Mary, that our town has elected officials making a complete mockery of the entire judicial system. A Superior Court judge ruled that North Brunswick was justified in every action it took. If you support our constitution, Mary, then we must agree that should have been the end of it.
Thank you for your interest in North Brunswick. Are you planning to move here? If so, wait a while, for property values are sure to drop after a couple of years under this administration.
And if you have active kids, stay put, because this mayor and council have put them at the bottom of the pile, apparently realizing they don’t vote.
As we start negotiating away "our children’s land" acre by acre so U.S. Home can build houses, remember that you, the mayor and the council, are sacrificing our children and our future. What a shame, and all for a campaign promise to U.S. Home.
Sleep tight.
David Barnhard
North Brunswick