Jessie Havens of Montgomery
I was astonished to read Montgomery Township Committee members’ negative reaction to a Somerset County freeholder offer to consider buying the former North Princeton Developmental Center site for a county park. If this were not Montgomery Township I would readily conclude it was pure partisan politics; why else would anyone be so quick to assail it, I cannot imagine.
This township has had the benefit of local government that looks past party labels and welcomes participation and open discussion. Why this time not so? Certainly not because it would be an ego blow after laboring long and earnestly to come up with a plan for a “village-within-a-park” — sincerely believing this to be a good escape from the huge threat of having 260 acres exploited by profit-focused developers — to see all that effort go for naught.
Just as certainly, we have been told repeatedly when various Skillman Village alternatives were aired at public meetings that all options remain on the table. To the extent I have attended meetings, at no time was a county park discussed. All we were invited to consider were various development concepts because, we were given to understand, keeping all acreage as parkland was not an affordable option for Montgomery taxpayers.
Well, now we do have a possible escape from that financial bind. Maybe it is not a good idea, regardless. But we can’t know that until the idea has been fully explored and carefully evaluated. Meanwhile, let’s thank Somerset County heartily for showing an interest.
Jessie Havens
Montgomery

