Yes on open space

J. David Waldman, Rojo’s Roastery, Lambertville
    On Nov. 2, the City of Lambertville will have a referendum concerning the future usage of the small plot of unimproved land on the north end of town, across from CVS (on North Union and Cherry streets).
   A yes vote is a vote in favor of not developing one of the last open plots of land in Lambertville.
   As an independent business owner with operations situated right across the street from the parcel in question, I recently built a multi-functional entity founded upon my deep commitment to the community and its surroundings. Over the past four-plus years, Rojo’s Roastery has become a vitalizing force in the community, and, I believe, a de facto sounding board for much that happens in town.
   Over the past year or so, it has become clear to me from customer conversation, and general community sentiment, that the community-at-large would be served best by dedicating this property as a City Park, rather than by developing it as another group of townhouses, albeit in a flood plane.
   We have a deficit of public places within Lambertville where friends and neighbors can walk or bike to enjoy the outdoors, read a book, eat a sandwich, bask in the sun, throw a Frisbee, engage in conversation, hold a yoga pose, take a nap, or to do whatever else your imagination can conjure as an appropriate and underserved usage.
   To be clear, approval by voting yes comes at no additional increase to your taxes.
   Dedicating and preserving this parcel for public usage would be the best usage of this scarce and diminished commodity: a place for community enjoyment for this and future generations. Vote yes!