Elizabeth Ackerman
Hopewell Township
This letter does not represent the views of anyone but the author.
I want to thank the Hopewell Township Planning Board for the laudable job they did leading the public conversation about the future of the Pennytown Redevelopment Zone. It was a contentious topic that inspired passionate speeches and sometimes hostile comments. The Planning Board had a difficult decision to make, and it made a very bold one.
I thought Chairwoman Karen Murphy led the meetings with patience and grace, giving equal opportunity for all to be heard. It was clear from his articulate and well-considered position, that Lawrence Clarke cared and had done his homework. And I appreciated Rex Parker’s description of how he struggled —coming full circle twice — to arrive at his final decision. Like every person and organization that spoke, the members of the Planning Board members want to protect Hopewell Township.
You listened to all voices, asked good questions of the consultants, did your homework, and when you considered all of the Valley’s resources — its natural, human and economic resources — you acted responsibly and voted to plan sustainably.
Kudos to you! You’re ahead of your time.
