On Moran resignation
To the editor:
The July 10 article regarding Hopewell Borough Councilman Marc Moran’s membership in a white supremacist group is likely to rank among the most shocking reports ever carried by the Hopewell Valley News. It’s difficult to determine what is more unbelievable Mr. Moran’s apparent ignorance of the anti-Semitic and racist views held by the National Alliance, or his extreme insensitivity in equating a swastika tattoo with having one’s ear or tongue pierced.
Mr. Moran, of course, has the right to express his views, no matter how silly or odious they may be. Holding a position of public responsibility, however, is not a right but a privilege. His association with a white supremacist group demonstrated in a spectacular manner that he is not worthy of representing the public in any capacity.
While I am pleased that Mr. Moran resigned, I am disturbed at news reports indicating that some residents believed he should remain on the Borough Council. I hope what little support he received came solely from personal friends, and not from those who support such extremist views.
Congratulations to the Hopewell Valley News for bringing this story to the public’s attention.
Michael Ruger, Hopewell Township
‘I volunteer’
To the editor:
With the power of the Internet, in a nano-second I learned of the National Alliance, its creed bigotry. Apparently the National Alliances’ favorite color is white. This now well-known "Neo-Nazi, anti-government organization born in West Virginia has come to Hopewell through the power of the Internet. Marc Moran’s Internet friends have obtained our now public petition records of those people opposed to his views and have broadcast their names and private telephone numbers to their friends. Thank you Mr. Moran for bringing this stench to our little town.
Mr. Moran, hopefully now a former council member, claims he did not agree with much of the National Alliances’ beliefs or was unaware of them. It does not take much effort to connect the dots, all one has to do is pull up their Web page. I guess Mr. Moran has forgotten the major financial contribution he and Meredith gave to Bill White, a candidate (July 22, 2002) running for the House of Delegates, District 39 in Maryland. Mr. White appears to be another enlightened fellow, a Web page designer for Overthrow.com."
I, too, have relatives who have contributed to the colonial fabric of America. From my mother’s side, William Haige, a Quaker, third commissioner to William Penn of Pennsylvania 1670; and from my father’s, Reese Meredith (1709) Pennsylvania and West New Jersey, a financier of the Revolutionary War. Reese’s son, Samuel Meredith was a close friend of George Washington (see Washington’s papers during the Revolutionary War and personal letters). Samuel was a colonel in the Colonial Army and was promoted to brigadier general earning distinction at the Battle of Trenton.
Having recently read the articles written by Mr. Moran and the various interviews given by Mr. Moran, why Mr. Moran found it surprising that anybody cared what he thought is hard for me to comprehend.
Mr. Moran was born and brought up in this town. People already know his views. He has friends, relatives. He’s an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Surely people know his views on social issues. In fact, it is fair to say that so many people knew his views that he felt comfortable espousing them to the greater Hopewell community. Well Mr. Moran, your views are not mainstream, but they do matter. Not everyone thinks "men should be men and women should be women" or can follow your distorted views on the celebration of Hanukkah. It is your right to think them as long as you do not try to claim that your views are representative of my views.
Born and raised here, I was not particularly shocked by Mr. Moran’s racist comments. What disturbs me is that he was claiming to represent the people of Hopewell.
I am part of a continuing political lineage. My mother was the first elected Republican women freeholder in Mercer County. My father, a Republican, served as Hopewell Township attorney for over 20 years. My grandfather, a Republican, convinced Cointreau Ltd. to remain in Pennington, saving that town’s then economic future. My uncle, a patriot, a four-star general, served his country and became an active Republican in national politics. We all have a history, and we all are either recent immigrants or descendants of immigrants. Mr. Moran descends from immigrants. This is America, a land settled and enriched by a succession of immigrants. Mr. Moran’s views are not representative of the majority of our town.
I am a descendant from Meredith and Haige (Haig), a grandson, a son, a nephew and now a father, who has chosen to raise my three children in Hopewell. Mr. Moran has energized me to become involved, to become an active participant in this community. Thank you, Mr. Moran, for waking me up.
"Volunteerism is in short supply," say other members of the Hopewell Council. Thank you, Mr. Moran, I don’t think we, the citizens of Hopewell, will have that problem in the future. I volunteer. I want my family to have a happy and healthy life in this great community.
Edward B. Meredith Jr., Hopewell
Don’t be silent
To the editor:
Currently there is an opportunity to obtain some assistance for the areas with distressed wastewater problems. In this instance it could be for the area known as Indian Village. This opportunity emerged at the special meeting of the Hopewell Township Committee held July 8.
On the agenda for that meeting was an item listed as "Hopewell Town Center/Sewer Agreement." Hopewell Town Center is the new shopping center planned for the intersection of Denow Road and Route 31 (between the Pennington Circle and Interstate 95). This shopping center has approval to build a self-contained wastewater treatment system at a cost of roughly $1 million. However, the developer, Mr. Muzzucca, is now asking the township to approve a sewer connection to ELSA.
Committeewoman Arlene Kemp stated that she had a problem approving such a change in plans while no accommodations are being made for the distressed neighborhoods. Jon Edwards expressed similar concerns while Marylou Ferrara and Mayor Fran Bartlett appeared to laugh at these concerns.
This is a critical issue for Mr. Mazzucca’s development plan as it will not only save him money but will also increase the value of his shopping center should he choose to sell it. Therefore he appeared willing to negotiate and it would be foolish if the committee does not seize this opportunity to assist the distressed neighborhoods. There is another special meeting scheduled for July 17 at the unusual hour of 5:30 p.m. The committee said they would address this issue at that meeting. The residents of Indian Village would be well advised to attend this meeting and voice their opinions. When you remain the silent majority your needs are not heard nor addressed.
Shiela J. Beyer, Hopewell Township
Thanks, HVN
To the editor:
One of the encouraging aspects of the Moran affair was the performance of the Hopewell Valley News. The stunning initial article by John Tredrea made crystal clear that we are dealing here, not with a social conservative or a civil libertarian, but with a virulent racist and anti-Semite. The fact that Marc Moran was exposed by our local paper itself provides us with confidence in the strength of our community. Thank you and congratulations.
In contrast, in the face of these shocking revelations, the initial reaction of other council members, as quoted the next day, was disappointing and disturbing. There was work to be done and they did not see why Mr. Moran’s views should interfere with this work. At the risk of exaggerating the importance of an isolated affair, I must admit that these comments resonated in my own mind with others from the past: "Yes, they do have some extreme views, but the trains are running on time"! Where was the recognition of the humiliation that Blacks, Jews, and recent immigrants would have felt when conducting any council-related business with someone holding Mr. Moran’s views?
Isaac M. Held, Pennington
Potentially a blunder
To the editor:
Has everyone noticed? Mass construction, where least wanted, is on the fast track in the southeastern part of Hopewell Township. Most had been approved before 1999, when the Coalition to Save Hopewell Valley helped sweep new members into seats on the Township Committee. That then stopped the dreaded Trenton sewer pipeline and all that expected sprawl. Now, however, those same, recently reelected officials seem to have forgotten their pledge to stop sewers, except perhaps to bring relief to homeowners affected by septic system problems.
And along comes the developer for the Hopewell Town Center, a commercial development to the sprawling area east of Route 31, south of the Pennington Circle. He’s made an agreement with the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority to hook into their system. Surprisingly, as evident at the July 8 meeting of the Hopewell Township Committee, the developer has support for approval from almost all officials. It must be noted, however, that weeks prior to July 8, the center construction was said to begin with self-contained, large sized septic system. And that’s the best we could expect. Initially costly, but it’s quite reasonable over recurrent flush fees charged by ELSA great too and necessary for recharge of groundwater for our wells.
Unacceptable would be the shortsighted decision to approve such sewers service by township officials. People in that heavily congested area, like residents in Brandon Farms, those shopping at or near the Pennington Circle, as well as commuters via that area would suffer the consequences nightmares without end. That’s the only possible view for so many already jammed into a relatively small area and for those driving through heavy, dangerous traffic already there.
The newly appointed Wastewater Advisory Committee has not had time to advise officials or help make long overdue wastewater management plan changes agreed to by the township in 2000. Approve sewers service to the Hopewell Town Center, and developers on the west side of Route 31, from I-95 to the Pennington Circle will demand township approval on agreements they’ll get with ELSA, or be in position to get their way for maximum density in development through litigation.
The answer is protest, or good luck to so many of us, who will be affected by this approval for extended sewers service. Now’s the time speak out, July 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal auditorium for Hopewell Township.
Erich Lehmann, member, Hopewell Township Wastewater Advisory Committee, Titusville
Football check ready!
To the editor:
We invite everyone to the July 21 Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education meeting, where we will present the board with a check for $67,760.40 for the 2003 season.
We want to thank everyone for the support that helped us to reach our goal this year! Without the huge support in the Valley, this would not have been possible. We are proud that we can continue to offer more opportunities for the children of Hopewell Valley Central High School, completely tax-free instead of costing the district and us taxpayers money with lawsuits, challenges, and studies. Thanks again for your support and "Go Bulldogs"!
HIKE (Hopewell Involved in Kids Enrichment) will hold its annual Silent Auction on Saturday on Sept. 6. We are looking for items for the auction now. If you have that signed football or season ticket to that Giant vs. Eagle game that you’d rather watch from home, we would appreciate it. They don’t have to be football related. If you have baseball or any sports memorabilia, services from your company or business that you can donate, or anything of value, that would be fantastic.
If you have any items or services you would like to donate, please call Patty at 818-1151 or e-mail her at [email protected] for more information.
HIKE is also looking for sponsors and items for our first annual golf outing. An early October date is being planned. Please contact George at 730-1296 or e-mail us at [email protected] to donate items or to get more information. You can also get more information on our Web site: www.HIKE4football.com for the latest information as the teams get prepared for another successful season. Check out their schedules on the Web site as the JVs begin their first season ever!
HIKE Executive Committee
Effects on community?
To the editor:
Freedom (or distortion) of speech could have far-reaching consequences for the borough and the township.
To say the least, I am angered by the fact that a narrow-minded bigot like Marc Moran can attain public office in our greater community.
I am even more perplexed that his fellow council members in the borough feel that his beliefs have little bearing on his ability to carry out his responsibilities!
How can a person with such a twisted view be expected to make rational decisions on even minor items such as shade tree placement? Would he vote with the town in mind, or to support for his own prejudices?
The larger issue here however is public, state, and national perception of our community. There is no question that news of the situation has been well publicized in the past week.
What will this news do to the housing values in the area? If I was from out of town (say even northern New Jersey) and was looking to relocate to the area, I might very well conclude that Hopewell is a bigoted place where I certainly would not want to move my family to. Conversely, if I were of the same mind as Mr. Moran, would I feel that Hopewell was a safe haven for members of his (or other) hate groups and intentionally relocate here?
Furthermore, could this lack of judgment eventually affect state-funded educational aid to our schools? Maybe so.
Glenn Lune, Pennington
