Township moves to change estate zoning
By:Staff Writer
Mix two of the largest charitable foundations in the nation, a plethora of world renowned poets, and you’ll get an idea of the scope of the upcoming biennial Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival.
The 2004 event, previously staged in Waterloo Village, has been relocated to the Doris Duke estate in Hillsborough. The most significant event in poetry in North America is not only to be held in Hillsborough for the first time Sept. 30-Oct. 3, it’s directed by a Hillsborough resident.
|
Estate zoning plan passes An ordinance that would create an open space and cultural landscape district for the 1,235 core acres of the Duke estate, including the main house, gardens and main farm complex, was introduced by the Township Committee. Mayor Steven Sireci called the proposed ordinance a "major step in the preservation of the Duke estate." "Those 1,235 acres will now be safe from housing development, while the Duke foundation’s plan for cultural and educational opportunities at the site will put Hillsborough on the national map of significant cultural sites and historic properties," Mayor Sireci said. One such "opportunity" will occur later this year, when the Duke Farms estate plays host to one of the largest poetry events in North America, the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Under the proposed ordinance, the present agricultural zone on which 10-acre housing could be developed, will be changed to an open space and cultural landscape zone. The new zoning would allow for gardens, a visitor and cultural center, gift shop, and limited visitor accommodations within present township building standards. "We envision educational and cultural activities that would require public access on the property," said Patrick Lerch, director of property for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Deputy Mayor Bob Wagner praised the proposed changes in zoning. "With this proposed change, the Duke foundation will have the support it needs to be a world class cultural center," he said. "Both the foundation and the township will be able to work toward even greater preservation of the estate properties." Committeeman Tony Gwiazdowski concurred. "Last year I took two separate tours of the facility and was amazed by what I saw behind the walls," Committeeman Gwiazdowski said. "This would add another jewel in the crown of Somerset County and Hillsborough. The introduction of this ordinance has my full support." The proposal, which was approved unanimously by the committee, now will go before the Planning Board for discussion during its March 25 business meeting. A public hearing on the ordinance is set for Tuesday, April 27. Roger Alvarado
|
East Mountain Road resident Jim Haba, who has lived in Hillsborough for over 30 years, has been the festival director since the extravaganza’s debut in 1986.
"The festival came about when the Dodge foundation did a survey in 1985 and found that less than 1 percent of funding for the arts went to literature, so even less than 1 percent went to poetry nationwide," Mr. Haba said.
The foundation approached Mr. Haba with the directorial position in 1986, when he was teaching literature at Glassboro State College. He had been teaching there for 30 years and was involved in a lot of work staging and organizing poetry events.
His enthusiasm for poetry outside of the classroom matched the Dodge foundation’s mission to educate and inspire the public, especially students and teachers, with the literary art form.
"The Dodge foundation enabled me to step out of the cloistered academic environment to the open world, which is a big move for anyone interested art and literature," Mr. Haba said. "The universities have historically sheltered literature and art and kept them contained in the academic world."
Indeed, Mr. Haba had been immersed in the academic world, as a Ph.D. student at Cornell College and then as a professor, first at Rutgers, then at Glassboro College.
"The university world is very important to me in giving me time and space to develop my own personal experience," Mr. Haba said. "But at the same time I was hungry for something else and the Dodge foundation came at the right time."
Mr. Haba’s unusual upbringing, in state parks throughout Washington, cultivated a strong love for the outer world that he was able to nurture in his position at the Dodge foundation.
"My step-father was one of the first park rangers in Washington and my family was always preparing for the crowds of visitors to the state parks. I learned from that how to prepare for thousands of people coming and going," Mr. Haba explained. "My life as a young person was always at the centers of these large crowds."
The immersion in the world and inclusion of all people at the poetry festivals provided an ideal balance between academia and action, Mr. Haba said.
"I never saw how the extreme academic part of myself and the public aspects could come together. I just kept doing what I loved and it all happened. I’m in some sense an example of doing what you love and the rest falling into place," Mr. Haba said.
Mr. Haba’s leadership role at the Dodge Foundation was part time for the first 16 years, which allowed him to continue teaching full time while also playing an active role in public life.
"The Dodge foundation took away the walls and opened art and literature to anybody. There are no course requirements, no prerequisites. I love that," Mr. Haba said. "The Dodge foundation allowed action in the way the university world doesn’t."
Although his work was immensely rewarding, Mr. Haba said, it did get difficult to juggle his two jobs. With a two-and-a-half hour commute between each job and constantly changing part-time assistants, the literary lover logged in long hours each week.
"It grew harder as the festival was more successful, particularly when we started doing television," Mr. Haba said. "I was on the road a lot. We’ve done over 20 hours of National Public television programming with Bill Moyers and I’ve been involved in all of it."
Mr. Haba’s workload was lightened though with the help of others passionate about poetry.
"I have had a lot of assistance over the years," he said. "Although I’ve been responsible for the basic vision and design of the festival."
After retiring from teaching two years ago, Mr. Haba became the full-time director of the festival and has been able to completely devote his energies to the event, which will bring an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people to Hillsborough.
"It’s a major event which Hillsborough has never been home to," Mr. Haba said. "This is not something that happens every day in Hillsborough."
Indeed, the world-renowned festival will be the first major public event at Duke Farms in over 75 years, and is expected to draw more people than ever before.
"I’m very excited about this new site at Duke Farms and I’d be very pleased if the festival could find a permanent home there. It’s a great opportunity for Somerset County and central New Jersey," Mr. Haba said.