Letter to the Editor

Barbara Habeeb’s letter to the editor:

This letter is in reference to the letter to the editor entitled “Citizens and Government Clash over Groups Rights,” dated 1/28/08.Attorney Philip George, representing North Plainfield’s town attorney Eric M. Bernstein & Associates, LLC, has written an interesting letter to Katherine Watt, the co-chair of North Plainfield Citizens for Community Rights (NPCCR). The letter indicates that the Borough “may pursue collection of the substantial legal fees” from Ms. Watt. The letter appears to be in retaliation for a complaint that was filed and taken to court by Ms. Watt.Ms. Watt proposed an ordinance, which would deter large corporations from coming into North Plainfield and building on any remaining open space in the Borough. This proposal was done legally and openly. 650 signatures were gathered and the Borough was petitioned to place this ordinance on the ballot so the voters could decide. Since the mayor and council did not agree with this ordinance, they refused to consider it. A complaint was filed by Ms. Watt, and it was taken to court. The court ruled in favor of the Borough. So be it.Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, but the ordinance was proposed as an honest effort to try to preserve the Villa Maria property. It was neither “frivolous” nor “unfounded” as the town attorney states in his letter. With the exception of our newest councilwoman Jenny Uptegrove, I think the current administration have a lot of nerve to even suggest a collection of money. Maybe the taxpayers ought to have the very same town attorney write a letter to Mayor Janice Allen to try to collect from her. She is currently appealing the Campbell vs. North Plainfield judgment that ruled against the Borough because the Borough Council did not properly vote for an ordinance to rezone the Villa Maria property to build 225 condos. Bill Campbell took the Borough to court and won the judgment. The Mayor is appealing that judgment and yes, my friends, it is coming out of the taxpayers’ pockets.So here is my point. Why is it OK for the Mayor and Council to incur court costs, but not OK for a taxpaying citizen with a legitimate complaint? Don’t we, the people have a right to express our views? James Otis once said “taxation without representation is tyranny.” Folks, we’re being taxed, but what kind of representation do we really have? Something for you who live in North Plainfield to think about next election.

Barbara Habeeb
North Plainfield