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Letters to the Editor
By JACK WRIGHT
August 23, 2022
Note from the author: there are many hyperlinks in this piece. They link to the audio recordings of each individual referenced, saying the things that I’ve said that they said, on publicly available official recordings. There are also links to documents obtained under the New Jersey Open Public ...
In the Sunday, August 7 edition of the Star Ledger, Reporter Jackie Roman wrote a column titled, "NJ to issue its first guidelines on warehouse development, but it's unclear if they'll be enough to quell community battles over proposed projects." The state Office of Planning Advocacy unveiled a ...
I am having a difficult time understanding why the DCR application has not been either rejected or denied at this point. The Diamond Chip Realty (DCR) buildings and site design were deemed to be non-complaint and unapprovable by the Sparta Planning Board (PB) at the July 6 PB meeting. DCR was given ...
I am a member of the Sparta Ambulance Squad; however, my opinions expressed are my own, and do not represent the Sparta Ambulance Squad Officers or members. I am also not a member of the Sparta Fire Department, I do not opine on their behalf. I have not been asked by either organization to post on ...
As a long time Sparta resident, I have thoughts about the proposed and mega warehouse distribution center to be built in Sparta, NJ. This would be one of New Jersey’s largest at 880,000 square feet. The second tallest in the state at 56 feet. At 49.28 MILLION cubic feet, this warehouse is one of ...
I have read the recent artle on the appicationn for the warehouse project in Spata. Then summary of events on this application were excellently written. I servered on the Sparta planning board for 20 years from 09/1/1992 to 2011. During this time -period the plannoing board had David Simmoms and ...
Dear Neighbors and Friends: Way back in 2007, Sparta Township Council had a communications committee of which I served as chair. One of the tasks we were given was to hold a town-wide contest for a slogan. The whole community was invited to submit their creative slogans and one that I remember ...
This past Wednesday, I submitted my letter ‘Township Council NOT Closing the Door on Future MEGA Warehouses’ to TAP Into and it was published later that evening. Thursday morning, Mr. Andrew Reina, president of the Planning Board, responded on the Facebook page of SpartaResponsibleDevelopment.Org ...
The takeaway from last week’s town council meeting (following the three very happy recognition ceremonies—Pride Month, Eagle Scout, Robotics Team—congrats to all) is that there is a solid block of three votes on the council ready to push Sparta and its residents—both current and unborn—into the ...
I am writing to express my gratitude to the friends and neighbors that formed the non-profit, Sparta for Responsible Development. This group of fellow citizens became aware of the warehouse development, organized and took immediate action. All while most are working full time jobs and attending to ...
Something happened at Sparta’s Town Council meeting last night that no member of our community should be willing to tolerate. Sparta resident Sally Larsen addressed councilmembers to request Diamond Chip’s new traffic study be expanded to cover two school zones in her local area, as she believes ...
Given the current circumstances surrounding the “Warehouse Scandal” I believe it is time for an independent investigation. Up to this point those trusted to support the needs of the residents have not done so. Mayor Smith and councilwoman Quinn remain in hiding, council members Whilesmith and ...
Dear Neighbors, More than a year after the ordinance change and about six months of public hearings about the proposed mega-warehouse/trucking terminal structure on Demarest Road, the facts about the size and scope of the project are still just filtering out to the public. Many attendees stopped ...
Regarding the Diamond Chip application for an 880,000 sq. ft. warehouse it has, or it will, come down to this: Virtually every elected / appointed official in Sparta Township versus virtually every resident in Sparta Township. In a sane world, the citizens would hold sway and defeat this insane ...
There’s something underhanded going on inside Sparta Township’s zoning and planning approval process. In a coordinated effort, a consortium of developers, lobbyists, and a town engineer have managed to circumvent the normal public review process for a new logistics terminal currently before the ...
Recently at a local event in Sussex County, several volunteers with the organization Sparta Responsible Development spent the day talking with event goers; providing information about the Mega 880,000 sq ft warehouse being considered for Sparta, NJ The Sparta Town Council and the Sparta Planning ...
The building of these mega warehouses in Sparta is a subject that has many people concerned. Beside the size, which is beyond large, it will have 191 truck bays, and we’re concerned with the impact it will have on the infrastructure of Sparta and surrounding towns as the roads are not large enough ...
As a casual observer, the recent goings on in town has me shaking my head in amazement. I now believe ‘transparency in local government’ is a myth and the idea that elected officials work for the general good is one that evokes laughter … and despair. The zingers keep on coming. Does any of this ...
Hello, an actual Sodexo employee here! I was disappointed to read the Letter to the Editor from May 16 titled “The Untold Truth about Sodexo School Lunch”. First, I refer you to stateofchildhoodobesity.com for current statistics. Poor mental health over the last year cannot be contributed to ...
Childhood obesity rates have tripled since 2016, 664,000 people have gained mental health issues since last year. And there will be more plastic in oceans than aquatic life by 2050. Unfortunately they are all related. And it leads back to Sodexo school lunches, here is why: The recent trend of ...
Sparta Mountain Continues, Flawed NJ Forest Management Plan moves to a Committee, without Moratorium. Proforestation somehow escaped NJDEP's approach, while Governor speaks of Climate? Greenwashing happening in these documents and in the actions that the DEP promotes. A sort of "competitive ...
Next Wednesday, May 11, residents of Sparta SHOULD HAVE the opportunity to go before the Sparta Zoning Board, to once again ask questions and express concerns regarding the 880,000 square foot warehouse planned for the Sparta Redi-Mix site on Demarest Rd. just off Rt. 15. The Zoning Board is ...
Jim Ford, the warehouse developer, seems to be so certain of the success of his Diamond Chip application that he didn’t bother to show up for last Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting. He hadn’t provided notice nor a compelling reason for his absence, so at the next meeting expect a faux-serious ...
I have lived in Sparta for quite a long period of time. During my time here I served three years as a Lake Mohawk Trustee, 10 years on the Township Council (elected twice and served two years for a colleague who left town) and two years on the planning board. I recall approximately a half dozen ...
