COAH this is what we are up against (Trenton Time Editorial Rips Cranbury)

[Cranbury Conservative]

Hank Kalet is not the only one we need to worry about....

Abolition of RCAs --
Saturday, June 14, 2008
BY THE REV. JAVIER A. DIAZ, MARTIN JOHNSON AND THE REV. CHARLES J. STEPHENS

On Monday, the New Jersey Assembly plans to vote on a package of historic hous ing measures for our state. Within the next few days, the Senate will follow suit. A key element of the legislation, the Omnibus Housing Bill A500, is the elimination of regional contribution agreements (RCAs).

For more than 20 years, RCAs have allowed wealthy towns to shirk their obligation to provide a fair share of affordable housing within their borders. Time and time again, the fastest-growing, job-rich towns have sent their affordable housing to our cities, most with high poverty, poor schools and few jobs.

RCAs have helped render New Jersey the most economically segregated -- and fifth most racially segregated -- state in the nation. They undermine both our economic and moral standing. Even a United Nations report on racial segregation, published in 2007, cited New Jersey and RCAs as an example of state-supported segregation in our country.

The New Jersey Regional Coalition, a statewide interfaith organizing network, has been at the forefront of this issue, building a broad base of support among local officials, labor unions, business leaders and religious institutions. The New Jersey Catholic Conference, the General Baptist Convention, the Black Ministers Council and the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry have all condemned RCAs and called for their repeal.

Today, a powerful alignment of common interests support compre hensive housing reform and RCA abolition; these interests include commercial developers, construction trade unions and environmentalists. Urban mayors, once concerned about the loss of RCA funds, will see a new $20 million revenue stream to support mixed- income revitalization in urban areas. This key provision was won by Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer on behalf of the state's urban mayors. Bill A500 is a classic example of negotiation and compromise, and a powerful convergence of moral values, political considerations and the need to promote economic growth in uncertain times.

What seemed impossible three years ago is now inevitable. The moral arc of history is against segregation, and the Legislature, with the leadership of Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts Jr., Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Sen. Ray Lesniak, Senate President Richard Codey and Gov. Jon Cor zine, among others, is poised to take a courageous stand.

Yet some people continue to fight, trying to preserve the status quo.

Last week, Cranbury's town administrator testified that banning RCAs would ruin the character of that community, and that, after its 30-year building boom, it simply has no room left for housing.

Cranbury, an RCA sender, is an example of why RCAs should be banned. Cranbury today has one of the highest median incomes, lowest minority populations and most expensive housing in the state of New Jersey. Only 2.6 percent of its elementary students are low-in come, while just one Turnpike exit away, Trenton schools are nearly 65 percent poor.

From 1980 to 2006, 775 homes were built and well over 7,000 jobs created in Cranbury. At roughly the same time (1980 to 2005), only 76 affordable units were built, and seven demolished. Cranbury shipped 110 affordable housing units out of town via RCAs. Obvi ously, very few of Cranbury's new workers are able to live in the town.

When growing towns refuse to accept their fair share, it's the more diverse and built-out communities such as Hamilton, Ewing and Edison that bear the brunt. Hamilton now has 20 percent low-income students (2,469 kids), a number that is growing every year, while its jobs and tax base stay flat. RCAs not only harm cities and older suburbs, they harm all people. Low- and modest-income families are denied the chance to live in many suburban and rural communities, while at the same time, wealthier families and their children are denied the opportunity to live and grow up in a racially and economically diverse community. This is no way to prepare New Jersey's children for the realities of the global economy.

Fortunately, New Jersey is on the verge of making all this past history.

Eliminating RCAs is an impor tant step toward a more fair and rational future for New Jersey. It will strengthen our economic health and moral standing in the nation and the world. We applaud the skill and moral conviction of our elected leaders and are proud to stand with them at this historic moment of change.



The Rev. Javier A. Diaz is pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Trenton and a congregational member of the New Jersey Regional Coalition. Martin Johnson is founder and CEO of Isles Inc. and president of the board of the New Jersey Regional Coalition. The Rev. Charles J. Stephens is pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing in Titusville, and a congregational member of the New Jersey Regional Coalition.




© 2008 The Times of Trenton
© 2008 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.

[Guest]

Look, I agree that as citizens we have moral obligations to provide affordable housing. I disagree that we or any town has an legal obligation to provide affordable housing in their town. As a town and citizen we should provide affordable housing, but we should not be forced to provide it because some Reverends want it.

I worked very hard in school to get a college degree, to get a masters and to save my money. I have very good friends who coasted in HS then one went to the army and another went to a trade. They are very good people and they don't meet the affordable housing requirements. They also don't have a college education so they have to work extra hard.

Their only way of moving to Cranbury or a similar town is to save and work hard. One has skrimped and saved and is now looking for a home in town. I don't see why individuals such as these reverends feel they have this right to dictate to us that people who have not worked as hard have a right to home in Cranbury. My friend has had to forgo dinners out, driving a 15 year old car and having his kids in hand me downs so he can move here. He's had to save $150,000 for a down payment so he can afford a monthly mortgage payment.

These Reverends are what is wrong with society today in that they have an entitlement and if you disagree with them you are the bad guy. They feel that people are entitled to have a home in Cranbury simply because they want it.

What these people are also doing is comparing Cranbury to Trenton. Their comments are illogical and I doubt that they have ever seen Cranbury or have any business sense at all. Trenton is not one turnpike exit away. I also doubt the 7,000 employee number and wonder where they get it from. I wonder what they would say if they realized we would have 50% of our homes as affordable housing. They'd probably cheer.

BTW, if Isles mission is what they say it is then they would cheer the RCA and keeping solid families in the inner city because it builds a strong citizenship.

[Guest]

I thinks it's bad to be a small town that attracts wealthy residents. This is a bad for our country. This is bad for society.

[Guest]

[Guest]

The Reverend isn't the main editorial manager of our local paper so there's a big difference. And even then, the Reverend did a better job of making his argument specific to Cranbury. Even though I disagree, it is a much better written editorial than Hank whipped up.

[Guest]

[Guest]

Me too... Statistically I make more than 98% of U.S. households but I don't feel rich. On the rare occasions we eat out its at Perkins or if we're really lucky Cranbury Pizza or Macaroni Grill. I drive a 12 year American (opposite of luxury) car. We clean our own house and don't have a nanny. About 45% of my income goes to taxes and social security (which I will never see so even more goes to my 401K and kids college accounts). I am lucky to get 1 week of vacation a year with the kids and travel very economy in every respect.

We're savings not spending and spending mostly on essentials. I have to commute 1 and 3/4 hours each way to work every day, but apparently I am rich and should put even more of my money to subsidizing others who don't work 80 hours a week so they don't have to commute like me.

[Guest]

According to the government I am rich. I make 120K and my wife makes 50K, so 170K in total. We have 3 kids so that means we are paying for child care services. My wife can't quit because on a 120K we could not afford a family of 4 in a good school district. She is taxed at my rate so we owe money each year to the IRS. Yet, we have two cars the newest is a 1999 Pontiac. We did save and put 15% down on our home. However, we pay PMI and because I am "wealthy" we can't get the tax break passed last year. According to Corzine's new plan we won't have get a property tax rebate because we're "wealthy". My brother relocated to the North Carolina and kept the same New York city salary. He's living large and has a lot of breathing room for his family now. When will politicians look at the people and the areas we live? If you live in a low cost area then you benefit. If you live on the east coast you suffer.

Either you are very poor and can get great housing or you have to be very rich. Those of us in the middle are stuck paying the bill for everyone else. I'd love for my wife to stay home, but we'd have to move to Lawrence, Hightstown or Hamilton and we want our kids to have a good school system.

[edk]

We Cranbury citizens need to correct this public slurring and inaccurate information promptly. I've setup a social networking site to help co-ordinate our citizens response. The TC is working hard on the official channel, but they need our help in the public opinion arena and press. Lets get organized at:

http://www.CranburyNJ.info

[Guest]

"The Rev. Javier A. Diaz is pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Trenton and a congregational member of the New Jersey Regional Coalition. Martin Johnson is founder and CEO of Isles Inc. and president of the board of the New Jersey Regional Coalition. The Rev. Charles J. Stephens is pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing in Titusville, and a congregational member of the New Jersey Regional Coalition."

Why are thees people (church people?) picked on Cranbury? What are their motivations? What do they gain for doing such an editorial?

[Frugality In Cranbury]

[quote="
From 1980 to 2006, 775 homes were built and well over 7,000 jobs created in Cranbury. At roughly the same time (1980 to 2005), only 76 affordable units were built, and seven demolished. Cranbury shipped 110 affordable housing units out of town via RCAs. Obvi ously, very few of Cranbury's new workers are able to live in the town. [/quote]

Where did the coalition get their numbers of homes and jobs created when Cranbury Township doesn't even know. Are these number accurate or are these numbers supplied by COAH (using their fuzzy math)?

[Guest]

I believe they took the COAH numbers and multiplied it out times the businesses. I would guess one of the COAH supporters in Trenton supplied figures. Or simply they made the numbers up. Let's also not forget that the Cranbury zip code covers more than just our town and there are business with our zip that are not in Cranbury.

They also have motivation. If the regional agreements are eliminated then they get cash for their cities and more money without the burden of more people.

On a side note did anyone see the Times today where our wonderful state legislature wants to reduce the drug free school zones from 1000 to 200 feet because it is unfair to drug dealers and addicts in Trenton. Our politicians are losing their mind quite quickly.

[Jersey Dad]

[Guest]

They need to ask the parents of those kids to step up and be concerned about their kids education. The US offers the best opportunities for minorities already.

My family was poor, but my parents tried their best in offering us a good education.

[Cranbury Conservative]

So according to the editorial we are not doing are part. Well here are some numbers....



School Budget State Aid
From the Dept Of Education for NJ:

District: TRENTON CITY
County: MERCER
Total State Aid Payment 2007-2008: $219,679,974


District: CRANBURY TWP
County: MIDDLESEX
Total State Aid Payment 2007-2008: $727,735

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And where to the tax dollars that support Trenton come from????

The hard working residents of Cranbury sure do help those numbers. We do not get allot in return and as thanks we need to stop ducking our affordable housing obligation.

Let's think back in history...

Can anyone say taxation without representation?

[Guest]

I thought COAH is all about affordable housing. It seems COAH has a new goal of fixing the problems for Trenton and other similar towns.