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To the editor:
The behavior of Emerson’s mayor and council is reprehensible with regard to their intentions to implement eminent domain in order to proceed with their master plan to develop downtown Emerson. The very definition of a blighted property according to Wikipedia is: the state or result of being blighted or deteriorated; dilapidated; decay. Urban blight “is the process by which a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude.”
This does not describe Block 419 (the Cork and Keg, cleaners and Cinar). There are perfectly fine buildings that function, provide services to the community and livelihoods for the owners. They are no more blighted than 105 S. Fairview Ave. in Paramus, where the mayor has his law office. How could the council stray so far from basic kindness, or regard for fellow residents? How could they allow this legal bullying by the mayor?
In the Jan. 26 edition of Pascack Press Mayor Lamatina is quoted as saying “Eminent domain is a phrase people don’t like – and frankly we don’t like it as a council…” As a former Emerson resident I recall this word being used by this mayor for at least 20 years. That is frankly all he has talked about with regard to the redevelopment project. In the article he asked that residents who disagree come up with an alternative plan. I have one: build around the businesses that want to keep their properties. Incorporate them into the plan. Show some respect.
On a related note the traffic between 7:30 and 8 a.m. on Kinderkamack south backs up to Starbucks (another ugly concrete block of a building but I digress). Wasn’t the massive project downtown supposed to alleviate the congestion?
Lastly, I would like to thank Councilwoman DiPaola for her courage to hold firm against the tide. You are and have been a fierce defender of what is ethically correct and for what is best for Emerson. You are a warrior and an asset and are woefully under appreciated by the residents who vote against their own best interests time and time again.
Ellen Zouroudes
Westwood
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