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Ramsey
Civic Association Receives Award Certificate Text of Certificate: Our Certificate of Commendation reads as follows. It will be exhibited at all RCA Membership meetings with great pride:
Ramsey Ramblings: The recently formed Ramsey Civic Association met on April 23, at the Ramsey Public Library for its first executive board meeting. The organization's new chairman, James W. Keeney, Jr., called up vice chairman John Jordan, secretary Kathy Reid, and treasurer Joanne Brown for their comments and input regarding planning for the association and for Ramsey. Keeney also introduced the association's first year trustees: Lynn Bergin, Bev Dufton, Dennis Kerrigan, Virginia Moritz, Ellen Pfister, Sherman Price, Steve Strollo, JP Tristani, and Ann Webersinn. He reported that since the association's kickoff in January, the group has grown to 140 members. The Ramsey Civic Association is an independent, non-partisan organization, which was formed to promote and assist good government in Ramsey. The next general membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at the Ramsey Library. Anyone interested in joining or in need of more information about the association is invited to attend or can call 201-370-3217.
ASSOCIATION IS AGAINST HELIPORT To the Editor: The proposed heliport located at East Crescent Avenue and Spear Road, behind Commerce Bank on Route 17 in Ramsey, was a subject of discussion at the Ramsey Civic Association’s recent General Membership meeting. We received factual input from aviation and fire safety experts. After considering this information and membership opinion, it was unanimously agreed that we oppose this heliport. The location of the proposed heliport is surrounded by residential areas, shopping centers, office buildings and a heavily traveled major highway. Operation of this heliport will create noise, more pollution and, overall, will compromise the safety of the residents of Ramsey and surrounding communities. We urge all Ramsey residents to oppose this heliport by attending planning board and council meetings and by contacting your elected officials to voice your objections. This project can be defeated. Stand up and be counted. James W. Keeney This next article was printed in the Suburban News on June 26, 2002. Jim Keeney was contacted by G. M. Rechichi who conducted a telephone interview: ASSOCIATION SPEAKS OUT AGAINST HELIPORT The applicant, Commerce Bank, 1100 Lake Street, requested the stop last October for private, occasional use by its employees. As previously reported, Upper Saddle River’s governing body opposes the plan. The issue is now before the planning board and will be discussed further at their subsequent meeting scheduled for Aug. 6. At their last meeting, the planning board heard testimony from an acoustical engineer hired by Commerce Bank. According to RCA chairman James W. Keeney, who attended the meeting, the engineer provided testimony that the noise level for the helicopters will be well within normal guidelines. “Of course, we have a difference of opinion,” said Keeney. “Within our association we have experts in aviation working in the helicopter service industry, as well as two fire safety experts, and others with heavy aviation background who are qualified to comment on the issue. We discussed the proposed stop at our regular membership meeting at length, and we unanimously voted against it. It is a safety issue. Look at where it will be, there are occupied buildings around it at close proximity.” Keeney said several of RCA’s members had the opportunity to question the acoustical engineer, who testified for over two hours. “He was also questioned very professionally and effectively by the planning board,” said Keeney. “They did a very good job; they asked good and important questions and reviewed both his conclusions as well as his research methods.” Though in attendance, Upper Saddle River’s attorney chose to remand his questioning of the engineer until they had enough time to review the testimony. Upper Saddle River objects to the helicopter pad as its borders are 200 feet from the proposed site. Upper Saddle River Borough Administrator Mike Mariniello said he was not notified of the plan until late March, 10 days before the first hearing on the issue by Ramsey’s planning board. Mariniello said his community would fight to keep the helicopter pad out of that location both because it was close to existing rental units, and because there is another helicopter paid site available three miles away. Upper Saddle River also plans to approve a development of upscale townhouses close to the proposed site. The Ramsey Civic Association was started earlier this year as a nonpartisan community action group promoting good government. Keeney said that he and his members want to be active in local decisions, but are determined to act in a nonpartisan, non political manner. “We are not here to push anyone out of office,” said Keeney, “we just want to be involved in our community.”
The Ramsey Civic Association was recently formed to promote and support good government in the borough of Ramsey, while remaining a non-partisan organization. At all times, we strive to work cooperatively with Town officials, but will be proactive in questioning any action or process we perceive not to be in the best interests of the Town’s citizens. We are an organization of concerned citizens who care about the quality of life in their community. Our members take an active role in the community discussion on proposed and existing development plans for our town by attending the various town meetings. Currently, we are involved with the proposed Heliport to be located behind the Atrium at East Crescent, to which we are strongly opposed. We have made our voices heard through newspaper editorials and letters to the Mayor and Council specifically outlining our concerns regarding construction of this heliport. We will have a booth at Ramsey Day and welcome all Ramsey residents to stop by and hear what we’re all about. Our enthusiastic members will be there to meet and greet and answer any questions you may have and gladly receive your ideas on how to enhance our organization’s goals. I have the honor of chairing this most worthwhile association and am strongly supported by John Jordan as Vice-Chairman, Kathy Reid as Secretary, Joanne Brown as Treasurer, and Lynn Bergin, Bev Dufton, Dennis Kerrigan, Virginia Moritz, Ellen Pfister, Sherman Price, Steve Strollo, J. P. Tristani and Ann Webersinn as Trustees. We presently have over 150 members and welcome new members. Our website, which will be up and running shortly, will be very informative and include an enrollment form. In the meantime, should you wish to become a member or receive information about the Ramsey Civic Association, please either e-mail me at jim@ramseycivic.org or leave a message at 201-370-3217. James W. Keeney, Jr. |
