Once again Susan Chin and the stop the mall group embarassed themselves. Ms Chin thinks she can run the meeting and speak whenever she wants. The group also accused planning board member Ellen Stein of being biased because she has stated in the past that she does not oppose the Crossroads. and they asked to have her removed from the decision. Last time I looked Chuck Jandris has stated that he is against the development but they did not ask to have him removed. You cant have it both ways. The Planning Board is made up of Professionals who have the task of doing what is best for the township and I am confident that they will do so. If anyone was rude, it was Susan Chin who needs to learn how to be professional.

I am questioning the role of the Township Engineer and Planner in this case. I understand that the property owner has had an economic impact study and traffic study done and how that can be swayed toward the benefit of the property owner but has the Engineer or Planner reviewed these studies? Do they feel that these reports are not accurate? Typically a review of a report is quicker and less expensive. If our town engineer and planner reviewed these reports and felt that they were not correct, would this be reported to the correct state officials as I'm sure that the property owner hired licensed professionals. I would imagine that there are standards they would have to comply to.

Also, the Planning Board asked for an Environmental Study on the property. Have they asked the property owner to provide one? If the Crossroads property has a mortgage on it, I would think that whichever Bank financed the property also had a full Phase I Environmental report completed. If the Crossroads owners could provide such a report which would have been ordered and prepared for a legitimate 3rd party as compared to the property owner, this would also save a lot of time.

Whatever happens, Mahwah cannot become the next Paramus. Those poor people can barely leave their homes in December without experiencing the endless traffic nightmares (excluding Sundays, of course).

I believe the townships lawyer was late to the meeting last night because he was stuck in traffic on route 17.

Jaworski is going to be re-submitting the application for "minor adjustments." What a joke!!!! Susan Chin made a very good point....Who is to say the changes being made to the application are not significant enough to change it into a separate application?????

Hey Ralph, I was not at the meeting but thanks to the Stop Mahwah Mall Group the meeting was recorded and available for all Mahwah residents to listen at stopmahwahmall.com. I listened to the part THAT YOU SAID Susan Chin had no class. Get your head out of the sand, I agree with everything she said, the planning board wanted to end the meeting, she had every right to demand to be listened to, last time I checked this is America. Ralph in the future please keep your foolish comments to yourself when speaking about someone who truly cares what happens to Mahwah.

Ralph, the person you should be saying has no class is DaPuzzo, he is the reason for the whole mall mess to begin with. Funny you think the mall issue was a part of the reason he was not elected Mayor, and thank god for that, the last thing Mahwah needed was DaPuzzo being on the planning board or Mayor.

I agree you 100% Mahwah Resident, the town lawyer is a joke.

Ralph, I have to agree with Mahwah Resident, the planning board was acting like children, upset because they were not told the meeting was going to be recorded. Give me a break, I wish they were so passionate about the mall issue back in March, and did something about convincing the Town Council the mall was not a good idea. To have 5 minutes of going back and forth about the recording, as I was listening to that part as I listened to the recording of planning board meeting I told my wife you can’t make this up, WHO THE HELL CARES IF IT IS BEING RECORDED. Just deal with it or get off the planning board. The town should be able to view what goes on at this meeting. At the end they vote to have it recorded and they all agreed, again what a joke..

Ralph, I read in your first comment that Susan Chin and the Stop Mahwah Mall Group embarrassed themselves. If anything is Embarrassing Ralph, it is your comments listed here. The funny thing Ralph is a small group took it upon themselves and made it so everyone in Mahwah could vote on a mall, which by the way most of the residents of Mahwah were unaware of the mall prior to the Stop Mahwah Mall Group forming. And thanks to the Stop Mahwah Mall Group, for allowing Mahwah residents to vote showed Mahwah does not want a mall. So Ralph, say what you want about Susan Chin and the other members of the Stop Mahwah Mall Group, they have more class then you will ever have. It is easy to complain and sit back and do nothing Ralph, it is another to do something which the Stop Mahwah Mall Group has.

charlie this is where we disagree
48/52 means no one has a monopoly on the "truth"
as a mall supporter
I believe "stop the mall" is the reason for the mess

Ralph, you are right no one has a monopoly, 52% of registered voters that voted stated no mall that is the reason for a vote. I understand you are for the mall and I respect that, that was the reason for the vote in the first place that the Stop Mahwah Mall Group fought so hard to get.

But as far as the mess is concerned, if DaPuzzo and 4 councilmen had allowed Mahwah residents to vote as was asked 3 times to allow and each time were told no there would be no mess. DaPuzzo and the 4 councilmen are the real problem, if only they had listened to the people March 31st all the problems Mahwah is facing with the mall issue could have been avoided all together. But we are where we are now and we will have to just wait and see how the Judge rules with the developer rushing in the application. It is up to the legal system now.

Sorry Ralph, the above comment was ment for Hank.

JP, we will just have to wait and see what the judge says.

JP, I think it is time for you to stand down and start your comedy show, because I think everything you are saying is hilarious,

You keep saying 14% of the voters want to crush the plans, so that is the 52% of Mahwah residents that do not want the mall. The Mahwah voters have spoken; Mahwah does not want a mall. Had the vote came back that Mahwah voters wanted the mall, well a vote is a vote and it would have been over, not crying like you JP. JP, do Mahwah a favor and move to Paramus or any other town that has a mall, lets leave Mahwah Mahwah and fight this to the end that is what we have a legal system for, until then I want to thank Susan Chin and everyone involved in the Stop Mahwah Mall Group for the fantastic job of informing Mahwah residents of the mall and getting a vote on the mall which proved Mahwah does not want a mall. Mahwah residents and I thank you for everything the Susan Chin and the Stop Mahwah Mall Group has done for Mahwah, we appreciate all your time and hard work to Stop The Mall.

Susan Chin, I would like to personally thank you for speaking at the planning board meeting and being the voice for the Mahwah residents, I heard the recording on stopmahwahmall.com where they did not allow the public to speak and that did not stop you, again thank you for loving Mahwah as much as you do, we need more Mahwah residents like you, not like JP that does nothing but has a lot to say

Charlie,

Thanks for being so concerned about the mall that you didn'tt even show up to the planning board meeting yourself to witness what happened. So you heard on the audio tape what happened and that makes you an authority to comment on what actually happened. The reason why I said she had no class is because she thinks she can speak out whenever she wants. An agenda was passed out and on it it said that there would be one section for the public to speak. Unlike the council meetings, where there are two portions for the public to speak, the planning board meetings has only one. Ms, Chin continues to disrupt the proceedings by standing up and jumping from seat to seat to talk to everyone during the meetings and quite frankly she is a disruption. Then she gets up again to move her audio tape to various parts of the room to get her recording. There are other people who are in the room that would like to hear and see what is happening an she has become a distraction. Not knocking what she and the group are trying to accomplish but her methods are downright unprofessional. If you want me to tell you other things that she and the group has done during meeting then bring it on Charlie.

Ralph, I agree with Michael Richards and Susan Chin, we need someone who has no interest one way or the other, not someone who is for the mall, take her off I agree 100% and I heard that on the audio. I also was sick as a dog and that is why I was not at the meeting, otherwise I would have been at the meeting in person cheering Susan Chin on as she spoke. Susan Chin had question at the end, freedom of speech my Friend, not only do I agree 100% with Susan Chin for speaking, had I been there my self I would been right by the mic with her, who the hell is the planning board to not let the public speak their mind on the town we are all paying taxes for. I for one do not want the mall and have no problem this being tied up in courts for years if need be. If I wanted to live near a mall I could of lived in Paramus, if I want to go to a mall it is only a ten-minute ride, see problem solved. I am very proud of Susan Chin for recording the meetings, this way there is no here say, we can hear exactly what was said and by who, so in the event a person can’t attend the meeting, you can still hear what happened.

I am very proud of the Stop Mahwah Mall Group and Susan Chin as she is looking out for Mahwah and is not the least bit concerned about what people like you think as she is looking out for what is best for Mahwah. If not for the group as you call them, there would have been no vote to allow Mahwah residents on a choice on weather they wanted a mall or not, and the vote showed Mahwah residents that voted did not want a mall and I applaud Susan Chin and the Stop Mahwah Mall Group for allowing myself and every registered Mahwah voter a choice on the matter. Ralph go ahead and tell me other things Susan Chin and The Group has done, BRING IT ON AS YOU SAY, it is very entertaining to me how sore everyone is the Mahwah does not want a mall, go ahead Ralph bring it on as you say.

Hank, the real deal is not what you want, but what Mahwah wants, and Mahwah residents have spoken, no mall. The referendum as you state, if not for the Stop Mahwah Mall Group their would have been no vote, thanks to the Stop Mahwah Mall Group there was a vote and it showed no mall for Mahwah. Hank you have a choice, live in Mahwah and drive to Paramus or any other town that as a mall, or move to a TOWN THAT ALREADY HAS A MALL, their Hank, problem solved. It amazes me to no end how everyone is so upset that wanted the mall, that they will continue to cry about it over and over just because more Mahwah registered voters that voted did not want the mall. Lets all sit back, take a deep breath and see what the judge says about the developer rushing in the application. The mall issue is in the legal system now, lets let the legal system do it job, no matter how long or how much it costs to prevent the mall from being built, Mahwah has spoken, Mahwah does not want a mall.

but charlie
it was a non binding referendum
no one has to sit back because they"lost"
THERE'S NO "LOST"
it just shows that my opinion on the mall has just about as much weight as your opinion
So you think Ms Chin has Mahwah's interest at heart
and I disagree 100%I think she has the "stop the malls" best interest
My opinion is a mall with jobs would be the best thing for Mahwah
and you guys are stopping progress
You do not have a monopoly on the truth!
I

Susan Chin we love you and thank you for all your hard work you have done for Mahwah!!!

Hank, you have your right to your opinion just like I do and the Mahwah Residents. The Mahwah residents voiced their opinion on how they felt about the mall, and it came back Mahwah does not want a mall. I understand you want a mall Hank, but it is not what you or I want, it is what Mahwah wants, and Mahwah has stated it does not want a mall, why is this so hard for everyone for the mall to understand this. I do not want a mall, but if the vote came back Mahwah wanted a mall, you would not hear a word from me because that is the whole point of a vote. If the new Mayor won by 2 votes, would anybody be questioning this of course not, so why are we questioning this. If Mahwah does not want a mall “a non binding referendum or not” then it is up to the town council and the new Mayor to carry out Mahwah’s wishes and ensure everything is done to prevent the mall from being built.

You have to remember one thing Hank, DaPuzzo could of very well won being Mayor, if he had not pulled the stunt he pulled on March 31st pushing the mall through. Hopefully the new Mayor learns something from this as the meeting are being recorded and the township is being watched very closely. If the new Mayor wants to be Mayor again in a year, I am sure he will do the right thing by Mahwah, as Mahwah voted the new Mayor for office. Hank you also have the right to disagree, about Susan Chin and her interests, she does not want a mall and is very passionate about this, I don’t see a problem with being passionate about something. Hank are you looking for a job in the mall when it is built, and if so will you be able to live in Mahwah on what a job in the mall is going to pay. I know I can’t so let’s not kid our selves about well paying jobs in a mall. You are going to get kids to hang out and work at the mall Hank stop being silly about mall Jobs. I keep saying this over and over, a judge is looking at weather the developer rushed in the application to beat the clock, it is in the legal system where this mall matter belongs. Lets just sit back and wait for the judge to make the ruling on this matter and we will take it from there.

Thank you Mahwah Resident, I try to be respectful to everyone on the patch.

JP, as I said earlier, when are you going to start your comedy show, because everything you say is hilarious, you should take this act on the road.

Yes JP, I understand it was non binding, don’t be fooled JP, it means something. The only fact you have stated which is correct is almost half, not half, almost half wanted the mall. So what that tells me and you just confirmed is more then half of the voters that voted did not want the mall, you are correct. We can’t really include the Mahwah voters that did not vote as they had a chance to vote and choose not to vote, so that tells me what they think does not matter so they really have nothing to say on the matter if they did not vote, they can’t complain about the new Mayor or weather the mall is not built or built so lets not talk about the Mahwah voters that did not vote, as I said when you taking this show on the road.

Also JP, you know a Judge is looking at weather the developer rushed in the application, you are aware of this right or is this the first you are hearing of it. You may of also heard there are two law suits against Mahwah for the mall, have you heard about this JP or no. So the “non binding vote you keep referring to means more then you think, it showed Mahwah does not want a mall, a judge is looking at the developers actions and Mahwah has 2 law suits, so I think JP we all should just wait and see what the judge says.

JP, what I find very amusing is your uncertainty in what you are saying, no juice, the massive vote, Mahwah does not want a mall so you are just going to either have to deal with that fact or move to a town that has a mall. I can tell and it shows in everything you write that in your wildest dreams you never thought the vote would come back NO MALL, that is all the juice that is needed JP. Funny, if the vote came back that Mahwah wanted a mall, I would just accept it and not throw out, it was close, it is non binding, so JP it really bothers you that Mahwah does not want a mall. Is the ride to Paramus to go shopping really that bad, it is only 10 minutes, now that being said, lets wait and see what the judge says.

JP, lets leave it at this shall we, I believe everything that needed to be said was said, any further actions are going to be based on what the judge says, the mall issue is in legal action now where the mall issue belongs.

JP, and I see you adding so much more information, this mall issue has been talked to death, what I find amusing is all of you that want the mall won't stop crying about it, I just enjoy rubbing salt in the wound, the vote came back no mall and all of you that wanted the mall can't deal with that fact.

Hey Charlie, I just picked up on what Mahwah Resident said about all the "scum" coming into town. This was the main reason it was opposed, wasn't it? It wasn't traffic, it wasn't flooding, it's all about the "scum" to you guys. Admit it. I've been trying to get someone to admit that here online and it finally happened.

JP, I am not sure waht you are talking about, but I do not want to deal with traffic, are you saying traffic is scum? JP, get some sleep, your going off the deep end, get some sleep I beleive you need to get some rest, the mall issue has you all stressed out.

JP, I did not know you were handicapped, if that is the case how were you planning to get to the Mahwah Mall? How do you go to the stores now? Did you just move to Mahwah, or have you lived here for a few years? I guess what I am getting at is how ever you have gotten to the stores in aera, and I am sure you have gone shopping outside Mahwah, if not then how ever you were planning to get the Mahwah mall, before it was voted down, you can go to other stores as well. I am not making light of you being handicapped, I am just saying you have been getting around in the past and I am sure you have found a way to get the things you need.

Please, do not patronize me with your snarky remarks. I've lived here since 1978, I have no trouble getting around, and it has nothing to do with me personally. The town, the state, and this country needs this mall for the economy and cash flow. Period. I can't wait to spend my money there.

JP, you are a real piece of work, is this not what you wrote, ”rhe 10 minute ride is a couple hours when you are handicapped Charlie. I see you didn't pick up on that a few months ago” I was just commenting on how you were able to get around town to this point. JP, this has nothing to do with the mall, you are just a bitter person and is looking for something to complain about, there I figured it out, makes sense now.

So JP, the town, the state and the country needs this mall, Listen I would not too quick to pull your wallet out, because this may very well be in the legal system for a good long while, I believe this mall should be fought to the end, regardless of how much it costs, the mall has to be stopped at all costs, this is what Mahwah wants, not what you or I want JP.. What is really something if you have lived in Mahwah since 1978 I would think you out of anyone would want to keep Mahwah Mahwah, JP why don’t you help the state & country out by shopping in the malls at Paramus, the country needs you JP.

Hank, I hope you are right about the traffic study, because if the study is wrong and the mall is built for some unlikely reason, then you can sit in traffic smiling knowing some kid in high school has extra money in his pocket. I personally don’t want to sit in traffic, I guess you have not seen rt 17 north on Friday night or holidays, the traffic is backed up on all the side roads, but how could a mall bring more traffic to an area, you all that want the mall have your heads in the clouds. Talk to the residents in Paramus about traffic, I am sure they can tell you how wonderful it is living in their area.

JP, how could that not make sense. If I wanted to go to a mall, which I have not been to a mall since I was a kid, because that is the majority that is going to be at a mall, I would drive to Paramus on this very once in a while occasion and deal with the traffic for a day. Not to deal with traffic on regular basis due to a Mall being where I live in Mahwah, does that clear it up a bit, or are you still in a fog JP. I can’t see what the problem with driving to Paramus is anyway, it is only 10 minutes away, why in the world would you want to bring Paramus problems to Mahwah, that truly makes no sense at all.

What I would suggest at this point to Garden Commercial (the parent company of the Crossroads Development company) is that now that the vote is over and done with, if the Stop Mahwah Mall group continues to interfere in trying to influence the local planning department by suggesting that certain planning board members step down simply because they have a different viewpoint then theirs, that a lawsuit be filed immediately against them. They have absolutely no say in preventing a PRIVATE property transaction from moving forward. They may not like the project, but they have no legal right at all to prevent negotiations from happening. They need to be prevented from interfering and let the normal process do it's job whether the project gets built or not. We've heard what they have to say (ad nauseum), now it should be solely in the hands of the officials to decide.

JP, I could not agree more with your last sentence in your comment about letting the judge decide weather the developer rushed in the application then the town can take action to prevent the mall being built, finally JP, you made some sense and you and I can finally agree on something, I have been saying all along to let the judge decide.

JP, now about the traffic, say what you like JP, I have no problem what so ever for anyone that wants to go to Paramus and sit in traffic because they want to go to a mall, but I have a REAL problem about going to say shoprite that should take no more then 5 minutes to get to and have to deal with traffic due to a mall being in Mahwah, As far as imaginary traffic, if it is imaginary I guess the malls in Paramus don't create traffic, is that what you are saying JP. JP, did you get sleep last night because I think your mind has gone to mush and you are not thinking right. Remember JP, no matter how you cut it, the vote showed everyone in Mahwah one thing, more PEOPLE don't want a mall then do, please just execpt this and go on with your life.

That's not going to happen Charlie. Just as there are some in town so adamant about not letting a private construction project go forward, there are some in town that are just as adamant about not letting the detractors get their way. There is much more at stake here then just the personal, unrealistic fears of 2900 people in town. Much more.

One other thing... a message to the council and planning board (I know they scan these posts). Do not give in to pressure from these detractors. You have at least half the voting people in this town supporting you in putting up this mall. keep up the good work, and help make this a new showplace for us, the citizens of Mahwah and the surrounding area. A place we will ALL be proud of. Thank you.

JP, like I said it is in the judge’s hands now, we will all have to wait and see how the judge feels about the developer rushing in the application to beat the clock. Based on how the judge rules will decide the direction of fighting the mall will go. JP, you really have to deal with the fact that more Mahwah residents don’t want the mall then do, it is in the legal system now where it belongs. The only good thing about the mall is now the public is more focused on the Mayor and Council more then ever so they are not going to have free rein as in the past, with the Mayor and Council being watched can only lead to a better town for Mahwah.

I hope other towns have watched what is happening and becomes more involved in their towns to avoid things that can destroy a town to happen. This mall has been a very good learning experience for all of us, and to now get involved in what happens at the meetings and not to keep our eyes closed and believe the Mayor and Council has the best intentions for our town. This mall proved that and as you can see DuPuzzo is out of the picture due to the mall. Trust me the last thing DuPuzzo wanted during his time running for Mayor was the mall, that is why he tried so hard not to have a vote on it, the town was not suppose to know about the mall, well you how that worked out for DaPuzzo. I kept saying right along, what kind of an idiot would push a project that will change the landscape of Mahwah and then try to hide it and to top it all off the same year he wants to be elected for mayor. Guess the Mayor did not think the town would come together as they did and a small group inform the town what is going on and force the town to have a vote on the matter. The new Mayor has a very short time in the Mayors seat, based on his actions and public watching, lets see how bad he wants to keep it.

Nice warning to the council and planning board, but as I said it is in the judges hands now, lets all just keep Mahwah Mahwah, that is why we moved here and not Paramus or any other town that has malls.

JP, the real question is how many vehicles go through Paramus per day? Then take away the Malls and how many vehicles go through Paramus? Based on that will tell you the increase going through Mahwah. I am very curious myself to see what the outcome of the traffic study will be, who knows JP, it may be more, what do you think about that?

I am sorry JP, the above comment about the traffic was meant for Hank.

By the way hank, I am flattered that you think it is my group. Why do you think it is my group, it is really a group protecting Mahwah and our way of life and we all should be thanking the Stop Mahwah Mall Group for their hard work in making sure Mahwah stays Mahwah, the reason we all moved to Mahwah and not Paramus. But thank you for the complement Hank.

no problem, but don't worry, the traffic study will show "Mahwah will still be Mahwah" and you can find another cause to protect us.

deargodthatsalotofbitching