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Open Space Derailed
by Joe Renna

The Union County Freeholders envisioned that the reactivation of freight line service would, among other things, "promote redevelopment of vacant and underutilized properties that have become eyesores and improve our neighborhoods." This is all well and good but wasn't that what the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund was for?

The fund was created in November of 2000, when the voters of Union County approved an additional property tax to fund it. What the voters were saying with their approval was, "We are willing to pay, from out of our pockets, the money necessary to obtain land, curb development and create, preserve and improve open space." The residents of Union County are forking over an additional $5 million dollars a year for recreation and conservation.

Approval of this fund speaks volumes of how the voters feel towards the quality of life issues attached to the program. Voters recognized the need for what the fund was created for and the only alternative to paying the tax would be increasing ratables through development, and that would be in direct contrast to the purpose of the fund.

One would think that the "vacant and underutilized properties that have become eyesores" would be perfect objects of the open space efforts. This suggestion is strictly hypothetical because no study was ever done to even consider that conservation of the land may be a viable alternative to reactivating the rail road. This idea can not be thoroughly analyzed because there are no reports detailing what the economic or environmental impact of the rail road reactivation are.

Initiatives by the Union County Freeholders, as they pertain to economic development, run counter to those addressing open space. The County's priorities change with every press release. Their allegiance is to whomever they deliver their last campaign speech. Ultimately they answer to those who contribute to their political party.

The concept of keeping the line dormant is consistent with the vision of the open space initiative. Leaving the railroad as is achieves some of those goals and wouldn't cost anything! There is merit to this debate but, like most every decision made by the County Government, no debate exists.

Governor Whitman struggled with this issue and the democrats were ready to pounce on which ever decision she made. She recognized that, "The roads to the open spaces we save, and the infrastructure that must be put in place to support the natural resources are just as critical as the open space itself." At the same time she initiated open space programs, state agencies were busy approving projects which jeopardize open space, like highways and train lines.

I'm all for good development, but it must work within some sort of master plan. The public has no idea of the economic or environmental impact the railroad will have. There are no studies released to its cost or benefit. Maybe the revenue that the County receives from the railroad can offset the open space fund. Without the facts any speculation to either program is meaningless.

The Open Space Trust Fund has become a mockery, with the key work being Trust. The use of the funds vaguely resemble their proposed intentions. The County Freeholders claim that within the first two years of the fund they have reached 80% of their goal to acquire 100 acres of land. When the goal is met will the tax be removed? What will be done with the money collected over the next 18 years?

Funds are going to things that were once paid for by the general operating account of the County but the budgets of those departments are not being reduced. This open space tax is just an elaborate way of boosting the County coffers. This fund has been nothing more than a tax increase, in addition to the regular 10% tax increase the County imposes every year.