“The library and High School are grabbing for the brass ring. They have big ideas and big money wish lists. Why does the library “need” this “Reimagine” project? Why does the high school “need” a 1,000 seat Performing Art Center? I know that the developers are selling the downtown as a city with all the amenities.
The library definitely needs a new mission. I have access to books on my Kindle and research through other libraries online. I do not view the library as a community center. I believe that we have a community center in the next building. I brought my children there for Storytime. It was a fun activity but those days are long gone.
The High School does not “need” a theater, they “want” a theater. For some reason the RHS Arts parents think that it is their turn to get big money. No, it is not. There are enrichment opportunities in the school and in the surrounding community for any student who has a non academic interest.
Look at the housing market. Big houses with big tax bills are not selling. Starter houses get snapped up but the big ones linger until their price drops 40%. New buyers are not looking for the high tax fixed cost of home ownership.
Soon developers will make another push for a cement pool for their renters and buyers. We are being blinded by the needs of the developers. They are selling a product and they want us to fund the bells and whistles.”
Let’s face it. Ridgewood has transitioned to a place where residents of a certain likelihood of voting are happier. Those who are not ate free to leave and are. With lower tax assessments on houses that sell for less over time will be interesting to see how all the new purchases end up getting paid for. Answer is likely not too well, leading to new bond issues just to cover operating costs, worsening credit rating, higher taxes… in other words the typical cycle resulting from fiscal irresponsibility.