Change is Positive?

Change is positive. That was the saying on a friend’s shirt in college. Only an optimist could wear that shirt. It’s going to take a lot of optimism for me to see the positives in the changes that took place on election Tuesday.

I am very concerned about Chris Christie being elected governor. Frankly, he is a person that shares little ideologically with me. My optimistic friends point to the fact that our taxes could decrease - possibly, but at what costs? Just how many jobs can Chris Christie cut to offset his plans for homestead rebates and tax cuts amidst a deep recession? Isn’t New Jersey, like so many other states, already close to bankruptcy? And how will our economy effect things I care about most – open spaces, clean rivers, protecting our highlands? Further, six million New Jerseyians didn’t vote on Tuesday. This state’s apathy might be the biggest issue we face. I’ll keep thinking – change is positive.

If there was a positive on Tuesday night, it was that voters did “vote yes on one”. Ironically, many voters voted for Christie to control spending in the Garden State. So how does one explain voters also approving a measure that allows NJ to borrow 400 million dollars to protect open spaces, especially in our highlands? In the most densely populated state in the country, maybe a person’s right to clean open spaces trumps all other causes. I’ll be optimistic about this and hope the funds to protect open spaces truly protect our open spaces and do not go to places like the “parks” that have indoor ski areas built on wetlands. I’ll keep thinking – change is positive. (Above is a picture of our Meadowlands now - an area that desperately needs protection).

Also, best of luck to Hoboken’s new mayor. Dawn Zimmer, who has always had a platform of promoting parks in town, was re-elected on Tuesday. I hope she truly has the ability to stand up to developers, work with the city counsel, and fix our waterfront parks. There is much to be done. Again, I’ll keep thinking – change is positive.