This land should belong to the public. We need to come up with an alternative plan and give fair hearing to these options. We need help in asking the city council for a moratorium in order that we may have the time to do so. Our present community and beyond will be thankful if we save this landmark for Paterson and posterity. The Whitman Administration is considering options that may range from a simple service-sharing agreement to folding all three departments into the NJ Dept. of Transportation.
Latter course makes sense.
For one, it could help eliminate the perverse incentive toll road agencies have to increase roadway use and thus maximize toll revenues. This would also permit more optimal use of existing highway resources. A simple example is the Turnpike's variable message sign system, which now rarely conveys useful information. I-295, a parallel road managed by NJ DOT, was nearly empty. Other benefits would be some cost savings and a reduction in patronage positions by elimination of toll agency boards of directors.