you must have missed the point..... my references to gloman was to make aware to all that as individuals we have recourse in court..... against the city as well as individuals..... its my belief that many have been agrived by the commission and the historic officer.... to that end i pointed out the current court action, as it is available to us as individuals or even as a group...... i would hope individuals as well as groups would stand up for their rights............ warren curtin

Just to respond to Mr. Parkhur, and to clarify some issues. One the only color dan weriden would sign for was brown. It was with great protest that he acquiesced to all me to paint my home the dark green because it was a previously approved color selection for my varick street and with protest he allowed it on my Hamilton park home. There was no offer of a color selection as dan explained it the color choice was based on his interpretation of the original intent of the designer??. That is a quote??. So at the time I went for my certificate there was no choice, understand as this has become an issue there is much more latitide in color selection. At the meeting with the councilman Steve Guccarido proposed to go back to that method to dictate to a home owner the color of their homes??.

In regard to the railings no choice was offered, and that is the case with many in the community we were at the time and as the ordinance is written forced to restore at great expense, time and research?..

In regard to property values, I have sold real estate since 1988 in the downtown section of Jersey City?.. the histroric ordinance as written and implemented I feel has impeded the down town real estate. Note Hoboken has long preceded Jersey City in restoration and real estate values without such an ordinance. In addition the last two transactions I did in the Historic District adversely effected the deal. So I would give no credit to the ordinance, and only credit to the market forces.

The ordinance needs to be changed.

Warren curtin

This is the first time I came across this thread. I wish I did sooner. A copy of my letter along with the current ordinance and the proposed changes I will send to anyone interested. My e-mail address is wacurtin@aol.com?. In answer to some of the questions the community presidents of all the associations basically turned any changes down, and gave very little or no reason for their position except they represented it was their communities position. Van Vorst Park Association President Bill Donohue, Harsimus Cove President Valerio Luccio and Paulus Hook President Gerry Bakarty killed the proposed changes. Bill Donohoe claimed that a vote by Van Vorst Park Association rejected the attached changes. The three presidents were in full agreement that we are either not responsible enough or do not have sufficiently good taste and we need to be told every detail of the care, preservation and detailing of our homes. If you have done any renovations to your home you will understand how horrific the process is. The three presidents were in full support of Steve Gucciarrdo the Chairman of the Historic Commission. The problem with our ordinance it requires restoration not just preservation, and as Steve Gucciardo said last year at the Hamilton Park Association meeting cost is never a consideration in preservation. My railings to restore will run between 30 and 38K with three quotes. To restore the existing fence and add railings of the period it will run 7,500-. That is the difference. We are in a historic preservation district not a historic restoration. The changes as proposed will bring our ordinance in to line with the standards of the secretary of the interiors recommendations as well as the most prominent historic districts in the country. The manwho did the proposal for us, prepares such ordinances on a consulting basis for local governments, he has review the current ordinance and has made the appropriate recommendations. Before a position is taken a careful review of the current ordinance and the proposed changes should be done. In addition discuss the issue with neighbors that have had to go through the process.

I can be reached by e-mail at wacurtin@aol.com and would look forward to discussing the issue with anyone and forwarding to those interested the proposed changes.

Warren Curtin

This is the first time I came across this thread. I wish I did sooner. A copy of my letter along with the current ordinance and the proposed changes I will send to anyone interested. My e-mail address is wacurtin@aol.com?. In answer to some of the questions the community presidents of all the associations basically turned any changes down, and gave very little or no reason for their position except they represented it was their communities position. Van Vorst Park Association President Bill Donohue, Harsimus Cove President Valerio Luccio and Paulus Hook President Gerry Bakarty killed the proposed changes. Bill Donohoe claimed that a vote by Van Vorst Park Association rejected the attached changes. The three presidents were in full agreement that we are either not responsible enough or do not have sufficiently good taste and we need to be told every detail of the care, preservation and detailing of our homes. If you have done any renovations to your home you will understand how horrific the process is. The three presidents were in full support of Steve Gucciarrdo the Chairman of the Historic Commission. The problem with our ordinance it requires restoration not just preservation, and as Steve Gucciardo said last year at the Hamilton Park Association meeting cost is never a consideration in preservation. My railings to restore will run between 30 and 38K with three quotes. To restore the existing fence and add railings of the period it will run 7,500-. That is the difference. We are in a historic preservation district not a historic restoration. The changes as proposed will bring our ordinance in to line with the standards of the secretary of the interiors recommendations as well as the most prominent historic districts in the country. Tom Gibbons who prepares such ordinances on a consulting basis for local governments has review the current ordinance and has made the appropriate recommendations. Before a position is taken a careful review of the current ordinance and the proposed changes should be done. In addition discuss the issue with neighbors that have had to go through the process.

I can be reached by e-mail at wacurtin@aol.com and would look forward to discussing the issue with anyone and forwarding to those interested the proposed changes.

Warren Curtin

Now just over a year with this thread expressing so many individual experiences with the Historic Ordinance, changes have been proposed by the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association. The Van Vorst Park Association President Bill Donohue, Harsimus Cove President Valerio Luccio and Paulus Hook President Gerry Bakarty or Association turned them down, and represented that this is the communities position. The current ordinance is fine was their position in a meeting with Councilman Folup. With all that has been cited on this thread, I question that. It is extremely important that community members make their positions clear to the community as they carry such weight with Councilman Folup. It is also important to let Councilman Folup know your position and share some of your experiences in the application of the current ordinance. Councilman Fulops e-mail address is fulops@jcnj.org The changes that are being proposed I am to e-mail to anyone interested. My e-mail address is wacurtin@aol.com.. In addition Hamilton Park Association has this topic on its agenda for their January 4th meeting and I would encourage anyone interested to attend it is an open meeting. The meeting will be held at the Cordora School that is located on Eire Street between 9th and Pavonia . There is also a law suite pending against the city and individuals of the city government in regard to property rights, its worth reviewing the site is http://newgoldequitiesjerseycity.net. As I feel that the application of the ordinance has infringed on individuals rights.

For those of us who have had unpleasant experiences with the historic commission and the historic officer the best way to effect change is through our neighborhood associations?? many of us in Hamilton Park have done so. We have had a meeting of the member ship to discuss the subject. Then invited Bob Cotter the Historic Officers boss from the city and Steve Gucciardo the chairman of the historic commission to speak and listen to our concerns at the next meting. We were able to express our concerns and I feel the city is getting the message. Please do not sit this one out, sharing your experiences and expressing your opinion at this time is very important if we are to resolve the role of the historic commission and the position of the historic officer. The most effect way to accomplish change in the community is through your neighborhood associations. I would be glad to share my experiences with our association, just e-mail and if you wish to chat give me your name and a number to phone you???.

I continue to gather letters and appreciated those who have contributed. My e-mail address is wacurtin@aol.com and I look forward to hearing from any one who wishes to share??

Warren Curtin??.

PS it gives creditability to what you say if you put your name on especially if you are slamming an individual