My Conclusion...The Metuchen Downtown Alliance is about a cushy job!

The projected annual cost for the MDA executive director with a part-time assistant, office, computer, benefits, auto mileage, and an expense account for wining and dining is 50% of the $275,000 budget. $137,500—that's the ACTUAL COST of an executive director to the taxpayers of Metuchen. It will be difficult to measure the effectiveness of the executive director at attracting new customers and businesses to Metuchen; if there is no improvement or a decline in the health of downtown Metuchen—blame it on the economy. Conversely; if the economy improves or the new development currently being built revitalizes the downtown—take the credit! Woodmont Properties and Renaissance Properties are regional real estate corporations that will recruit new businesses to Metuchen to fill their newly built retail spaces. What's the point of a redundant $137,500-a-year executive director? Potential tenants will certainly look at Woodmont, Renaissance, and the traditional Metuchen downtown properties before making a decision. Who is really responsible for the vitality of Metuchen business districts? Pyramid Vitamins & Health Food Center has been doing business on Main Street for over 25 years. Mark, the owner, is extremely knowledgeable about vitamins and health food—he even use to be on a call-in radio program on that topic. People drive great distances to come to his store for the selection and his knowledge about healthy living. To name a few items, I've bought vitamins, KIND bars, and Heritage Product's castor oil there! I know how Mark draws shoppers to Metuchen—he makes healthier happen! How is the MDA executive director going to attract customers? No written plan or details have been presented by the proponents. I have asked that question to supporters of the MDA and the only answers I get are: "Give it a try," or "Take a chance." When I get answers like that, it makes me question whether the MDA is about giving someone a cushy job. Today, May 1st, 2016, the Amboy Deli, on Amboy Avenue in Metuchen, is celebrating their 25th anniversary in business! If you haven't already done so, you should go there to eat. I had a delicious breakfast there—two eggs over easy with sausage! It's a beehive; the telephone is constantly ringing, customers walk in to order takeout or sit down to eat, the spatulas are flipping at the grill, and the delivery staff is in and out picking up food—they are on Grubhub! These are the hardworking people who make Metuchen and the USA great! Steve, the owner, works long hours and has created jobs—it's a great working environment for young people to learn how small businesses operate. He has also had to "make a payroll" for 25 years of economic ups and downs. These are hardworking REAL PEOPLE, working in the REAL WORLD—not a cushy taxpayer-funded job! Happy 25th! Congratulations to Steven and his team at Amboy Deli—well done! If you believe in the Constitution, civic duty, and what this country stands for; is it too much to ask of you to spend an evening and get involved in the democratic process? The public hearing is the only "veto" power we as Metuchen residents have to STOP the proposed taxpayer-funded MDA ordinance! Attend the Monday, May 2nd, 2016, 7:30 PM, PUBLIC HEARING at Metuchen Borough Hall, 500 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ, 08840. Your VOICE is important! Nancy E Jessen - "I Love Brainy Boro"