Letter to the Editor: Vote "No," Preserve Moorestown

To the editor:

Moorestown has a critical issue on the ballot this Nov. 8. It is the referendum question on whether Moorestown should sell liquor licenses to restaurants, hotels and to restaurants/packaged goods establishments. We all know now that PREIT only cares about itself, which is understandable. They have a board of directors. They’re in it for the profit. They do not care about Question #2. It is of no concern to them.

Why? If Question #2 is found unenforceable, which it will be, then they will end up in a bidding war with the opening bid far lower than what they “promise.” And whose pockets are deeper than PREIT’s? No, the price will be in the $500,000 range, if that; that is the actual sale price in Cherry Hill currently.

So, in effect, we are looking at the same referendum as in 2007—liquor licenses for the entire town. People think that means Main Street. The target is actually around the periphery of town: Lenola, North Church, Route 38, Centerton Square area. There is always big outside money ready to pounce on a beautiful town with licenses to spare.

Whether you are for or against this referendum is a matter of personal choice. It is not a political issue. It is not an economic development issue. It is not a "lifestyle" issue. It is a stewardship issue.

The character of this town is the sum total of the character of its residents. Towns become "best" because of the people who live in it, work in it, raise educated, law-abiding and socially conscious children in it, and who work for the betterment of the town through volunteerism. Moorestown is a great town not because of the politicians, but because of the people who live here and struggle every day for a better town and better life.

Now, as twice before in my personal experience here, we are at a crossroads. And as we ponder which path to take, we need to be mindful of this. We are stewards of the history and character of this town. It is our responsibility as citizens, in whatever way we can, to commit our energy and exercise our rights of expression thoughtfully, that contribute in ways that make the town a better place—an oasis from the urban sprawl and chain establishments that homogenize communities to the lowest common denominator.

The majority of votes will determine which path Moorestown embarks upon. It is as it should be. The people, not the politicians, should make the choice.

But we must all understand that unlike many decisions in life, an affirmative decision is permanent. If we are wrong, there is no undoing it.

To me, the economic arguments remain very weak even with the prospect of large hotels in the shadows. I have lived here 39 years, and I am retired. So I am sensitive to our ever-increasing tax bills. But I have done the math, as have others. The effect of taking this course has little to no impact on our tax bills, but it may have a huge impact to our town.

To me, the lifestyle argument is weak. No "fine dining" establishment, not even in the class of the ones PREIT promises, can front $1 million just for the privilege of serving to its customers. Much bigger, possibly more greedy interests are likely the beneficiaries. But we won't know until it's too late.

To me, the “mall-only” limitation is designed to mislead. No town in New Jersey can zone licenses in one part of town and not receive a challenge from an establishment or a developer in another part of town. It's a Constitutional Equal Protection argument. Moorestown will spend money on attorneys and lose all the cases. No part of town will be exempt: not Main Street, not Lenola, not the East End. If there is land, there will be development. You will note PREIT and its battery of lawyers has not challenged that fact, because it is the truth.

None of us really know what the plan is. We will only know in hindsight, when we can't undo the damage.

To me, this is not an issue of economics or civility or progressiveness or lifestyle. This is simply a matter of what is right and what is wrong. We live here and we are stewards of a beautiful town. We do not know whether we do good or harm with this issue. We are at a crossroads.

I shall take the path less traveled elsewhere and vote NO on November 8. I do this with thoughtful contemplation for my own conscience, for my family, for your family and for our historic and charming town.  

Be a good steward of Moorestown. Join with me and vote your conscience on November 8. Vote NO on BOTH. Be a part of preserving and protecting our town, our oasis—Moorestown.

Stanley Ralph
Moorestown