The Reality of Self-Serving Fear Mongering

I recently read Tim Donohue’s letter on the history of COAH. The title led me to believe he was countering Sam Kelly’s letter on the reality of affordable housing but he got a little off topic.
Kelly was generous by stating that Township Committee must not have understood the housing issue when they misled people on the occupancy particulars. What is there to not understand? Donohue facilitated the developer’s application for Low Income Housing Credits. It stands to reason that low income housing would have to be provided. Although the COAH regulations are still bouncing around in the courts, the mandates for affordable housing developments are clear. Donohue might want read them instead of blaming past administrations for what he facilitated. He might want to read them because they fly in the face of what he has said over and over.
If Donohue ever had any misunderstanding about affordable housing, he sure got a crash course when a developer came into funding for Patsy’s Way. He didn’t tell those upset residents they were self-serving and fear mongering. He didn’t accuse them as people who paint those less fortunate than most as undesirable. In fact, when he discovered who three of the single family homes would be marketed to, he stated to this very newspaper “I vehemently oppose it and will do everything within my legal powers to see that this property is never developed for this inappropriate use.”
If Cape May County lacks the kind of infrastructure found in many other counties to meet the needs of higher risk consumers proposed for three homes on Patsy’s Way, how can he possibly justify his role in a high density project of 160 units marketed to the same or a similar population of occupants by Conifer? And he gave Conifer PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes). Donohue is quick to tell you that the township is only responsible for 26 percent of your tax bill yet PILOT from these projects will not fund the other 74 pilot. If the county lacks what is proposed for three single family homes that would pay the normal tax rate, how can it handle 160 units on PILOT? And what about the schools? That’s 53 percent of the tax bill.
Donohue said he is no fan of mandated requirements for affordable housing. He also said that over $800,000 from the trust fund to Conifer was amended so that the funds will be paid back to the township, over time. This is partially true. According to our spending plan, $981,000 from the trust fund was allocated/loaned to Conifer. However, it won’t be paid back over time. It will be paid back, interest free, in 30 years. Also, according to our solicitor, it doesn’t go to the township either. It must go back into the affordable housing trust fund. So, Donohue is not a fan but these funds get to be used again in 30 years for more affordable housing he could be vehemently opposed to. Does that make any sense?
Many people have tried to speak to this at township meetings only to be demeaned and told they were wrong. Now that the project is being marketed and the Rio Grande residents have discovered what was known long ago, you want to blame Sam Kelly? He is a self-serving fear monger? It’s your story and I guess you’re stuck with it.