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Cramer Hill Secession? Cramer Hill Photographs Taken June 23, 2006 2/4/06
Plan
will benefit Cramer Hill residents 2/2/06 Cramer
Hill association looks out for residents 1/23 The hour of reckoning for Camden's redevelopment efforts 1/24/06 Cramer Hill plan tossed 1/24/06 Redeveloper, foes disagree on impact 1/24/06 Residents remain opposed to project May 26, 2006 Cramer
Hill plan scrapped
Cramer Hill may be ideally suited to be its own town By Michael McAteer Posted 2/02/06 Re: Cramer Hill Secession The plan for Cramer Hill would be an "A plus" plan if only it had the support of enough residents. If the city succeeds in its effort, the seeds may have already been sown for friction with future new residents. Considering the historic grass roots social activism of Camden, and the depth of animosity the plan has incurred, future residents can be assured of being made to feel uncomfortably unwelcome. A court victory in Cramer Hill by the city and Cherokee will more than likely be a Pyrrhic one. Construction will take place in a hostile environment sure to cause endless and costly delays. The only plan that will succeed in Cramer Hill is one conceived, developed and supported by residents, not one from City Hall. Rather than forcing Cramer Hill residents to accept their plan, the City should take a breather and wait for a plan by residents it can accept. A Cramer Hill property owners association should solicit ideas from residents and developers. One way residents, including renters, can remain positively involved with the plan is to receive stock shares in any real estate development corporation that is formed. Cramer Hill property owners could form a stock corporation underwritten by their assembled properties. Assembled properties are worth more synergistically than what they would tally up to individually. The Assembled Premium represents a markup and profit above the "Fair Market Value" they would receive in a eminent domain strategy by the city, or parcel by parcel sale. If the stock market value reaches a certain benchmark satisfactory to property owners, a percentage of stock above that could be distributed to renters, diminishing opposition from that sector. Considering the development plans being implemented on the north and southern borders adjacent to Cramer Hill, stocks on the open market should go at high prices, assuming that the opposition of residents has ceased, and future residents and businesses are welcomed. In the meantime, Cramer Hill residents should still demand every relocation assistance benefit being offered by the city now. Current residents can achieve continuous benefits by living in new homes provided by the city, stock ownership and improved neighborhood services. The residents of Cramer Hill are sitting on a gold mine. But that gold is worthless if it is not sold to a developer. It is doubtful any developer would be interested in anything less than the whole assembled enchilada, such as the current plan with Cherokee. A parcel by parcel plan would be too tedious and consist of one obstacle after another. A parcel by parcel strategy risks accumulating a lot of but not enough properties for a development and then hitting an immovable obstacle. Cramer Hill residents should keep in mind that the state of New Jersey is near bankruptcy, and Economic Recovery Funds are quickly being depleted. If what's left of these funds is diverted to other areas of the City, Cramer Hill residents may find they may have increased their leverage only to find there is not much left to bargain for. And the city is sure to retaliate if it fails in its bid to implement renewal in Cramer Hill by putting Cramer Hill at the bottom of its priority list for renewal services and funds. Should Cramer Hill Consider Seceding From Camden? Cramer Hill is ideal for the establishment of a new town. It is the perfect size, in a league with Haddon Hts, Collingswood and Haddonfield. It is has clear, distinct borders. It has a character, identity and civic unity in conflict with the city. Small towns are easier to manage than large neighborhoods in big cities. Citizen participation rates are far greater in small towns, where people know who their representatives are, and the representatives including the mayor are their neighbors. A centrally located Town Hall for the mayor and council would be within walking distance for any Cramer Hill resident. In small towns locals are more aware and "in tune" with issues, and have greater influence on policies affecting their lives. Cramer Hill as an independent town would be able to deal directly with county and state officials, offer their own inducements to businesses and future residences. Cramer Hill is often at the mercy of local politicians who do not live in Cramer Hill. Forming an independent town will give the residents of Cramer Hill total independence and authority in planning their future. More than anything, they will have their fate in their own hands.
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