July 26
...serving up your daily dish.
We got caught in it yesterday around 5:30 and as a result our teenage diva was late for a rehearsal. An irate reader writes us about it today. It's the intersection of Grove and Watchung, former home of the Marlboro Inn, and roadwork (an entrance into the new development maybe?) is causing massive detours and delays in the area for the second day.
Why no story on the second day of Grove St. being blocked at Watchung by Plofker's crew? It's the second day of Decamp buses down Ridgewood Ave, and who knows how long the construction will continue?
July 26, 2005 in Intersections We Hate | Permalink
Yeah, I passed this and saw it taped off. So much for "minor delays and disruption."
Posted by: Miss Martta | Jul 26, 2005 2:05:05 PM
Yeah, I saw Plofker out there yesterday purposely redirecting traffic--just getting his kicks seeing everyone in town cursing his name.
Someone stop him and end the construction in this town forever!!
Posted by: grme | Jul 26, 2005 2:43:49 PM
He'd better get out of the road before Latebloomer drives by, or he'll have Toyota Prius treadmarks up his chest...
Posted by: walleroo | Jul 26, 2005 2:51:34 PM
I think they should hang his likeness up in somelocal bar's dartboard.
Posted by: Miss Martta | Jul 26, 2005 2:53:29 PM
He's probably already formed a company to market them, along with Plofker punching bags.
Posted by: walleroo | Jul 26, 2005 3:06:45 PM
While I do wish that the Marlboro Inn structure could have remained, or at the very least, the land wouldn't be overcrowded with more over-priced townhouses, I really don't understand the petty comments directed towards the developer.
Whether we like the end result or not, our fellow townsman apparently jumped thru all the necessary hoops and has weathered many unkind and mean-spirited personal attacks. Really folks, let's keep to the issues & learn how to avoid future unwanted development in a productive way. Otherwise it's just flacid whining.
Posted by: jlipton | Jul 26, 2005 3:07:30 PM
yesterday i hit this beast at around 8:40 am and, believe it or not, it cost me about 15 minutes. today i knew better. anyone know how long this is supposed to continue?
Posted by: RadioAgony | Jul 26, 2005 3:19:10 PM
My whining is NOT flaccid! I've spent years honing my skills in the art of fine whining. Harumpf!
Posted by: Miss Martta | Jul 26, 2005 3:21:05 PM
Awwww. Poor Steve. And after he's done so much for the town.
Posted by: walleroo | Jul 26, 2005 3:21:23 PM
Yeah, I can see if this was a guy who managed a soup kitchen or rescued puppies and kitties at an animal shelter. He's not exactly St. Francis.
Posted by: Miss Martta | Jul 26, 2005 3:27:11 PM
I heard from a fairly reliable source that Mr. Plofker sold the whole project to another developer. Dunno if that's true...
Posted by: mediaguy | Jul 26, 2005 3:28:00 PM
Oh, that would be rich, mediaguy. Plofker would have waltzed in, given the product his own "value added"--ie, pulled the strings to make it happen, taken the public flack for it, etc--and then sold it at a tidy profit without getting his hands dirty (only his name). Although it's hard to imagine this could've happened without any publicity, I really do want to believe it, I do, I do, I do...
Posted by: walleroo | Jul 26, 2005 3:37:57 PM
I have to defend Steve Plofker because I know he makes important contributions to the community in which he lives. It is not as if he represents some outside monolith which comes to montclair to rape it of its resources. The Plofker/Browns live in town, contribute to many of the institutions in town, and generally give back. So even though Steve makes a good straw man, I think we need to be a little fairer when we have the urge to knock him down. Sorry if I sounds preachy...
Posted by: Rick | Jul 26, 2005 5:54:14 PM
I live on Watchung Avenue. It took me 6 minutes to get out of my driveway this morning.
Posted by: late | Jul 26, 2005 7:07:06 PM
Cats: http://www.gagreport.com/bizarrenews%20-%20video%20-%20pinky.htm
Dogs:
http://www.jokefrog.com/flash/dont-touch-my-bone.shtml
Posted by: Pam | Jul 26, 2005 8:21:50 PM
My comment earlier was made with sarcasm...I absolutely encourage growth, change and development. (I make my living on it.) I always see room for improvement--and will patiently wait for "traffic" in my Toyota Prius...wasting no gas.
Furthermore, I think Plofker is a nice guy, besides being a smart and successful businessman.
Posted by: grme | Jul 26, 2005 10:10:04 PM
Growth and change are not always for the best.
And "niceness" is a relative concept.
Posted by: latebloomer | Jul 26, 2005 11:23:34 PM
"It is not as if he represents some outside monolith which comes to montclair to rape it of its resources."
I always prefer to be raped by people I know. Particularly if he's a "nice guy".
"I absolutely encourage growth, change and development. (I make my living on it.)"
We all do. That's why we love to hate Plofker!
"I always see room for improvement--and will patiently wait for 'traffic' in my Toyota Prius...wasting no gas."
I like a person who can embrace contradiction.
Posted by: walleroo | Jul 27, 2005 12:24:39 AM
W: Now I understand. It's too much fun hating Plofker. Ever try baseball-maybe golf?
Posted by: Rick | Jul 27, 2005 7:03:15 AM
Other people have done wonderful things for the township, too, albeit behind the scenes. I don't see their names in the paper ad nauseum. Also, I'm getting tired of the term "power couple," a menaingless term that can mean a lot of things to many people. After all, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley were a type of power couple, were they not? What about Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo?
Posted by: Miss Martta | Jul 27, 2005 9:03:53 AM
Not to make myself out to be queen Whiny McWhinerson but I am growing increasingly frustrated with the cars making a left from Watchung onto Ridgewood. The light turns green for those of us on Ridgewood and there are always 2-3 cars that plow right on through the red light. It drives me INSANE.
Posted by: delicious dish | Jul 27, 2005 9:28:43 AM
