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Politics & Government

Low Turnout at Polls Early Tuesday, Voters Favor Referendums

Most voters Patch spoke with today are in favor of referendum questions regarding sale of liquor licenses in borough, expanding usage of open space funds and legalizing sports betting.

Polling stations in New Providence have experienced low voter turnout, polling volunteers told Patch earlier today.

But residents who did show are generally in favor of the three referendum questions on the ballot, which include , the to borough businesses and

“If we got 200 people all day that would be a lot,” said Lou Luciani as he watched voters trickle in at the New Providence High School voting station. “We get three-four voters at a time.” 

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The polling station registered 28 by Noon.

Meanwhile, voters who turned out at the polls had no hesitation speaking about how they voted — particularly on two of the three referendum items.

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“I am for both the liquor licenses and open space,” said voter Angela Suske. “On liquor licenses, the town needs a place for families to go rather than continuing to go out of town. On open space, I think it's time to make some serious improvements to our fields. They voted down the purchase of Oakwood [Park to the county] last year. They are in such as state of disrepair, we need to do something.”

Virginia Yeager, a 35-year New Providence resident, was particularly in favor of the liquor licenses.

“I think we should have one good restaurant that serves liquor,” Yeager said. “I am tired of going out of town for a drink and a good meal.“

But not everyone thinks the referendum topics are on the right track.

“Where are they going to put a bar in here?” asked voter Kari Prunier, who was at the Municipal Center polling station that had just 58 voted there as of 1 p.m. “There are so many empty stores right now. We don’t need any more traffic in town. I voted yes for the open space, but I don’t want anyone else to own the property.”

Christina Fallon, who moved to New Providence recently from Brooklyn with her husband Joe, said she favored having liquor licenses in the borough “to help build up business. It’s not really about the alcohol. It would be nice to have a place to go with the family. It would be good for the town. And for open space, it would be really nice to develop some of the playground space. We often drive to other towns to have our kids play. It would be nice to have something of our own.”

Another voter, Joe Fallon, said: “Yes to open space. Great to have more parks. There are a lot of young families here. As far as the alcohol — to attract better restaurants to the area.”

Others agreed.

“Adding liquor licenses will improve the borough of New Providence,” said Marla Coleen, a 21-year resident. “You’ll have a liquor license, you’ll have controls. We don’t have any place to go in this town; I think it's so unfair. It would be a shame [if it does not pass]. I don’t know where [prohibiting licenses] stemmed from — religious reasons or whatever.”

Polling station volunteer John Browning knew the answer to that question.

Browning, who has lived in New Providence for 42 years and who served on the borough council from 1981 to 1999 when the issue arose, is still not convinced that liquor licenses are a good idea for the borough.

“When this came up back then, I did some research and found that 25% of the calls in Berkeley Heights were related to alcohol and the bars,” Browning said. "The problem is that you have to add police to accommodate it and you have a bunch of drunks in the streets.”

Browning’s opinion was in the minority. 

“I think we need a place where people can come to a nice restaurant,” said Kathleen Vezza, a 28-year resident. “I think they can control the kind of establishment and keep it up to par. I voted yes on that.”

Having liquor licenses “might improve business in New Providence,” said resident Jeff Sciavone. “I thought it might help more restaurants open. On open space, it was worded clearly, but you never know what they will do with the money. In two years, they may pave a parking lot. I think they said 'prudent use.' We’ll see.”

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