============================================================ SAVE ON TRAVEL with Expedia.com. See our top travel deals for big savings on flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars and more. Only at Expedia.com. http://click.topica.com/caaacEFb1ddNBb2HgmNa/Expedia ============================================================ Subj: [Fwd: AN OPEN LETTER] Date: 07/12/2001 3:15:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This is an Open Letter to Mr. Primavera and the archaeologists at Cultural Resource Consulting Group who might study the Black Creek site: Two weeks ago, I sent a letter to you saying that many residents and I were not pleased that your firm was willing to dig holes in the Black Creek site. Not surprisingly, Vernon Township officials and their attorney twisted my intention and misconstrued my letter to you. My letter was neither threatening nor intimidating; yet, Vernon Township Council Attorney Joseph Ragno thought nothing of wasting Vernon taxpayers'money by writing a letter to the Superior Court Judge ruling on the Black Creek site to ask him to silence me, a private citizen, and asked him to strip me of my First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech. However, I was informing you in that letter that many supporters of the Black Creek site's preservation are not happy that your firm agreed to conduct a Phase 1B study when no other firm would. Since I wrote that letter, time has passed and circumstances may have changed. Since then, I have also communicated with dozens of archaeologists in this state, and in others, and all of that communication only affirms my belief--and hope--that there should be no further digging on this National Register eligible site, as was recommended by Mike Gregg of the State Historic Preservation Office (this was reported to the Vernon Township Council by Meredith Robson at the June 25 public meeting). These archaeologists have stated (and put in writing) their professional opinions that a Phase 1B at this time would: a) be a "disservice," b) be "unethical," and c) "do positive injury to the site." I am prepared to make these communications available, should the need and time arise. It is for these reasons that I implore your firm to be discouraged from digging this site and conducting the Phase 1B study. Certainly if you do not want to rely on the findings of Mr. Rick Patterson, you have respect for your professional and credentialed collegues in the field, including Mr. Vincent Bourgeois and Mr. Richard Affleck, whose firms, Grubb & Associates and the Louis Berger Group, have already studied the Black Creek site and concluded that it is significant and eligible for the National and State Register of Historic Places--a position also taken by SHPO and put in writing to the Vernon Township Manager. We now understand that your proposal may only involve the delineation of the boundaries of the Black Creek site (Ms. Robson made this public at the July 9 Vernon Township Council meeting, and it has been reported in the newspapers). We also understand that there is no proposal by your firm for the study of this site, as the proposal the council approved on June 25, for which it awarded your firm a so-called "contract," is, in fact, outdated and not applicable since the site is now deemed eligible for the National Register. We hope that this is true, since it would fall in line with the professional opinion of so many of your colleagues. We, who believe in the preservation and the INTACT integrity of this magnificent cultural resource that we are so fortunate to have in Vernon Township, are not what SOME Vernon Township officials characterize us to be. We are not "obstructionists," nor are we a "vocal minority" or the more deplorable, slanderous, and racial characterizations the mayor and his supporters have attempted to attach to our reputations. We are peaceful, respectable, and civil individuals who have a deep and abiding concern and respect for native cultures of this country. We are educated, and we are knowledgeable. We are insightful, and we are compassionate--compassionate about the injustices that have been perpetuated on Native American cultures and continue to be perpetuated to this day by uncaring individuals such as some on the Vernon Township Council. Some of our supporters are natives; others are of a variety of cultures.All of us, however, share the common cause and deep-burning passion for the preservation of the historical roots of this country and its first people. Together, we will continue to persevere until this site is preserved for all of humanity. We will not give up. We will not be divided, as the Vernon Township Council has attempted time and again by their misstatements. As Tecumseh said, "If we stand as a fist, we will survive and progress. If we stand as a hand, with fingers spread out, they will break us off one by one and we will cease to exist." We will not surrender, as did Chief Joseph when the government broke treaty after treaty with the native people and he was forced to say, "I will fight no more forever." (Broke treaty after treaty--sounds like the Vernon Township Council with the Black Creek site!) Where in all of New Jersey has one found so rich a site as the Black Creek Village, where native cultures from the Early Archaic Period to the Late Woodland era have trod, have lived, and have left their legacy from modern man? Hundreds of archaeologists, historians, and people of all cultures across the fruited plains have rallied in our corner, applauded our efforts, disseminated the news, and have crowned thy good of the Black Creek site from sea to shining sea. Please join our effort. Join your professional colleagues who refused to compromise the Black Creek site by saying "No" to the Phase 1B. Since I wrote my first letter to you, I have also learned from these same professionals that Dr. Ann Dowd, Charles Bello, and Gregory Lattanzi are fine and competent professionals. Please prove them right by refusing to dig up the National Register-eligible site of the Black Creek. Sincerely, Jessica S. Paladini ============================================================ Want to save a fortune? It's fast, easy, and fun with outrageous deals from TopOffers. http://click.topica.com/caaacgJb1ddNBb2HgmNf/TopOffers ============================================================ Visit and show your support for the Grass Roots Oyate http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate Clemency for Leonard Peltier. 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