VoWW Interview #12 - Alok Sharma
Overview
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
We have many voices in this town, but perhaps none so vocal on our town's online forums as Alok Sharma. An ardent community member, he has been involved in myriad preservation and educational initiatives. This week, VoWW sits down with Alok to discuss historical preservation, COVID-19, and the dynamics and the past, present, and future of West Windsor.
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
We have many voices in this town, but perhaps none so vocal on our town's online forums as Alok Sharma. An ardent community member, he has been involved in myriad preservation and educational initiatives. This week, VoWW sits down with Alok to discuss historical preservation, COVID-19, and the dynamics and the past, present, and future of West Windsor.
Talking Points:
(On his involvement with the Grover Homestead Restoration Committee)
"Who would have thought that a kid born in India at a time when Thomas Grover was fighting in the fields of Vietnam shall one day be fighting to save his home? The Grover Farmstead was well maintained when the Grover family took care of the same. However, when they moved out, the building situation deteriorated over a period. A sense of ownership is always required for a building or idea to be maintained and nurtured. When the township took over ownership, the dwelling structure could have been better maintained through renting it out or promoting continuous dwelling."
(On COVID-19 and its impacts in West Windsor)
"The ability of the COVID-19 virus going undetected and spreading quickly is what makes it so lethal. At the same time, its effects on individual are very unpredictable. These facts together require us to be more cautious when it comes to this virus. There is a good amount of research put in developing the vaccine or drug against it. The impact of COVID-19 on people in West Windsor can be observed as...
(On how West Windsor can better confront other pandemics/emergencies in the future)
"Never lose focus. Understand the emergency and invest in emergency preparedness, while maintaining a fine balance. Communication is key in sending the right message. West Windsor has done a good job in providing a good communication from various sources. This has helped build confidence in the residents. Communication should be persistent and timely. This needs to be the utmost requirement and should never be given up."
(On how West Windsor can confront projected population growth)
"We are currently at 30K strength and may be we may expand to 35K in next five years. With the current housing development we would not see a explosion in growth and should not be expecting it to double itself. We must honor the property zoning and should not let the commercial zone being converted to housing – that would overwhelm the overall infrastructure. West Windsor’s infrastructure issues are related to the peak timings – School timings and commuter timings – when the roads are completely blocked. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward solution to this issue. But there are many more areas of improvements – licensing, inspections, and others wherein we need to more with less resources."
(On his involvement with the Grover Homestead Restoration Committee)
"Who would have thought that a kid born in India at a time when Thomas Grover was fighting in the fields of Vietnam shall one day be fighting to save his home? The Grover Farmstead was well maintained when the Grover family took care of the same. However, when they moved out, the building situation deteriorated over a period. A sense of ownership is always required for a building or idea to be maintained and nurtured. When the township took over ownership, the dwelling structure could have been better maintained through renting it out or promoting continuous dwelling."
(On COVID-19 and its impacts in West Windsor)
"The ability of the COVID-19 virus going undetected and spreading quickly is what makes it so lethal. At the same time, its effects on individual are very unpredictable. These facts together require us to be more cautious when it comes to this virus. There is a good amount of research put in developing the vaccine or drug against it. The impact of COVID-19 on people in West Windsor can be observed as...
- Increase in backyard developments – betterment, pools, patios and new decks.
- Increase in demand for single family homes with backyards.
- Prices in North Jersey have increased by more than 30%.
- Commercial property is losing its charm – rents are down, malls are empty.
- Property taxes will eventually be going up!"
(On how West Windsor can better confront other pandemics/emergencies in the future)
"Never lose focus. Understand the emergency and invest in emergency preparedness, while maintaining a fine balance. Communication is key in sending the right message. West Windsor has done a good job in providing a good communication from various sources. This has helped build confidence in the residents. Communication should be persistent and timely. This needs to be the utmost requirement and should never be given up."
(On how West Windsor can confront projected population growth)
"We are currently at 30K strength and may be we may expand to 35K in next five years. With the current housing development we would not see a explosion in growth and should not be expecting it to double itself. We must honor the property zoning and should not let the commercial zone being converted to housing – that would overwhelm the overall infrastructure. West Windsor’s infrastructure issues are related to the peak timings – School timings and commuter timings – when the roads are completely blocked. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward solution to this issue. But there are many more areas of improvements – licensing, inspections, and others wherein we need to more with less resources."
