Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

The meeting continued cross-examination of township witness Dr. David Gold, Economic Geologist by Mr. Stephen Harris, attorney for Gibraltar Rock.

To summarize this session, it's safe to say that Ms. Julie Von Spreckelsen's witness Dr. Gold was shown to have produced a report riddled with mistakes and errors.  Mr. Harris had gold admit that the values listed in his salvage estimates and depreciation were in error and constituted an overstatement of his results.

Throughout the next hour, Gold admitted to more errors and overestimates. Harris questioned Gold on cost calculations and where Gold's information came from. After discussion Gold admitted that he overstated the rate of return on investment his numbers projected. It was painful to watch Gold's testimony and attorney Von Spreckelsen's inability to counter Harris's cross-examination. 

We could go into all of the painful detail, but that would be a waste of time. Needless to say, Gold wasn't much of a witness for our side.  

Getting cocky, Harris tried to get Gold to say that gold had received instructions from the township to make their case better. Fortunately, Gold (a seemingly honest fellow) was able to answer that no one in the township asked him to do anything else than his job.

Ms. Von Spreckelsen will get her opportunity to re-direct in April. But, unless she pulls a miracle out of her 'hat,' this witness will end doing more harm than good to the township's case.'

The next GR1 meeting is April 7, 2005.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (Feb 3, 2005)