Monmouth Park is in jeopardy of closing due to a dispute over the licensing of thoroughbred races at the Meadowlands, according to a report in The Star Ledger.
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Associated successfully negotiated for the rights to the Meadowlands races on June 21. Now the investor slated to take over the Meadowlands track, Jeffrey Gural, wants the rights back because he didn’t realize he was giving up proceeds of off-track wagering on the races. Evidently, the Christie administration is siding with Gural and is refusing to issue the license to the horsemen.
The Meadowlands license impacts Monmouth Park because races licensed for the Meadowlands are frequently transferred to Monmouth.
As a result of the dispute, Morris Baily, the investor slated to take over Monmouth Park from the state, says he wants out of the deal, according to the Ledger.
The parties would have a lot more money to fight over, while keeping the tracks open, if slots were permitted at the racetracks, as they are in a growing number of tracks throughout the region.
Assemblyman Ronald Dancer has introduced two pieces of legislation that would permit slots at racetracks.
A-4294 directs the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), in consultation with the New Jersey Racing Commission, to implement and oversee slot machine gambling operations at horse racing venues.
ACR-209 is a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that gives the Legislature the authority to establish slot machine gambling at racetracks. If approved by voters, the specific restrictions and control of operations of slot machines, as well as the use of the State’s share of revenues derived from the machines, would be provided by law.
“Both proposals represent an incentive for the major stakeholders in this issue – the casino and horse racing industries – to come together and work out a fair and mutually beneficial agreement. Allowing slot machines at racetracks will generate revenues that will help both industries,” said Dancer. “One industry’s success does not have to be at the expense of the other. Permitting slot machines at racing venues will preserve and enhance both.
“One unique aspect of these bills is that the DGE will consult with the Racing Commission in overseeing the operation of slot machines, without the involvement of the New Jersey Lottery Commission which exists currently,” explained Dancer. “As a result, the proceeds from expanding slots at the racetracks would not be diluted to another commission, but distributed to the industries for which they are intended.
I am open to either approach in deciding this issue. We can allow the voters to determine if amending New Jersey’s Constitution is appropriate or work through the legislative process,” commented Dancer. “The casino and horse racing industries are important parts of our state’s economy. I am confident we can reach a reasonable solution as to how we can capitalize on the market potential slot machines at racetracks will produce.”
Dancer pointed out the benefits New Jersey’s horse racing industry provides to the state, including jobs, tax revenue and preserving open space. According to the Rutgers Equine Center, horse racing employs over 7,000 workers and contributes nearly $800 million to the state’s economy. Further, 34,000 acres of the state’s 176,000 farmland acres are attributable to the horse racing industry.
Unfortunately, Dancer’s legislation has little chance of becoming law, as Governor Chris Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney are opposed to allowing slots in New Jersey anywhere outside of Atlantic City.
Fox Business is reporting that Jon Corzine with not invoke his fifth amendment rights against self incrimination when he testifies before the House Agriculture Committee this morning.
The former U.S. Senator and former New Jersey Governor was chairman of MF Global until his resignation last month following the firm’s bankruptcy filing. $1.2 billion is customers’ funds are missing.
Fox reports that Corzine will read a 21 page statement to the House committee which will include an apology and a denial that he knows where the $1.2 million went.
~ Lewis Eisenberg referring to State Senator Joe Kyrillos
While introducing keynote speaker Governor Chris Christie to the Republican Jewish Coalition Presidential Candidates Forum this morning, Lewis Eisenberg, the group’s chairman, gave a shout out to State Senator Joe Kyrillos as “the next senator from the state of New Jersey,” according to Herb Jackson at northjersey.com.
While in Washington with Christie, Kyrillos told The Hill,
“I am looking at it really closely,” Kyrillos said Wednesday in a brief interview with The Hill. “I feel a strong calling.”
Kyrillos does not have endorsements from Eisenberg or Christie, for past work, past runs for office, or for U.S. Senate, listed on his website.
The Monmouth County area Tea Parties are coming together to in order to make their presence felt in the upcoming county committee election to replace Assemblyman-elect Rob Clifton on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
Bob Gordon, co-founder of the Bayshore Tea Party Group, says that between the groups there are 25 county committee members eligible to vote on January 14th when the county committee convenes to elect Clifton’s successor. They are potentially a significant voting block.
The Tea Parties extended invitations this afternoon to each of the declared candidates to speak at the January 10th meeting. Following the candidates presentations and a Q and A, a secret ballot will be taken. The winner of the groups’ endorsement will be announced upon the tabulation of the ballots.
Howell Mayor Bob Walsh and Manalapan Deputy Mayor Ryan Green have accepted. Holmdel Deputy Mayor Serena DiMaso is juggling a scheduling conflict. Atlantic Highlands Councilman Peter Doyle has yet to respond, according to Barbara Gonzalez, the another co-founder of BTPG.
The 1,000,000th page load on MMM occurred at 3:19:59 PM.
Fittingly, the 1,000,000th hit was from a regular reader, a Comcast subsciber with a Philadelphia IP address and hundreds of recorded visits. The hit was on the Milestone post.
There was confetti, balloons and fireworks at MMM world headquarters.
The lucky reader wins a lifetime subscription to MMM and an opportunity to meet presidential candidate Buddy Roemer on Saturday afternoon at the Bayshore Tea Party Group’s office in Middletown.
Rick Perry trails the president by 53%-35%, Michele Bachman tails by 57% to 30%.
The nationwide poll of 855 registered voters says that 70% of voters say the United States is on the wrong track. 46% of the respondents disapprove of Obama’s performance. 45% approve.
Sometime this afternoon MMM will have registered it’s 1,000,000th page load from over 665,000 visitors since we started keeping track on December 31, 2006. This is a combination of the old site, moremonmouthmusings.blogspot.com and this domain. Statistics weren’t kept in 2006 because I didn’t know how and I didn’t imagine that my writing would attract a following.
34% of this traffic has arrived on this domain since September of 2010 when we moved here. 70% of MMM’s visitors are repeat users and spend more than two minutes on the site per visit.
Thank you for making MMM part of your routine. Thank you to the many commenters and contributors who make the site as informative and entertaining as it is.
Performance is One of Dozens Organized by the Non-Profit Organization this Holiday Season
Trenton, NJ – Highlighting the importance of volunteerism during the Christie Administration’s statewide “Season of Service,” Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today visited the Hawkswood School in Eatontown to participate in its annual Christmas program for special needs children and young adults. The event was part of the 19th season of giving organized by Holiday Express, a Monmouth County-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
“Over 1.5 million residents of New Jersey volunteer their time and energy to a range of important causes and charitable organizations annually, and these efforts take on heightened meaning during the holiday season,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “The state is fortunate to have so many fine non-profit organizations like Holiday Express that offer opportunities for civic-minded people to make a positive impact in their communities at this hopeful and joyous time of year.”
The Hawkswood School, formerly the School for Children, is a leading provider of high-quality educational services for children and young people, ages 3 to 21, with autism and other complex disabilities. Since its opening in 1976, its services have helped support and enrich the lives of over 3,000 students. As part of its 19th season of charitable programming, it is one of 55 unique events Holiday Express has scheduled across the area between November 15 and December 24.
“Lt. Governor Guadagno has been a long-time volunteer and supporter of Holiday Express,” said founder Tim McLoone. “It’s no surprise that she found time to volunteer today and give back to those in need.”
Founded in 1993, Holiday Express is comprised of more than 1,600 volunteers and professional musicians whose mission it is to offer music, food, gifts, financial support, and friendship to those less fortunate, during the holiday season and throughout the year. Their “interactive, free private parties” come complete with a rock n’ roll band, costumed characters, parodies, and of course a visit from Santa. Holiday Express visits the homeless and elderly, those with life-threatening illnesses, children and adults with mental or physical disabilities, and countless others in need across the tri-state area. For its work, Holiday Express appeared on a segment of the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams titled “Making a Difference.”
“As events of this year clearly demonstrated, the work of our volunteers is more important than ever,” added Lt. Governor Guadagno. “Moreover, these needs are ongoing and require attention 365 days a year across a wide range of areas. Thanks to the continued spirit of our civic-minded residents and organizations like Holiday Express, I’m confident that New Jerseyans will continue to answer the call to service in 2012 and beyond.”
Through the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, residents can find volunteer opportunities, as well as recognize individuals and groups that enhance New Jersey’s communities through service, by visiting volunteerism.nj.gov.
Roemer served in Congress from 1981 through 1988 as a conservative Democrat who often supported President Reagan’s agenda. He served as the governor of Louisiana from 1988-1992 as both a Democrat and a Republican.
A Harvard MBA, Roemer bills himself as the only candidate with executive, legislative and private sector experience.
BTPG co-founder Barbara Gonzalez said Roemer’s visit does not imply the group’s support of his candidacy. “We received a phone call from Roemer’s office stating that he would like to make our group his first stop while touring New Jersey, we polled our members and there is sufficient interest in meeting him. We’ve also heard interest from people outside of our group expressed.”
The Bayshore Tea Party Group’s office is at 275 Highway 35, Red Bank (Middletown Twp), NJ 07701
