Water emergency to be repaired by July 4th
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Gov. Chris Chrisite boarding a State Police helicopter on his way to address a power outage in Atlantic County after addressing the press in Monmouth County about the current water crisis. Photo by Art Gallagher
Oceanport, NJ- Governor Chris Christie implored Monmouth County residents to conserve water and to express their patriotism by not shooting off private fireworks for the duration of the water crisis caused by the major infrastructure failure at New Jersey American Water Company’s Swimming River water treatment plant. Addressing the press at the Wolf Hill Recreation area in Oceanport, Christie said “if a lot of things go perfectly” the water crisis will be over by the July 4th holiday.
Christie announced that residents of twenty two towns should boil their water before drinking or cooking. Those towns are :
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Posted: June 30th, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Chris Christie, Chris Smith, Emergency Management, Joe Irace, Joe Kyrillos, Kim Guadagno, Monmouth County, Monmouth Park, New Jersey American Water, NJAWC | Tags: Alabama, Chris Christe, Helicopter, Monmouth County, Monmouth Park Grand Stand, New Jersey American Water Company, NJAWC, Oceanport, water emergency, water pipes trucked from Alabama | 3 Comments »
Calls on taxpayers from Oceanport and neighboring communites to join the fight
“Atlantic City is now a FAILED business model”
Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace’s remarks at the borough’s reorganization meeting today:
2011 marked a year of challenges and changes to our Borough. Oceanport’s future well-being hinges upon two very important issues, the continued viability of Monmouth Park and the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth, neither of which is really within our control. If these two matters aren’t addressed properly, the consequences for Oceanport and our neighboring communities will be devastating..
The more immediate of the two issues is Monmouth Park. 2011 was a year in which uncertainty was the only certainty when it came to Monmouth Park. Was the State going to remain in control, lease or sell the park to private ownership? The decision was made to lease. Then came numerous changes, negotiations, finger-pointing, name calling and, ultimately, a muddled picture as to who is actually in charge. Just last week, the State decided to continue racing in 2012 under the control of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority and rebid the lease in 2012 for the 2013 racing season. For 2012, the current agreement, as we understand it from reading about it in the newspapers, calls for 141 racing days at an average purse of $150,000 per day. To put that number in perspective, we were racing at $1,000,000 a day in 2010 and $400,000 a day in 2011. The projected daily purse of $150,000 is the lowest for any major track in the United States. In fact, at $150,000 a day in purse money, Monmouth Park, the most beautiful and historic racetrack this side of Saratoga, can no longer be considered a major track. 2012 also calls for no stakes races and, more notably, no Haskell. The long term ramifications of this are obvious. Is Trenton determined to undermine and eliminate racing in New Jersey? It sure seems that way.
Trenton’s stated position is that the State of New Jersey can no longer “subsidize” horse racing in New Jersey. And, you know what? I ABSOLUTELY agree with Trenton on that issue. Because the fact of the matter is that the horseracing industry doesn’t have to be subsidized. It just has to be allowed to compete on equal footing with horse racing in New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. But the big thinkers in Trenton have blinders on when it comes to the realities of horse racing and gambling in today’s world. With the stroke of a pen, our elected officials in Trenton could permit “racinos” in New Jersey, but instead of allowing our state’s horse racing industry to compete with the gaming, racing and casinos that have popped up in New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, our Trenton brain trust has chosen to invest $250,000,000 of taxpayer money in a stalled Atlantic City casino development.
The Atlantic City business model is outdated. New Jersey no longer has the monopoly on gambling that it had in the 1970s. Indeed, by any reasonable financial analysis, Atlantic City is now a FAILED business model. But our elected officials in Trenton refuse to acknowledge this fact and, instead, have chosen to pour $250,000,000 of taxpayer money into a venture — that private firms won’t touch — in return for a 20% interest in the business. What is 20% of nothing? We need our elected State officials to stop investing in THEIR past and start investing in OUR future.
Monmouth Park is the Borough of Oceanport’s largest tax ratable and one of the jewels of the Jersey Shore. Monmouth Park’s continued viability should be this governing body’s NUMBER ONE priority in the year 2012. Oceanport’s citizens and the citizens of ALL of the Jersey Shore communities should make their voices heard on this issue. We aren’t asking for a handout from the State! We just want New Jersey to be able to compete on equal footing with New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. We’ve got the infrastructure, we’ve got the people, we’ve got the horses. We just need the tools. The State of New Jersey needs to adopt the Racino business model NOW!
As far as the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth is concerned, this issue will present huge challenges as we head into 2012 and well beyond. Decisions made today will have an impact – one way or another — on Oceanport for the next 25 years and beyond. When we unsuccessfully battled for local control of the 419 acres that are located in Oceanport, we were concerned over what the State would do to our small, family oriented, residential community. Today, rumors abound that our 2nd largest employer, CommVault, which ranks only behind only the embattled Monmouth Park as a source of employment, has been lured to the Tinton Falls section of the Fort Monmouth site. It is believed that this move is premised upon large tax breaks and tax credits being given to CommVault by the people who are charged with the duty of redeveloping the fort while creating jobs. This isn’t job creation, however, it is job poaching. And the Borough of Oceanport loses a business to Tinton Falls under the guise of “job development” at the fort. How can this be a good idea?
I am cynical, at best, about the State of New Jersey’s ability to create jobs at the fort, especially in view of the State’s past record in this area. That is to say, the State of New Jersey doesn’t have a history of creating jobs— other than government jobs. Stated simply, government does not have the ability to create private sector jobs and the historic and profound lack of accountability at the State level is all the more reason why the Oceanport Municipal Council fought long and hard for local control over the fort’s redevelopment. Sadly, we lost that battle. Now it is this governing body’s duty — and the duty of all members who follow us —- to make sure that we don’t lose the war. We must remain vigilant and continue to demand that we have a voice in the redevelopment process, not just a seat at the table. We cannot stand idly by as the bureaucrats and politicians try to fit square pegs into round holes in the name of “job creation” The only thing worse than doing nothing about the redevelopment of the fort is doing something badly, and that’s where I am afraid we are heading. And this isn’t just an Oceanport issue any more. A bungled fort redevelopment will have a devastating financial and social impact on Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Little Silver, Fair Haven, Rumson and Sea Bright, too. The citizens of those towns should be just as concerned as we are that the fort gets redeveloped properly and organically. If we expect to be heard, then we all have to involve ourselves in the process.
Bureaucrats and politicians have come to expect — and, indeed, thrive on — an apathetic electorate and they have no incentive to do the will of the taxpayer if they have no fear of the taxpayer’s wrath. We, as a governing body, have a duty to educate the people who elected us about what is actually happening at the fort and involve them in the process as much as possible. Those who elected us, however, have to be willing to stand up and be counted by attending and, more importantly, PARTICIPATING in meetings of the Fort Monmouth Economic Redevelopment Authority and the Oceanport Borough Council so that we can fight the good fight for our community.
In closing, we have a lot of work cut out for us. We must continue our fight to protect the Oceanport that we all know and love. All of us who live here and raise our families here know that we have a lot to lose, and we have only ourselves to blame if we let others dictate our destiny. You’ve got a governing body that has proven that it is willing to fight for our right to control our own destiny. None of us have any political aspirations beyond that of serving the people of Oceanport. Help us take the fight to the powers that be. Stand up for yourselves. Get vocal. Stay vocal. Get involved. Stay involved. We need you. We need each other. Let’s work together for a better Oceanport in 2012
Posted: January 1st, 2012 | Author: admin | Filed under: Atlantic City, Fort Monmouth, Horse Racing Industry, Joe Irace, Monmouth County, Monmouth Park, New Jersey, Oceanport | Tags: Atlantic City, CommVault, Fair Haven, Fort Monmouth, Fort Monmouth Economic Redevelopment Authority, Haskill, Joe Irace, Little Silver, Monmouth Park, Oceanport, Racino, Rumson, Sea Bright, State of New Jersey, Tinton Falls, Trenton | 4 Comments »
The Borough of Oceanport, home of Monmouth Park, 1/3 of Fort Monmouth and 6,000 residents has offered to serve as a temporary landlord and transitional vehicle of the racetrack, according to NJ.com.
In a letter to Governor Chris Christie , Mayor Michael J. Mahon offered the borough’s resources and commitment to resolve the current differences and provide a new model for sustainability for the park.
The deal to transfer Monmouth Park from state control, under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, to a private management by developer and casino investor Morris Bailey fell apart earlier this monthover a dispute between the state and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association over racing date licenses. On Monday, Christie said the horsemen had a week to come up with an acceptable proposal or risk the park’s closure.
Posted: December 15th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Chris Christie, Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park | Tags: Chris Christie, Fort Monmouth, Horse Racing Industry, Michael J. Mahon, Mike Mahon, Monmouth Park, New Jersey Horsemen's Association, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, NJSEA, Oceanport | 1 Comment »
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.
Posted: December 8th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Atlantic City, Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park | Tags: Atlantic City, Chris Christie, Jeffrey Gural, Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park, Morris Bailey, New Jersey Throughbred Horsemen's Association, Ronald Dancer, Steve Sweeney | 1 Comment »
Morris Bailey has sent the NJ Sport and Exposition Authority a letter declaring his memorandum of understanding for a five year lease agreement of Monmouth Park null and void, according to the Star Ledger.
Bailey, a real estate developer and the owner of Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, has been running the track since June 24 under the memorandum of understanding while waiting to receive the formal lease.
At issue is a $4,000,000 loan from the NJ Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association to support the track’s purses at $400,000 per day. That money has already been used. Without at formal lease, Bailey is not accepting the loan.
The Ledger quoted a spokesperson for the NJSEA as saying they considered Bailey’s letter a negotiating ploy.
Purses could be drastically reduced this fall and the 2012 racing dates could be at risk, according to the Ledger.
Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace was caught off guard by this development. “This is not good news! We were told that the Monmouth Park deal was signed, sealed and delivered.” Monmouth Park is Oceanport’s largest taxpayer.
Posted: September 6th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Monmouth Park, Oceanport | Tags: Monmouth Park, Morris Bailey, NJSEA | 1 Comment »
New Jersey Pediatric Hydrocephalus Organization to Hold Charity Event at Monmouth Park Racetrack to Raise Money & Awareness
Woodbridge, NJ – Oceanport Borough has designated Sunday, June 5th, 2011 as “Hydrocephalus Awareness Day”. That same day, the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc., which is the largest Hydrocephalus organization dedicated to raising awareness and money for children with this incurable life threatening brain condition, will host a charity fundraising event at Monmouth Park Racetrack in a trackside picnic area.
“On behalf of everyone suffering from this incurable brain condition, including my own 5 ½ year old son Cole, I want to thank Mayor Mahon and the Borough Council for passing this Proclamation, and declaring Sunday June 5th as Hydrocephalus Awareness Day in Oceanport,” stated Michael Illions, Vice President and National Director of Advocacy for the PHF.
Mayor Michael Mahon, as well as several members of the Borough Council, will be on-hand at the PHF ‘Day at the Races’ Charity event to read and present the Proclamation to the members of the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.
The event will be held on Sunday, June 5th, starting @ 12:00pm @ Monmouth Park Racetrack. For more information regarding this event, please visit the event website @ www.active.com/donate/phfdonate.
Occurring in approximately 1 of every 500 births, Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excessive fluid gathers in the brain, abnormally widening spaces in the brain and placing potentially harmful pressure on brain tissues. Because of lack of advancements in treatment, many affected individuals are left unable to lead full and productive lives. Untreated, hydrocephalus could be fatal.
Posted: May 20th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Monmouth Park, Oceanport | Tags: Hydrocephalus, Monmouth Park, Oceanport | 1 Comment »
The Monmouth Park Task Force is pleased the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has reached an agreement with developer and entrepreneur Morris Bailey for a five-year private lease to operate Monmouth Park Racetrack in the Borough of Oceanport. The NJSEA expects to turn over track operations to the private operator by June 1, 2011.
“Governor Christie’s announcement of the agreement comes with the approach of Opening Day on May 14th. Monmouth Park Racetrack is poised to return to its place as the premier location for thoroughbred horse racing. We look forward to Mr. Bailey’s plans for revitalizing the facility and capitalizing on the OTW’s. I look forward to seeing Monmouth Park under his management.” ‘ Said Mayor Michael J. Mahon, Task Force ChairmanThe Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has been hoping a lessee would step forward who would be committed to maintain Monmouth Park as a racetrack and would be willing to forge a partnership with the Thoroughbred Horsemen to bring the industry to sustainability. This is critical for the Borough as we look to preserve jobs, protect the environment, maintain open space and preserve this historic centerpiece of horse racing in Monmouth County and the Jersey Shore.” Said Mayor Michael J. Mahon
“The Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has continued to maintain the position that VLT’s, slot machines, or an all out gaming casino in the Meadowlands is the only way to protect horse racing in New Jersey. All the surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland now have some form of gaming at their race tracks.
“This uneven Playing field enables our competitors to lure New Jersey horseman out of State with larger purses and better quality horse racing.” said Task Force member and Councilman Joe Irace. “This will continue to challenge the industry as Mr. Gural takes the reins at the Meadowlands and Mr. Bailey begins operations here at Monmouth Park Racetrack. The Borough of Oceanport will continue its long standing relationship with Monmouth Park and welcomes Morris Bailey to our community.”
Posted: May 12th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park, Oceanport | Tags: Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park, Oceanport, Press Release | Comments Off on Oceanport Officials Hail Monmouth Park Deal, Reiterate Call For Gaming In Meadowlands
The Governor’s announcement today that the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority would issue, in the near future, a Request for Proposals for the lease of Monmouth Park, including assignment of additional off-track wagering operations, comes as no surprise to the Oceanport Task Force. Any operating lease must protect the Borough’s tax payment as this small community of 6,000 works diligently to overcome the approaching closure of Fort Monmouth (September 2011); reinvents local government in response to the Governor’s 2% cap law; and works cooperatively with its largest taxpayer, Monmouth Park.
We believe the Borough and the Thoroughbred Horsemen have similar goals for Monmouth Park and that both have much at risk as the transition takes shape for horse racing. Horse racing is an important and vital cog not only Oceanport’s economy and the economy of Monmouth County, but for the entire State of New Jersey. Horse racing contributes 7,000 jobs, $110 million in federal, state and local taxes, and 57,000 acres of working agricultural landscape and open space to our “Garden State”.
Equally important for Oceanport is the repayment of a $23 million dollar loan made to the NJSEA that brought NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust funds to protect Branchport Creek from further contamination, which is essential for the continued operation of the racetrack. Oceanport considers the financing an investment in our quality of life through the protection of the Shrewsbury River system that surrounds our borough.A-2926 authorizing “exchange wagering” and S-2229 to permit pooled wagers; we applaud the Governor’s signing of S-11 and await positive action to include the $15 million purse supplement in the live racing schedule with a suitable length of season. As of Feb. 25 no action had been taken on the status of Monmouth Park’s 2011 racing schedule. By law, the New Jersey Racing Commission must award 141 Thoroughbred dates. Last year Monmouth Park’s “Elite Summer Meet” raced 71 days. Purses almost tripled—about $20 million came from a now expired casino purse supplement—and total pari-mutuel handle increased $123 million for the year. This was a significant return on the investment made toward the purses.
Our own Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park has continued to maintain the position that VLT’s, slot machines, or an all-out gaming casino in the Meadowlands is the only way to protect horse racing in New Jersey. The surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland now all have some form of gaming at their race tracks. This uneven playing field enables our competitors to lure New Jersey horseman out of State with larger purses and better quality horse racing.
In addition to the enactment of
Oceanport Task Force representatives have maintained an open dialogue with the Hanson Commission, the NJSEA, the Thoroughbred Horsemen and others that will likely play a key role in preserving horseracing at Monmouth Park. Several interested operators have made introductions to the borough and will likely compete to operate the racetrack.
The Oceanport Task Force on Monmouth Park
Chair Michael J. Mahon, Mayor Co.-Chair Gerald Briscione, Former Council Member
Sen. John O. Bennett
Sen. S. Thomas Gagliano
Hon. Caroline Casagrande, Assemblywoman
Hon. Lillian Burry, Freeholder
Hon. Clem Sommers, Former Mayor & Freeholder
Hon. Joseph Irace, Council Member
Mr. Peter Geronimo, IBEW 400 Business Manager
Mr. Alfred DeSantis, Public Member
Mr. David Gruskos, Owner and Member NJTHA
Mr. Bernard Dowd, Veterinarian and Member NJTHA
Mr. Bert Lynch, Public Member
Mr. Joseph Marinaro, Public Member
Mr. James Ryerson, Trainer and Member NJTHA
Mr. Robert Kelly, Public Member
Mr. William Finley, Turf Writer
Mr. Thomas Galligan, Public Member
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Posted: February 25th, 2011 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park | Tags: Monmouth Park, Oceanport, Press Release | 2 Comments »
Requests for Proposals To Be Issued Next Week for Monmouth Park
Trenton, NJ – Governor Chris Christie today moved forward with his commitment to making horse racing in New Jersey a self-sustaining industry by signing legislation to expedite the establishment of off-track wagering facilities in New Jersey. Another step forward comes early next week, when the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority will issue a request for proposals to bring a long-term solution to Monmouth Park through private operation.
On December 17, 2010, Governor Christie announced a break-through agreement to end public subsidies of operations and purses for Standardbred racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack through the lease of that facility to the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (SBOA). Governor Christie is looking forward to similar progress with Monmouth Park and Thoroughbred racing there with the RFP for a private operator.
“We were successful in the Meadowlands, and we can do the same for Monmouth Park to the benefit of New Jersey taxpayers,” Governor Christie said. “I want to see a vibrant but self-sustaining horse racing industry in New Jersey, but that can be accomplished without tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies every year.”
Assembly Bill 1705, which Governor Christie conditionally vetoed on January 31 and the Legislature subsequently amended to include the Governor’s recommended changes, removes barriers to the establishment of OTWs by permitting persons other than racetrack operators to run OTW facilities, making OTWs a permitted use in all municipal land use zones, and increasing the accessibility to liquor licenses for OTW operators.
Despite enactment of an original OTW law nearly a decade ago, only three of the 15 facilities allowed by law were established. Governor Christie’s conditional veto was necessary to preserve the NJSEA’s ability to transfer licenses in connection with the sale or lease of the state’s racetracks. It also eliminated a 1 percent fee on OTW operators, but expressly noted that the Administration will work with the Legislature to find an alternative source of revenue for OTW host municipalities
Posted: February 25th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Chris Christie, Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park | Tags: Chris Christie, Horse Racing Industry, Monmouth Park, Press Release | Comments Off on Governor Christie Moves Horse Racing Closer to a Self-Sustaining Model with Legislation to Expedite Off Track Wagering
VLT’s, slot machines, or an all out gaming casino in the Meadowlands is the only way to protect horse racing in New Jersey
Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace delivered the following report regarding the borough’s Monmouth Park Task Force at this evenings council meeting:
On Monday January 10th our Monmouth Park Task Force met to discuss the future of Monmouth Park as it pertains to the recent Hanson Report Part 2. Our Task Force meeting was attended by a varied cross section of members including two former New Jersey State Senators, a horse veterinarian, thoroughbred owners, and concerned Oceanport residents. The meeting was very specific and our participants quite vocal and knowledgeable. Our Task Force once again maintained the position that VLT’s, slot machines, or an all out gaming casino in the Meadowlands is the only way to protect horse racing in New Jersey. All the surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland now have some form of gaming at their race tracks. This uneven playing field enables our competitors to lure New Jersey horseman out of State with larger purses and better quality horse racing.
Knowing the current legislative posture in New Jersey and knowing that gaming is not coming to the Meadowlands this year, our Task Force was once again proactive in seeking solutions to get us through 2011 and beyond. Among the suggestions were: working with Monmouth Park to seek alternative revenue streams such as a boardwalk type facility in the picnic area, upscale restaurants, concerts, retail boutiques and perhaps even a hotel. Anything to make Monmouth Park more desirable as an asset to the State, not just for horse racing, but as a destination place in the heart of the Jersey Shore.
The Task Force continues to ask for the actual financials of Monmouth Park, not of the full New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, of which Monmouth Park belongs. Are the numbers the State uses correct when they say the facility loses $6 million? We do not think so and would like to see the empirical evidence.
We continue to be concerned with the possible veto of a bipartisan bill approved in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly that would enable horse racing to not only survive, but to thrive. It is important to remember that horse racing contributes 7,000 jobs, $110 million in federal, state and local taxes, and 57,000 acres of working agricultural landscape and open space to New Jersey.
Our Governing Body and our Task Force will continue to lobby our elected officials on behalf of Monmouth Park. It is important not only to Oceanport and Monmouth County, but to the state of New Jersey as well.
Posted: January 20th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Hanson Report, Horse Racing Industry, Joe Irace, Monmouth Park | Tags: Gambling, Hanson Report 2, Joe Irace, Monmouth Park, Oceanport | 16 Comments »