Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth, Mercer) provided the following travel information from the New Jersey State Department of Transportation regarding the situation on Route 18 in Monmouth County due to Sunday’s storm:
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation is mobilizing all available resources and will work continuously to clear Routes 18, 34 and 35. To obtain status reports or find out if a road is open or closed, call 511 or go to www.511nj.org for real time information about the storm cleanup efforts.
“I urge everyone to call the above number or access the above website to determine the safest travel route for Wednesday morning’s commute.”
Posted: December 28th, 2010 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Jennifer Beck | Tags: Jennifer Beck, Press Release | 4 Comments »
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (December 23, 2010) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and the consortium of lenders that own the debt on Meadowlands Xanadu (“Lender Group”), announced today that Triple Five, owner of Mall of America, has signed a letter of intent with the Lender Group, subject to final documentation, to revitalize the Meadowlands complex. The developer plans to transform the existing space into a premier tourism, entertainment and retail destination for New Jersey residents and tourists alike.
“I promised the people of Bergen County and the State of New Jersey that action would be taken to revitalize the complex at the Meadowlands and today I am delivering on that promise,” stated Governor Chris Christie. “This administration fully supports the progress being made and will be a true partner at every step in transforming the Meadowlands from a financial and economic drain into a vibrant destination so that New Jerseyans can begin to reap the benefits of the job creation and much-needed tax revenues this project will provide.”
“We’re glad to have Triple Five’s long-term investment in New Jersey and I am confident that the developers who created the most visited mall in the world, due to their vision and innovation, will transform the Meadowlands into New Jersey’s very own Mall of America,” concluded Governor Christie.
The announcement is the result of a more than four-month long review and negotiation process following the Lender Group’s action in August to take control of the previously stalled complex and expedite its revitalization.
Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment, said “Solving this problem was a priority for the Governor, which is why we worked expeditiously to find a development group at the top of their game. We’re moving ahead with a defined, realistic plan to turn the complex at the Meadowlands into a real economic engine.”
In 2011, the new developer will publicly unveil the company’s specific plans for the project.
“Today’s announcement follows an intensive and thorough process to select a developer that has the track record and expertise necessary to maximize the value of this development for all stakeholders,” stated Michael Beckerman, spokesperson for the Lender Group. “This decision is a significant step forward in the realization of this project as a world-class entertainment and retail facility, and the Lender Group looks forward to finalizing a transaction with Triple Five and working with them to deliver on the original promise of the development as a premier visitor destination and significant economic catalyst for New Jersey.”
The complex’s opening is expected to generate thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in sales and payroll taxes for New Jersey, as well as significant revenue for municipalities in Bergen County through the PILOT program.
Triple Five is the owner of Mall of America in Minnesota and West Edmonton Mall in Canada, which attract a total of more than 60 million visitors annually, 50 percent of which travel more than 150 miles to visit the destinations.
“Building on the proven success of West Edmonton Mall and Mall of America, we are confident that Triple Five will transform the Meadowlands project into a world-class tourist destination. We have monitored the project since its inception and are uniquely positioned to complete the project and operate it successfully,” stated Paul Ghermezian, Senior Vice President of Triple Five. “A successful entertainment destination will attract millions of locals and tourists to the area, create jobs and generate substantial tax revenues. In addition, this project will become a source of local pride.”
“We applaud Governor Christie for his leadership and dedication to ensuring New Jersey’s taxpayers and constituents realize the full benefit of this exciting project,” Ghermezian concluded.
Triple Five owns and operates most of the non-retail venues in its shopping centers, including amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, miniature golf courses, hockey rinks, cinemas, concert event centre, specialty restaurants, live dinner theatres, hotels and more.
A trademark of Triple Five is effectively partnering with local, regional and federal governments to develop projects that meet the needs of the entire region. Working with leaders in Canada and the United States, the organization has helped to strengthen communities by contributing to the growth of other businesses.
The Meadowlands project is a five-story retail and entertainment complex under construction in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Lender Group is being advised by Moelis & Company as financial advisor, as well as Sills Cummis & Gross and Weil Gotshal & Manges, LLP as legal counsel.
Posted: December 23rd, 2010 | Author: artg | Filed under: Press Release | Tags: Press Release | 3 Comments »
The Legislators from Monmouth County would like to see further discussions take place before the latest recommendations on horseracing from the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Gaming, Sports and Entertainment are implemented.
Among the recommendations are calls for all racing that currently takes place at the Meadowlands Racetrack to be moved to Monmouth Park, the sale of Monmouth Park to a private entity, and drastically decreasing the number of live racing days for both standard- and thoroughbred tracks, below the current legal minimum.
The decrease of racing days, especially in the face of a lack of additional purse dollars, is a source of contention with this proposal, because racetracks earn their revenue through their live racing days. By cutting the number of days by 2/3 for both breeds, it limits the opportunity for the tracks to earn money.
“There is no disagreement that horseracing in New Jersey is in need of serious change at this time,” said Senator Jennifer Beck (District 12), “but what Mr. Hanson has recommended jeopardizes the future of the entire sport in the State. There is no feasible way that all of the racing that is currently taking place at the Meadowlands can be moved to Monmouth Park by 2011. The infrastructure does not exist at Monmouth Park to house harness racing, since it is, and always has been a thoroughbred park. Also, New Jersey State Law regulates the number of racing days at each of the racetracks, and any action to reduce the number of racing days will have to be done through legislative action. As far as I am concerned, after speaking with a number of experts in this area, the reduction called for in the report will severely damage the viability of maintaining any racing in the Garden State.”
“Horseracing in New Jersey was a sustainable, and even profitable, industry, right up until 2007 when competition began appearing on our borders,” said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (District 12). “It can be sustainable again, if given the opportunity. The recommendations from Mr. Hanson’s panel do not afford this opportunity. By forcing a sudden and drastic change, instead of one that takes into consideration, not only the logistics of preparing a thoroughbred track for an entirely different kind of racing, but the implications a change of this sort will have on the rest of the equine and equine-related industries in New Jersey, the report is inherently flawed. Further discussion and negotiations are needed.”
“The report is correct in saying that ‘the horseracing industry is at a crossroads, and didn’t arrive there overnight,’” said Assemblyman O’Scanlon (District 12). “Likewise, the solution to the challenges facing the racing industry can also not be expected to take place overnight. Expecting the significant changes that the Commission’s report calls for to take place in 2011 is unrealistic. The problems facing the horseracing industry are going to take a more measured approach to resolve.”
The Commission states its purpose as “to propose an economically sustainable model for the horseracing industry, without state subsidies,” and “to propose a plan that preserves the possibility of live standardbred and thoroughbred racing in the State.” The Monmouth County Legislators are not convinced that the plan that has been presented will accomplish either of these objectives and will continue to reach out to the Governor with alternatives.
“The recommendations of the addendum to the Hanson Report,” said Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (District 30), “will require legislative approval, and it is very important that the legislature be partners in the process to ensure that we preserve and enhance the horseracing industry, thus protecting jobs and open space. Unfortunately, the report fails to meet its own goal of preserving the racing industry. I look forward to working with the administration to draft legislation that will meet that goal by providing a sustainable business model for one of New Jersey’s most important job creating and open space preserving industries.”
“I am absolutely disgusted with the supplemental Hanson Report,” said Assemblyman Joseph Malone (District 30). “It totally disrespects the horseracing industry in New Jersey. It turns its back on thousands of working men and women in the State, and we need to do better.”
“I agree with the stated conclusion of the Hanson report that ‘the status quo is simply unsustainable’,” said Assemblyman Samuel Thompson (District 13). “There are some recommendations within the report that I agree with. Others I find very troublesome. I do feel we must take actions that will both preserve the horseracing industry in New Jersey and simultaneously reduce the drain on the states’ taxpayers. The proposals submitted require further work and modification to achieve these twin objectives.”
“Before the Hanson report proposals are enacted, we need to have a debate on how it will impact thoroughbred and harness racing—including looking at job loss and the negative economic repercussions,” said Senator Sean T. Kean (District 11). “Part of this debate should include opportunities for interested parties to weigh in on the proposals. In addition, during these deliberations we have to be mindful of how the horse racing industry preserves open space in Monmouth County and statewide. I am confident that the Christie Administration will work to find sustainable options for the horse racing industry in New Jersey.”
“The entire issue needs more examination before any rush to judgment occurs,” said Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (District 13).
Posted: November 16th, 2010 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Press Release | Tags: Press Release | 5 Comments »
New Jersey – The Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-CJ) is pleased to announce the program for their November Dinner Meeting and Networking, to be held on November 17, 6:00 p.m. at the Crown Palace, Marlboro, NJ. Annette Nathan, Senior Partner with Mark Kamin and Associates, Inc. will speak on the topic “Women and Wealth; Our time for Global Leadership.”
Ms. Nathan has been delivering training and development for over twenty-five years. She specializes in teamwork, communication and leadership training, and she has developed a new “wealth education” for working women, women business owners and family owned businesses. Many of clients employ her as an executive coach at the highest levels of their organization. Her engagements have ranged across a wide spectrum of businesses, communities and organizations.
Annette’s methodology focuses on cultural transformation within the institution. Using a refined and reliable methodology, Annette works with her clients to undergo a process that has the clients themselves invent new futures that are inspiring and challenging. The power of these new futures is expressed in the culture of the institution not as feelings or words alone but as action and aligned intent.
Ms. Nathan’s personal style is direct, challenging and compassionate. She is both an acute listener and a penetrating analyst of business culture. Her balance of humor and rigor enables clients to tackle and transform the most challenging aspects of their organization.
She leads a highly innovative time management and productivity workshop that “Human Resource Executive Magazine” awarded “Top Training Program of the Year” in 2003. Working inside a general framework Ms. Nathan customizes the delivery of her consulting products for the individual needs of particular clients.
Annette has traveled the world and delivered her consulting to leaders in business, education and government specifically in the countries of China, Honduras and Nigeria. She has worked with non-profit organizations committed to human development including inner-city youth, a relief organization rebuilding preschools destroyed in Bosnia and the tribal leadership of a Native American community in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Annette has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations engaged in international relief work affecting children.
Annette graduated with honors in Asian History from Duke University in 1978. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey with her husband and three children.
Registration for this event is requested by November 15. The cost to attend is $38 for members and $43 for non-members, and $5 additional will be charged for walk-ins. Visit our website at www.nawbocentraljersey to register.
The mission of the Central Jersey Chapter of NAWBO is to educate and enable women business owners to reach their full potential, to strengthen the wealth of our members, to build strategic alliances, to provide access to NAWBO’s resources for greater visibility and profitability, and to influence public policy. For more information about NAWBO Central Jersey, visit the chapter’s website at www.nawbocentraljersey.org.
Posted: November 12th, 2010 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Press Release | Tags: Annette Nathan, NAWBO, Press Release | Comments Off on National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Central Jersey Chapter Announces Program for November Dinner Meeting and Networking Event
Two bills sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) that would help New Jersey’s horseracing industry were unanimously passed today by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
“Horseracing is a vibrant, vital component of New Jersey life and culture,” Beck stated. “The horse racing industry provides thousands of jobs, contributes over one billion dollars a year to our state’s economy and keeps about one-fifth of the state’s total acreage in agriculture. The two bills passed today address the long-term future of the horse racing industry by encouraging it to expand and move forward.”
The first bill (S-829) would allow New Jersey to be the first state in the country to offer “exchange wagering” on the results of horse races. Exchange wagering is a form of wagering in which two or more persons place directly opposing wagers on the outcome of a horse race or races.
The second bill (S-1980) amends New Jersey’s “Off-Track and Account Wagering Act,” to facilitate the establishment of off-track wagering facilities in the State. Currently, only three of the State’s 15 off-track wagering licenses are being used.
“Being a leader in different gaming options and offering additional off-track wagering facilities are two viable solutions that would increase revenue to support New Jersey’s racing industry,” Beck continued. “I am confident horseracing can thrive in New Jersey and continue to be a staple of our tourism industry.”
Beck has been a strong voice in the Legislature for the horseracing industry. The Senator has put forth a number of proposals to grow the sport and hosted a bipartisan Equine Symposium in September. In July, a bill sponsored by Senator Beck was signed into law that decreased the number of annual race dates at both the Meadowlands Racetrack and Freehold Raceway, thus increasing the amount that can be offered in their purses.
Posted: November 8th, 2010 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Horse Racing Industry, Jennifer Beck, Press Release | Tags: Horse Racing Industry, Jennifer Beck, Press Release | Comments Off on Beck Applauds Passage of Off-Track and Exchange Wagering Bills
