Dear Candidate,

   We urge you, as a candidate for Governor, to make a commitment that if elected you'll do the right and popular action of preserving Liberty State Park's future as a great free park next to Miss Liberty by terminating the state's relationship with the Liberty State Park Development Corporation.

    At the heart of the 18-year grassroots crusade to establish Liberty State Park and of the 25 year history of the park has been the overwhelming public consensus for a free and green non-commercialized, non-privatized park next to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

    People care deeply about this spectacular New Jersey jewel and want this urban waterfront open space to be a free people's park - without a FOR SALE sign. The vast majority have spoken out passionately in six major fights against commercialization and privatization. The Development Corporation's commercializing mission contradicts the park's true public purposes and New Jerseyans' clear desire for a non-commercial, open-space park.

    The Development Corporation's last two destructive plans for a golf course and a traffic jam-producing waterpark were opposed by thousands of individuals, as well as by 40 local, regional, and statewide non-profit organizations. Yet, the Development Corporation is still pushing, along with the country's largest concert promoter, a previously defeated, outrageous commercial amphitheater plan.

    This public-be-damned Development Corporation, an unnecessary and arrogant private corporation, was contracted - without a public hearing or bidding process - by the NJDEP in 1984 to commercialize/privatize parts of the park and be the middleman between NJ and private developers (supposedly to generate funds). This public-private partnership premise was totally flawed, because of the broad public consensus against admission-fee facilities in this urban state park, a green oasis next to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island.

    As The Bergen Record editorial, "A Great Green Space at Statue's Door" stated (6/14/01), "Over the past quarter-century those who love the park have fought all sorts of crass and cockamamie schemes - from turning the heart of the park into a theme park or a golf course, to building a commercial water park along its fringe."

    The Development Corporation's sub-leased private yacht marina never held public hearings but has paved over 10 acres of grass for parking lots. The Development Corp. is also an unnecessary and costly middleman manager of the two privatized parking lots in the park. People have always wanted the park to be completed in the right way - as an open space park - as our legacy to future generations. As public and corporate grant money becomes available, Liberty State Park will blossom into one of the world's greatest parks, without the need of a Development Corporation (no other state park has one).

    As State Senator Bernard Kenny, Jr. wrote to Gov. Whitman in a letter opposing the Development Corporation's golf course plan (6/1/94), "We ought to recognize that Liberty Park is among the most special places in our country. Its grounds and vistas and the landmark edifices adjoining it represent the spirit and magnificence of America in a way no other place does. Liberty Park's vistas, majesty, history, and beauty render it a sacred place. Millions of people will be drawn to it from all over the world. Those who understand the significance of preserving this open space are true visionaries. Those who ensure that Liberty Park's open space is forever there will be recognized as strong and caring leaders."

    Please pledge to dissolve New Jersey's relationship with the Development Corporation, if you are elected. Doing so will send a very strong message to New Jerseyans who care about the park and will prevent negative, wasteful battles against destructive threats.

    We represent tens of thousands of New Jersey citizens and we're looking forward to your response.

Sincerely, (signed by members of:)

The Coalition to Abolish the Liberty State Park Development Corporation

• The Friends of Liberty State Park - Sam Pesin, President

• The Liberty State Park Conservancy - Greg Remaud, President

• Communications Workers of America #1037 - Ken McNamara, Staff Representative

• NY/NJ Baykeeper - Andrew Willner

• American Littoral Society - Dery Bennett, Executive Director

• NJ Audubon Society - Richard Kane, Vice-President of Conservation

• NJ Citizen Action - Staci Berger, Program Director

• NJ Environmental Federation - Amy Goldsmith, State Director

• NJ Environmental Lobby Marie Curtis, Legislative Agent

• NJ Public Interest Research Group Citizen Lobby - Curtis Fisher, Executive Director

• NJ Sierra Club - Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director

• NJ State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs - George Howard, Executive Director

• Coalition for a Better Waterfront (Hoboken) - Ron Hine, President

• Hackensack Riverkeeper - Captain Bill Sheehan

• Hudson Group of NJ Sierra Club - Steve Lanset, Chairman

• Jersey Coast Anglers Association - Tom Fote, Legislative Chairman

• Fyke Nature Association(Ramsey) - Hugh Carola, President

• Riverview Neighborhood Association (Jersey City) - Vito Brunetti, President

• Heights Hope Neighborhood Association (Jersey City) - Margi Daly, President

• Weehawken Environment Committee - Sarah Crew, President

• Friends of the Weehawken Waterfront - Doug Harmon, President

• Jersey City Women's Club - Dorothy Wellinghorst, President

• Women's Club of North Hudson - Ruth Elsasser, Co-President

• National Writer's Union (UAW - AFL/CIO) - Joe Harkins, Delegate, Local 1981

• Van Vorst Park Association, John Hale, President