July 31,2002
Dear Commissioner Brad Campbell and Assistant Commissioner Marc Matsil,
Hi. The Development Corporation's April 22 letter to you, prefacing their
lawyers and accountants material, is the ultimate proof of why they should be
immediately banished from the park. The Governor's decision about doing the
right thing can't be any easier. It's time for the Governor to initiate a
positive and cooperative era.
The Development Corp's stated intentions (on p. 3(4/22) and on last page of
their April 1st "strategic plan") to push for major commercial
attractions, after 26 years of the public's overwhelming opposition to park
commercialization/privatization plans(18 years against their plans), and full
support for a Central Park -type park proves (what all assumed anyway) that
their staying will lead to more public and DEP time wasting and park progress
delaying. That letter, which doesn't mention the public one time, is an arrogant
declaration of continued war against the public.
They have brazenly stated that they want major commercial attractions from the
historic Terminal sheds down along Audrey Zapp Drive and up to Liberty Science
Center, and also a large commercial privatized amphitheater, which would
inevitably cause summer weekend traffic jams, blocking access to park users.
Their shameless statements about their effectiveness are the ultimate in
ignoring the truth of what the public wants and the years of wasteful grassroots
battles. For them to call themselves a "think tank" is an insult
to the DEP and the public. As a think tank, they should win the "most
public-be-damned think tank" award.
As democratic policy makers, I'm sure that you both will follow former DEP
Commissioner Scott Weiner's promise and policy of having public
meetings/hearings for all major proposals for the park, and not approving any
proposal which doesn't have a broad public consensus. Based on the 26 year park
history(including the 38 statewide public hearings for the park's 1978
Master Plan), I can say with certainty that any new Development Corp. commercial
project plan will be overwhelmingly opposed by the public. It'd be criminal to
waste more time.
Keeping the Dev Corp would be casting aside New Jerseyans long-held and deeply
held park views and would amount to the Governor and DEP caving into and
collaborating with this private Dev Corp, which has a track record and future
strategy of contradicting the park's mission and symbolism. The park doesn't
need any more "attractions". Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, the NYC
skyline, harbor views, varied recreation, picnics, nature, and Liberty Science
Center are The Attractions
After reading of their plans, anyone who knows of the role of Big Money in
American life, would know that the developers and major commercial concert
promoters, who want to use the Dev Corp as their "internal Frontmen"
to facilitate their profiting from LSP, are pressuring Gov. McGreevey.
New Jerseyans are looking to him to be a great leader and cut off the Dev Corp.
Sincerely,
Sam Pesin, pres. Friends of LSP