Jan. 19, 2002
Dear Governor James E. McGreevey,
The Friends wish you great success in leading our state toward a higher quality of life. As you know from Liberty State Park's 25 year history, the overwhelmingly majority want and need this sacred park to be a free, non-commercialized and non-privatized, accessible green oasis next to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island.
After the park's role on and after 9/11, the park is even more sacred than before. The essence of park history is the six major grassroots battles which defeated commercialization plans; the last two wasteful and negative statewide fights were against the park Development Corp.'s golf course and commercial waterpark plans.
Your 1990's opposition to the golf course was a clear sign of your values and understanding of the true purposes of this special urban open space park.
I'm writing to urge you to strongly uphold the NJDEP's significant November, 2001 rejection of an unconscionable summer commercial concert series, proposed by and still being pushed by the park's Development Corporation. We are counting on you to keep Liberty State Park a park, and to refuse to turn it into a commercial concert venue.
From past experience, we know that the arrogant Development Corporation will be trying an end-run to pressure you into overturning the NJDEP's rejection. That's what they tried with Governor DiFrancesco and we are sure they will try it with you.
This commercial concert series that would inevitably cause traffic jams and park road closings - blocking access by working families, seniors, and all non-paying park visitors - is a dangerous threat to the park. You can imagine how angry people would feel if their holy summer afternoons and evenings in the park were to be confiscated and usurped by this outrageous plan. It even includes Saturdays.
Their admission-fee concert plan strikes at the heart of what the park is for. It would end the enjoyment of free recreation, nature, views, history, and cultural events there. LSP is a majestic public park, not a commercial concert venue.
When huge public outcry stopped a commercial concert series plan in April, 1986, an editorial in the Catholic newspaper, "The Advocate" stated, "Proposals like this represent a misuse of public parklands. This privatization should never be allowed; not ever, not for any reason. Parklands are a public trust and should always be treated as such."
The Friends is but one part of a statewide 23 member coalition which urged you as a candidate to end NJ's contract with the park Development Corporation. That corporation is the constant source of commercialization and privatization battles. You surely would be hailed as a popular, strong, and wise park champion if you terminate the Development Corporation's contract with the NJDEP.
That contract, based on the premise of commercializing the park, never had a public hearing. The State doesn't need an middleman to create and deal with the private marina & parking lots.
Despite whatever pressure may be exerted on you by the Development Corporation to overturn the DEP's rejection of the commercial concert series, please refuse to turn LSP into another commercial venue like PNC. Please end, for once and for all, the Development Corporation's contract with the DEP.
Your support for our great NJ park is needed.
Sincerely,
Sam Pesin, president
Friends of Liberty State Park