2/11/15  "The Jersey Journal" by Summer Dawn Hortillosa
"Cleanup" bill to protect Liberty State Park doesn't go far enough, park group says

2/10/15 "The Record" by Dustin Racioppi and Scott Fallon
Proposed N.J. bill seeks to clarify oversight of the Meadowlands and LSP
 (Friends' quote is  "new bill is totally contradictory to what (the sponsors) said in their statement.")

New Assembly Bill 4196 Language on Liberty State Park

2/7/15 Friends' vigilance summary statement to LSP supporters on Gov signing bill & new bill
(statement based on bill sponsor's quickly abandoned promised of Commission only reviewing LSP plans)

 2/5/15 Friends' press release on Gov signing bill & new law
(statement based on bill sponsor's quickly abandoned promise of Commission only reviewing LSP plans)

2/5/15 Governor Chris Christie's  Press Release

1/6/15  New Jersey Public TV (NJTV) story and text of story by Brenda Flannigan
New Law Raises Concern Over Liberty State Park

2/5/15 "Star-Ledger" by S.P. Sullivan
Christie signs controversial Meadowlands bill but says bill will be revised

2/6/15 "The Philadelphia Inquirer" by Edward Colimore
NJ lawmakers to revise law affecting Liberty State Park

2/5/15 "The Jersey Journal" by Sudip Bhattacharya  
Hudson County officials react to Christie signing controversial bill affecting Meadowlands    

Thank you everyone for calling and making a difference.

Urgent to Please call by Feb. 5th - Governor to keep LSP's final decision on any plan under the control of the NJDEP with full public participation. Please call 609-292-6000 and urge Governor to Conditionally Veto "Assembly Bill 3969 - the Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act until the LSP language is removed -  as the bill put LSP under planning control of this new autonomous Meadowlands development commission (as bill says that this Commission "shall evaluate, approve, and implement any plan for LSP !

The Jersey City Parks Coalition's Sign-On letter for organizations - with almost 60 groups so far.
For organizations to sign on, please click here.

1/2/15 "Star-Ledger" by editorial board:
Christie's agenda threatens Liberty State Park, editorial

1/6/15 "The New York Times" by Jason  Grant (version is also in 1/7 print edition)
Fans of Liberty State Park Leery of Proposed Agency (Friends note: "LSP language must be removed from bill")

1/12/15 by Colin Egan, Friends of the Loews
Why Liberty State Park Matters

1/10/15 "The Jersey Journal" by Sudip Bhattachary 
Environmental groups urge Christie to veto bill they say is threat to Liberty State Park

1/11/15 "The Jersey City Reporter" by Al Sullivan
The Battle for Liberty State Park

1/11/15 "Jersey Journal"  by Sudip Bhattacharya
 2 Hudson County legislators say they'd approve revision of controversial "Meadowlands Hackensack" bill  

1/5/15 New Jersey public TV story and text of story
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/liberty-state-park-could-get-a-new-commission-under-bill/

Friends Press Release pesinliberty@earthlink.net  201-792-1993                                                                                   

 GOV. CHRISTIE – WILL YOU SELL
 LIBERTY STATE PARK DOWN THE RIVER???

Assembly bill 3969 (page 26) includes Liberty State Park in Meadlowlands Act!

 We urge you on behalf of New Jerseyans to veto this Act until LSP is taken out of it!

“Hackensack Meadowlands Agency Consolidation Act” throws Liberty State Park(LSP) decision-making under the control of the autonomous “Meadowlands Regional Commission”. (MRC). The Act folded the NJ Meadowlands Commission into the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority.  MRC should have zero control over LSP!

 Assembly Bill 3969 ( & Senate Bill 2647) with the Page 26 LSP amendment deviously, outrageously and shamefully snuck in at the last minute were fast-tracked, passing within 11 days with final votes right before Christmas on 12/22. This is Putin-style government – obscenely stealing LSP and attacking the Public’s broad public consensus for a free and green park – and attacking the Public Good for this priceless treasure- the jewel in the crown of NJ - a Sacred Park – sacred as it is scarce urban open space and is right behind Lady Liberty. Most likely, most legislators were not even aware of the LSP amendment

The ACT GIVES FINAL SAY IN ALL PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING for LSP TO AUTONOMOUS MRC AND TAKES AWAY THE FINAL SAY FROM THE DEP’T OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROECTION AND ITS DIVISION OF PARKS AND FORESTRY AND FROM THE PUBLIC AS THERE IS ZERO MENTION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, PUBLIC HEARINGS OR PUBLIC COMMENT.

We urge the Governor to give a conditional veto of this Act until LSP is taken out of it to protect LSP by leaving its decisions to the DEP and its Division of Parks and Forestry and the public and to prevent a new LSP era with constant negative, wasteful battles – as the park was a sacred battleground from the time it opened in 1976 when a theme park was pushed until 2003 when the LSP Development Corporation was ended after 20 years of causing statewide battles against a golf course, waterpark, etc.

 The Act gives the keys to LSP to the autonomous MRC and takes the keys away from DEP and the public. The MRC will be pressured by developers, promoters and misguided officials to turn LSP into a COMMERCIAL VENUE CASH COW TO RAISE REVENUE and will ignore LSP’s true purpose as a free park for the quality of life for urban people and the free enjoyment by visitors from around NJ and our nation. The MRC will feel no responsibility to protect public access to LSP, a great urban open space family park with spectacular views of Lady Liberty, NYC and the harbor and for picnics, playgrounds, gardens, walking/bicycling/jogging,& ferries to Lady Liberty/ Ellis Island.

Governor, please stand up for LSP and tell the legislature to take LSP out of the Act.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

page 26
The Commission Shall
19.m. 

36. Evaluate, approve, and implement any plan or plans for the 
37  further preservation, development, enhancement, or improvement of 
38 Liberty State Park and the buildings, structures, properties, and 
39 appurtenances related thereto, or incidental to, necessary for, or 
40 complimentary to the park. The commission may avail itself of any 
41 plans under review by the Department of Environmental Protection 
42 from any source that may promote expanded and diverse 
43 recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities for visitors to 
44 Liberty State Park and provide greater access to park facilities. Any 
45 approved plans shall constitute a project of the commission, and 
46 shall be adopted as part of the master plan;