Christie's Plan-little future for Freehold Raceway

[jefffriedman]

Delaware horse racing: Local officials say N.J. gaming plan detrimental to racing
Removal of subsidies could shut down tracks
By JACK IRELAND • The News Journal • July 22, 2010

Local horse racing officials said a New Jersey plan to stop state subsidies of horse racing could do severe damage to the national harness and thoroughbred industries.

On Wednesday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced he was backing the plan, which could result in the closure of Meadowlands Racetrack as well as tracks in Monmouth, Atlantic City and Freehold.

A special panel Christie appointed to evaluate the state's gaming, sports and entertainment industries also called for a state takeover of services in Atlantic City's casino district, citing the city government's history of corruption and failure to deal with increasing blight. The plan also calls for selling the Izod Center, the arena at the Meadowlands complex.

In a major victory for Atlantic City, the task force didn't endorse placing slot machines at the state's four race tracks. The racing industry has said it needs slots to stay alive. All three casinos in Delaware are required by law to have horse tracks.

The New Jersey report called for the Meadowlands track to be sold for $1 to the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, which could operate it and pay the state the $2.5 million a year that the track currently pays. The report offers other options for Monmouth Park and the Atlantic City Race Course, but sees little future for Freehold Raceway.

Many of the Republican governor's recommendations will require approval from the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
Salvatore DiMario, executive director of the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association, believes closing Meadowlands would be a severe blow to harness racing nationwide.

"It's terrible as far as harness racing goes," said DiMario. "It's the worst thing that could happen to lose the flagship racetrack of the entire industry. You are talking about the track where the Hambletonian Trot and the [$1 million] Meadowlands Pace is held each year."

DiMario said he believed New Jersey horsemen were hoping to find some financial relief from Christie.

"I have been in touch recently with Tom Luchento [president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey]," DiMario said. "He said they have been in negotiations with the governor because they wanted him to help racing.
"But, when you look at New Jersey and its financial state you can see where he is coming from. He has already had to announce cuts in education, senior citizen programs and other very important issues. When you center on everything else, you can see that racing will be targeted."

John Mooney, executive director of racing at Delaware Park, said he feels for New Jersey horsemen.

"If Monmouth did close it would be devastating for breeders and horse owners in New Jersey," Mooney said. "I don't know how much affect it would have in Delaware. There are very few in Delaware who race up there except for the stakes, so I don't think it would be any big negative for us.

"It would be a huge loss to the thoroughbred industry in general."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this article. Contact Jack Ireland at 324-2808 or [e-mail].



www.delawareonline.com/article/20100722/SPORTS09/7220358

[jefffriedman]

I titled this Christie's Plan..., these are just the recommendations he is looking at not the final plan, but none of the recommendation look to good for Freehold Raceway so it looks like any proposal put forth on this matter will be negitive for the Boro as of now, hopefully that will change.

[BrianSullivan]

This certainly does not look good and I am sure many people had the same first reaction I did and think it stinks.

In this day and age, we should be accustomed to surprised like this. Christy inherited a state in deep, deep trouble during a really bad economic time. We all know, all have heard, that decisions are going to be made that hurt. This is just one more.

I have said before and will say again, it is up to us as a town to redefine our town during these economic times. Instead of dwelling on bad news, we have to think ahead. If we lose the track, the next question is what to do with it?

What can be put there that creates good jobs, brings people here for good reasons, and continues to make living in the borough a good thing?

[Mike Rosseel]

This does def stink!

I was wondering if we did lose the track, could that land be made into a minor league ballpark like the BlueClaws. That certainly seems to be a win win for Lakewood, just a thought!

[BrianSullivan]

Jul 22, 2010 16:05:25 GMT -5 Mike Rosseel said:

This does def stink!

I was wondering if we did lose the track, could that land be made into a minor league ballpark like the BlueClaws. That certainly seems to be a win win for Lakewood, just a thought!

Mike, that is exactly what I am talking about. Very good thoughts. Make lemonade out of lemons.

[adefonzo]

The loss of the Racetrack would be a blow to the town...but more because of the historical significance the racetrack has, in my opinion.

I whole heartedly agree with any plan that eliminates state subsidies to a leisure activity that involves gambling. Maybe I am just naive (again), but I can't imagine why an industry that involves gambling needs money from the government to stay afloat??

If betting on horse racing has diminished, then perhaps the activity has seen it's day, and the time has come to move on...but I can see no justification for propping up this industry with taxpayer money...in the current economic climate, or during an economic boom...I just don't see where government and taxpayer money should be used to support gambling on horses.

Again...the loss of the track will take a piece of history away from Freehold...but so long as the town is able to think positive and put something there that will generate money and prosperity for the town, it could turn out to be a big win in the long run. After all...let's be honest...that is a fairly large chunk or real estate that the track takes up, and although I don't know the numbers, I am sure the amount of money it is contributing to the town can be replaced by some other business...so long as it is well thought out and properly planned.

What I would absolutely dread and quite honestly be fearful of, is another Rug Mill-esque apartment complex. But since I am constantly knocked for my negative views...I will hold out hope that we can do much better this time around (if it comes to that).

[BrianSullivan]

Jul 22, 2010 18:33:42 GMT -5 adefonzo said:

The loss of the Racetrack would be a blow to the town...but more because of the historical significance the racetrack has, in my opinion.

I whole heartedly agree with any plan that eliminates state subsidies to a leisure activity that involves gambling. Maybe I am just naive (again), but I can't imagine why an industry that involves gambling needs money from the government to stay afloat??

If betting on horse racing has diminished, then perhaps the activity has seen it's day, and the time has come to move on...but I can see no justification for propping up this industry with taxpayer money...in the current economic climate, or during an economic boom...I just don't see where government and taxpayer money should be used to support gambling on horses.

Again...the loss of the track will take a piece of history away from Freehold...but so long as the town is able to think positive and put something there that will generate money and prosperity for the town, it could turn out to be a big win in the long run. After all...let's be honest...that is a fairly large chunk or real estate that the track takes up, and although I don't know the numbers, I am sure the amount of money it is contributing to the town can be replaced by some other business...so long as it is well thought out and properly planned.

What I would absolutely dread and quite honestly be fearful of, is another Rug Mill-esque apartment complex. But since I am constantly knocked for my negative views...I will hold out hope that we can do much better this time around (if it comes to that).

Andrew, very good points and I agree. With the history of the track losing it would be a blow.

Your concerns about a Rug Mill-esque replacement are not unfounded. For now I will define Rug Mill-esque as anything that is not good for the town and a burden.

I also agree with you about the state subsidizing these things. It is very questionable and one of the many types of things the state has to get out of.

I know the town is busted, but one thing I would like if we lose the track would be to see space preserved for recreation that we need badly. How about a dog park? I deal with them and while they have some headaches, they fill a very real need.

[lisas84]

This phrase is vague: "but sees little future for Freehold Raceway." I would like to know what factors were considered for this ambiguous but gloomy statement.

Also, isn't Councilman Newman part of a political action group called Save the Horses or somethign like that, which was formed to ensure the track and all the businesses that depend on it, remain viable? What's going on with this group?

Meanwhile, Andrew is thinking like a CEO or marketing director above when he writes: "If betting on horse racing has diminished, then perhaps the activity has seen it's day, and the time has come to move on...but I can see no justification for propping up this industry with taxpayer money..."

I feel there's a lot of truth in his statement. Times and culture have changed dramatically. Perhaps there should be a poll to either validate the loss of interest or uncover any objections/barriers of participation among NJ residents.

Either way, it is a prime piece of property that may have tremendous golden opportunities as adaptive reuse/reinvention. Brian, I don't think a dog park is strong enough. Reflecting on Andrew's statement, focusing on what a majority of families are into now, what they are willing to spend money on for a leisure day out, may be the next step.

[richardkelsey]

Jul 22, 2010 16:05:25 GMT -5 Mike Rosseel said:

This does def stink!

I was wondering if we did lose the track, could that land be made into a minor league ballpark like the BlueClaws. That certainly seems to be a win win for Lakewood, just a thought!

That is an excellent idea

[BrianSullivan]

Jul 23, 2010 6:43:19 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

This phrase is vague: "but sees little future for Freehold Raceway." I would like to know what factors were considered for this ambiguous but gloomy statement.

Also, isn't Councilman Newman part of a political action group called Save the Horses or somethign like that, which was formed to ensure the track and all the businesses that depend on it, remain viable? What's going on with this group?

Meanwhile, Andrew is thinking like a CEO or marketing director above when he writes: "If betting on horse racing has diminished, then perhaps the activity has seen it's day, and the time has come to move on...but I can see no justification for propping up this industry with taxpayer money..."

I feel there's a lot of truth in his statement. Times and culture have changed dramatically. Perhaps there should be a poll to either validate the loss of interest or uncover any objections/barriers of participation among NJ residents.

Either way, it is a prime piece of property that may have tremendous golden opportunities as adaptive reuse/reinvention. Brian, I don't think a dog park is strong enough. Reflecting on Andrew's statement, focusing on what a majority of families are into now, what they are willing to spend money on for a leisure day out, may be the next step.

Lisa, I bring up recreation just to keep it in people's minds. It is very valuable for many reasons and often gets over looked.

We really have no idea about what will happen with the track. If that property is to ever be sold, there may only be so much the town can do. Recreation is something to consider because once the land is gone, it is gone for good. It would be nice, IMO, for the borough to get at least a piece of the pie for the good of our residents.

But getting back to the topic at hand, we do have to think bigger and for the good of the town.

[lisas84]

Brian, of course it is all about recreation. After all, right now it's about recreation. Now -- how to adaptively reuse the property and what it features/possesses to accurately reflect current recreational trends -- to make as much money for FB as possible. In my view, the opportunities exist.

[johnfnewman]

Freehold Borough Residents,



Below is an urgent call for Freehold Borough and Monmouth County Residents to ask their legislators and the governor to reconsider the recent study on the horse racing industry in New Jersey. The Freehold Racetrack is a large taxpayer in the boro of Freehold, and the horse industry is an important employer to the area. The letter below is written by Nancy Grbelja, Mayor of Millstone Township and the Chairperson of Monmouth County's Save the Horse Committee.



Please read the below and contact the governor and your state legislators.



Dear Friend,



The equine industry in New Jersey benefits every resident in the state through its’ economic impact and its role in preservation of farmland and open space throughout our state. The industry includes horse racing, breeding, sports/recreation and pleasure interests and is incorporated in other areas such as retail, veterinary medicine, feed and supply, insurance and real-estate to name a few.



On Wednesday the Governor declared his support of a report released by a committee designed to study New Jersey’s gaming industries. The report commonly known as the ‘Hanson Report’ calls for the state takeover of Atlantic City’s tourist district and getting out of owning, managing and assisting the horse racing industry. It is obvious from the report that New Jersey is no longer interested in the live racing business. The opinion comes from the Commission’s recommendations which eliminates the major player in harness racing, the Meadowlands Racetrack, and proposes to change legislation to allow OTW (off track wagering) without the need for live racing. Nowhere in the Hanson report does it address the value of the horse industry to the state’s agricultural business or economy. The recommendations of the report will destroy the horse racing industry in New Jersey and ultimately negatively impact every other aspect of the equine industry as well as our precious open space and farmland across the state.



On Thursday, July 29, 2010, a meeting will take place with representatives of the equine industry, several legislators and the governor. We need you to call the governor and key legislators now and tell them:



· The closing of the Meadowlands would be devastating to the harness industry in the state and globally;

· The horse breeding industry would be severely impacted and the state would lose a significant amount of tax-paying open space;

· If New Jersey racing ceases to exist, sport competition, recreational horse use and traditional agricultural interests such as grain, hay, and straw farmers will be adversely affected;

· The financing of the 4-H Youth Development programs and Horse Park Budgets supported by the racing industry will disappear;

· Without a long-term vision for keeping the horse racing industry in New Jersey, the industry will collapse and there will be a mass exodus to other states that have embraced the racing industry;

· A state take-over of the Atlantic City tourist district is nothing more than a special interest bailout at taxpayer expense;

· Monies can be better used to expand gaming to other areas creating racinos which could better both the casino and horse industry.



Governor Christie’s Office – (609) 777- 2500

District 11 Sen. T. Kean [phone] [e-mail]

Asw. Mary Pat Angelini [phone] [e-mail]

Asm. David Rible [phone] [e-mail]

District 12 Sen. Jennifer Beck [phone] [e-mail]

Asw. Caroline Casagrande [phone] [e-mail]

Asm. Declan O’Scanlon [phone] [e-mail]

District 30 Sen. Robert Singer [phone] [e-mail]

Asm. Ronald Dancer [phone] [e-mail]

Asm. Joseph Malone [phone] [e-mail]



PLEASE call and e-mail for the next three days. Only YOU can save the horse industry.



Regards,

Nancy Grbelja





Thank you for taking the time to read this,



John F. Newman

Councilman

Freehold Borough

[lisas84]

John, thank you SO much for posting this! I knew you guys were working on it.

I saw a snippet of Governor Christie on NJ 12 speaking about this issue. I remember he stated: "I do not have the money to subsidize failure." (maybe not exactly all the words, but pretty close).

So -- my question is -- due to my admittedly large ignorance of this issue: why is this industry failing? I've been to both harness and thoroughbred races and am just in awe of the sheer beauty, speed and power on display with each race -- this does not translate on TV simulcasting, that's for sure.

[dfx]

While I appreciate the history of the Freehold Raceway and I love making my yearly trips to Monmouth Park, I do have to question the value of the state supporting this industry – especially in these difficult economic times. To be honest, I would rather see the Governor restore the 7.5 million to family planning and other support services that people need rather than sink 10 million into an industry that has been on life-support in this area since the 1980's.

As far as what to do with the current Raceway location, I like the earlier idea of a minor league baseball stadium. However I foresee a few problems with this idea:

1: Minor league franchises are not cheap to acquire. Typically the community has to foot a large portion of the stadium's construction bill to lure a franchise to a location – much like Lakewood, Newark, Staten Island, Montclair, Atlantic City, Camden, Somerset, Trenton, and Brooklyn did.

2: I don't imagine any teams would be clamoring for a park with lovely views & accompanying background noise of a rush hour Rt. 9

3: Lakewood works for the Blueclaws because there are no other minor league teams close by. If one were to open in Freehold, both locations would probably suffer due to an oversaturation of the marketplace. (For example, look at the glut of half-empty minor league parks in North Jersey or even the NJ Devils franchise.)

After weighing the above considerations and factoring in our town's need for more ratables, the most fiscally responsible thing to do with the land (while probably not the most attractive option) would be to sell the land to a shopping plaza developer. At least then the amount of new tax income might offset the larger-than-average loss we take from being home to 27 different houses of worship along with countless municipal/county/state buildings.


Just my opinion.


dfx

[richardkelsey]

Jul 26, 2010 13:41:10 GMT -5 dfx said:

While I appreciate the history of the Freehold Raceway and I love making my yearly trips to Monmouth Park, I do have to question the value of the state supporting this industry – especially in these difficult economic times. To be honest, I would rather see the Governor restore the 7.5 million to family planning and other support services that people need rather than sink 10 million into an industry that has been on life-support in this area since the 1980's.

As far as what to do with the current Raceway location, I like the earlier idea of a minor league baseball stadium. However I foresee a few problems with this idea:

1: Minor league franchises are not cheap to acquire. Typically the community has to foot a large portion of the stadium's construction bill to lure a franchise to a location – much like Lakewood, Newark, Staten Island, Montclair, Atlantic City, Camden, Somerset, Trenton, and Brooklyn did.

2: I don't imagine any teams would be clamoring for a park with lovely views & accompanying background noise of a rush hour Rt. 9

3: Lakewood works for the Blueclaws because there are no other minor league teams close by. If one were to open in Freehold, both locations would probably suffer due to an oversaturation of the marketplace. (For example, look at the glut of half-empty minor league parks in North Jersey or even the NJ Devils franchise.)

After weighing the above considerations and factoring in our town's need for more ratables, the most fiscally responsible thing to do with the land (while probably not the most attractive option) would be to sell the land to a shopping plaza developer. At least then the amount of new tax income might offset the larger-than-average loss we take from being home to 27 different houses of worship along with countless municipal/county/state buildings.


Just my opinion.


dfx

Well -- if there is one thing NJ doesn't need right now -- or maybe ever -- is another strip mall in Rt. 9. LOL

However, I completely follow you reasoning.

I admit a bias against horse racing. Not my thing, and I never saw any attration to it. I don't see any reason why the state should under-write it there or anywhere.

Thoughful commercial development would be best with respect to ratables.

Having said that -- maybe we can convert it to serve the largest and fastest growing spectator sport in America -- NASCAR! (Which I likewise don't enjoy)

We can have a race and call it the Freehold Brick-Sidewalk 500.

[BrianSullivan]

John, Thanks for posting this info and updates. It is good to see and there is a lot to consider. The horse industry is very big and vital to many parts of our state.

Rich, Freehold Brick-Sidewalk 500? That is funny. lmao

Dan, you are right, shopping centers would probably be the way to go for the simple reason of tax ratables. As tempting as it is because our town needs the money, it would also be a bit sad. I would like to see a big arts and recreation area. Think jersey Shore arts council. They converted the old Neptune high school into a big art center. It is great! the problem is, it is not an economic engine that we need.

Now, for people who don't like subsidizing rich folks, I have to mention a program that bugs me and does affect some horse farms. Farmland Preservation. Naturally, I am all for open space preservation. We need to do it and be aggressive before the land is gone. But, the farms I see benefiting from this program are not what we would call small places with little money. Basically, the state pays farmers for the development rights. The farmers keep the land, can sell it, but can never develop it. I see many of these farms and they are rich people, including horse farms. So what it boils down to, is the state is giving rich people lots of money to stay farms. Who wouldn't take that deal? Personally, I believe there are wiser ways to preserve space.

People should make no mistake, though, the horse industry does exist and is very important to many parts of the economy. That letter from the mayor of Millstone spells out most of it.

[jefffriedman]

I do not think another shopping center is a good idea. We are trying to get better and more shopping downtown to add more shopping, or office space for that matter would I think be counterproductive.

I think they should allow slots there, then they should build a convention center on the empty parking property between Manalapan and Park. That would diversify the tracks business, they could have smaller conventions, and so on, that space could support those different wrestling leagues you see on TV and smaller concerts.

If the track does go we need to replace it with valuable ratables, the best bet for that is through bringing in the high tech, Bio tech, green tech, and pharma research and development companies that will shape the next 50 years. Those type of companies will pay higher taxes to the municipalities, like bell labs, AT&T, and Prudential did and as Vontage does in Holmdel, while also bringing back good paying jobs that will allow people to buy homes in the Boro and walk to work.

[dfx]

Jul 26, 2010 16:37:57 GMT -5 jefffriedman said:

I do not think another shopping center is a good idea. We are trying to get better and more shopping downtown to add more shopping, or office space for that matter would I think be counterproductive.

I think they should allow slots there, then they should build a convention center on the empty parking property between Manalapan and Park. That would diversify the tracks business, they could have smaller conventions, and so on, that space could support those different wrestling leagues you see on TV and smaller concerts.

If the track does go we need to replace it with valuable ratables, the best bet for that is through bringing in the high tech, Bio tech, green tech, and pharma research and development companies that will shape the next 50 years. Those type of companies will pay higher taxes to the municipalities, like bell labs, AT&T, and Prudential did and as Vontage does in Holmdel, while also bringing back good paying jobs that will allow people to buy homes in the Boro and walk to work.

Jeff -

As I mentioned earlier a shopping plaza is not ideal, but I believe it's a realistic option. I would love to think a Vontage or AT&T could be built on that site, but I simply don't foresee that happening. (That said I will gladly help lobby for one of these giants to come to Freehold if the opportunity should arise.)

Back to the main point, I don't feel our tax dollars should be used to prop up the horse industry.


dfx

[jefffriedman]

Dan,
I understand what you are saying I was not trying to be critical.

I agree we are not going to get an AT&T or Vontage, but we can get smaller companies, start ups or start ups taking the next step, a Pretree dish of the future, we could have a dozen or even more companies, a research and development complex. I was using those as a real world example of how it affects taxes locally. Bell Labs and AT&T while they were there also brought in higher income employees who then lived in town.

A shopping center is defiantly easier and quicker but it can not produce the middle income and high paying jobs we lost when manufacturing jobs left town and the rug mill eventually closed in the 1960's. It was those jobs that allowed so many home owners in the Boro; it is because the Boro currently lacks those middle to higher income jobs that has lead to the loss of downtown retail, the migration of families that had those or would have eventually had those jobs and then years later the increase in single family rental properties and other issues that we currently face. If we as a Boro want less rental properties and other issues we need to bring jobs to the boro that support home ownership. Retail jobs will not allow people to buy and or support single family homes.

I am not sure that most newer, or younger people fully understand how Freehold was a "high tech" center in the past, or how the manufacturing base in Freehold, which spawned because Freehold was previously a Farming center, which was high tech for its day, but how the manufacturing base and the farming base prior to that, in made Freehold a center for commerce. (as a side note I also do not think that most residents either know, or understand, or want to acknowledge many aspects of Freehold history)

In commerce Freehold has always been on the front line forging history in the advancement of our country. From the battle of Monmouth( the turn in our fight for Independence) to having it own currency, to being the bicycle capital of the world, to being to home of where the original Supreme Court Rug was made and the many other industries (all very high tech or progressive then).
This is a tradition that should and must continue if we want to improve the Boro long term. It is those types of jobs and industries that built and sustained Freehold. To settle for anything less than something that will return that spirit and vibrancy would be a disservice to everything we all want this Boro to be. We can not expect the community we all want based on minimum wage retail jobs.

A shopping center will also hurt the downtown business's another key tax base. The Boro retail sector was destroyed by the Route 9 strip malls and buried with the opening of the Mall. We are just starting to draw retail back to downtown. The move of RU music from the Mall to Downtown is the first example.

To create another retail center in the Boro would be taking from one of our pockets to put in the other. What we may gain in tax revenue, (there will be no gain because the race track pays a lot) but any gain from retail at the track location will be offset by the losses created by negative effect to downtown. Why compete with ourselves, why base the Boro future on retail. Yes a shopping center would be a "quick fix" but I really think we need to focus on the long term future, something sustainable.

Look at the Rug Mill, I respectfully suggest that should have been turned into something sustainable, something that contributed to the tax base not something that drains the tax base. That was a short term fix that we will pay for for a long time. It was done with the best intentions and in good spirit but it was either a bad idea or a good idea that did not work out the way it was intended.

I agree completely that we can not be and should not be subsidizing the horse industry. I think, from memory based on my understanding of the issues (which is pretty good as I had been hearing about the concerns of the Thoroughbred owners from the late 1990 until a few years ago as part of my different employments for many elected officials) They would contend that the reason they need help financial support from the State and or Atlantic city is only because the State and or AC has prevented the industry from competing fairly by "preventing" the opening of the number of OTB's they want and because the State has for years prevented tracks from being able to offer slots and other gaming. They would contend I and can not vouch for this but they would say but for those main reasons they would be self sustaining.

Regardless of what happens with the Track there is another locations in the Boro that could support this type of project and we need to plan for the next century not the last.

Dan, If you want to know what you can do to help let me know.

[BrianSullivan]

Jul 26, 2010 21:34:48 GMT -5 jefffriedman said:

Dan,
I understand what you are saying I was not trying to be critical.

I agree we are not going to get an AT&T or Vontage, but we can get smaller companies, start ups or start ups taking the next step, a Pretree dish of the future, we could have a dozen or even more companies, a research and development complex. I was using those as a real world example of how it affects taxes locally. Bell Labs and AT&T while they were there also brought in higher income employees who then lived in town.

A shopping center is defiantly easier and quicker but it can not produce the middle income and high paying jobs we lost when manufacturing jobs left town and the rug mill eventually closed in the 1960's. It was those jobs that allowed so many home owners in the Boro; it is because the Boro currently lacks those middle to higher income jobs that has lead to the loss of downtown retail, the migration of families that had those or would have eventually had those jobs and then years later the increase in single family rental properties and other issues that we currently face. If we as a Boro want less rental properties and other issues we need to bring jobs to the boro that support home ownership. Retail jobs will not allow people to buy and or support single family homes.

I am not sure that most newer, or younger people fully understand how Freehold was a "high tech" center in the past, or how the manufacturing base in Freehold, which spawned because Freehold was previously a Farming center, which was high tech for its day, but how the manufacturing base and the farming base prior to that, in made Freehold a center for commerce. (as a side note I also do not think that most residents either know, or understand, or want to acknowledge many aspects of Freehold history)

In commerce Freehold has always been on the front line forging history in the advancement of our country. From the battle of Monmouth( the turn in our fight for Independence) to having it own currency, to being the bicycle capital of the world, to being to home of where the original Supreme Court Rug was made and the many other industries (all very high tech or progressive then).
This is a tradition that should and must continue if we want to improve the Boro long term. It is those types of jobs and industries that built and sustained Freehold. To settle for anything less than something that will return that spirit and vibrancy would be a disservice to everything we all want this Boro to be. We can not expect the community we all want based on minimum wage retail jobs.

A shopping center will also hurt the downtown business's another key tax base. The Boro retail sector was destroyed by the Route 9 strip malls and buried with the opening of the Mall. We are just starting to draw retail back to downtown. The move of RU music from the Mall to Downtown is the first example.

To create another retail center in the Boro would be taking from one of our pockets to put in the other. What we may gain in tax revenue, (there will be no gain because the race track pays a lot) but any gain from retail at the track location will be offset by the losses created by negative effect to downtown. Why compete with ourselves, why base the Boro future on retail. Yes a shopping center would be a "quick fix" but I really think we need to focus on the long term future, something sustainable.

Look at the Rug Mill, I respectfully suggest that should have been turned into something sustainable, something that contributed to the tax base not something that drains the tax base. That was a short term fix that we will pay for for a long time. It was done with the best intentions and in good spirit but it was either a bad idea or a good idea that did not work out the way it was intended.

I agree completely that we can not be and should not be subsidizing the horse industry. I think, from memory based on my understanding of the issues (which is pretty good as I had been hearing about the concerns of the Thoroughbred owners from the late 1990 until a few years ago as part of my different employments for many elected officials) They would contend that the reason they need help financial support from the State and or Atlantic city is only because the State and or AC has prevented the industry from competing fairly by "preventing" the opening of the number of OTB's they want and because the State has for years prevented tracks from being able to offer slots and other gaming. They would contend I and can not vouch for this but they would say but for those main reasons they would be self sustaining.

Regardless of what happens with the Track there is another locations in the Boro that could support this type of project and we need to plan for the next century not the last.

Dan, If you want to know what you can do to help let me know.

Jeff, there is not s single statement in your post I disagree with. That is the type of forward thinking the borough needs to be doing.

Since you brought up the history and past of this town, I will also remind readers of another important part of our past- education. Freehold was a destination for its private schools at one point.

I know our BOE busts their tail and I am not knocking them, but we have to face facts, the borough schools are screwed. If we are to attract higher end jobs at some point, then we had better have schools that parents would comfortably put their kids in, or hey will just move to the township and skip walking to work.

I wrote about this under the schools threads, but we need to get in front of the change that we hope to see in this state. The borough must enhance private schooling with a voucher system in place. I will also bring back up that the BOE should be very much a part of that. ( Just keep the unions out, they screw up everything)

[dfx]

Jul 26, 2010 21:34:48 GMT -5 jefffriedman said:

Dan, If you want to know what you can do to help let me know.

I will most certainly help, however I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves considering we don't even know what impact - if any - a reduction in state support will do to Freehold Raceway considering it's privately owned.

(Who knows, maybe a closure of the Meadowlands track will cause an influx of harness racing-starved fans to descend on Freehold...)


dfx

PS. I know, wishful thinking

[jefffriedman]

Jul 27, 2010 9:35:59 GMT -5 dfx said:

...I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves...

dfx

I would actually disagree about that, I think there is plenty of underutilized or just unused warehouses and industrial sites in the Boro that regardless of what happens with the Track location we need to pursue the recruitment of these types of businesses. This is something the Boro should have been pursuing for 40 year.

About 10 years ago I was out in the Silicon Valley of CA. I was surprised how many of the companies were housed in small retrofitted storage facilities. Many of the smaller pharma, Bio Tech etc. companies throughout Jersey do not need and do not have massive Merck like complexes.

For example on Throckmorton there is the White empty warehouse across from the new but closed grocery store which is in the old candle factory. Both of those building could be housing a couple dozen of middle to high paying jobs. There is also the large track of land between Hudson Street going back toward the Community Garden over to Nestle and the baseball fields. The tax revenue and other benefits that would be generated from that land if properly developed could be tremendous in the long run. If the Track stays the location mentioned above, with the ability to access Rt 33 could house an even larger research and development complex.

Brian makes a good point that some people may live in neighboring towns because of the reputation of the schools. That is a chicken and egg debate. I say get the chickens and the eggs will follow.

I would suggest that as we properly developed the unused or underutilized warehouse and industrial properties the tax revenue generated without adding students to the roles will help fund and improve the schools.

As these projects are developed the employees employed will dine and shop more downtown which will in turn increase the tax revenue generated from the downtown properties. As the revenues increase and school funding improves, due to the increased tax revenue, the schools will improve more of those families will buy single family homes which will then lead to a positive self feeding circle.- Higher valued property uses lead to higher tax revenue on those properties, that higher value and better use will improve the business and properties downtown, which will also leads to even higher tax revenue, which leads to better schools, which improve property values and encourages more business to locate here, which lead to higher tax revenue and round and round. Instead of a downward spiral it would be an upward spiral.

Regardless of what happens to the track I believe that this type of business development needs to take place no matter what.

Would this be easy, no. It will take the boro, property owners, current downtown businesses and other to make it happen but it is possible. It also does not have to be done overnight. It could be done with the smaller vacent properties first, then build into a larger project.

[BrianSullivan]

This thread is actually a bit comical the way we have already written the track off.

Jeff, I mention the schools because it is big picture stuff and it would be great to just see them succeed, regardless of what ever else is happening. It is for the good of the kids and my property values!. I knock the daylights out of public education (anywhere), but even I see the value in it. It is, after all, the second most important thing after recreation.

[jefffriedman]

Jul 27, 2010 16:05:31 GMT -5 BrianSullivan said:

This thread is actually a bit comical the way we have already written the track off.

I disagree with this as well because I would contend that regardless of whether the Track stays or not we need to peruse the recruitment of good long term middle to higher paying high tech, green tech, bio tech, pharma jobs to replace the manufacturing and industrial jobs which were lost through the 1960 and never replaced.

As I have said above doing that will in the long run address many of the concerns that many residents rightfully have. I say this because I believe that as we bring in these jobs tax revenue will increase. Some people who get these jobs will want to live close. Some will buy houses in the Boro, some will buy house in the surrounding towns. Some of those younger employees without children will rent some apartments. As tax revenues increase the school funding improves and hopefully the schools improve accordingly.

I do agree that schools are a key component to the long term prosperity of the Boro. I think one step in the process of improving the schools is by increasing the ratable tax base without adding student enrolment.

[lisas84]

I always believe it is a good idea to speculate and brainstorm when there is a cloud of potential trouble on the horizon. This thread is electric with ideas -- so keep it up, y'all.

[BrianSullivan]

Lisa and Jeff, Neither of you gets argument from me, it is good to talk openly about ideas and to thnk ahead.

Jeff, your ideas are very good ones and I hope they do come to fruition someday. The borough will be a better place than it is. I have written many times that our biggest problem is severe economic imbalance. Most of the problems we discuss on this site are symptoms of that bigger problem.

[jefffriedman]

Hanson report presents four options for N.J. horse racing
Horsemen don’t want to depend on state welfare; want slots at racetracks to remain viable
The Examiner

The New Jersey government wants to forbid horse racing venues from installing slot machines, which would allow them to compete with racetracks in surrounding states.

This is just one of the recommendations in a new report issued July 21 by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment. The report is also referred to as the Hanson Report after Jon Hanson, chairman of the temporary commission that Gov. Chris Christie established to review the state of gaming in New Jersey. Other members of the commission were Debra DiLorenzo, Robert C. Holmes, Esq., Wesley W. Lang Jr., Al Leiter, Robert E. Mulcahy III and Finn Wentworth.

The report favors the Atlantic City casino industry over the state’s horse racing industry, both of which are losing money. The report states that putting slot machines at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford has a number of drawbacks, including amending the state Constitution and taking several years to accomplish when time is of the essence for New Jersey racetracks already competing with racinos in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) owns and operates both the Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park in Oceanport.

“The Meadowlands Racetrack no longer resonates as a viable entertainment option to large segments of the population except on major race days,” the report states. “The NJSEA budget cannot support two losing live race operations. The New Jersey racing industry cannot earn enough purse monies on its own to support two breeds in the state. The New Jersey racing industry cannot compete long-term with the New York and Pennsylvania purse structures or breeders’ incentive programs funded by racino revenues.”

The report states that Monmouth Park, which has near-historic landmark value and provides family entertainment, would benefit from a short “boutique summer meet” with the right purse structure.

The report provides four options for horse racing in the state. The first would eliminate harness racing but create a special fund for awards for standardbred owners and breeders racing out of state. The report calls harness racing “a regional niche sport with limited national media attention.”

The first option suggests converting the front paddock area at the Meadowlands into a 50,000-square-foot off-trackwagering (OTW) parlor and the rest of the paddock space would house NJSEA offices. The report also suggests developing a future use of the Meadowlands for sports, entertainment or other public events. The first option also suggests Monmouth Park have a 50- to 71-day meet, with possibly 10 days of turf racing at the Atlantic City Race Course. The privately owed Freehold Raceway in Freehold would retain its OTW license and the right to build OTW parlors. The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association would have to drop a contractual requirement for the NJSEA to pay $4.7 million toward purses.

The second option would include the thoroughbred racing change in the first option, and relocating a 70-day standardbred meet from the Meadowlands to Monmouth Park. The report noted that thoroughbred horsemen would have concerns about changing their racing surface. The second option includes paying additional costs to update Monmouth Park for night racing, with an $8 million-$12 million standardbred paddock and with needed winterizing.

The third option suggests leasing the Meadowlands Racetrack to the Standardbred Breeders and Owners of New Jersey (SBOANJ) for $1 a year, with early termination rights and an equity-based share at the Bayonne OTW. The horsemen would be responsible for all operating expenses, and the track’s share of payments in lieu of taxes, currently $2.5 million per year. They would also be responsible for capital improvements, estimated to be $12 million.

The fourth option suggests that private entities buy a standardbred farm in the state and convert it for commercial use with a mile track. Currently, the only such privately owned track is at Gaitway Farm in Manapalan. The report states that the entities could build a 5,000-seat grandstand and necessary amenities, and an OTW constructed at the Meadowlands would help them not lose the standardbred market in northern New Jersey. The report noted that Freehold Raceway, which is in the town adjacent to Manalapan, has a half-mile track and little room for expansion.

The SBOANJ issued a statement in response to the recommendation made in the report.

“We do not want to be dependent on state subsidies,” the SBOANJ response stated. “We want a new gaming model with quality racing and a chance to revitalize our product. Yet the Hanson commission that prepared the report for Gov. Chris Christie was never allowed to consider slots or video lottery terminals at New Jersey’s racetracks. Without alternate gaming as an option, the racing and breeding industry is handcuffed.”

The SBOANJ said it would like to build a new gaming model with slots at tracks as in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and other states.

“This is not a speculative solution,” the SBOANJ response stated. “It is a proven business plan that has benefited every state that has introduced racinos and whose governors and legislators have been able to lower taxes with the revenue from gaming.”

The SBOANJ also takes issue with the commission’s failure to discuss the loss of equine operations on thousands of acres when they relocate to other states with a better business climate.

“We do not understand why the state would be willing to spend taxpayer money to protect private companies, such as the casinos in Atlantic City and the investors in Xanadu [retail complex], while at the same time dismissing the racing industry as unimportant,” the SBOANJ response states.

The SBOANJ said it looks forward to Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s gaming summit in August where it hopes “a rational and global plan for all New Jersey gaming will be discussed.”

examiner.gmnews.com/news/2010-07-29/Front_Page/Hanson_report_presents_four_options_for_NJ_horse_r.html

[BrianSullivan]

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-08-04/Editorials/Death_of_horse_racing_will_hit_NJ_hard.html

Death of horse racing will hit N.J. hard

GUEST COLUMN
KARYN MALINOWSKI
It is obvious from the “Report of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment” (also referred to as the Hanson Report) that the state of New Jersey is no longer interested in the “live racing” business. This opinion comes from a summary of the commission’s recommendations, which in essence eliminates the major player in harness racing, i.e., the Meadowlands, and proposes to change legislation in order to permit off-track wagering (OTW) without the need for live racing.
This would be convenient for the operators of the OTWs, where revenue from gambling can be secured without the expense of providing live racing. What’s puzzling is the fact that nowhere in the Hanson report is the value of the horse industry to the state’s agricultural business mentioned.

The Garden State stands to lose the greatest portion of its premier agribusiness that generates $780 million of economic impact annually, 7,000 jobs, $115 million in federal, state and local taxes, and 57,000 acres of working agricultural landscape and open space, if racing-related training and breeding farms leave New Jersey.

Contributing to the total economic impact are New Jersey’s four racing venues: The Meadowlands, Freehold Raceway, Monmouth Park (in Oceanport), and Atlantic City Race Course, valued at $502 million annually.

In 2007, a center analysis of preserved farmland in the state showed that only a small portion is actually in equine-related activity. The analysis determined that only 8 percent of the acreage in the Farmland Preservation Program is used for horse-related activities and 11 percent of preserved farms are in the horse business.

Currently, acreage supported by equine interests makes up more than 20 percent of the total farmland in New Jersey. This re-inforces the argument that the state stands to lose this farmland to development (up to 57,000 acres) if racing is no longer viable.

One recommendation by the commission is to close the Meadowlands or offer the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) the opportunity to lease the track for $1 per year for up to three years.

Under this option, the SBOANJ would assume all of the expenses for the facility and its management, but would not be permitted to offer alternative gaming opportunities to customers.

This would pose a tremendous financial burden on the horsemen’s

organization, while limiting their ability to compete with other gaming interests inside and outside the state. The option of closing the Meadowlands would deliver a devastating blow to the harness racing industry in the state and globally.




While the thoroughbred racing industry is valuable to the state, the breeding component of this segment of the racing industry is small compared to that of the standardbred industry.

Therefore, one must realize that New Jersey stands to lose a significant amount of taxpaying open space unless it develops a mechanism(s) for assuring sustainability for both thoroughbred and standardbred racing.

One must also realize that while the initial success of the “elite meet” at Monmouth Park is encouraging, it is indeed an experiment, the impact of which is yet to be determined.

The long-term sustainability of a million-dollar-a-day “elite meet” at Monmouth Park also needs to be looked at carefully and realistically. To deem this experiment a success at this time and apply this model indefinitely would be premature.

Racing is not the only equine discipline that will lose if New Jersey racing ceases to exist. Sport competition and recreational horse users stand to suffer, as will traditional agricultural interests such as grain, hay and straw farmers who continue to survive and maintain open space because their major customers are horse owners.

The “top shelf” level of services that New Jersey horse enthusiasts have come to expect, such as equine veterinary clinics and feed and supply stores, are at risk.

While these small businesses are frequented and supported by sport horse competition and recreational users, a predominant economic flow to these entities is from the racing industry. There already exists a shortage of large-animal veterinarians in the state. If racing clients ceased to exist in New Jersey, this demand would be even greater.

The New Jersey Equine Advisory Board (EAB), which is part of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, provides the annual budget that predominantly supports the Horse Park of New Jersey and the sport and recreation segments of the horse industry, including 4-H youth development programs.

The annual EAB budget, which is correlated to a percentage of the pari-mutuel handle from racing, has shrunk from a high of $498,000 in 1990 to a new low of $290,400 in 2009. This budget would disappear if racing ceased to exist in New Jersey.

It is widely known that New Jersey loses its “best and brightest” to neighboring states when it comes to high school graduates choosing higher education and career paths. The Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences is proud of its track record in placing its animal science undergraduate students into graduate and veterinary schools.

Many of these young college graduates express interest in future careers in the New Jersey horse industry. It begs the question: Why would they want to stay in the Garden State if the equine industry infrastructure crumbles?

The fact remains that horse racing is the economic driving engine of the entire horse industry in New Jersey and is extremely valuable to the quality of life in the form of agricultural working landscape that benefits all residents of New Jersey.

If racing interests no longer find farming in New Jersey a viable option, they will seek other locations, taking with them their financial contributions and leaving in their wake joblessness and a scenic vista of preserved but unproductive land; a fiscal burden to the community that helped to preserve it.

New Jersey stands to lose some of its biggest tourism events, such as the Hambletonian, the Haskell, and Far Hills Steeplechase races, and the New Jersey Fresh three-day event, to name a few.

Without a long-term vision for the sustainability of horse racing in New Jersey, owners, trainers and breeders who currently are invested in its infrastructure would leave en masse for other locations.

For more information, visit the Equine Science Center Internet website at esc.rutgers.edu.

Karyn Malinowski is the director of the Rutgers University Equine Science Center in New Brunswick.

[BrianSullivan]

Death of racing would hit county hard

GUEST COLUMN
Lillian G. Burry
A proposal to shore up Atlantic City’s casinos at the expense of the horse racing industry will have a devastating effect on Monmouth County’s quality of life.

It would appear that the governor has already embraced the concepts recommended in the report. If these recommendations are carried to fruition, it would spell the end of the standardbred industry in New Jersey and not bode well for the thoroughbreds. Plus, it would place the thousands of acres of Monmouth County farmland, where many of these horses are bred, in jeopardy.

The report released last week by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Gaming, Sports and Entertainment is a disappointment because it fails to even consider the benefits of horse racing on New Jersey’s economy and quality of life, particularly to those of us who live in Monmouth County.

According to a 2007 study by the Rutgers Equine Science Center, the horse industry generates more than $1.1 billion annually in positive impact on New Jersey’s economy. Of that, $650 million is generated by horse and horse farm owners, who buy feed, forage, veterinary and farrier services, tack, trucks and trailers and keep 13,000 New Jersey residents employed. There are 42,000 horses housed in New Jersey at 7,200 facilities, and they include 8,200 standardbreds and 4,300 thoroughbreds that are actively racing or are breeding stock.

Horse farms total 176,000 acres in New Jersey, or about onefifth of the entire farming industry in the Garden State. Many of the horse farms are right here in Monmouth County, home to 80 percent of all thoroughbred farms in New Jersey. Many more raise standardbreds.

What will happen to these farms? Will they gradually become choked with housing developments? As someone with strong ties to Monmouth County’s farmland preservation efforts and the equine industry, I can tell you the future for both breeds does not look very bright.

Between 1983 and 1996, New Jersey lost 40,000 acres of open space primarily because of the demise of racehorse breeding farms. Underlying causes at the time were changes in federal tax laws and reduction in the racing purse structure due to competition from Atlantic City’s new casinos.

Racing is not the only equine discipline that will lose if New Jersey racing does not receive the help that is needed. Sport competition and recreational horse users will also suffer, as will traditional agriculture interests such as grain, hay and straw farmers who continue to survive and maintain open space due to the fact that their major customers are horse owners.

A 2009 study by Rutgers Equine Science Center cited the horse racing, breeding and training industry as a critical component of open space preservation and the state’s economy. To continue the protection and preservation of open space, that report recommended establishing a partnership between the racetracks and the casinos that allow video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the tracks. The study found that the impact of VLTs at New Jersey racetracks on Atlantic City’s gaming revenue would be minimal — less than 2 percent. Conversely, the addition of VLTs at those racetracks would generate $433.5 million in gross revenue during the first year of operation.




Unfortunately, the current issue over horse racing versus casinos has the potential of reigniting a long-simmering divide between North Jersey and South Jersey. But there is no need to choose one form of gaming over another. Racetracks did not cause the drop in casino revenue; the proliferation of casinos and racinos in neighboring states did. Given the economic benefits, horse racing should be allowed to continue. Proof that it can work is Monmouth Park, which is seeing a phenomenal success this year with a shortened race schedule and bigger purses.

Monmouth Park, home of the Haskell Invitational, which draws Kentucky Derby winners and top jockeys from around the country, is a stellar site for these performances. The answer to increased gambling competition from New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania is not to put our horses and horse farms out to pasture, but to develop and implement a plan that encourages Atlantic City casinos redefine themselves with a broader appeal than just gambling.

The horse is more than the state animal, and the horse racing and breeding industries are commodities certainly worth saving in New Jersey. Horse racing is the economic driving engine of the entire horse industry in the state and is extremely valuable to the quality of life in the form of agricultural working landscape that benefits all residents of New Jersey.

Gov. Christie received overwhelming support from the voters in Monmouth and Ocean counties. I invite him on a tour of our horse farms so he can see firsthand how important the horse industry is — not only to residents of Monmouth County but also to everyone in New Jersey.

Lillian G. Burry is director of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

examiner.gmnews.com/news/2010-08-05/Editorials/Death_of_racing_would_hit_county_hard.html

[lisas84]

Brian, thanks for posting this. Lillian Burry wrote a powerful letter anchored by statistics. I like her idea of squiring the Governor around to a variety of businesses that depend upon horseracing. I pray he takes her up on this potentially eye-opening offer.