You wanna see open space, drive west on route 70 from Lakewood to route 206. They want to keep these acres free from development at the cost of increasing urban development. Long Branch and Asbury will be built out before Newark, Trenton & Jersey City at the rate development is going. Question three will facilitate this agenda! Vote No on all questions.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, kerry butch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > PRESS RELEASE > > For Immediate Release: > > Contact: > October 18, 2007 > Jeff Tittel, Sierra Club, 609-558-9100 > Dave Pringle, NJ Environment Federation, 732-996-4288 > Joanna Wolaver, NJ Audubon Society, 609-712-3622 > Alison Mitchell, NJ Conservation Foundation, 908-234-1225 > Ed Wengryn, NJ Farm Bureau, 609-393-7163 > > Open Space Advocates Expose Falsehoods about Question #3, > Condemn Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan's Radio Ads > > Trenton , NJ - The passage of Ballot Question #3 is the most important issue facing the voters in this year's election. Without Question #3, we will run out of money to preserve open space, farmland and historic properties, build new parks and playgrounds for our children, and voluntarily buy out flood-prone properties. Despite the important of this issue for the future of New Jersey , there are those who will distort, and even lie, about this ballot question. We are all here today to set the record straight on Ballot Question #3 and what it means for New Jersey . > > The Keep It Green coalition has learned that Bogota , New Jersey , Mayor Steve Lonegan and "Americans for Prosperity" are campaigning against question #3, the $200 million open space, farmland and historic preservation question on this November's ballot. > > "Halloween has come early. Steve Lonegan is trying to trick the voters with deliberate lies and falsehoods," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "The only thing that's scarier than Steve Lonegan's lies is New Jersey losing its open space and farmland programs." > > The advocates released a fact sheet (attached) exposing and debunking the myths and untruths Lonegan has been spreading about question #3 including that it will increase taxes, bring high density housing to New Jersey towns, and force homeowners to lose their property to eminent domain. In fact, a yes vote on #3 will prevent overdevelopment, save our threatened open spaces and farmland, and create playgrounds, green spaces and urban parks for our children. It in no way will authorize the use of eminent domain by the state taxes on the contrary, the state legislature has specifically prohibited use of funds that will be made available from the approval of question # 3 for eminent domain by the state. > > "The GSPT has been recognized as not only the largest land preservation program in the nation but also the most successful," said Assemblyman John F. McKeon, a primary bill sponsor. "Supporting Ballot question #3 will ensure that New Jersey 's land preservation efforts will continue uninterrupted. The Blue Acres component allows willing sellers to voluntarily sell their properties for permanent preservation while avoiding future insurance costs and economic hardships. Anyone claiming the contrary is irresponsible and typical of the extreme right wing antics." > > > > "Lonegan's ads and statements are uninformed at best and knowingly false at worst," said David Pringle of the NJ Environmental Federation. "While that might work in a state less educated, less environmental conscious, and filled with more ideological zealots than New Jersey, someone positioning himself to run for Governor should know better, but perhaps his thoughts are elsewhere." > > "To say a yes vote on question #3 is a vote for eminent domain is nothing more than a cheap scare tactic. The history of the state preservation programs demonstrates that the state as the buyer is providing fair value to willing sellers. The passage of public question #3 will ensure that those market-based and fair transactions can continue," said Ed Wengryn of New Jersey Farm Bureau. > > "We've already seen the tremendous benefits these preservation programs bring to New Jersey 's environment and its people, including tax stabilization. So we don't need to worry about what will happen if we pass Question # 3 - we need to worry about what will happen if we don't," said Alison Mitchell of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. > > " New Jersey loses over 40 acres each day to development making our remaining open spaces a precious asset. We must protect and preserve our remaining natural and historic resources to insure future generations can enjoy a high quality of life. I am confident that voters will overwhelmingly approve this question, just as they have approved similar measures dating back to 1961," said State Senator Leonard Lance. > > "Ballot question #3 is critical to providing much needed funding to the Garden State Preservation Trust, which helps to preserve our farms, open space, and historic landmarks," said Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher. "I ask the voters of New Jersey to vote yes on Ballot questions #3 to keep this highly successful programs running to ensure our land and history are permanently preserved." > > "A yes vote on Ballot Question 3 is a clear no-brainer," said Doug O'Malley, Environment New Jersey 's Field Director. "The more people know that Ballot Question #3 will protect open space, the more support it gets." > > "A yes vote is an investment in the future of New Jersey . By voting yes on Ballot Question #3 on November 6th, New Jersey voters will protect the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the open space, farmland, and historic sites we cherish," said Joanna Wolaver of New Jersey Audubon Society. > > The Keep It Green Campaign is a coalition of over 90 organizations from throughout the state calling for passage for question #3 in November and f a larger annual, more permanent source of funding for open space, historic and farmland preservation, operations, and improvements during this year's lame duck legislative session. For more information on the campaign, visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org. > > ### > > > > > Fact and Fiction about Public Question #3 > > 1. Fiction: Question #3 sells bonds for money to take property from homeowners and small businesses for "open space" through Eminent Domain and will force homeowners near rivers and streams to give up their land to Eminent Domain. (Source: http://americansforprosperity.org/index.php?id=4004 and the advertisement on http://taxpayerminute.com/Taxpayer%20Minute%2026.mp3) > > Fact: A Yes Vote on #3 will fund the purchase of flood prone properties by the state from willing sellers only and explicitly prohibits the use of eminent domain to do so. In fact, Assembly Bill 4402, which placed question #3 on the ballot, states the following: "The State shall not utilize the power of eminent domain in any manner to acquire lands utilizing funds made available pursuant to the Blue Acres bond program; such lands shall be acquired only from willing sellers." In addition, question #3 follows the provisions of the Garden State Preservation Trust, PL 1999 Chapter 152, which prohibits the use of eminent domain in state land acquisition. > > New Jersey has experienced three catastrophic floods within the past two years, injuring people and destroying homes and property. As a result, there are many property owners who would like to sell their flood-prone properties to get out of harm's way. By purchasing this land through the Blue Acres program, the State will not only protects these property owners, but also property owners downstream by providing safe areas for floodwaters to dissipate. In addition, the land purchased will provide green spaces and parkland for the enjoyment of nearby residents. > > 2. Fiction: Passage of question #3 will replace the construction of one family houses with high rise, high density housing and force urbanization on suburban towns. (Source: advertisement on http://taxpayerminute.com/Taxpayer%20Minute%2026.mp3) > > Fact: A Yes Vote on #3 will help prevent overdevelopment and save our threatened open spaces. New Jersey loses over 40 acres of open space a day to development. By authorizing the state to issue $200 million in general obligation bonds, the Bond Act would provide much- needed funds to keep New Jersey 's open space, farmland and historic preservation programs afloat for one more year. > > Since 1998 these programs have enabled the State, local governments and non-profits to acquire over 327,000 acres of parks and open space, numerous historic sites, and over 160,000 acres of farmland in communities across the state. Preserving open space and farmland protects existing rural and suburban homes and prevents the overdevelopment of these areas by halting sprawl. Passage of #3 will also finance the purchase and improvement of parks, green spaces and playgrounds in existing urban areas, enhancing the quality of life for residents. > > 3. Fiction: Passage of Public Question #3 will increase your taxes. (Source: advertisement on http://taxpayerminute.com/Taxpayer% 20Minute%2026.mp3) > > Fact: A yes vote on #3 will not impose any new taxes and can be paid for with existing revenue, and in fact, a yes vote will help stabilize local property taxes. The Bond Act allows the State Treasurer to issue bonds, which must be paid back within the next 30 years from existing revenue sources. Bonding, a common method for funding land acquisition and capital improvements, is the most logical and successful way to fund preservation because it takes advantage of current market values by purchasing land now instead of waiting until it is too expensive or already lost to development. New Jersey voters have approved 11 bond measures since 1961 dedicating funds for preservation efforts. > > Furthermore, New Jersey loses over 40 acres of open space to develop each day, resulting in increased property taxes as municipalities fund new schools, roads and public infrastructure to support this development. According to a recent report by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, studies show that for every $1.00 collected in taxes, residential development costs between $1.04 and $1.67 in services. These costs are ongoing and generally increase over time. The acquisition of open space, on the other hand, requires fewer services and costs taxpayers far less over the long term. These areas quickly pay for themselves, providing ongoing savings and substantial environmental and economic benefits to the community, such drinking water protection, public recreation opportunities, critical wildlife habitat and job creation through ecotourism. > > In addition, passage of Question #3 will provide matching funds for the dedicated property taxes collected annually by all 21 counties and over 225 municipalities for open space preservation. With this match from the state, towns can spend less local money to purchase open space and develop parks, saving taxpayer dollars. > > For more information, please visit the New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign website at www.NJKeepItGreen.org or contact Joanna Wolaver at New Jersey Audubon Society at 609-392-1181 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! 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