Just a reminder that there are important State Senate & Assembly elections this Tuesday, Nov. 6th that need your vote. The polls open at 6 am and close at 8 pm in the George Washington bldg. for residents in Newport, Avalon Cove & the Marbella - District 22 in Ward E. It's the Democrats against the Republicans and although the Dems have widespread support, it's still important to do your civic duty so remember to vote Tuesday!

There are also 4 important ballot initiatives that are reason enough to get out their and vote. These include 2 bond issues, one that will provide a one year funding stream of $200 million for the state to acquire open space at a time when such space is quickly being gobbled up by developers and when the state is perhaps the most densely populated in the U.S. The second would provide $450 million for stem cell research, with $45 million being allocated each year over the next 10 years. Everyone acknowledges that the State's fiscal house is in disarray with a projected budget deficit of $3.5 billion next year but there are good reasons to vote for each of these bond issues. It is recommended that you check out Sunday's NY Times New Jersey section which has a thoughtful editorial in support of these 2 bond issues.
A third ballot initiative would dedicate all of the proceeds from a one-cent increase in the sales tax for local property tax relief. This is a tough one when you consider the projected budget shortfall for next year. Nonetheless, each of these initiatives alone are sufficient for everyone to get out and vote on election day.

The Newport Neighborhood Assn. ("NNA") strongly urges everyone to vote today, election day, Tuesday, November 6th and to VOTE YES on Ballot Initiative #3, for Open Space & Parks!
The polling place for residents of Newport, Avalon Cove and the Marbella is the first floor of the George Washington Bldg., & the polls are open up to 8 pm tonite.

One of the central goals of the NNA is to work with the Port Authority to have a public park built on their pier which is located around the corner from the Duane Reed Drug Store in Newport and sits on the Hudson River. To accomplish this worthwhile goal the NNA plans on applying for funds from the State's Green Acres Open Space program. However, no funds are currently available but this ballot initiative would provide $200 million in new bond monies to be earmarked for such purposes, including preserving New Jersey's parks, natural areas, clean water, wildlife habitat, farmland and historic treasures and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

FYI - even with current preservation efforts, New Jersey loses more than 40 acres of open space to development everyday. At this rate, our state is projected to reach full build out within 30 years. Your yes vote on #3 is needed to ensure that New Jersey can continue to preserve open space, farmland and historic treasures across the state before it is too late. It will also enable the NNA to apply for these funds to build a much needed public park on the Port Authority pier in Newport.

As such, this November 6th invest in the future of New Jersey by voting yes on this ballot question and encouraging friends and family to do the same.

And passage of public question #3 will not impose any new taxes as the funds made available can be paid for with existing revenue. Further, a yes vote will also help stabilize property taxes. The loss of open space and farmland to development results 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 as drinking water protection, public recreation opportunities, critical wildlife habitat and job creation through ecotourism.

Finally, passing #3 will significantly strengthen local and regional preservation efforts by providing matching funds for the local dollars collected by over 225 municipalities and all 21 counties for open space and farmland preservation projects. In the NNA park initiative, we have partnered with Mayor Healy and Jersey City so passage of #3 means Jersey City will be eligible for matching funds from this state funding source so VOTE YES on #3.

From today's Star Ledger:

Voters tell Trenton to slow down on borrowing

by Matt Reilly Wednesday November 07, 2007,

New Jersey voters may have allowed Democrats to retain control of the state Legislature in Tuesday's elections, but they are sending them back to Trenton with a clear message: slow down on the borrowing.

In rejecting a plan to borrow $450 million to fund stem cell research, voters gave Democrats a harsh review of their fiscal stewardship of the state. Two other questions - on open space preservation and removal of offensive language from the state constitution - were approved.

The vote also signals "asset monetization" - Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to sell or lease state roads to finance other spending - may be in serious trouble even before he unveils the details to the public. "Jon Corzine campaigned for three things this year," New Jersey Republican State Chairman Tom Wilson said, referring to two defeated candidates for state Senate and the stem cell question. "All three lost. Monetization should be a dead on arrival."

Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton had a more positive take on the results.

"Walk first, then run," she said. "That seems to be the theme of this election. The public understands the state has serious financial problems that must be dealt with first."

Before the new Legislature is sworn in this January, the current membership will have a "lame duck" session of about two months during to address issues. It's uncertain whether the asset monetization plan will come up during the session, but there is enough other unfinished business to keep lawmakers busy.

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) said one item of business left over from the special legislative session on property tax relief, which began in the summer of 2006 and spilled into this year, is revising the formula for providing state aid to local school districts. It might get done in the lame duck session.

"School funding needs to be in place by mid-February," Roberts said. "There is a distinct possibility we might take action on that in the post-election session."

The Democrats will retain control of the Legislature despite Tuesday's defeat of freshman Sen. Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth).

Karcher lost to Republican Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, but victories in South Jersey will give the Democrats a net gain of one seat in the Senate, meaning they will now have a 23-17 advantage in the upper house.

"It's kind of a mixed message," Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) said. "That's the message. You've got to get your house in order. The voters said we want Dems, but we want them to solve this fiscal problem."

Although the ballot questions on stem cell research and property tax relief were unrelated, opponents successfully framed them as a referendum on the state's financial health.
The stem cell question was the most controversial. The money would have paid for research by universities and private entities on stem cells, which can be developed into various tissues. Supporters had argued the research could help cure illnesses like Lou Gehrig's disease and mend spinal cord injuries. Opponents said the research would focus on embryonic stem cells and result in the destruction of human embryos, or in cloning.

"People are saying enough is enough with the borrowing, and that we shouldn't be venturing into highly risky business ventures," said Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, who campaigned against all four ballot questions.

The state's two top Democrats - Gov. Jon Corzine and Codey - endorsed the $450 million bond issue for stem cell research.

"That's disappointing obviously," Codey said of the stem cell question. "I was starting to feel the opponents were getting a lot of publicity in the press and I spent $100,000 of my own campaign money on radio spots with a victim of a spinal cord injury. It's a loss for the state, and more importantly, a loss for mankind."

Voters did approve a referendum to authorize the borrowing of $200 million for open space preservation and another question that would change the state constitution to remove the words "idiot" and "insane" from a section of the state constitution that deals with voting.
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Although voters statewide generally voted down ballot initiatives that would add to the state's bond debt at a time when the state is facing a $3 billion budget shortfall, they were wise enough to realize that there is a desperate need for open space and new parks. Indeed, voters must be aware that the State is perhaps the most densely populated in the country and so, by voting for $200 million in bond funding they are saying no to uncontrolled development and yes to open space and parks. Here in Hudson County, the most densely populated county among the State's 21 counties, we are eligible for these new funds to build parks here.

Specifically, the NNA is working with the City and the Port Authority to have a public park built on the Port Authority pier in Newport that sits out on the Hudson River. Now that these State funds are available, we plan on applying for these funds to help finance the cost of building a public park. Thanks to all of you in Ward E, District 22 (Newport, Avalon Cove, Mandalay & the Marbella) and throughout Jersey City and Hudson County who voted yes on ballot issue #3 for this new funding for parks and open space in NJ.

Hello All.
This is Styris from new-York and new to Newport.
I found you guys are discussing very well for our state senate and election. I am doing my Masters in Computer Science. I was collecting information about politic issues and condition of the nation. Thank you All and Stay connected.