TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) that could create thousands of jobs for area residents and spur economic development for the entire region and state by establishing a new authority to revitalize Fort Monmouth was approved 5-0 yesterday by the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

The bill (S10) would create a Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to implement the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Plan. It would abolish the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority and transfer all of its functions, powers, and duties to the newly created authority, which would exist in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury.

CONNERS: CRITICAL GAO REPORT MEANS PENTAGON MUST RETHINK FORT MONMOUTH CLOSURE

(DELRAN) - Assemblyman Jack Conners, chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, today said a new Government Accountability Office report shows the Pentagon must rethink the plan to close Fort Monmouth.

Kyrillos: Maryland Thinks It Can Steal Our Talent?

Maryland will Open NJ Office to Lure Away Top Workers

            Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-13) made this statement after hearing Maryland will be opening up an economic development office in Eatontown to recruit talented New Jersey workers:   

BELLEW FOR CONGRESS
Op ed by Leigh-Ann Bellew

LOSING THE FIRE SERVICES, HAZMAT TEAM AND TESTING LAB AT FORT MONMOUTH WILL LEAVE OUR COMMUNITIES DANGEROUSLY VULNERABLE!

The Raritan Bay sits in the high risk corridor of New Jersey when it comes to potential terrorist attacks. When Fort Monmouth closes in 2011, this area will lose many important assets from fire safety personnel, specialized equipment and the only hazmat response unit from Boston to Washington, D.C.

The loss of the Fort means a loss of jobs and a loss of a source of revenue for the area. But most importantly, it is costing surrounding communities the protection of the fort’s fire and hazmat services that will cost millions of tax dollars to replace.

The Fort Monmouth Fire Department, with facilities in the Oceanport and Tinton Falls portions of the fort, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with at least 15 firefighters on duty at any time. They answer hundreds of fire, rescue, and EMS calls a year, including dozens of calls off-post on a "mutual aid" basis, assisting local volunteer fire departments on structure fires, collapses, and other "major incident" calls, especially during the daytime when many volunteers cannot respond due to work.

Fort Monmouth is also home to a state-of-the-art hazardous materials response truck that can be brought into a wide variety of incidents, from spills to explosions to weapons of mass destruction issues involving chemical, biological, and radiological incidents. Since the New Jersey Turnpike is utilized by trucks carrying hazardous materials coming through our seaports, having this response truck is not just a convenience, it is a necessity and it is imperative that we keep it.

Yet this issue has not been championed by Frank Pallone or Rush Holt. They worked on the fort's BRAC closure. Shouldn’t they know what's there? The FBI and other branches of the Department of Homeland Security have expressed an interest in keeping a presence at the Fort due to its proximity to New York. Keeping the Haz-Mat lab and team would add to the security presence in this high target area.

I am a strong proponent of this idea because I believe that New Jersey, especially the Raritan Bay and surrounding areas, are high profile target zones for terrorists. We have many chemical plants, pharmaceuticals and two of the largest seaports in the country. To lose Fort Monmouth, and especially these specialized security and safety services at a time when we are so vulnerable, is nonsensical. With all that Fort Monmouth has to offer Homeland Security could have a top notch training ground for a variety of disciplines and keep a top notch emergency response unit up and running at the same time. Everyone would win.

Another win is that the local towns won’t be forced to spend tax dollars upgrading first responder equipment and facilities to make up for the loss of the Fort’s services. We’ll be able to keep the current level of service using tax dollars we’ve already sent to DC that are already budgeted for these services. It's win-win-win-win!

Leigh-Ann Bellew is the Republican Candidate for Congress from New Jersey’s 6th District which includes parts of Monmouth, Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties. CONTACT: Leigh-Ann Bellew Phone: 732-670-9839 info@bellewforcongress.com

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RECEIVES $600,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO BE USED FOR FORT MONMOUTH RETRAINING PROGRAMS

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that New Jersey has won a $600,000 National Emergency Grant from the U. S. Department of Labor. The grant will be used to provide retraining and reemployment services for workers impacted by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s decision to shut down Fort Monmouth in 2011.

PANTER: REPORT SHOWS NEED FOR HIGH-TECH EMPHASIS IN FORT MONMOUTH CONVERSION
Stevens Institute Report Highlights Need to Keep Tech Companies in State; Panter Says Plan Would Keep 'Best and Brightest' in New Jersey

(SHREWSBURY) - Citing a 58-page report Stevens Institute of Technology issued this week on the erosion of New Jersey's global telecommunications business sector, Assemblyman Mike Panter today urged the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA) to put greater emphasis on converting a portion of the fort into a telecommunications and high-technology research hub.

PALLONE DROPS THE BALL ON FORT MONMOUTH

Union Beach - The Governor was joined by Frank Pallone when he signed legislation establishing an authority to help determine the future of the Fort Monmouth property. If Frank Pallone had spent more time in Washington representing the interests of his constituents that legislation might not have been necessary.

Despite what he attempts to argue, Pallone’s voting record shows that his actions in Washington were against Fort Monmouth and against the security of his constituents.

“The people of the 6th Congressional District deserve better representation�, 6th District Republican candidate Leigh-Ann Bellew said. “Fort Monmouth has been a key employer for this area and has been a leader in our fight against world terrorism. It’s absolutely shameful that Frank Pallone has been asleep at the wheel when it comes to protecting this vital institution.�

Although Mr. Pallone has been trying to convince the public that he has been doing all that could be done to save the Fort over the past year, over his past 18 years in Washington, his consistent pattern of voting against military appropriations, particularly appropriations for intelligence measures, were votes against Fort Monmouth. Such votes were against the Fort obtaining the additional resources that could have further bolstered, and cemented, its place in the Nation’s defense arsenal.

“Had Mr. Pallone voted for bills providing funding for the military and in favor of bills providing funding of intelligence efforts, and tried to obtain additional funding for such measures�, Bellew added. “Fort Monmouth might not have been victim of the BRAC closures.�

It is time to send Frank Pallone a message that the people of the 6th Congressional District want someone in Washington who will recognize and support their economic interests and overall security.

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KARCHER'S FORT BILL - 'DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT CORRUPTION'

Measure to Begin Redevelopment of Fort Monmouth Property Signed into Law

FORT MONMOUTH - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would create the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority and begin preparing the region to survive the economic impact of a federal decision to close the base, was signed into law today by Governor Corzine.

"Today we look to the future," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. "When the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Commission decided to shut the doors on Fort Monmouth, it was a blow to the region, but we're moving forward. With proper economic planning, smart growth and ethical redevelopment, we can turn the corner on this setback and realize a brighter tomorrow for the residents of Monmouth County."

HILL WALLACK LAUNCHES FTMONMOUTHBLOG.COM,

A NEW BLOG ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF FORT MONMOUTH