Walsh weighs in on Green Acres issue

RESS RELEASE

*FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION*
/September 19, 2007/

POC: Patricia A. Walsh
Democrat for 13th District Assembly
Tel: (908) 601-1252/Email: walshforassembly@yahoo.com

Website: www.walshforassembly.blogspot.com

*Walsh applauds Commissioner’s decision regarding Ocean Grove Pavilion*

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ): Democrat for 13th District
Assembly Patricia A. Walsh said yesterday that she supports the decision
made today to which strips the tax exempt status of the Ocean Grove
Pavilion because of it failure to comply with state and federal law.

“You can’t have it both ways” said Walsh “You can’t accept taxpayer funds from
outside the community and then say you won’t abide by the law of the land.” In a
decision made by the State Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Lisa Jackson
she declined to recertify the tax exempt status of the Boardwalk Pavilion.

Since 1989 the pavilion has enjoyed that status under the State’s Green Acres Program,
which is designed to encourage the use of privately owned land for public recreation.
In her letter to the association she stated “it is clear that the pavilion is not open to all
persons on an equal basis.”

Walsh stated” When the taxpayers fund open space, that is exactly how it should be
treated, as open space for all New Jersey resident’s.”She continued “ It boils down to a
question of fairness, just as the Camp Meeting Association values it’s neighbors, so must
they all be treated in the same way. Discrimination and prejudice, should have no place
especially in equal access to open space. ”

“I sincerely hope that the members of the Ocean Grove community will take a close look at
this decision and find some way to put an end to the conflict rather than commit to the
divisiveness of litigation.”

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