Save the Department of Agriculture and our State Parks
Target:
Governor Corzine, New Jersey Government officials and Residents of NJ
Sponsored by:
Governor Corzine created a budget that would get rid of the Department of Agriculture and lay off most of the people in the Department except for a few select employees to add them to other existing Departments like the Department of Environmental Protection. Agriculture in this state accounts for $82 billion dollars to the state economy and 60,000 jobs. Cutting the Department would save $1.7 million dollars a small fraction of the $2.7 billion in budget cuts in his $32.9 billion budget proposal. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for controlling insects like gypsy moths, food safety, farmland preservation, The Jersey Fresh Campaign, and numerous other important projects. The Department of Agriculture is small but it gets a lot done so instead of getting rid of it they should learn from it to help other Departments run more effectively. The parks he wants to close are Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Stephens State Park, High Point State Park, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Round Valley Recreation Area, Parvin State Park, Jenny Jump State Forest, Worthington State Forest and Fort Mott State Park. In addition, Ringwood State Park, D&R Canal State Park and Washington Crossing State Park may suffer cuts in facilities or hours of operation. Closing the parks would save $3.7 million dollars but they would like to create two new state parks one in Trenton so the State house can see it out their windows and one in Paterson those projects would cost about $20 million of tax payers dollars for the parks. Cutting the Department of agriculture and closing state parks could have a drastic effect on all New Jersey citizens quality of life.
Governor Corzine created a budget that would get rid of the Department of Agriculture and lay off most of the people in the Department except for a few select employees to add them to other existing Departments like the Department of Environmental Protection. Agriculture in this state accounts for $82 billion dollars to the state economy and 60,000 jobs. Cutting the Department would save $1.7 million dollars a small fraction of the $2.7 billion in budget cuts in his $32.9 billion budget proposal. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for controlling insects like gypsy moths, food safety, farmland preservation, The Jersey Fresh Campaign, and numerous other important projects. The Department of Agriculture is small but it gets a lot done so instead of getting rid of it they should learn from it to help other Departments run more effectively. The parks he wants to close are Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Stephens State Park, High Point State Park, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Round Valley Recreation Area, Parvin State Park, Jenny Jump State Forest, Worthington State Forest and Fort Mott State Park. In addition, Ringwood State Park, D&R Canal State Park and Washington Crossing State Park may suffer cuts in facilities or hours of operation. Closing the parks would save $3.7 million dollars but they would like to create two new state parks one in Trenton so the State house can see it out their windows and one in Paterson those projects would cost about $20 million of tax payers dollars for the parks. Cutting the Department of agriculture and closing state parks could have a drastic effect on all New Jersey citizens quality of life.
We signed the "Save the Department of Agriculture and our State Parks" petition!
# 83:
10:43 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Jennifer Fratto, New Jersey
Our leaders should be able to come up with better ways to enhance economical deficits without punishing the people. Is it fair to the children who barely have wildlife left to enjoy as it is? If Parvin State Park were attempted to be closed, I assure that the united people of South Jersey would not allow it peacefully.
Our leaders should be able to come up with better ways to enhance economical deficits without punishing the people. Is it fair to the children who barely have wildlife left to enjoy as it is? If Parvin State Park were attempted to be closed, I assure that the united people of South Jersey would not allow it peacefully.
# 82:
2:15 pm PDT, Jun 5,
Ines Seidel, Germany
# 81:
2:33 pm PDT, May 28,
Margo Ferri, New Jersey
State parks are the one thing I can escape to. New Jersey is overpopulated, and full of cities, and suburbs. The state parks are the only place I can go to reconnect with nature, and take a step back from this fast paced world and just breathe and realize that nature is what we're supposed to be enjoying, relax in it and benefit from the sereness that it has become, a safe haven for me, in this busy state.
State parks are the one thing I can escape to. New Jersey is overpopulated, and full of cities, and suburbs. The state parks are the only place I can go to reconnect with nature, and take a step back from this fast paced world and just breathe and realize that nature is what we're supposed to be enjoying, relax in it and benefit from the sereness that it has become, a safe haven for me, in this busy state.
# 80:
11:19 am PDT, May 28,
Deborah Lieb, New Jersey
GOING GREEN!
GOING GREEN!
# 79:
11:16 am PDT, May 28,
Jhana Silva, New Jersey
We should be preserving our parks and appreciate earth rather than be busy with making money by building shopping malls, etc.!!!!
We should be preserving our parks and appreciate earth rather than be busy with making money by building shopping malls, etc.!!!!
# 78:
10:54 am PDT, May 28,
Ashleigh Boissonault, New Jersey
# 77:
1:46 pm PDT, May 25,
Anne Seidel, Germany
# 76:
3:53 pm PDT, May 13,
Michael Pert, New York
# 75:
5:35 am PDT, May 8,
Kenneth Lapointe, Canada
Parks are important and valuable to people's health.
Parks are important and valuable to people's health.
# 74:
1:40 pm PDT, May 7,
JENNIFER KIDD-ALLEN, New Jersey
The state parks are an important part of our environment and Jersey as a state. We have already lost most of the natrual habitat in the state to development, budget cuts, etc. how much more are we willing to lose.
The state parks are an important part of our environment and Jersey as a state. We have already lost most of the natrual habitat in the state to development, budget cuts, etc. how much more are we willing to lose.
# 73:
8:04 am PDT, May 7,
Laura Quinn, New Jersey
# 72:
8:04 am PDT, May 7,
CASSIE KOWALCHUK, New Jersey
# 71:
8:30 am PDT, May 5,
Lisa Rosenberg, New Jersey
# 70:
4:48 am PDT, May 5,
Jodie Toolen, New Jersey
# 69:
6:40 pm PDT, May 4,
Eileen Walsh, New Jersey
Are you kidding? New Jersey is the Garden State!!! How can we continue to hold our heads up high if you elimnate the very department necessary to our motto??????? Please reconsider your idea to cut this department and instead stop giving retired employees part time employment at high pay while they are collecting their pensions - thank you
Are you kidding? New Jersey is the Garden State!!! How can we continue to hold our heads up high if you elimnate the very department necessary to our motto??????? Please reconsider your idea to cut this department and instead stop giving retired employees part time employment at high pay while they are collecting their pensions - thank you
# 68:
4:29 am PDT, May 4,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
# 67:
2:14 pm PDT, May 3,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
Living in NJ for 17 years, I have had the pleasure of using many of the state parks in Northern, Central and Southern NJ. My family and I have taken many vacations at some of the proposed parks destined to being impacted by our "Great Governor". Gov. Corzine needs to start looking at the impact he will have on many working class families that unlike himself, can not afford to take vacations in luxury resorts. State parks and the whole concept of recreation is to help the citizens share time in open spaces to get into better physical and mental shape. To eliminate this ability clearly shows that our Governor does not care about the people that put him in office. Just like his stupid proposals to sell our major highways to private industry, here he goes again with silly proposals that have little hope in helping to close the gap in our budget deficit. If he really wanted to save the taxpayers some money, why doesn't he begin with the state and local government itself. Too many times, I have been involved in selling state and local agencies on the concept of using better products that would save them money in the long term. These agencies and the people that are in charge do not care about this as long as we the taxpayers continue to support their wasteful purchasing practices by paying our taxes which support incompetent and complacent civil servants that are left unaccountable for their actions. Union, Monmouth, Ocean, Middelsex and I am sure many other counties in the state, have many Departments of Public works that buy products at higher overal costs because they have people in charge of purchasing that are not doing their jobs. If these people were held accountable for their actions and force to evaluate their spending like a private company, there would be plenty of money left over and we would not be in the mess that we are in. There are many government employees that are given special perks with their government job and abuse the priviledges they have been given. One thing that the State and Local governments need to do, is get rid of government vehicles being used for personal use. A few years ago, the local paper exposed several people that were issued a government vehicle and used this vehcile for as their own care. Their is a governemt offical that has a part-time county job and he is given a county vehicle that is maintained by the county and all fuel expenses are also covered. This offical also has a state job in Trenton and this county vehcile is used to transport him on a daily basis at the county taxpayers expense. Since when does a county car need to be used to transport someone for non-related county business and why has this not been addressed? Shame on you Governor Corzine for not doing your job and as your employer (after all every taxpayer in the state is your employer), I hold you personally responsible for not knowing and doing something about the waste in State, County and local government. This idea to close parks in order to close the gap still does not address the wasteful spending and abuse in givernment agencies. I am one that is very anxious to begin the search and head out of this horribly corrupt state. I hope this proposal is stopped dead in its tracks and the State Parks are left open for all to enjoy.
Living in NJ for 17 years, I have had the pleasure of using many of the state parks in Northern, Central and Southern NJ. My family and I have taken many vacations at some of the proposed parks destined to being impacted by our "Great Governor". Gov. Corzine needs to start looking at the impact he will have on many working class families that unlike himself, can not afford to take vacations in luxury resorts. State parks and the whole concept of recreation is to help the citizens share time in open spaces to get into better physical and mental shape. To eliminate this ability clearly shows that our Governor does not care about the people that put him in office. Just like his stupid proposals to sell our major highways to private industry, here he goes again with silly proposals that have little hope in helping to close the gap in our budget deficit. If he really wanted to save the taxpayers some money, why doesn't he begin with the state and local government itself. Too many times, I have been involved in selling state and local agencies on the concept of using better products that would save them money in the long term. These agencies and the people that are in charge do not care about this as long as we the taxpayers continue to support their wasteful purchasing practices by paying our taxes which support incompetent and complacent civil servants that are left unaccountable for their actions. Union, Monmouth, Ocean, Middelsex and I am sure many other counties in the state, have many Departments of Public works that buy products at higher overal costs because they have people in charge of purchasing that are not doing their jobs. If these people were held accountable for their actions and force to evaluate their spending like a private company, there would be plenty of money left over and we would not be in the mess that we are in. There are many government employees that are given special perks with their government job and abuse the priviledges they have been given. One thing that the State and Local governments need to do, is get rid of government vehicles being used for personal use. A few years ago, the local paper exposed several people that were issued a government vehicle and used this vehcile for as their own care. Their is a governemt offical that has a part-time county job and he is given a county vehicle that is maintained by the county and all fuel expenses are also covered. This offical also has a state job in Trenton and this county vehcile is used to transport him on a daily basis at the county taxpayers expense. Since when does a county car need to be used to transport someone for non-related county business and why has this not been addressed? Shame on you Governor Corzine for not doing your job and as your employer (after all every taxpayer in the state is your employer), I hold you personally responsible for not knowing and doing something about the waste in State, County and local government. This idea to close parks in order to close the gap still does not address the wasteful spending and abuse in givernment agencies. I am one that is very anxious to begin the search and head out of this horribly corrupt state. I hope this proposal is stopped dead in its tracks and the State Parks are left open for all to enjoy.
# 66:
12:46 pm PDT, May 3,
John Bitting, New Jersey
# 65:
10:36 am PDT, May 3,
Frederick Giordano, New Jersey
Growing up in New jersey the state parks have become a way of life. Why would you want to take away something that is enjoyed by everyone in this state? Money is always the issue so the state always comes up with a plan that hurts the people that live here. No wonder people want to leave New Jersey. If our lawmakers cared more about the people and less about themselves maybe there would not be so much money wasted.
Growing up in New jersey the state parks have become a way of life. Why would you want to take away something that is enjoyed by everyone in this state? Money is always the issue so the state always comes up with a plan that hurts the people that live here. No wonder people want to leave New Jersey. If our lawmakers cared more about the people and less about themselves maybe there would not be so much money wasted.
# 64:
2:47 pm PDT, May 2,
Karla Moran, New Jersey
This is very important to me because we visit many of these state parks and spend quality family time at them. Some are close to home and with the gas prices going up so high, it's a vacation or time away from home that is not that far to go, but enough to feel like you are away. The parks are gorgeous to spend time at and would be missed by many people.
This is very important to me because we visit many of these state parks and spend quality family time at them. Some are close to home and with the gas prices going up so high, it's a vacation or time away from home that is not that far to go, but enough to feel like you are away. The parks are gorgeous to spend time at and would be missed by many people.
# 63:
11:03 am PDT, May 2,
Silky Wyld, Wisconsin
# 62:
9:42 am PDT, May 2,
Crissy Baker, Florida
# 61:
8:48 pm PDT, Apr 30,
Carol Zepp, New Jersey
My Family (4 children) and I have been camping at High Point State Park (Sawmill campgrounds) for the last 38 - 40 years. Now, my adult children are camping with their families at High Point. We dearly love this place. What a crime to close this beautiful park.
My Family (4 children) and I have been camping at High Point State Park (Sawmill campgrounds) for the last 38 - 40 years. Now, my adult children are camping with their families at High Point. We dearly love this place. What a crime to close this beautiful park.
# 60:
5:12 pm PDT, Apr 30,
Kelli Fitzgerald, New Jersey
# 59:
2:06 pm PDT, Apr 30,
Rochelle Duda, New Jersey
Because it's a natural environment that people can go to and relax and enjoy the nature.
Because it's a natural environment that people can go to and relax and enjoy the nature.
# 58:
12:10 pm PDT, Apr 30,
Kayleen Gubrud, Minnesota
# 57:
6:38 pm PDT, Apr 29,
Megan DePerro, New York
# 56:
12:54 pm PDT, Apr 29,
Anita Kofta, Wisconsin
# 55:
1:25 pm PDT, Apr 28,
Eugene Graf, New Jersey
Being a resident of the Garden State my entire 25 year life, it seems rather silly to eliminate the dept. of agriculture. If we can't feed and clothes ourselves, we will only continue to outsource and import these goods, ultimately disabling the great nation in which we live. I have always taken pride in living in the Garden State. Without agriculture as one of our primary focuses, what identity does that leave us as residents of New Jersey? Home to the turnpike? Please, realize the importance of agriculture in our state and KEEP NEW JERSEY GREEN! Thank you
Being a resident of the Garden State my entire 25 year life, it seems rather silly to eliminate the dept. of agriculture. If we can't feed and clothes ourselves, we will only continue to outsource and import these goods, ultimately disabling the great nation in which we live. I have always taken pride in living in the Garden State. Without agriculture as one of our primary focuses, what identity does that leave us as residents of New Jersey? Home to the turnpike? Please, realize the importance of agriculture in our state and KEEP NEW JERSEY GREEN! Thank you
# 54:
10:57 am PDT, Apr 28,
Scott Altman, New Jersey
There isn't much space left in New Jersey to experience the outdoors as it is, and losing what little we have left is a terrible shame. How will the current and future generations learn to appreciate the outdoors if there isn't anywhere for them to experience it?
There isn't much space left in New Jersey to experience the outdoors as it is, and losing what little we have left is a terrible shame. How will the current and future generations learn to appreciate the outdoors if there isn't anywhere for them to experience it?
# 53:
8:19 am PDT, Apr 28,
Jennifer Johnson, New Jersey
Taking away our state parks would diminish so much. These parks create so many jobs and protect New Jersey residents from bug infestation. We have one of the highest rates of property tax and car insurance in the country, and it's not going to improve because we close a few state parks. Maybe Corzine also wants us to change our state name from The Garden State to The Lining Our Politicians' Pockets with Money State.
Taking away our state parks would diminish so much. These parks create so many jobs and protect New Jersey residents from bug infestation. We have one of the highest rates of property tax and car insurance in the country, and it's not going to improve because we close a few state parks. Maybe Corzine also wants us to change our state name from The Garden State to The Lining Our Politicians' Pockets with Money State.
# 52:
7:55 am PDT, Apr 28,
Karen Tucillo, New Jersey
# 51:
7:45 am PDT, Apr 28,
Nicole Schrage, New Jersey
