'Secret' meeting with gov should have been public
Ijust finished reading the article "Officials discuss future of racetrack with Corzine" (Oct.18).

I am appalled and angered as a resident of Oceanport and a Borough Council candidate that our mayor and a councilman would have a secret meeting with the governor and exchange proposals on VLTs (video lottery terminals) at Monmouth Park racetrack without even mentioning it at a public meeting or workshop.

Furthermore, I am upset that the Oceanport Democrats seem to be running their political campaign through press releases. For example, was this secret meeting with the governor even worth mentioning? Gov. Corzine's office felt it inappropriate to comment on this private meeting. Could our mayor's statements have been a bit premature or were they, once again, politically motivated?

It would also be fair to point out the Monmouth Park racetrack does not lose money and is a profit center for the state of New Jersey. Aside from the lottery, you would be hard pressed to find any other activity in the state that turns a profit. In addition the state just completed a $30 million renovation project to upgrade the facilities at Monmouth Park for the Breeders' Cup.

For the mayor to say that they may come in for tax abatement is ludicrous and a fear tactic to our 5,800 residents.

All residents of Oceanport know the value of Monmouth Park to our community and we would love to work together with the state, the Sports & Exposition Authority and anyone else who wants to retain Monmouth Park for horseracing.

All of Oceanport's elected officials should be included in further discussions regarding the future of racing in our town, not just a select few. Let's just keep everybody involved in the important decisions instead of trying to score political points.

Joseph Irace Council Candidate Borough of Oceanport