Committee to meet at racetrack

OCEANPORT - New Jersey state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-12), a member of the New Jersey State Senate Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee, announced April 28 that at her request, the committee will hold its next public meeting atMonmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport.

The meeting is scheduled to take place May 9 to coincide with the opening day of the racing season.

"I am grateful to Sen. Jim Whelan, the chair of the Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, for granting my request to hold a meeting of the committee at Monmouth Park," said Beck. "This is part of my continuing effort to highlight the importance of the horse racing and breeding industries to the state of New Jersey. I can think of no better way to do that than for the members of the committee to come to Monmouth Park, discuss the issues which continue to face the industry, and enjoy a beautiful day at the track."

Beck said that not only is horse racing and breeding a $1.1 billion industry in New Jersey, which employs over 13,000 people, but it is one of the primary ways of preserving open space in the state.

"If we fail to support and promote the horseracing and breeding industries, many of these farms will fall into the hands of developers. We have worked too hard to preserve open space in this state to let that happen, so I hope that by hearing from some horse breeders, trainers and farm owners, my colleagues on the Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee will leave with a new appreciation for this vitally important industry."

The meeting will be held in the Garden Room at the Monmouth Park Racetrack at 10 a.m. It is open to the public.