Speaker: Newark arena isn't dead

Star Ledger ^ | 09/08/01 | BY DUNSTAN McNICHOL

[Politico2]

The day after a proposal to build a $355 million arena in downtown Newark collapsed under the weight of New Jersey politics, Assembly Speaker Jack Collins promised to revive the measure after November's elections -- as long as a controversial package of goodies for South Jersey is included in the deal.

[Politico2]

Like his academic career, McGreevey is trying to blur the history of his support on the arena -- and this article is indication that the press is starting to buy into it.

McGreevey is the first candidate mentioned as opposing the arena deal; and Schundler's opposition is mentioned as an aside. Obviously Collins needs to walk a fine line here, but we need to constantly remind voters that McGreevey supported the arena deal until the polls showed people were against it.

Can anyone identify anything else that changed his mind? Even after the pork-barrel projects were attached, I believe he still supported the plan for a time. It's my recollection it's when the poll numbers emerged that he changed his position.

[Politico2]

Go Bret Go!

[Ed_in_NJ]

Bret has to deal not only with McSleazy, but with the "Old GOP" and ?press as well.

[FreedomPoster]

Even after the pork-barrel projects were attached

Please explain why this thing wasn't a pork barrel project from the beginning. No more subsidies for pro sports! If New Jersey builds this thing with public money, they're idiots.

[Neets]

Yesterday, Schundler's spokesman, Tom Gallagher, said Schundler would continue to oppose any proposal that required new state debt without voter approval.

Operative phrase there....he should make it into some kind of campaign slogan.

[Neets]

BTT

[OldFriend]

Since Schundler has made it clear that he will not allow such a bond issue without voter approval, I believe the choice for Governor is clear......BRET SCHUNDLER

[motzman]

Bret's team is going right over the heads of the est. media and directly to the people with the McGreevey=Florio Ben Stein Ads....

brilliant...he's got my $50, and he will win!!!

[motzman]

....and when the Record/Star-Ledger/et. al. come out an endorse McGreedy, I hope to see a Ben Stein ad showing how these "papers" endorsed Florio...

With a nice little flip-chart that says:

Record/St-Ldgr/Home News/etc. = Florio

that would be very, very, nice.

[Ziva]

This and all future projects financed by illegal bonds will be STOPPED completely if the lawsuit of stopthedebt.com prevails at the NJ Supreme Court, which is where it is right now. Please go to our website and make a generous contribution at http://www.stopthedebt.com/ to help us keep our constitutional rights!

[ppaul]

Newark. Camden. Dead. All the money in the world will not revive those hell-holes.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Absolutely!

Along with "McGreedy wants to keep your kids captive in a school controlled by his union contributors."

(Or something like that!)

[TightSqueeze]

Newark. Camden. Dead. All the money in the world will not revive those hell-holes.

Boy am I glad you didn’t say black hole, wouldn’t want to offend any astronomers out there.