Dear Editor,
A ‘yes’ vote on Public Question 4 would establish a Hudson County Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund that would be eligible for millions of additional state and federal dollars.
The Open Space Trust Fund would be used to improve and create municipal and county parks, preserve open space in our concrete county and protect historic sites. Our neighborhoods and communities would become more livable and property values would increase.
Although Liberty State Park wouldn’t be eligible for these funds, The Friends of LSP passed a resolution at our Fall meeting in support of the Trust Fund because voters can take action to better the quality of life for county residents of all ages, and expand the positive benefits of this uplifting urban state park throughout the region.
Hudson County is the only county in New Jersey without such a Trust Fund. Voting for this “motherhood and apple pie” ballot question will show the rest of the state that we care about our future as much as they do.
A ‘yes’ vote would dedicate one penny per $100, ten dollars per $100,000, of one’s property value to this fund annually and would be an honorable civic vote. This bargain tax can’t be increased without a new vote. Its spending would be decided by a fair and democratic process with a public advisory committee of residents from a variety of backgrounds and all county municipalities making recommendations.
I urge everyone to please take time out from your busy schedule, put aside whatever cynicism and mistrust of elected officials you may have, and come together for the Public Good and vote yes on Question 4.
Sincerely,
Sam Pesin
President of The Friends of LSP