Kean, Rible, and Angelini Urge Towns to Support Sea Girt Training Center

March 31, 2008

Contact: Brad Schnure / 609-292-5199
Senator Sean T. Kean (R-11)

11th District Legislators Request that Local Municipalities Pass Resolution Opposing Sale of National Guard Training Center

11th District lawmakers are asking local municipalities to pass a resolution opposing any efforts to sell off the land which houses the Sea Girt Training Center.

Assemblyman Dave Rible, who recently established a commission made up of state, county and local officials to prohibit any attempts to move these state operations said,

“We are very concerned about the possibility that the state will sell off parts of the land for private development which would have a significant impact on Sea Girt and surrounding towns. The operations at Sea Girt play an important role in keeping our communities safe.”

Sea Girt, Lake Como, Belmar, Avon, Wall, Manasquan, and Brielle have all been asked to join the effort to oppose the removal of the state police and other state departments located at Sea Girt.

The State Department of the Treasury recently inquired into the property’s value sparking concerns that the Corzine administration may have intentions of closing the Sea Girt facilities and selling the land. The property totals approximately 168 acres of land that are used as recreational areas by military members and families, and training for both federal and state agencies. In addition to training, local community organizations utilize this site as do several school district athletic programs.

“In addition to serving as a training facility, Sea Girt is also a recreational site for many communities,” said Kean. “If this site were sold many schools and organizations would be forced to find a new location for their athletic activities.”

The New Jersey National Guard is trained, housed and deployed from this location and the State Police has training and in-service seminars on base. Other departments that rely on the facility for training include the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, and the State Police Training and Evidence Lab.

“We strongly urge local towns to support keeping the state police and departments at Sea Girt,” said Angelini. “As a community, we must stand up for this historical property that serves our area in so many ways.”

A copy of the proposed resolution follows:

MUNICIPAL RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO CLOSING STATE POLICE SEA GIRT FACILITY

Whereas, the state Treasury Department has recently inquired into the value of the land in Sea Girt which is home to the State Police Training Bureau and other state facilities; and

Whereas, this inquiry has sparked concerns that the Corzine administration may have intentions of closing those facilities and selling the land; and

Whereas, the New Jersey National Guard is trained, housed and deployed from this location and the State Police has training, housing and in service seminars on the base; and

Whereas, other state departments that rely on the facility for training include the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, and the State Police Training and Evidence Lab; and

Whereas, there are legitimate fears in the community that the Corzine administration is seeking to generate state revenue by selling off this property to the highest bidder; and

Whereas, any such development could have a significant economic impact on Sea Girt and surrounding communities;

Therefore be it resolved, that we urge Governor Corzine to abandon any proposal to close these facilities and sell this property, and ask that he publicly commit to keep these facilities open at their current location in Sea Girt.

A certified copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Governor, the Senate President, the Assembly Speaker, the Senate Minority Leader and the Assembly Minority Leader, Senator Sean T. Kean, Senator Andrew Ciesla, Assemblyman David Rible, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, Assemblyman James Holzapfel and Assemblyman David Wolfe.