BOROUGH OF NORTH ARLINGTON
Peter Massa, Mayor
201-991-6060 214 Ridge Road 07031
May 7, 2008
973-403-7836
STATEMENT BY MAYOR PETER MASSA
ON THE DEMISE OF ENCAP
“The decision by the NJMC to right the wrongs that were made over the past eight years ago is welcomed by North Arlington as a vindication to our long-stated position that EnCap was not qualified, technically, financially or otherwise to transform the Meadowlands from garbage dumps to golf courses.
As we have known for some time, the dream of turning our backyard into a golf Mecca was only an illusion to entice taxpayers into accepting the plan. The reality, as we learned would be far more troublesome for our communities.
It's time for EnCap to simply leave the stage so that North Arlington, along with our sister communities of Rutherford and Lyndhurst can now decide what's best for our residents and homeowners. It’s time the local officials and residents had a bigger say in what goes in our back yard. It took a long time for some state officials to come to the determination I made three years ago, which is that redevelopment that is done only to enhance developer profits is a bad idea – bad for the taxpayers.
As mayor, I feel vindicated that the NJMC finally has come around and now it's important we work together to do what the people want. Politics and developers must take a back seat to the transformation of the meadowlands.”
