Lease Deal For Monmouth Park May Mean Layoffs at the Racetrack

When the agreement for the state to lease to a private owner goes into effect June 6, a total of 910 employees may be laid off at the racetrack and at the state's off-track wagering venue in Woodbridge Township, Mayor Michael J. Mahon said at the Borough Council meeting Thursday.

"That's a big concern," Mahon told the audience and the council.     

State officials told him that layoffs are a distinct possibility once the racetrack is taken over by a private party, the mayor said. Whoever leases Monmouth Park would also operate the Woodbridge facility.     

Talk of what is happening with Monmouth Park dominated the meeting Thursday, as it has at many previous council meetings since the Christie administration indicated it wants the state to get out of the horse racing business.     

Monmouth Park is Oceanport's biggest taxpayer, paying $1.9 million in taxes each year, and the borough's elected officials are worried that would be jeopardized by a change in the operation of the racetrack.     

Mahon said there has been no official announcement by the state about the bids that were received from potential operators at the March 31 deadline.     

However, the mayor and Councilman Joseph A. Irace acknowledged that newspaper reports mention three bidders and say that the front runner is Morris Bailey, longtime New Jersey horse owner and owner of the Resorts Atlantic City casino.

The successful bidder is expected to be announced April 14.     

Mayor Mahon also reminded residents that the New Jersey Marathon, part of which winds through the borough, is scheduled for Sunday May 1, with the runners expected to reach Oceanport a few minutes after the 8 a.m. start of the race.     

However, because the race this year is a single lap the last runners are expected to be out of the borrough by 11 a.m., Mahon said, with normal traffic allowed soon after that.     

While the race may inconvenience some residents, Mahon said it is a boon for the borough because the organizations involved make donations to borough organizations and pay the cost of any police overtime involved.     

In addition, this year the New Jersey Marathon Festival, a two-day event beginning April 30, will be held at Monmouth Park, so some on the 10,000 runners and their families will be patronizing borough businesses, Mahon said.