Chamber rejects Corzine's plan

JACKSON - The Jackson Chamber of Commerce has issued a resolution denouncing Gov. Jon Corzine's toll hike plan. According to a press release, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's action is in response to the State Chamber of Commerce's decision to endorse the governor's plan.

According to the press release, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce has received calls frombusiness owners and community members who were under the misconception that the Jackson chamber had input and agreed with the state chamber's decision to back the governor's plan.

Clara Glory, the president of the Jackson chamber, said the chamber's board of directors will be evaluating whether to continue its relationship with the State Chamber of Commerce. She said she was taken aback by the state chamber's action as no input was sought from the membership.

"Had the state chamber asked its membership I am quite sure they would not have endorsed the governor's plan," she said.

The Jackson chamber's resolution which was forwarded to the governor, legislative leaders of both parties and the media, demands that the state government seek to cut the cost of government.

The resolution states in part that "Government should follow a business model and in lean times it must reduce its expenses by seeking opportunities to reduce wasteful spending in state government."

The resolution also mentions that increasing tolls will impact state tourismand could impact plans of people coming to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.

Part of Corzine's plan to reduce the state'smultibillion dollar debt calls for tolls to be increased on a regular basis for the next 75 years on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and theAtlantic City Expressway.

Glory said the governor's plan as currently proposed will undermine the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's efforts to promote tourism in Jackson and throughout the region.