Dan Cirucci: Christie Announces Agreements On Horseracing

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christie Announces Agreements On Horseracing

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie yesterday announced two critical developments in his goal to establish a fully independent, privately operated horseracing industry in New Jersey, with the signing of a 30-year contract for the operation of the Meadowlands harness-racing track, and an agreement to continue thoroughbred racing at Monmouth Park in 2012. Both developments further the Governor’s commitment to end subsidies of racing purses while furthering his effort to have private-sector operators assume control at both venues.

New York real estate developer and horseracing entrepreneur Jeffrey Gural today followed through on an earlier memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) and signed a long-term lease for the Meadowlands venue. Earlier, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the NJSEA signed an agreement to run a full schedule of race days at Monmouth Park for 2012.

“This has been an arduous process but one that I believe was necessary to ensure uninterrupted racing at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands. At the same time, we are protecting the public interest and preserving jobs at both venues and in New Jersey’s equine industry,” said Governor Christie. “Our transition to independent, privately operated horseracing facilities will continue in 2012, and I am as optimistic as ever that Monmouth Park will maintain its legacy as a premier venue for thoroughbred horseracing fans for years to come.”

With the agreement struck today between the NJSEA and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the NJSEA has agreed to run 141 racing days for 2012 at Monmouth Park without subsidies or enhancements to racing purses, a practice Governor Christie was determined to end at both Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands. In addition, simulcasting, off-track wagering and account wagering will continue during the year.

Early next year, the NJSEA will continue its search for a new operator and will renew its efforts to put Monmouth Park in private hands.

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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