First, thanks in advance to the DC mods for allowing this thread to stay up. I'm putting this here and in the Revs boards because of the proximity we all have to each other and the likelihood that you'll be travelling here. Thank you. I'm not usually one for crossposting to other teams' boards, but I think this one is worth it - not just for us, but for you and everyone else who follows this league and soccer in this country. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=21901 The Metros stadium in Harrison is closer than it's ever been to happening (the above thread, and the litany of reports over the past year or so tells the story - though you probably knew it already). Now we're in crunch time, with important votes just a week away, and we could really use your help. You're not Metro supporters, obviously, but close enough to make the trip to the Swamp once or twice a season, as some of you do each season. No need to tell you then what a dump Giants Stadium is, how unconcerned their staff is with the welfare of soccer fans, nor what an unpleasant experience in general watching MLS soccer there can be. Never mind the financial toll stadiums like Giants Stadium take on the entire league. In other words, it's not just good for us to see Harrison happen - it's good for you; that old saying about rising tides lifting all boats comes to mind. As for Harrison...you may not know a thing about Harrison, NJ. If you're into American soccer history and you've got a few minutes, scan this: http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/hudson.html And if you're one of those people who long for the 'European' experience at a match (the stadium rising up around the densely packed, soccer mad working-class neighborhood, spending a little time in the bars/pubs/restaurants before walking down to a decent-sized urban soccer stadium), then you need to know that this IS Harrison. That is what it's going to be about, and getting away support into that setting will be unlike anything we've seen here yet. If you have a few moments to spare, PLEASE copy off one of the form letters on the above linked post, tweak it to your liking, and send it to as many NJ legislators (listed on that thread) as you can - even if it's just one. We can't expect any of you to be as fervent about writing as some of us are getting. But letters - more than phone calls, and DEFINITELY more than emails - do work. Anything you can do is a huge help, and I stress it isn't just about the Metros. It's about taking one more step towards making professional soccer prosper in this country. So you live several states away from New Jersey? So do I. This is a very good thing. It makes a lot of sense that the NJ legislators in charge of passing or trashing this bill will be swayed - no, make that heavily swayed - by an influx of letters from throughout the region telling them 'Yes, I will come there from out of state and and spend my out of state cash in your restaurants, your bars, etc. (They, of course, don't give a damn who you're cheering for).' Don't let that daunt you...the more letters, the better. Thanks. Michael
Sent it on to family in Joisey. Great idea and I'm glad to help. Please be there when we need you for the same fight.
Let's get as many DC fans behind this one as possible. Besides, it's another stadium in which to make them our bitch Sachin
I'm all for it and am getting ready to send some letters and I would ask that fans from elsewhere in the league support us when we have this oppurtunity as well.
Suggested Letter to Harrison from DC United Fans I'm taking a stab at reformatting this for DC United fans - see below. Would be nice if someone could find email addresses for the state officials found at the end.... Dear Senator ______________ I'm writing to encourage you to SUPPORT S1401 / A2352, creating a Sports and Entertainment District in Harrison. While I do not live in your jurisdiction, I certainly am affected by your decision to support this bill. I am a law abiding, fun-loving, respecting soccer fan that would drive to Harrison to see my favorite team, DC United, play against the MetroStars. At least two and possibly more games a year, I would likely travel from the Washington area to see these games. With me I will bring a pocket full of cash, to buy match tickets, dinner along the way, and possibly stay at a hotel nearby. This is real revenue for your constituents that will not exist without the stadium. I will bring friends and family to the proposed stadium as the primary destination in a day that includes spending on public transit, food, drink and local retail stores. The Harrison plan would be an amazing boost to the City of Harrison and Hudson County, providing in excess of a thousand jobs, a massive boost to local and state taxes and a meaningful use of the current brown site. I ask that you recommend that the Harrison bill be passed immediately while the City of Harrison, County of Hudson, MetroStars and soccer fans across the United States are pulling for you to do the right thing. Sincerely, NAME ADDRESS PHONE Send your letters to: Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, Jr. Suite 303 One Arin Park Building 1715 Highway 35 Middletown, NJ 07748 Sen. Martha Bark Suite 103 3000 Midlantic Drive Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Sen. Raymond Lesniak 985 Stuyvesant Ave. Union, NJ 07083 Sen. Leonard Connors 620 West Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731 Sen. Nia Gill 425 Bloomfield Avenue 2nd Floor Montclair, NJ 07042 Sen. Joseph Vitale 87 Main Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Re: Suggested Letter to Harrison from DC United Fans Email addresses Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, Jr. Suite 303 One Arin Park Building 1715 Highway 35 Middletown, NJ 07748 SenKyrillos@njleg.org Sen. Martha Bark Suite 103 3000 Midlantic Drive Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 SenBark@njleg.org Sen. Raymond Lesniak 985 Stuyvesant Ave. Union, NJ 07083 SenLesniak@njleg.org Sen. Leonard Connors 620 West Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731 SenConnors@njleg.org Sen. Nia Gill 425 Bloomfield Avenue 2nd Floor Montclair, NJ 07042 SenGill@njleg.org Sen. Joseph Vitale 87 Main Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095 SenVitale@njleg.org
Just sent an e-mail to the address K provided and I cut and pasted the letter which was posted. Hope this helps. Bill-DC
I sent off letters to 3 senators at random. Seems like a simple $1 donation in stamps to potentially help support a very worthy project. I hope it goes though. I'd love to see games there with a large contingent of DCU fans!
Got this in my e-mail box: To: Bill-DC From: Joseph F. Vitale Senator, 19th District November 6, 2002 Thank you for your recent letter regarding S-1401, which authorizes the creation of sports and entertainment districts in certain municipalities. As you may know, this bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Growth, Agriculture and Tourism. As a member of the Senate, I appreciate the opportunity to hear your perspective on this important issue. Please be assured that I will keep your opinion in mind when this bill comes before me. Once again, thank you for keeping me informed as to your perspective on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or problems. With best wishes, Joseph F. Vitale Senator, 19th District
any SSS, is a good SSS.. Once the league sees how well the league does when its not paying huge prices to Giants and Galaxatives soon to be X stadium, hopefully other teams... *cough* DC *cough* will follow suit.
If this stadium gets approved, I can get on the PATH train just outside my apartment building and Harrison is only two stops away. Therefore, any and all United fans are welcome at my apartment for pre-pre-game fire-ups. (That's assuming that I still live here in 2-3 years.)
Fans will most likely gladly pay a few bucks extra to pay some of the expenses of the new stadiums... Despite the huge costs of the stadiums they def. pay off if the fan base stays as large as it is starting to be and hopefully grows, which i think it will due to the recent success of the US nat. team and the increased coverage by the media...