In June of 2002, during a major debate over the relocation of New Jersey's sports arena, a paid lobbyist of YankeeNets, LLC had the following memo published:

http://www.politicsnj.com/michaels061802.htm

I wrote the following in response to that memo:

Mr. Michaels:
 
Upon reading your recent memorandum as published by politicsNJ.com, I was compelled to respond to your unfair criticisms of Bret Schundler.
 
I don't know exactly to whom you speak within the Republican party, but I can assure you that we apparently do not run in the same circles. Those with whom I speak make their feelings well known, and they almost unanimously agree that it was Donald DiFrancesco who tore the NJGOP asunder in 2001. When Acting Governor DiFrancesco refused to endorse the legally and overwhelmingly elected candidate of New Jersey Republicans, he drove a wedge into the party that will be difficult to mend. That act of pettiness was not only disgraceful to his position in the Party, but also reflected very poorly on the office that Donald DiFrancesco held.
 
While I do not agree with all of Bret Schundler's views regarding the proposed Newark Arena, I do agree with his concerns about public funding for the project. I am also strongly concerned about the possibility of additional development at the Meadowlands. We should, as a state, take this opportunity to move the Arena and reverse the ecological damage that has been done to the meadowlands. The last thing that anyone in the region needs is any additional retail space to be constructed halfway between two of our largest retail shopping areas - Secaucus and Paramus. The restoration and preservation of the meadowlands at least has the distinction of being a noble and important goal.
 
Maybe we would be better off if Bret Schundler took some time away from New Jersey politics. We would certainly be better off if Donald DiFrancesco retired from public life completely. Those of us who look toward the condition of our party over the next 20 to 30 years see a lot of difficult work ahead in repairing the damage done by the former Acting Governor.
 
As for your allegations that there will be no public funding for the project, let us at least recognize the obvious. Public bonding is public spending no matter who guarantees the bond. Tax money - public money, OUR money - will be used to pay off the bonds with interest. Bret Schundler knows that a city can rebuild itself without massive inflows of state money. He did just that in Jersey City. His advice should be given the respect that his record deserves.
 
James J. Miller, Jr.
National Committeeman
New Jersey Young Republican Federation, Inc.