Irish Chieftain is literally correct in stating Vince Lombardi was the "original" terminus for HBLRT, at least when it comes to putting services points on a paper or plan.
However, most LRT advocates fighting for (what became) HBLRT really wanted the "B" in HBLRT fulfilled more securely, via the Northern Branch. Al Cafiero and Art Adams, leading up the Transit Committee of Bergen County, were most vociferous in that, both before and after the "original" terminus was chosen.
And as the new century/millennium dawned, it appeared that, in fact, the prize was within reach, as New Jersey Transit itself first advanced, then defended, the idea of running up the Northern Branch.
But a new governor arrived, as did a new head at NJT, and various New Jersey U.S. House reps saw their own "solutions" to the woes befalling Bergen County, offered at bargain-basement rates. The rates are a bargain; the product mix, in NJ-ARP's view, won't cut it.