At
the helm
A word from Captain Bill
Both Tom DeGise (D-Hudson) and Dennis McNerney (D-Bergen) threw the support of their County Executive offices behind these important initiatives. In addition, focused efforts of the conservation communities in both counties helped assure easy passage of both measures. The voters in Bergen County were being asked to reauthorize the existing Trust Fund raising the levy from one half cent to a full penny and removing the sunset clause to make the commitment permanent. In Hudson County, the voters were asked to authorize a Trust Fund for the first time. The levy in Hudson County will also be a penny with no stated expiration date. The passage of these Public Questions will have a profound positive impact on the quality of life in these densely populated communities, but more importantly the preservation of open space has an inextricable link to maintaining and improving water quality. The benefits of acquisition will be multiplied by the Phase II Municipal Stormwater rules due to go into effect very soon. And added to the Governor’s principles of Smart Growth, it appears that we will finally get control of the sprawl monster that has been tearing up our landscapes. In closing, I want to thank the valiant foot soldiers who all worked so very hard to get these measures passed: Bob Abbatomarco, Adam Strobel and Tim Dacey from Bergen County, Freeholder Chairperson Valerie Huttle and my colleagues on the Bergen County Trust Fund Advisory Committee, Steven Marx, Jim Kennelly, Mariano Vega, and the Boards of Chosen Freeholders in both counties. On the grassroots level, there were dozens of individuals and organizations that labored long and hard: Greg Remaud, Sam Pesin, Mike Herson, Lori Charkey, Mark Becker, Betsy Kohn, Emily Stoecker, Steve Royka, Sandy Sola, Nancy Wysocki, the staff at Sign Works in Hackensack, NY/NJ Baykeeper, the Fyke Nature Association, Bergen S.W.A.N., and the North Jersey group of the Sierra Club. Thanks to all.
Yours in conservation, Captain Bill Sheehan |
I want to begin by thanking every
one of our supporters who went to the polls this past election day and voted
for the environment, especially our friends in Bergen and Hudson Counties who
overwhelmingly supported the county Trust Fund referenda.