Hackensack Riverkeeper elects two new Trustees

Retired County Executive unanimously elected along with longtime community activist

 

By Hugh M. Carola

 

Despite having stepped down from public office last year, William “Pat” Schuber won yet another election on February 5^th when he was unanimously elected to the Board of Trustees of Hackensack Riverkeeper.  “I knew that when Pat left office, it didn’t mean he was leaving public life,” said Capt. Bill. “We feel that Pat’s the right man for the job and we’re very happy that this new chapter in his life includes this organization.” Capt. Bill first approached Mr. Schuber in January with the idea of his becoming a Trustee; something that Mr. Schuber said he would be “both happy and honored to accept.”

Mr. Schuber, a lifelong public servant who retired from politics last year after serving three terms as Bergen County Executive, resides in Oradell and is Professor of Government at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Among his many accomplishments over a long career, Mr. Schuber is perhaps most proud of his open space legacy. During his tenure as County Executive, thousands of acres were added to Bergen County’s northern tier of parks, most notably Camp Tamarack in Oakland and Camp Glen Gray in Mahwah. During his 1998 re-election campaign, Mr. Schuber made the passage of the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund a central focus. It was approved by a 2-1 margin.

Regarding Mr. Schuber, who for a long time was one of the most powerful Republicans lawmakers in New Jersey, Capt. Bill said, “There were lots of times when Pat and I were at odds over issues and many other times when we were in agreement but two things never changed – the respect I had for him and the respect he had for Hackensack Riverkeeper.”  We are now hoping Mr. Schuber can help us secure a southern tier in the Meadowlands.

Also elected as Trustee of Hackensack Riverkeeper was Ms. Nancy Wysocki of Haworth, NJ – a longtime activist and open space preservation advocate. Her credentials include a position on the Haworth Environmental Commission and leadership positions in both the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) and the League of Women Voters. “Nancy has been a friend and colleague of Hackensack Riverkeeper from the very beginning,” said Capt. Bill. “She’s a tireless worker and perhaps the best example of the kind of person a Trustee should be.”

With the new Meadowlands Master Plan in the works (see Page 2), Hackensack Riverkeeper plans to shift a good deal of its focus from the Meadowlands to the River’s upper watershed. “The experience and expertise of our new Trustees will surely be called upon in dealing with United Water and with towns that are caught between the ratables chase and the desires of their citizens for open space protection,” said Capt. Bill.

With the addition of Mr. Schuber and Ms. Wysocki, the Riverkeeper board now stands at nine individuals who represent a wide range of community leadership in the fields of business, academia, public service, and the environmental movement. Plans are currently underway to officially welcome the new Trustees with a cocktail reception.