TRENTON — In the shadow of a surging protest against proposed health and pension changes for public workers, more than 100 environmentalists gathered around the steps of the Statehouse to fight against what they called Gov. Chris Christie's green rollbacks. “The only thing the governor has attacked as much as labor is the environment,” said Jeff Tittel, director of...
In this file photo, Roxbury Mayor Jim Rilee shakes hands after he introduces Gov. Chris Christie at a Roxbury town hall meeting. Rilee is the new chairman of the state's Highlands Council and is one of four newly appointed members who attended their first council meeting Thursday night.TRENTON — In the shadow of a surging protest against proposed health and pension changes for public workers, more than 100 environmentalists gathered around the steps of the Statehouse to fight against what they called Gov. Chris Christie's green rollbacks.
“The only thing the governor has attacked as much as labor is the environment,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, one of 28 advocacy groups participating in the event.
The crowd denounced Christie’s decision to leave a regional initiative intended to curb air pollution that contributes to climate change, his decision to lower the state’s clean energy goals and his nominees to the state Highlands Council.
“We were at the apex of 20 years of progress,” said Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), chair of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. “Where are we today? ... We have to stand up and fight.”
The crowd also protested Christie’s decision to veto two bills intended to help clean up and protect Barnegat Bay, and called on lawmakers to ban a controversial natural gas drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.”
“I’m a mom. I have two kids that mean the world to me,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, executive director of Environment New Jersey. “I’m not going to let Chris Christie spoil their future with pollution.”
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