From the April - June 2022 Jersey Sierran
There was no Chapter Executive Committee meeting in December. Instead, we held a brief virtual get-together to welcome our new Chapter Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot. The meeting was well attended and we are excited to work with her going forward.
January: Rich Isaac was unanimously reelected as Chapter Chair. Congratulations to three new members of the Executive Committee, elected by our members: Kip Cherry, Stan Greberis, and Judy Minot. A resolution was adopted in support of giving the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area full national park status as the “Delaware Water Gap National Park and Preserve.” Revised standing rules for the Legislative Committee were approved. Chapter issue coordinators will be asked to provide annual reports on their activities. The Chapter is endorsing the following legislators in the upcoming Congressional races: Andy Kim (D3), Frank Pallone (D6), Tom Malinowski (D7), Bill Pascrell (D9), Mikie Sherrill (D11) and Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D12)
February: New committees were created for Forest Conservation and mitigation of mitigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” Al Borelli was appointed to the Offshore Wind Committee and Laura Lynch to the Environmental and Social Justice Committee. Our Student Liaison reported strong interest in the Sierra Club among young people. The Legislative Committee recommended supporting bills that would, among other things, establish an office of Clean Energy Equity in the state Board of Public Utilities, require state pension fund divestment from fossil fuels, and require the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to develop an electric school bus program. The Political Committee is working to promote awareness about recent Congressional redistricting. Several endorsements for the Sierra Club Board of Directors Election were approved.