Essex County Leaders Join NJ Keep It Green to Push for Public Question 2

NJ Keep It Green held a news conference this morning at the South Mountain Recreation Complex urging voters to “Vote Yes” on Public Question 2 on Election Day to dedicate state funds for open space, farmland and historic preservation. The conference was also designed to highlight one of over 1,100 parks made possible by New Jersey’s Green Acres program.

“Essex County should be commended for its commitment to ensuring children and families have access to parks and a wide range of recreational opportunities that Green Acres supports,” said Kelly Mooij, coordinator of NJ Keep It Green. “New Jersey residents have an opportunity to make their voices heard by going out to the polls and voting Yes on Public Question 2 to protect our drinking water, support our parks, preserve our farms and safeguard our historic treasures.”

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., along with Governor Richard J. Codey, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Assemblyman John McKeon, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and other leaders were all in attendance.

“Every one of our parks in Essex County has been renovated or redone over the past 12 years with the help of the state Green Acres program,” said DiVincenzo. “The only way that we will be able to continue the good things we are doing with our park system, protect the quality of life we enjoy and preserve our natural resources and open spaces is if people in Essex County, and across New Jersey, vote Yes on Public Question 2 on Election Day.”

Public Question 2 asks voters to dedicate existing state funds to protect clean water and ensure that future generations continue to have access to parks, open spaces, farmland and historic treasures.

The funding will replenish the now-depleted Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland and historic preservation programs, and continue funding to improve water quality, remove and clean up underground storage tanks, and clean-up polluted sites.

“I am voting Yes on Public Question 2 for the future of our children and grandchildren,” said Codey. “Without the basic funding Public Question 2 provides, our water, parks, farms, open spaces and historic treasures are at risk, and make no mistake, once they are gone, they are gone. We can never get them back.”

“A Yes vote on Public Question 2 is a Yes vote for clean water,” said McKeon, co-sponsor of legislation to refer the measure to the ballot. “Not only do our parks, farms and open spaces add to the quality of life we value in New Jersey, but they also contribute billions of dollars to our local and regional economies. Public Question 2 dedicates funding to protect our land, air and water without raising taxes. It’s a win all around.”

About NJ Keep It Green NJ

Keep It Green is a coalition of more than 185 park and conservation organizations working to create a long-term, dedicated source of funding for the preservation and stewardship of New Jersey’s natural areas, waterways, parks, farmland and historic sites. NJ Keep It Green led successful campaigns to pass statewide ballot measures in 2006, 2007, and 2009 generating $600 million for state open space, farmland and historic preservation programs. For more information visitwww.njkeepitgreen.org.

information courtesy of NJ Keep It Green