N.J.; Sierra Club Endorses Independent C. Daggett for Governor

This November N.J. will hold elections for Governor, the choice is between incumbent candidate Democrat John Corzine and challenger Republican Chris Christie. Somewhere in the background and mostly lost between the shouting matches of the two establishment candidates is the quiet, logical and honest voice of Independent candidate Chris Daggett, his openess a result of not having to answer to corporate lobbyists that entrap the two establishment candidates in webs of deception..


Sierra Club Endorses Daggett

August 17th, 2009

"N.J., TRENTON—Chris Daggett, independent candidate for Governor, today said he was honored by the endorsement from the New Jersey Sierra Club, saying the backing by one of the nation’s pre-eminent conservation groups underscores his decades-long commitment to safeguarding the environment.

“As someone who has worked closely with the Sierra Club on numerous occasions over the past 25 years, I know they share my belief that the best way to protect our precious natural resources is by making decisions based on the best science and sound public policy,’’ Daggett said at a press conference at the Statehouse.

When elected Governor, Daggett promised he would make developing a stable source of open space funding one of his highest priorities and he would seek to re-establish New Jersey as a leader in the field of environmental science and policy.

“Only an independent Governor can make the nonpartisan decisions that face the state to benefit the public interest, not special interests,’’ Daggett said. “While we don’t always agree, the Sierra Club knows that I decide issues based on the best science and public policy, balancing environmental protection and economic development. A good economy and environmental protection go hand in hand.’’

It is the first time in the organization’s long history it has endorsed an independent candidate for Governor.

Remarks of Chris Daggett;

Thank you. I am deeply gratified to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club, one of New Jersey’s – and the nation’s — leading environmental advocacy organizations.

The Sierra Club has a rich history. Founded by the legendary John Muir to protect Yosemite, Sierra successfully advocated the creation of the National Park Service, prevented the damming of the Grand Canyon, and championed the Clean Air Act and the Superfund law.

I have worked with Sierra as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection and as Region II administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a wide range of issues, from ending ocean dumping and improving air quality to cleaning up toxic sites and protecting the Great Swamp.

Last year I chaired the Department of Environmental Protection Permit Efficiency Task Force, whose 24 members ranged from staunch environmentalists like Jeff to business and non-profit leaders, and local and county officials. Meeting over a period of four months, we were able to reach unanimous consensus on how to improve the regulatory process without sacrificing environmental protection. (Final Report DEP Task Force PDF)

That process – and the willingness of all parties to balance the overall interests of the state with stakeholder concerns – is the model for the cooperative, inclusive way we will all need to work together to solve New Jersey’s most intractable problems.

The watchword of Sierra is stewardship – stewardship for our land, air and water, stewardship for our state and nation, stewardship for our planet. I know your endorsement is not given lightly, and it is not taken lightly.

Sierra’s endorsement brings us closer to our ultimate goal – bringing responsible leadership to a governor’s office that for the past 15 years has too often put partisan politics ahead of the people’s interest, that has put short-term politics ahead of long-range solutions – that has failed to be a responsible steward for the interests of the citizens of New Jersey not only on the environment, but on jobs and education and fiscal issues as well.

Frank and I are grateful for the support we have received from the Rev. Reginald Jackson of the Black Ministers’ Council of New Jersey and the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey for the education reform plan we released last week, and for the endorsement by Sierra today.

We have qualified for public matching funds, we are in the official debates, and we cracked 10 percent in the most recent poll – and that is without spending a dime yet on paid media. Our momentum is building each day.

Once again, we are grateful for Sierra’s endorsement, and we look forward not only to the campaign ahead, but to the challenges of governing this great state."
"

further info found @;
http://daggettforgovernor.com/wordpress/2009/08/17/sierra-club-endorses-dagget/



When given options between the worst choice for the environment in the form of Republicans, the voters are told that they had better choose the Democrat's candidate because "the other guy (ie., Republican candidate Chris Christie) will be much worse", and Democrats will be the ONLY realistic lesser evil option for the environment.

However, people are not satisfied voting between a serial killer and a mass murderer, there needs to be room in the public debate for some honesty and real dialogue minus the lobbyist censorship resulting from promises made to lobbyists in hopes of re-election. If the U.S. wants to prove themselves as a true democracy, how about giving the third party candidates like Chris Daggett a fair chance to be heard??

The problems with the incumbent candidate Democrat John Corzine are many, especially his open endorsement of the Roseville-Susquehanna power lines that would bring energy from coal plants in Pennsylvania into NJ;

"Corzine's Highlands $ell Out"
Date : Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:46:13 -0400
For Immediate Release
July 30, 2009 Contact: Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director

(609) 558-9100

Corzine's Highlands $ell Out

"Despite requests from a coalition of environmental organizations, Gov. Jon Corzine will not veto the minutes of the June Highlands Council meeting. At this meeting, amid ethical and conflict of interest issues, the council approved the Susquehanna-Roseland Transmission Line, which violates the Highlands Act and the state's Global Warming Response Act.


"Governor Corzine could have done the right thing and invalidated the council's vote, which was an outrageous abuse of power and breach of public trust, but chose not to," NJ Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel said. "Instead, he will let shameful record stand."

By not vetoing the minutes, Gov. Corzine took the side of polluters, corruption, and dirty power, instead of siding with integrity and clean energy.

On June 25, the Highlands Council voted 8 - 2 that the 500-kv Susquehanna-Roseland Transmission Line, which will import dirty power from Pennsylvania while harming one of Jersey's most environmentally-sensitive areas, was consistent with the Highlands Plan. The determination appears to have been based not on consistency with the Regional Master Plan, but on an $18.6 million "gift" from the applicant.

In December, the Highlands Council said the proposed power line conflicted with the Highlands Act and indentified 56 determinations of inconsistency. The Highlands Council later reversed course once PSE&G offered an $18.6 million donation for mitigation, raising serious ethical concerns.

In the wake of a sweeping federal corruption probe, Gov. Corzine said the state must stand up against corruption. "$18.6 million dollars is more money than any of the crooks who were arrested last week got," Tittel said. "The fact that the Governor won't veto the minutes of this meeting shows that he is supportive of actions that invite bribes and undermine the environment.

In light of this outrageous decision, a coalition of a dozen environmental organizations, including NJ Sierra Club, Highlands Coalition, Stop the Lines, and the Pequannock River Coalition, formally requested that the Governor veto the minutes of the meeting. As the basis for their position, the groups cited issues with the council members standing, conflicts of interests, inconsistencies with the Highlands Regional Master Plan, and a violation clean energy policies.

This transmission line will import dirty power from coal-fired plants in Pennsylvania, drastically increasing the amount of coal-generated electricity in our grid and undermining New Jersey's Global Warming Response Act.


"Gov. Corzine's inaction shows he supports a power line that puts an ugly scar through the Highlands and undermines our clean energy efforts," Tittel said. "He may talk about clean energy but his actions show he's not willing to stand up for it."

While the Highlands Council offers rationale that the $18.6 million will be used to mitigate the impact of the proposed power lines, you cannot mitigate the removal of trees, pollution of wetlands, and disruption of steep slopes. You cannot mitigate the effects on global warming that will result from importing more and more dirty coal power from Pennsylvania. Those are direct onsite impacts that cannot be mitigated offsite.


"Governor Corzine had a test. He could be on the side of clean energy and integrity and against corruption and bribes. He failed that test and now we know where he stands on these issues." Tittel said."



Kara Seymour, Program Assistant NJ Sierra Club

145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618

609.656.7612

(f) 609.656.7618

article found @;
http://www.newjersey.sierraclub.org/PressReleases/0083.asp