October 6, 2009

I believe environmental stewardship should be a concern for all of us - not owned by any one political party.

I voted to endorse our Governor in 2005; but he has been hugely disappointing - breaking too many environmental promises and failing to effectively lead. On many levels, I am sorry I cannot support his reelection.

This is not an easy position for us - it is upsetting to many of our traditional constituencies. Nevertheless, Mr. Christie is the best choice for those concerned about environmental progress.

We need Republican champions. The Vote Environment Committee is entrusted to support the best environmental candidates, period. This is a great opportunity to do just that.

Christie's green agenda stands in stark contrast to the Governor's record and, to the degree he has one, his future agenda. In addition to the examples Sharon has already cited, some of the key planks in Christie's environmental platform are:

• Requiring retrofits of diesel engines used under state contracts - this will save lives, reduce health care costs and avoid days lost at school and work but it has been rejected by Governor Corzine;
• Opposing the environmental and economic boondoggle that is the Delaware Deepening, over which the Governor ceded control to Pennsylvania; and
• Restoring NJDEP's Division of Science and Research which was eliminated under Corzine.

I believe Mr. Christie shares many of our core environmental values. I have found Mr. Christie to be a good listener. I like his environmental agenda. I believe him when he says "we will not always agree", but we will be partners in his administration when he is elected.

As a Monmouth County resident, I am at the center of an economic shutdown with the closing of Fort Monmouth. We need green business innovations that put people and their talent back to work. Chris Christie has committed to giving us a "twofer" - bringing green jobs and environmental protections to the Garden State. That is one more reason why NJEF's Vote Environment Committee is supporting Chris Christie for governor.