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West Orange resident wins Executive Drive Court Case
West Orange, NJ 07052
Environment & Resident Advocacy Organization
your charitable contribution put to work
Community Action Begins with You
We are dedicated to improving the lives of those in our community, including our local wildlife and trees! OGWO is a volunteer-led, 501(c)3 charitable organization. (Including our executive board.) Your contribution today helps us continue our advocacy work - Thank You!
Working to keep our streets, sidewalks, and residents safe
Nikhil Badlani Foundation
Our Green West Orange is proud to support the Nikhil Badlani Foundation as they work with our local and state leaders to create a safer community for our youth and families. Please consider signing the Vision Zero New Jersey petition, and support the strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all.
We have a local conservation partner!
Welcome Coalition to Save South Mountain Reservation !
This brand new Essex County conservation advocacy group is a collective of County residents and local organizations that work to protect and conserve South Mountain Reservation. Their sole focus right now is to STOP the construction of the Turtle Back Zoo 500-seat Amphitheater.
Visit them at www.CoalitionSMR.org , on Twitter: @CoaltionSmr & on Instagram: @CoalitionSMR
Please consider donating to their efforts by clicking the donate button below. Thank you!
The Turtle Back Zoo: Updates, proposals, & impact on our env
The Facts
The zoo has already been expanded several times. Why does the Essex County Executive want to expand the Turtle Back Zoo yet again?
County Executive Joe DiVincenzo claims that the zoo needs a 500 seat amphitheater to provide education for the thousands of students who visit the zoo each year. However studies show students learn better in smaller settings and there already is a smaller amphitheater in the zoo.
What sort of education is the County Executive talking about?
Wild animals will be forced into small enclosures and then paraded out before large audiences using strobe & LED lighting rigs, and a full speaker system.
How is this education rather than entertainment?
It’s not. Animals being displayed in this way before large crowds have little to no educational value and cause the animals stress and extreme discomfort. In reality, the county plans to rent out the pavilion to private groups. We can expect concerts, parties and other entertainment to take place there as the county collects “premium” rental fees.
Why is such a large amphitheater needed?
The county wants to increase attendance at the zoo from the current 900,000 visitors/year to 1.2 million. This will cause more traffic, sound and light pollution and damage our last large forest. All effecting the suburban neighbors.
How many trees have to be destroyed for this latest expansion?
At least 135 mature trees and many, many smaller trees, undergrowth, plants and wildflowers; an entire habitat in fact. And this is not the first time. In total, since 2005 more than 10 acres have been destroyed. Hundreds of trees.
Is that so bad? Doesn’t growth have to happen?
The South Mountain Reservation is the last large wild space in Essex County. Already the county has destroyed significant parts of this historic land to build a zip line, mini-golf course, and confined artificial habitats for exotic animal ill suited to our climate. They have taken away a natural resource placed in trust for the citizens of Essex County to make money for the county. Surely land that has already been zoned and developed can be devoted to these purposes, if they are really needed, not this historic Reservation.
Besides harming trees and animals, what else is wrong with the project?
As we watch an entire continent go up in flames, as the ice caps melt and species are wiped out every few days, do we want to destroy more open space? Trees and plants also absorb and preserve enormous amounts of the most precious resource on the planet: water and they offset tons of carbon dioxide. Now that so many trees have been chopped down, the roads flood after each rain.
If the amphitheater is built, will more expansion and more destruction take place?
Looking at how the county has behaved in the past, there is every reason to be concerned that yet more land will be seized for other destructive projects. In fact, their own plan projects development in almost every direction.
What is the name of this amphitheater project?
When the county discovered that many citizens opposed this destructive and unnecessary Amphitheater project, they decided to call it the “Conservation Pavilion.” Many people find this offensive: what kind of “conservation” destroys natural habitat to put up an entertainment arena? It’s a CON.
What can we do about all this?
When young people, especially students in Essex County, speak out, it makes a big impact. Students are not a passive audience, they are citizens, leaders and have a stake in the future—their future. The few students protesting at recent Town Council Meetings and hearings have been hard to ignore.
When we attend meetings, what can we say?
Share your feelings about having more land destroyed, more animals mistreated and all in your name and in the name of your education and for the supposed betterment of your home and community. One or two talking points are all that is needed; speak directly from your heart.
Controversy Over $8M Amphitheater At Turtle Back Zoo Continues
Maplewood Leaders to Call for More Transparency from Essex County Over Zoo Expansion
Amphitheater At Turtle Back Zoo: 'Education' Or 'Overspending?'
What hasn't been reported in the news...
As reported by Essex County resident Judith Rosenthal, esq. (who was in attendance at both the Essex County Open Space Advisory Board, and the Essex County Freeholders meetings, July 8 & 10, 2019):
- THERE ALREADY IS AN AMPHITHEATER. Why do we need a second one?
- There already is a brand new EDUCATIONAL CENTER at the Zoo. If the goal is to educate children about animals, the facility already exists to accomplish that.
- French & Parillo (which was awarded a $600,000 contract over objections from dozens of members of the public lasting more than an hour), contributed $5,000 to DiVincenzo's campaign. However, the documents supplied by the County to one of the members of the public failed to disclose this fact. She uncovered it through other channels and presented this somewhat embarassing fact at the hearing.
- Two days before the vote, the County Open Space Committee held a meeting that was also attended by 13 members of the public. The Committee took a vote to approve the above expenditure, but refused to hear from the public prior to voting.
- At Wednesday night's Freeholder's meeting, at least 20 people spoke out against the project, citing traffic concerns, contribution to climate change from cutting down acres of trees to build an amphitheatre, objecting to using Open Space Funds to eliminate open space by building an amphitheatre, the liklihood of more flooding by elimination of open space, and the sheer beauty, respite and enjoyment of the forest.
- Leonard Luciano, who represents Millburn & West Orange, took a few minutes away from his non-stop texting during the meeting to tout the educational benefits of parading zoo animals in front of hundreds of children and to support his point, recalled his days as an "educator." This is a material misstatement. His Freeholder web page reveals he was a "Library Media Specialist" with a degree in Humanities (not science) who thereafter went on to hold a position in the Teacher's Union. When confronted with this at the meeting, Mr. Luciano had no response.
- Freeholder Cooper was the only member to ask intelligent questions challenging the need for an amphitheater (she represents District 3). She abstained from voting "yes" for the expenditures.
- Except for Cooper, your Freeholders have no concern for how members of the public feel. They have one constituent: Joseph DiVincenzo. At this point, it is clear that speaking up is a useless exercise. We must vote most of the Freeholders and the County Executive out of office. The communities most affected by Zoo expansion, and their Freeholders are as follows:
Millburn & West Orange: Luciano
Maplewood: Wayne Richardson
At Large: Patricia Siebold (votes with DiVincenzo 99.9% of the time)
At Large: Rufus Johnson (votes with DiVincenzo 99.9% of the time).
These are the 4 that need to be targeted in the next election. Our mouths can't do it, but our fingers can (at the ballot box)!"
THE LATEST WEST ORANGE PROJECTS
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
OGWO responded to a home on Woodland Ave., Friday, May 10, 2019 to document and question why 11 healthy trees were being cut. There were no tree removal permits issued.
150 FREE Trees Handed Out
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
OGWO and an enviro-passionate Roosevelt Middle student handed out and planted 150 trees for free to West Orange seniors & interested residents.
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
West Orange residents continue to advocate for a sustainable, green, & safe Essex Green Shopping Center, despite the majority Township Council and administration siding with the wealthy developer, Clarion Partners, LLP. Up next Executive Drive.
WO Library Blighted?
Rock Spring Country Club
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
The township of West Orange yet again designates a town property as "blighted," essentially handing another wealthy developer potential BIG tax abatements for residents to pay. The WO Public Library is the latest blighted area.
Rock Spring Country Club
Rock Spring Country Club
Rock Spring Country Club
West Orange residents are the new owners of Rock Spring Country Club, located at 90 Rock Spring Rd. 138-acres for $12 million. Help fellow residents keep their eye on how well the Mayor follows through with his "gentleman's agreement" that the property will not be developed more than the 15-acres he has promised.
Volunteer
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
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OGWO seeks graphic designers, illustrators, writers, PTA Reps, & social media posters. Have a skill we didn’t mention above? Email us!
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
So many organizations in WO that OGWO supports & partners with. Join us! Join them! Be part of the solution!
Videos
Partners in Advocacy
Videos
OGWO is proud to highlight videos that help educate others about what is happening in West Orange. Pop some corn, find a friend, and visit our videos page!
What's With WO Taxes?
What's With WO Taxes?
What's With WO Taxes?
What's up with WO Taxes & the Mayor's proposed 2019 Budget? How will it effect you?
Badabing: Family Ties
What's With WO Taxes?
What's With WO Taxes?
Curious about the WO power structure? How do the dots connect in West Orange?
Petitions 'n Polls
What's With WO Taxes?
Petitions 'n Polls
Advocate for change. Petitions to help West Orange grow & flourish.