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Join us as we advocate for green changes in WO !
West Orange, NJ 07052
Environment & Resident Advocacy Organization
stay active, stay vocal, stay knowledgeable!
Thursday, October 6, 2022 @ 8pm: Save 236 Trees
Daughters of Israel (a nursing & rehab center on Pleasant Valley Way) will be going before our Zoning Board to ask for variances for a MAJOR expansion. (This is their second ZBA meeting.) Their plan is to cut down 236 trees from the property, including those trees on a steep slope. There is already flooding on PVW after a hard rain. If they cut down these trees to build impermeable surfaces, it will only cause more flooding. Please join the meeting HERE on Zoom and voice your concerns. Or Telephone: Dial: US: 1-646-558-8656 Webinar ID: 825 0204 7595 Password: 980265 (Draft agenda is subject to change. For those persons having technical difficulties, please call 973-325-4109.)
Another West Orange Forest in Danger of Development
On Wednesday, October 12th the West Orange Planning Board will meeting virtually to address PB 22-08, Cummings at 2 and 4 Ridge Road. This is the site of the Mount Pleasant forest which the West Orange Recreation and Open Space Board has recommended the Township purchase. The supporting documents include the Planner's Memo which provides guidance to the Planning Board on what the applicant needs to show in order to obtain approval for the single family homes' project. The planner also notes that sidewalks are missing from Mount Pleasant Avenue at the site.
View the application, supporting documents, and Zoom link HERE.
About Us
Who we are...
Our Green West Orange is a non-profit 501(c)3, located in West Orange, NJ. Board members, committee leaders, and group members are volunteers.
OGWO is guided by three (3) principals, all based on government transparency, education, public policy and practice, and enforcement of local, county, and state ordinances. We...
- Advocate for environmental policies and practices that promote positive sustainability and growth among businesses, residents, and the municipality as a whole;
- Demand public safety take priority within West Orange during all steps of planning, reviewing, approving, monitoring, completing, and enforcing residential, municipal and county projects and eventual use; and
- Work to develop an affordable West Orange for residents and businesses by advocating for sound financial policy and practice at both township and county levels.
Our Green West Orange is a community-based, resident-led organization focused on improving West Orange for its residents, businesses, and environment. A safer, greener, & more affordable place to live, work, visit, & shop: Principals we've fought for since forming in 2017.
UPDATE: OGWO's Annual Native Plant Fundraiser
OGWO's annual plant fundraiser provided well over 500 native species plants to local residents, while raising over $2,000 for continuing non-profit environmental advocacy. OGWO thanks you for your support, as do the pollinators and other local wildlife!
OGWO Issues report card on West Orange Town Council
Letter from Your OGWO Board
Our Green West Orange’s mission is to keep our town safe, green, and affordable. But real estate and other business interests have influenced our elected officials and changed the nature of our town.
As a result, any one of us could find ourselves on the wrong side of a rock landslide or flood, like the 45 families at the Ron Jolyn apartments at 275 Northfield Ave who lost their homes. Or without proper shade trees. Or sitting in interminable traffic on Main Street, or Prospect Avenue, or Northfield Avenue. Or facing skyrocketing tax rates.
We believe that our town has become less safe, less affordable and less green in the past year.
The Our Green West Orange 2021 Report Card reflects significant votes on areas of concern to us. We recognize that our officials are involved in other township activities including helping seniors, the arts, and mental health, but it is their votes as council members that matter the most.
The mayor and council did one wonderful thing this year: they voted to purchase 94 acres of wooded steep slope from the Crestmont Country Club, a move that will protect the Pleasantdale neighborhood from flooding. But, until a conservation easement is imposed, this property does not have meaningful protection. The same is true for the Rock Spring Golf course, which still has the threat of development hanging over it. The mayor is pro-development and influences the majority of the council.
We are disappointed that the Council, under the leadership of Susan McCartney (ironically the liaison to the Environmental Commission), has actively obstructed the purchase of the 12.7 acre Mt. Pleasant forest. This forest sits atop a rock-faced cliff and holds back millions of gallons of stormwater from destabilizing the cliff above the 178 unit Crest Ridge apartments. Do we really need to lose another community to a rockslide?
We believe that the best voter is the informed voter. For this reason, we have graded each council member on their conservation and fiscal record.
Are you voting for the same people term after term?
Mayor Parisi -three terms, plus two terms as councilman. In office since 1998!
Susan McCartney-five terms. (20 years) Since 2002!
Michelle Casalino -three terms. (12 years)
Cindy Matute-Brown -one term.
Bill Rutherford -one term.
Tammy Williams -one term.
Sincerely yours,
The OGWO Board
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!
West Orange High School Students Fight for Green
Find out how to get involved as a West Orange student and make a difference locally. Advocate! Volunteer! (Build your resume & complete community hours!) Put your talents to work with our HS Student Volunteers.
Volunteer
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
Earn good karma!
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?
It's happening again! (And no it's not because of Covid...) Recent proposal of another 1.5% increase compliments of WO Twp.
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.