EN
Translate:
CALL TO ACTION: Sign the Zoo Petition to STOP more expansion!
Join West Orange residents who are concerned about the environment, and street safety as they work to protect 800 West Orange trees. Read the following article, and join residents at Town Hall in saying, "Enough development - we need more open space!"
Where do our elected leaders stand on Open Space?
Essex County prides itself on the Turtle Back Zoo, while many West Orange residents say enough is enough. Traffic, parking, pedestrian safety, animals that don't thrive in NJ climates... West Orange is not Orlando, and residents don't want a Disney in their back yard.
[NJ.com / Star-Ledger Article September 1, 2019, by Kelly Hayboer]
People who care about the South Mountain Reservation SAY NO to the Turtle Back Zoo overdevelopment of the Reservation. $600K of our OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND MONEY has been approved for the design of a 500-1000 person amphitheater in South Mountain Reservation. Gov. Phil Murphy has frozen the additional $4 million County Executive DiVincenzo is requesting for building the aquatic-circus structure.
Next Essex County Freeholder Meeting is on Thursday, July 25, 2019 @ Livingston Town Hall, Livingston, NJ
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):
Freeholder President Brendan Gill has issued the following statement in response to community concerns regarding proposed construction and expansion at Turtle Back Zoo:
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.
OGWO and an enviro-passionate Roosevelt Middle student handed out and planted 150 trees for free to West Orange seniors & interested residents.
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.
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.
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.
Earn good karma!
OGWO seeks graphic designers, illustrators, writers, PTA Reps, & social media posters. Have a skill we didn’t mention above? Email us!
So many organizations in WO that OGWO supports & partners with. Join us! Join them! Be part of the solution!
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 up with WO Taxes & the Mayor's proposed 2019 Budget? How will it effect you?
Curious about the WO power structure? How do the dots connect in West Orange?
Advocate for change. Petitions to help West Orange grow & flourish.
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, NJ 07052, US