Gov. Christie’s Pinelands Purge Shifts Spotlight to Senate President Sweeney and Senate Dems

[Updates: 5/24/14 – Star Ledger editorial raises very similar concerns as I do: “Don’t Let Christie Bully Pinelands Panel”:

Kirk Moore’s Asbury Park Press story: Christie Moves to Replace Pinelands Commissioners

Another pipeline critic, Bill Wolfe of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said the move to get rid of Green shows the pressure on commissioners. In the run-up to the vote, Wolfe had questioned Green’s ownership of energy stocks on her state financial disclosure form, after the Christie administration forced another commissioner, environmental law professor Edward Lloyd, aside over ethics allegations.

“And as soon as she steps out of line, he (Christie) yanks her,” Wolfe said. “How can government do its job… if people who do their job with integrity, they can’t serve?”  ~~~ end update]

NJ Spotlight reports today that Gov. Christie has proposed to replace two Pinelands Commissioners who had the courage and integrity to buck the Gov., enforce the Comprehensive Management Plan,  and vote NO on his Pinelands pipeline, see:

• Critics Accuse Christie of Trying to Remake Pinelands Panel in His Own Image

The Gov.’s nominations require Senate confirmation.

This is a test of the integrity of Senate Democrats, particularly those on the Judiciary Committee who must vote to confirm the Gov.’s nominations.

I hope they do not roll over like they did on confirming Gov. Christie’s Highlands nominations (including Christie’s firing of the Executive Director).

Since then, the politics have changed completely given the Bridgegate scandal and the facts on the ground have changed as well.

The Gov.’s attempted replacements follow ugly strong arm tactics used in 1) the forced recusal of Commissioner Lloyd; 2) the replacement of deceased Commissioner Haas, before he was even laid to rest;  3) the nasty removal of Commissioner Ficcaglia; and 4) Gov. Christie’s veto of a proposed salary raise.

Christie also appointed the Executive Director of the Commission – a former NJ Builders Assc. lobbyist – so his control is almost total.

These replacements are clearly done in a retaliatory manner. This must stop.

The Gov.’s action is totally unacceptable intimidation and it undermines the independence of the Pinelands Commission, and all “in but not of” independent Commissions.

It is gross abuse of raw Executive Power that must be blocked.

The Spotlight is on Senate President Sweeney and Chairman Scutari and members of the Judiciary Committee to speak out now and refuse to confirm these nominees.

The message:

Block the Gov.’s retaliatory abuse of Executive Power – Purge Politics are no longer tolerated.

Preserve the independence and integrity of the Pinelands Commission and all independent Commissions.

Honor the rule of law, not corrupt corporate crony power politics.