Serving Hillside, Elizabeth, and all Essex County communities (except for Livingston, Millburn and Roseland).

The Gateway Group was organized in January 2011.  Please contact any of the leaders if you are interested in joining our campaigns to protect the environment. There are several Gateway Group positions open.

The Gateway Group invites YOU to join in the activism and asks your support as we strive to address the many issues facing the urban as well as suburban communities. 

Follow us on Facebook at gatewaygroupsierraclubnj

Sierra Club Endorses 3 Candidates for West Orange Town Council 

The Gateway Group of the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club is endorsing three outstanding candidates for the West Orange Town Council: Joyce Rudin, Bill Rutherford, and Joe Krakoviak. This endorsement is the result of careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of the candidates' dedication to environmental advocacy, smart development, government transparency, gas leaf blower bans and tree and land conservation.
 
Joyce Rudin stands out for her unparalleled commitment to public advocacy on key quality-of-life issues: overdevelopment, traffic, diminishing tree canopy and flooding. Over the years, Rudin has played a pivotal role in shaping local policies, particularly in her efforts to protect and expand the township’s tree canopy. As a vocal advocate before the Town Council, zoning, and planning boards, Rudin has consistently worked to ensure responsible development. Most notably, she spearheaded the effort to update the 2024 Tree Ordinance, stop fast-food drive-throughs, get trees into shopping center parking lots, curb overdevelopment and increase the planting of street trees. Her grassroots efforts have made her a respected resident within the community and further solidified her position as the leading quality-of-life advocate for West Orange.
 
Bill Rutherford*, current Council President, has worked to ensure the protection of street trees. His proactive engagement with the Department of Public Works, as well as his leadership in advocating for the stronger tree ordinance, regulation of gas-powered blowers, and sustainable development practices underscores his dedication to preserving the township’s green spaces and enhancing community well-being.
 
*Note:  We are aware that Bill Rutherford does not currently appear on the ballot due to a contested ruling regarding nominating petition signatures.  Our endorsement was made prior to his being denied a ballot position, but given the strength of his environmental record, we continue to endorse Mr. Rutherford and urge Sierra Club members to support his write-in campaign.  
 
Joe Krakoviak, a former Councilman, has made his mark by tirelessly exposing financial mismanagement that has long hindered the township’s ability to allocate resources for smart development and tree planting. Krakoviak’s efforts to ensure that taxpayer dollars are wisely invested in projects that benefit both the environment and the residents of West Orange have earned him a well-deserved endorsement.
 
As the West Orange community grows and faces increased pressure from development, the Sierra Club strongly encourages its members and supporters in West Orange to vote for these three candidates who will prioritize the environment, fiscal responsibility, and smart growth.
 
By endorsing Joyce Rudin, Bill Rutherford, and Joe Krakoviak, the Sierra Club is confident that these candidates will continue to advocate for a greener, more sustainable West Orange.
 

Do you ever wonder if the plastic containers you put out at the curb for recycling actually get recycled, or do they end up floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

In January, the Gateway Group of the Sierra Club published a major study of what actually happens to the bottles, cans, and paper collected from Essex County residents.  Danielle Rapsas, a sophomore at Barnard College and a graduate of West Caldwell High School, completed the study as a summer intern with the Gateway Group.  She is also a member of the Gateway Group Executive Committee and the political chair for the Group. 

Her research found conclusive evidence that recycling is considerably cheaper than sending solid waste to be incinerated in Newark, and includes 9 specific recommendations for Essex County towns and municipalities to follow to increase recycling rates. 

Copies of the report are available for download here:  Essex County Recycling Report