For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Anjuli.Ramos@sierraclub.org
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved three nominees for Pinelands Commission. Theresa Lettman will replace McKee Ashmun, Laura E. Matos will replace Richard Prickett, and Davon McCurry will replace D'Arcy Rohan Green. The Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter supports the appointment of Theresa Lettman but does not support Laura Matos or Davon McCurry.
“The New Jersey Legislature and Governor Murphy took one step forward and 2 steps back when it comes to protecting the Pinelands today. Theresa Lettman's nomination was finally approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It has been a four year fight to get her nomination moving and now it is starting to happen. Unfortunately, Governor Murphy has turned his back on Jessica Sanchez, Jennifer Coffey, and Bob Jackson, his original nominees that the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter strongly supported. Instead, he replaced them with corporate nominees with conflict of interests,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of the Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter. “Governor Murphy should keep his word when it comes to appointing individuals to agencies that are qualified and committed to protecting the environment and open spaces of New Jersey.”
The original 2019 nominees that have yet to be approved are Jennifer Coffey, Jessica Sanchez, and Bob Jackson. Jennifer Coffey is currently the Executive Director of the Association of NJ Environmental Commissions (ANJEC). She also worked as a policy director for the Stony Brook- Millstone Watershed Association. Jessica Sanchez worked on the Clean Water Council, Delaware River Basin Commission, and has developed an award-winning Water Resources Plan for the Delaware River Basin. Bob Jackson was commissioner from 2008 to 2015 until Governor Christie replaced him after Jackson voted against the South Jersey Gas pipeline. He was also a former mayor of West Cape May.
“The Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter supports the original 2019 nominees for the Pinelands.
We know that Jennifer Coffey, Jessica Sanchez, and Bob Jackson will protect the Pines for future generations. They have the track record and experience to have what it takes to protect an incredibly and sensitive ecosystem from the threats of climate change, pipelines, power plants, harmful development, and more,” said Ramos-Busot.
In the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter's endorsement questionnaire to Phil Murphy in 2017, the Governor indicated that he would appoint individuals to the Pinelands Commission that are dedicated to protecting the environment.
“Governor Murphy failed to keep his promise that he will appoint individuals who are professionally qualified and committed to protecting the environment and open spaces of New Jersey. It is disappointing that true environmental champions and leaders were replaced with corporate nominees who have a conflict of interest. Theresa Lettman’s approval today was a pyrrhic victory for the Pinelands,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of the Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter.