About

Gateway works closely with other environmental and civic groups in the Essex and Union communities that make up our region to preserve open space, clean up polluted landscapes and waterways, oppose new fossil fuel power plants, and encourage energy efficiency.

Specific projects we have advocated for include opposing proposed fracked gas power plants planned by the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission and New Jersey Transit, defeating the County’s proposal for a new amphitheater and public entertainment center at the Turtle Back Zoo, preservation of open space along the first mountain ridge in Verona and West Orange, and monitoring the Army Corp of Engineers’ clean-up plan for the polluted Hackensack and Passaic Rivers.

We have sponsored Drive Electric Earth Day events in Montclair, and have an active outdoor outing program. Now that Covid seems to be in retreat, we hope to re-start regular member meetings, either in person or via Zoom. Look for our emails and check our calendar for details.

The Group endorses candidates for local political offices who support our goals and objectives. If you know of environmentally forward candidates running for local office in your township, let us know and we can interview them and give them our endorsement.
To discuss any concerns or if you wish to become actively involved with our group’s activities by serving on our Executive Committee or chairing one of our committees, please contact Bill Beren at beren1@verizon.net or call him at 973-746-9661.

OFFICERS:

Chair: Bill Beren* 973-746-9661 Beren1@verizon.net

Vice-Chair: Open Position

Conservation Chair: Caroline Kane* 646-961-9003 ckane678@verizon.net

Secretary: Open Position

Treasurer: Open Position

Program Co-Chairs: Suzanne Trimel* 973-509-8335 suzanne.trimel@gmail.com

Program Co-Chairs: Steven Yafet* 908-354-2537 syafet@gmail.com

Publicity Chair: Open Position

Political Chair: Danielle Rapsas* 973-986-4290 danielle.rapsas@sierraclub.org

Fundraising Chair: Open Position

Membership Chair: Steven Yafet* 908-354-2537 syafet@gmail.com

Newark Issues Chair: Open Position

Environmental Justice: Allison Fabrizio 973-220-0134 allisonlfabrizio@gmail.com

Elizabeth Issues: Open Position

Recycling: Danielle Rapsas* 973-986-4290 danielle.rapsas@sierraclub.org

Passaic River Issues: Steven Yafet* 908-354-2537 syafet@gmail.com

Outings Co-Chair: Ron Pate* ronpate31@verizon.net

Outings Co-Chair: Steven Yafet* 908-354-2537 syafet@gmail.com

Webmaster: Christy Morganstein clrm@medartsweb.com

*Group Executive Committee

Please contact Bill Beren if you have any ideas or suggestions for a program in the future.

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