FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2010
Contact: Kristy Ranieri, (973) 762-1510
k.ranieri@circlepoint.com

Half-way Point Achieved: 50% of New Jersey Municipalities Register for Sustainable Jersey Towns across all 21 Counties Working to Attain Certification

Trenton, NJ (July 23, 2010) – Today Sustainable Jersey announced that 283 towns or fifty percent of the 566 municipalities in New Jersey have registered and are now working on attaining the municipal certification for sustainability. With the submittal of a town resolution and registration, the City of Paterson in Passaic County has the unique designation of being the 283rd town to register, pushing participation in Sustainable Jersey to the half-way point.

“Today we reached a true milestone. New Jersey is showing other states how to effectively implement sustainability programs from the local level. Half of our state’s municipalities are actively working on measurable programs and actions to become more sustainable,” said Fred Profeta, Chair of the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future, one of the Sustainable Jersey program partners. “I am truly inspired by the leadership of New Jersey’s mayors and the dedication of the communities that are contributing to making New Jersey a national leader in sustainable change through the Sustainable Jersey program.”

In order to register with Sustainable Jersey, a municipality must pass a resolution that states its intent to pursue the certification and designate an entity to take charge of the process. After registering, a town must achieve a set amount of points depending on the certification level.  Every community must also create a Green Team and select at least two (for bronze level) or three (for silver level) of the six priority actions: 1) energy audits for municipal buildings, 2) a municipal carbon footprint, 3) a sustainable land use pledge, 4) a natural resource inventory, 5) a water conservation ordinance, and/or 6) a fleet inventory.  Applications are carefully reviewed and towns must provide documentary evidence to prove they have taken the actions necessary to score points toward certification.

“To achieve fifty percent participation, in just 18 months (the program began in February 2009) in as diverse and politically dynamic a state as New Jersey is quite a feat in itself,” said program partner Donna Drewes of the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey. “We are taking a moment to celebrate, but know this is just the first step toward meeting our long-term goal for a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable state.”

Although going green may be the motivation for some communities participating in the program, many more towns are looking to save money or take steps to preserve their quality of life over the long term.  Sustainable Jersey towns and cities implement practices that lead to cost savings in energy, water and garbage bills. The program helps communities improve efficiency, cut waste and stimulate their local economies.  Registered towns get special priority access and notification of incentives and grants, and are eligible for the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program which funds $220,000 worth of sustainable projects annually across New Jersey.  The winners of the 2010 Small Grants Program are scheduled to be announced in August.

“Sustainable Jersey provides local governments with a clear mission and a menu of sustainable actions to achieve. Before, municipalities were approaching sustainability efforts haphazardly,” said program partner Randall Solomon of the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey. “The program provides an easy-to-follow checklist of actions with corresponding tools, plus guidance for how to get the actions done. The actions and resources in the program are the result of an unprecedented level of cooperation among municipalities, environmental organizations, academics, private companies and state government.”

In 2009, 34 towns met the rigorous requirements and achieved the Sustainable Jersey certification.  Sustainable Jersey program partners look forward to receiving the 2010 applications that are due on September 15, 2010.  Municipalities that complete the certification requirements will be recognized at the Sustainable Jersey annual awards luncheon held at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City in November of 2010. Review the Sustainable Jersey Participating Communities.

About Sustainable Jersey
Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term.  New Jersey is the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive sustainability program for communities that links certification with strong state and private financial incentives, and a fully resourced program of technical support and training. Half of New Jersey’s municipalities (50%-or 283 towns across all 21 counties) have registered to become Sustainable Jersey certified. By supporting community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity, Sustainable Jersey is empowering New Jersey towns to build a better world for future generations.

Sustainable Jerseyis a collaborative effort between the New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future and the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  The policies and other substantive contents of the program are developed though a transparent participatory process involving NGOs, academics, government, and the business community. Program sponsors include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, PSEG Foundation, New Jersey Natural Gas, Church and Dwight, Covanta Energy, Elizabethtown Gas, Nautilus Solar, the Smart Energy Group, Verizon and CDS-Xerox.

For more info, visit www.sustainablejersey.com.
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The story of Weehawken resident Ismael Cid-Martinez, 23, already sounds a lot like the American Dream come true. Born in the Dominican Republic, he graduated from Weehawken High School and St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. A 2002 New Jersey State Champion bicyclist, he’s worked as a research assistant at the United Nations, and more recently has been working with Paterson’s 5th Ward Councilman Julio Tavarez.

But in June, Cid-Martinez’s fortunes took a huge leap forward. He was accepted into the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) Fellowship, a prestigious nine-month program working with top political players in Washington, D.C.

In high school, the young student struggled with the English language.

“I’m humbled by the trust and the opportunity I’ve been given,” he said last week. “Out of a pool of thousands, only 13 were selected.”

Cid-Martinez said Rep. Albio Sires (D-13th) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) were both “instrumental” in supporting his candidacy for the fellowship. Both politicians are graduates of St. Peter’s College.

“They really went the extra mile for me,” he said.

Next generation of leaders

The CHCI is a top Hispanic non-profit organization that aims to develop the next generation of Latino leaders. They say that Latinos are the nation’s fastest growing and youngest demographic, which by 2030 will be supplying the workforce with one out of every two employees.

“I think that CHCI as a development organization is outstanding,” Cid-Martinez said. “They have prepared over 2,000 young people across the country.”

The Latino high school drop out rate stands at 40 percent, according to statistics produced by the institute, four times higher than non-Hispanic whites.

Respected resume

Although the selection process for the fellowship is competitive, Cid-Martinez’s resume is impressive. He graduated with degrees in economics and political science with a minor in social justice from St. Peter’s College in 2009.

“There were many sleepless nights,” he said. But his experience working with Councilman Tavarez has inspired him, he says.

“[Tavarez] is a young gentleman and a Dominican American who has brought a lot of energy into that ward,” he said. “It was hard for me. I was taking six courses and working at the United Nations, but it was well worth it.”

The fellowship provides a $2,700 monthly stipend for housing and living expenses, health insurance, and great work experience.

Cid-Martinez leaves for Washington, D.C. late next month.

Coming to America

Born in the coast town of Puerto Plata – “Port of Silver” in English – Cid-Martinez came to America with his parents when he was 2 years old, and has returned to his native country for long stays throughout his childhood.

“It’s beautiful there, and a very touristy town,” he said. “The story goes that when Columbus first laid eyes on the coast, he said it looked like it was bathed in silver.”

In high school, the young student struggled with the English language and even took English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to help him with his education.

“I struggled terribly the first three years with the language barrier,” he said.

Now the proud Weehawken resident is looking toward the future.

“I’m interested in the role diplomacy will play in the years to come,” Cid-Martinez said. “International diplomacy will become very important as the world becomes smaller and smaller.”

Although the budding public servant has accomplished a lot in his 23 years, he’s still not sure what life has in store for him.

“When you’re young, you’re a little bit idealistic and think, ‘Where can I be most effective?’ ” he said. “That’s where I am now. I just want to be worthwhile and improve people’s lives.”

Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com

http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/8256571/article-The-American-dream-Young-Dominican-immigrant-gets-fellowship-to-work-in-D-C—?instance=secondary_stories_left_column

Think the trend of businesses making green office renovations is just a passing fad? Not according to the latest issue of EL Insights, which reports that the U.S. green building market value will balloon from $71.1 billion now to $173 billion by 2015. Commercial green building is expected to grow by 18.1% annually during the same time period from $35.6 billion to $81.8 billion. In this case, green building is defined as building with resource use and employee productivity in mind.

The explosive projected growth can be attributed both to a growing recognition of green building’s potential cost-savings as well as incentives from the government (i.e. the multi-million dollar Sustainable Communities Challenge Planning Grant program and the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant program). Green renovation will also comprise a significant portion of future green building, thanks in no small part to government projects like then Recovery through Retrofit initiative, which offers $80 billion energy and environmental retrofits for federal buildings.

The growth in green building will lead to a number of changes in the larger building market, according to EL Insights: Construction workers will increasingly seek out green training programs, companies will spend more cash on green building technology (GE is already doing with its ecomagination initiative), and homes touting green building features will do better on the real estate market. All of this will result in cost savings for building and home owners, who will reap the benefits of lower energy and heating bills.

So if you haven’t been paying attention to the U.S. Green Building Council, now is the time to start–the non-profit offers virtually endless amounts of information on green building studies and LEED certification.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1666282/report-us-green-building-market-will-balloon-to-1735-billion-by-2015

Small, but passionate crowds in Paterson and Hackensack on Thursday called on lawmakers to give illegal immigrants a chance to come out of the shadows and obtain legal status.

The demonstrators, who included a city councilman, clergy and Hispanic community leaders, said comprehensive immigration reform is long overdue, and more critical than ever as local and state officials — such as those in Arizona — move to implement their own immigration policies.

President Obama urged Congress Thursday to pass a reform bill. He called the system “fundamentally broken” and urged Republicans to join the effort.

But the demonstrators said Obama must move beyond words with the same determination he used to push health care reform.

“The immigration system as it currently exists is inefficient,” said Fernando Martinez of Passaic. A member of the Passaic County Coalition for Immigration Reform, he joined in the march that began outside St. John the Baptist Cathedral and traveled several blocks before returning to the church.

“The backlog is so outrageous that the wait to get a green card for people in countries like Mexico and the Philippines is more than a decade, even 20 years, in some cases,” Martinez said. “So people in desperate situations enter illegally to seek a better life or join loved ones.”

The demonstration was one of many held around New Jersey and nationwide at a time when the future of the roughly 12 million illegal immigrants has become a bitterly divisive issue. Obama on Thursday rejected rounding up illegals as “logistically impossible and wildly expensive.”

City Councilman Julio Tavarez, who rode his bicycle alongside marchers, said he felt compelled to join in because pressure must be kept up on politicians.

“We need to make sure that Arizona’s immigration law, which is a racist law, doesn’t come to New Jersey,” Tavarez said. “In Arizona, police will be able to check people’s immigration status if they suspect they’re illegal. What criteria will they use? The criteria for reasonable suspicion is not described in the law.”

Arizona this year passed the nation’s toughest immigration law. Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, said the state had no choice because the federal government has failed to secure its border. The law takes effect at month’s end but faces court challenges. It requires police to check immigration status if, during their work, they suspect someone is an illegal.

The protesters said Arizona’s law will encourage racial profiling and civil rights violations. Obama on Thursday called the law an understandable byproduct of public frustration with government inadequacy, but also said it is ill-conceived, divisive and would put undue pressure on local authorities.

The law’s supporters say Arizona’s tough stand is what the whole nation needs as well.

In Hackensack, a few dozen demonstrators gathered near the Bergen County Justice Center.

Like some others, Eileen Hark of Wyckoff, hadn’t heard Obama’s speech earlier, but said she wasn’t holding her breath for any federal legislation this year.

“I’m optimistic, but I really don’t know,” Hark, 64, said. “They’re breaking their backs trying to make it in this country.”

Those favoring strict enforcement dismissed protestors as unrealistic.

“These are foreign invaders,” said Ed Durfee of Northvale. “We need to just stop immigration until we secure the border.”

He said illegals have no right to complain that deportations break up families and that undocumented students often can’t pursue college because they face out-of-state tuition rates.

“These people made the decision to invade our country, to break our laws,” he said. “And now the problems they have become our problems? They should have thought of these things before they came here illegally.”

Staff writer Erik Shilling contributed to this story.

E-mail: llorente@northjersey.com

http://www.northjersey.com/news/North_Jersey_demonstrators_join_chorus_for_legal_tolerance_of_illegal_immigrants_.html

First of all, let’s get something straight: The ruinous oil spill spreading all manner of havoc in the Gulf of Mexico is not just President Obama’s problem, and it’s not just BP’s problem.

Indeed, it’s not even only a regional problem but a national problem. In fact, if you want to go one step further, you could call it a local problem.

In other words it should be a call to action for every community in this country to find cleaner, sustainable energy solutions. If this disaster teaches us anything, it is that long-term reliance on fossil fuels is a costly endeavor, a threat to national security and filled with peril. The days of unlimited oil supply are behind us, or at least fading fast.

That said, and as the nation looks at long-range initiatives to address energy needs, states and municipalities can make sensible, conservation-minded changes on their own. They needn’t wait for a clear signal from Washington that may or may not be coming anytime soon.

In Paterson, credit two city council members who seem to realize this, and are showing a willingness to lead and be proactive along these lines. Councilmen Andre Sayegh and Julio Tavarez, two of the council’s newest and most, how to put it, “energetic” members, are introducing resolutions they believe will be the first steps in encouraging the city and its residents to go “green.”

Part of the Sayegh-Tavarez initiative calls for the creation of a citizen advisory board to help guide the city on environmental policy. In addition to weighing in on decisions such as purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles or installing solar panels on city buildings, the board would also be concerned with education: that is, raising awareness about the endless ways of bringing a more sustainable existence to the streets and neighborhoods of Paterson.

Or, as Sayegh told me on Tuesday, “it’s a way to optimize the quality of life for all residents.”

As the council members see it, the board’s creation is vital to gaining certification with Sustainable New Jersey.

That program, for those who don’t know, is a private-public cooperative that includes Rutgers University, the Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey and the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Through a variety of programs, it offers municipalities financial incentives — including a $25,000 small grants competition — and guidance on improving energy efficiency and sustainability.

Moving toward a leaner, greener and more self-sufficient Paterson is a worthy goal, but Councilman Sayegh is right when he says that “if we are going to go green, we have to go together.”

Indeed, securing certification from Sustainable New Jersey should not be just about money, but also about a change in attitude. Ideally, it would encourage city businesses to look closer at easy and often cost-saving ways to improve energy use. It should encourage residents to buy locally.

I can see Donnie Evans finding ways to implement its use in the city’s schools. I can see incoming Mayor Jeffery Jones using “greener” Paterson as a drawing card for all sorts of businesses and incorporating the greener thinking onto a wide variety of municipal fronts.

It would be nice, for instance, at the start of a new term for a new mayor, to follow the lead of other urban centers, such as Trenton and Newark. Trenton, in particular, under the leadership of Mayor Doug Palmer, has been pressing green initiatives for years now, including partnering with PSE&G on the weatherization of homes in low-income neighborhoods.

The possibilities, it seems to me, are endless.

Yet it all starts with commitment, and not just from city officials, elected or otherwise. If the city wants to move forward on this greener path it will require the tenacity and teamwork of say, a platoon of army ants, intent on a mission of survival.

And when one bothers to look at the matter closely, that’s exactly what we’re on when it comes to the prospect of our future energy needs.

Bruce Lowry is assistant editorial page editor of the Herald News. E-mail him at lowryb@northjersey.com

http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/97645774_As_long_as_you_re_green__you_can_grow.html

The National Museum of the American Latino Commission cordially invites you to attend and provide input at the public forum for the creation of the potential Museum of the American Latino.

Saturday, June 19, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hunter College
Corner of East 68th Street and Lexington Avenue
New York, NY

EPA 2010 SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS
MARCH 1- MARCH 15, 2010

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 2 – New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 is looking for energetic and highly motivated summer interns to work directly with professionals and gain valuable “real-world” experience. There will be approximately 12 positions available in the following series/grades and locations:

One or more positions in each of the following 4 categories will be located in New York, NY:
Category #1: Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist/Life Scientist, GS-819/1301/0401-5/7
Category #2: Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-5/7
Category #3: Management Analyst, GS-0343-5/7
Category #4: Environmental Protection Assistant, GS-0029-3/4

One or more positions in each of the following 2 categories will be located in Edison, NJ:
Category #5: Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist/Life Scientist, GS-0819/1301/0401-5/7.
Category #6: Environmental Protection Assistant, GS-0029-3/4

One position in the following category will be located in San Juan, PR:
Category #7: Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist/Life Scientist, GS-0819/1301/0401-5/7.

QUALIFICATIONS:

You must be a student to apply for these positions. A student is an individual who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree seeking student and is taking at least a half-time academic course load in an accredited 2 year or 4 year college or university or graduate school. If you are graduating in May 2010, you must indicate that you are enrolled or plan to enroll in a degree seeking program in the fall of 2010. Those being considered for employment will be asked to show proof of fall enrollment/acceptance.

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY:
To apply, submit a resume and transcript of your college courses (an unofficial transcript is acceptable) and ensure that your current courses are reflected. You must indicate your interest in one or more of the 7 categories of positions listed above. Please clearly indicate the category/ies for which you are applying. If you apply for more than one category of positions, you are responsible for submitting a separate complete application (resume, cover letter and transcript) for each category of interest. Applications should be sent via email to AJobsRTP@epa.gov or fax to 919-541-2186, or mail to USEPA, HRMD, Attention Pam McClure – Region 2 Summer Employment, MD-C639-02, RTP, NC 27711. PLEASE INDICATE YOU ARE APPLYING TO: R2 SUMMER 2010

If you cannot obtain a transcript, provide a listing of all college course work, including course titles, grades, and credits earned, that you will have completed by the end of the current school year. Regardless of the format you choose, you must include all of the credits you expect to earn by the end of the spring 2010 semester.

Contact Pam McClure, RTP, at mcclure.pam@epa.gov if you have questions about the application process.

OTHER INFORMATION:
Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Positions are located at 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007; 2890 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, NJ 08837; or 1492 Ponce De Leon Avenue, San Juan, PR 00907.

Internships will tentatively begin on 5/24/2010 and run no later than 8/27/10.

All positions are full-time, 40 hours per week.
Candidate selected must be age 16 by the date they begin work.
2010 General Schedule Salary Rates (Per Hour) Environmental Engineer Salary Rates
NY/NJ NY/NJ PR
GS-03 $ 13.47 GS-5 $17.09 GS-5 $17.71
GS-04 $ 15.12 GS-7 $21.17 GS-7 $21.94
GS-05 $ 16.92
GS-07 $ 20.96
GENERAL EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
As a minimum, applicants must have education in the following amounts:
GS-3 1 academic year above high school (30 semester hours)
GS-4 2 academic years above high school (60 semester hours)
GS-5 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours)
GS-7 Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement, OR 1 year academic year of graduate education (generally 18 semester hours) OR 1 year experience related to the job

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. We have additional information on our web site: http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm

US EPA is an equal opportunity employer.

by John Reitmeyer/Statehouse Bureau
Wednesday May 27, 2009, 8:07 PM

The flat income tax Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan is pushing as a key component of his campaign would provide huge tax cuts for the rich, but lower income residents would pay more — some twice as much.

Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota, wants a 2.9 percent flat income tax to replace the state’s graduated system, which charges more for those who make the most and has rates ranging from 1.4 percent to 8.97 percent. MORE>>

Check out this Cool Board of Education Election 2009 from Herald News:

http://www.northjersey.com/specialreports/schoolelections.html