TRENTON – The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV) on Wednesday announced its endorsement of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for re-election.
New Jersey LCV executive director Ed Potosnak said the statewide environmental organization continues to be impressed by Fulop’s commitment to addressing climate change and improving access to parks for children and families living in New Jersey’s second most-populated city.
“New Jersey LCV is pleased to endorse Mayor Fulop for his leadership in the fight against climate change,” said Potosnak. “Fulop was the first mayor in New Jersey to sign a pledge to drastically cut the percentage of the city’s energy produced from fossil fuels, and his administration undertook a citywide greenhouse gas audit to determine where its carbon output could be reduced.”
Jersey City was named one of America’s 10 greenest cities in 2015, under Fulop’s leadership, by NerdWallet.com, an online financial web site.
The Fulop administration also is making strides to reduce carbon emissions by making the city more pedestrian and bike friendly. The administration has installed more than 22 miles of inter-connected bike paths and started New Jersey’s first bike-share program in partnership with Citi Bike.
"It is an honor to receive this endorsement from the New Jersey League of Conservation voters, as the work they do impacts residents across Jersey City and the state of New Jersey," said Mayor Fulop. "We have worked closely together over the past couple of years as we believe that local government can have some of the greatest impacts on climate change and sustainability. I am grateful for Conservation Voters’ continued support, and will continue to lead at the local level on issues like park creation, cutting greenhouse gases, and reducing the city's overall carbon footprint.
During his first term, Fulop created the city’s first Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition and preservation of open space, and had nearly 18 acres of brownfields converted into green space for Berry Lane Park – the city’s newest and largest municipal park.The efforts of his administration resulted in an 11 percent increase in city-owned open space in the past four years.
“Mayor Fulop has demonstrated a commitment to improving children’s access to parks, which encourages physical activity and a healthy lifestyle,” said New Jersey LCV Political Chair Kelly Mooij. “Under his leadership, the city has invested millions in new parks and improvements to existing parks, making Jersey City leader in this area.”
The New Jersey LCV also praised Fulop’s partnership with the Jersey City Parks Coalition to plant 5,000 new trees throughout the city, and his part in a successful fight against efforts to privatize Liberty State Park.Visit New Jersey LCV’s web site to see all of our endorsements here.