Dear Editor,

I enthusiastically support the People for Progress candidates Belcher, Walser, and Gerszberg (lines 1,2,3) for Teaneck Town Council in the vote-by-mail election.

I have worked with others on environmental issues such as protecting our communities from the dangers of the CSX trains carrying volatile Bakken crude oil and other hazardous materials, efforts to stop CSX trains from spewing toxic diesel exhaust into our schools, homes and parks, efforts to stop the construction of unsafe residential development along the CSX rail line, the on-going efforts to stop fossil fuel power plants, and efforts to stop overdevelopment in Teaneck.

I am upset that my name was misused in Michael Pagan’s press statement without my knowledge to imply that, because we both are concerned about the CSX rail line, that I endorse the slate of Schwartz, Pagan, and Orgen. I DO NOT ENDORSE the “Moving Teaneck Forward” slate. As a member of the Planning Board and Council, Mark Schwartz was a leading proponent of the AvalonBay apartment complex – a light wood frame complex built within feet of the CSX trains putting residents at great risk. AvalonBay has a terrible record of fires and fire violations. Schwartz is a strong advocate for other large apartment complexes near the CSX tracks and in a residential area, developments opposed by so many of us in Teaneck.

Scientists have confirmed that the air has been cleaner during the Covid-19 crisis when pollution from power plants, transportation, and industry has been drastically reduced. Pollution makes people with lung and heart and other health conditions more vulnerable to Covid-19.

We need People for Progress candidates because they are committed to exploring environmental sustainability initiatives such as Community Choice Aggregation, which has allowed residents in cities and towns such as ours to purchase renewable energy without having to change providers.

They oppose the overdevelopment, they will work for rail safety, and they are committed to legislation that will help Teaneck move out of the fossil fuel past and become part of a future with renewable energy and cleaner air.
I urge Teaneck voters to mark lines 1,2,and 3 on your mail-in ballot for Belcher, Walser, and Gerszberg.

Paula Rogovin