SC Stands with Draeger for Assembly

 “We strongly support Darcy Draeger for Assembly. She is clearly the best candidate when it comes to representing the people of the 25^th District along with her running mate, Lisa Bhimani. Darcy will be a champion for the environment, whether it’s protecting open space and clean air or fighting climate change. She will be a leader in the Assembly, unlike her opponent with a dismal environmental record who either voted against or opposed key environmental programs dealing with climate change, protecting the Highlands and clean water.

We have concerns about the Farmland Assessment Program but we support concept of the program to protect open space and farmland. We just don’t want the program to be abused. Darcy Draeger has followed the requirements for the program, she has a 10-acre farm with an income close to $3,000. She is three times above the minimum income and has almost twice the required acreage for a farm. When you look at Darcy’s property there are large farm fields there. This is compared to people who abuse the program like Kevin Corbett’s 5 acre house in Mendham and a $900 income.

Many of the people who are now criticizing Darcy Draeger voted or supported this law that she is abiding by. This bill was sponsored by Republicans like Senator Beck and voted by Republicans who voted for this bill. The Sierra Club pushed amendments in the bill to include a larger lot size close to 10 acres with an income of $5,000. Darcy is very close to those targets.

The Republicans running in the 25^th district are desperate to hold on to the district. They will do or say anything to win. They know they are out of step with the people of the 25^th district, especially on issues like the environment. The people of this district want clean water, clean air, and legislators to fight for legislation to make that happen.