Water, bridges, highways draw development; Veto of oil bill | Feedback

Jersey City was at the center of the industrial strength of this country. Most of the companies that prospered during the late 19th century and early 20th century were located around water, bridges and highways. Some companies were not environmentally responsible and those areas around water, bridges and highways had to be cleaned up.

Immigrants and migrants to Jersey City, especially blacks from the south who came to work in Jersey City, were placed to live around water, bridges and highways. Segregation, gentrification and even redlining are synonymous when talking about the placement of people who live in various neighborhoods in Jersey City.

During the 1940-50's, the placement of certain populations of people was more defined with the building of house projects around Jersey City. Most housing projects like Curries Woods, Montgomery Gardens, Booker T. Duncan Projects, Marion, Hudson, Holland, etc... were built around water, bridges and highways in addition to the industrial waste that was left by irresponsible companies.

During the 1980's, there was a shift in development that's drawing new lines of segregation and gentrification because there is now a need to displace and replace those populations that lived around water, bridges and highways and the former industrial areas are now being cleaned up. The growth of Downtown Jersey City (Hudson River) and now development around the West Side (Hackensack River) had displaced large populations of people of color especially blacks, where 85 percent now live in Wards A, B and F.

There is often the conversation of a Tale of Two Cities when referring to Jersey City, but in addition there should be a conversation on how our city is developing. The most affluent and well to do will live around water, highways and bridges.

Chris L. Gadsden, Councilman, Jersey City Ward B

Christie plays to oil companies, not safety

With the veto of the oil trains safety bill, Governor Christie seems to care more concerned about oil companies than the safety of the people of New Jersey. This bill was a compromise that everyone worked on and an important step in the right direction to deal with these dangerous bomb trains. Instead of supporting this work, the Governor gutted the bill.

When a train carrying Bakken crude oil derails, it is a disaster. Towns need to have contingency plans in place to clean up and minimize the risk. We need to make sure there are response and emergency plans if something happens with one of these rail cars at a moment's notice. These trains are carrying extremely dangerous and volatile substances putting our communities and environment at risk.

People think what the Governor did at the beach was outrageous, the vetoing of this bill is even worse because he is putting people at risk. The federal rules on these trains are too lax, but the Governor vetoed the stricter state law.

We can, and should, go stronger in New Jersey. Bakken crude, especially when carried by rail, is a ticking time bomb. These communities are completely unaware about what is traveling through their towns and how to handle a potential devastating accident. We need to get rid of these dangerous cars altogether and move to a clean energy future, but until then we need to make oil trains safer.

Even though it is the end of his administration, Governor Christie is still doing a lot of damage. Instead of learning a lesson from the disasters in Virginia, Illinois, Quebec, Oregon, the Governor is blocking our plan to prevent future tragedies. That is why we need the legislature to override the governor so we don't have to wait for the next governor to sign this important legislation.

Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club

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