Environmentalists Say Rep. Frelinghuysen Is A 'Wolf In Sheep's Clothing' Regarding Protecting The Environment

WAYNE, NJ — A few dozen environmentalists protested outside of Wayne Town Hall Wednesday in response to Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen's record of not doing enough to protect the environment.

Members of NJ 11th For Change and the New Jersey Sierra Club gathered outside of the congressman's office when he was supposed to be there. People there said Frelinghuysen has to take action to better protect the environment — something on his website he claims he does. But attendees said otherwise.

"He has not voted pro-environment in quite a long time. Years ago he voted in favor of the environment, but now he is voting in favor of the climate deniers and I find that particularly offensive," said Barbara Stomber, a Wayne resident. "We are here in one of the worst states for [EPA] Superfund sites. We need someone who is going to work against pollution, is for more regulations and will also support the Paris Agreement."

Frelinghuysen states on his website that he is "an advocate for our area's parks," helped protect wildlife in Morris County and opposes "any attempt" to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Instead, people said, he has done the opposite.

"He has voted down 35 out of 38 bills that would have strengthened the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Rich Kushiner, a Wayne resident. "He has proven to be a wolf in sheep's clothing."

The Sierra Club said that Frelinghuysen, as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has a responsibility to challenge President Trump's budget that will reduce the EPA's budget by one-third.

Frelinghuysen was not at his office to answer questions from constituents, but a member of his staff was — and that is another problem people have with the 12-term congressman. Frelinghuysen has not met with residents in person during office hours or at a town hall-style meeting in years. It is something his constituents have pointed out several times in the past.

"He's gotten off lightly," Kushiner said. "He votes without accountability to his constituents and that has to stop."

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Photo: Rich Kushiner, a Wayne resident, and other members of NJ 11th for Change, talk outside of Wayne Town Hall where a member of Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen's staff met with members of the grassroots organization. Staff photo by Daniel Hubbard