I met Jane Gruenebaum a few years ago in my neighbor’s backyard where my neighbors and I were sharing our stories of the emotional toll we experienced after 100-plus acres of mature forest and wetlands behind our homes were destroyed to make way for a dense housing development. Jane listened with compassion as we talked about the loss of wildlife that was abundant before the trees fell, our fears that they would die with no place else to go, and our dread that our properties would be flooded after the loss of the wetlands.
I saw the look in her eyes and heard the determination in her voice as she talked about forming the Sussex Preservation Coalition with the goal to defend and preserve the environmental integrity of Sussex County and the quality of life for its residents (both human and wild).
With her leadership, the membership of the coalition grew to more than 2,000 individuals within one year, made up of those who recognized a leader who could effectively challenge the current status quo and push for quick resolutions to strengthen weaknesses in the current county code. As a result of her hard work, amendments to the code have already been initiated. But Jane could do even more if she is elected to Sussex County Council.
She is the independent type of leader that we need. One who has the talent, background and vision to bring together all Sussex County residents and business leaders alike, people of all political persuasions with a common goal to work together to ensure future development is done in a way that does no harm to our environment and to our quality of life.
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