May 21, 2010

Assembly Republicans representing communities along the Jersey Shore have sent a letter to President Obama asking for details on measures the federal government is taking to ensure the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico does not reach the New Jersey coast.

In the letter, the 12 legislators expressed their concern over the potential harm the oil spill could cause to their constituents’ health, the environment and New Jersey’s tourism industry.

In addition to the letter, Assembly Republican Whip Dave Rible, R-Monmouth, and Assistant Republican Whip John Amodeo, R-Atlantic, introduced an Assembly resolution yesterday expressing disappointment with President Obama and the federal government on how they have managed the events since the oil spill occurred on April 20. The resolution urges the President to take all actions necessary in order to protect the New Jersey coastline from the oil spill.

Besides Rible and Amodeo, the other Assembly Republicans signing the letter include: Vince Polistina (Atlantic), DiAnne Gove (Ocean), Brian Rumpf (Ocean), Jim Holzapfel (Ocean), Dave Wolfe (Ocean), Mary Pat Angelini (Monmouth), Caroline Casagrande (Monmouth), Declan O’Scanlon (Monmouth), Amy Handlin (Monmouth) and Sam Thompson (Middlesex).

A copy of the letter sent to President Obama follows.

May 20, 2010


President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500


Dear Mr. President:

We represent communities along coastal New Jersey and are very concerned that the Gulf Coast oil spill will wind up on the Jersey Shore.

Our state’s economy is depending on a robust tourism season and an environmental disaster like this could be devastating.

Our constituents are very concerned about what this oil spill could mean to their health, their environment and the beaches we all love.

We would like to know what steps you are taking to ensure that the oil spill in gulf does not reach our ocean waters and communities.

It has been said that New Jersey has a partner in the White House and we hope that is the case in this situation because we need to be certain that Washington will be there to protect our coastline.


Sincerely,

Assemblyman John Amodeo Assemblyman Vince Polistina
2nd Legislative District 2nd Legislative District

Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove Assemblyman Brian Rumpf
9th Legislative District 9th Legislative District

Assemblyman James Holzapfel Assemblyman David Wolfe
10th Legislative District 10th Legislative District

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini Assemblyman David Rible
11th Legislative District 11th Legislative District

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon
12th Legislative District 12th Legislative District

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin Assemblyman Sam Thompson
13th Legislative District 13th Legislative District