The Watchung Ridge Forest is under attack. The owner, Zygmunt Wilf, billionaire and owner of the Minnesota Vikings has sought to leverage the land to further build his net worth. At that time, the West Orange Planning board rightly prioritized environmental protection and public safety by rejecting a proposed development plan that would have added 136 housing units across 120 acres of the property.
Today, Ali Aljarrah, Democratic candidate for Passaic County Commissioner At-Large, announced a bold new transit and street safety platform developed in partnership with local advocacy leaders, transportation experts, and community stakeholders.
Centered on a Vision Zero approach, the platform lays out a comprehensive strategy to reduce traffic fatalities, reconnect neighborhoods divided by highways, and strengthen local business corridors through safer, more accessible streets.
Our energy system is stuck in the past. For too long, our government has ignored our aging energy grid, leaving us with decades-old power lines and dirty, expensive power plants. Now, we’re paying for their mistakes—power bills have risen by 20%, and are only expected to get higher. This is unacceptable. It’s time for politicians to modernize our grid and invest in the future of energy: renewables.
The Mullica River is one of New Jersey’s last truly wild and ecologically intact waterways, but growing development and fragmented protections leave it vulnerable. Our campaign seeks to secure federal designation under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, which would protect the river from harmful projects while preserving local control.
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are a class of man made chemicals used in products because they resist water, stains, and grease. But that convenience comes at a huge cost. PFAS have been linked to cancer, immune system harm, developmental impacts, and hormone disruption, and they can persist in the environment for years. New Jersey should not allow toxic chemicals like these to remain in the clothing we wear or in menstrual products used directly on and inside our bodies.
