Letter to the Editor: Green Fair Organizers Thankful for Supporters

Madison held its first ever Green Fair on April 29 in downtown Madison and by all accounts it was a success. As organizers of the event, we would like to thank the people that supported the fair and made the event possible.

First and foremost, we would like to thank PSE&G for their sponsorship and support of the event. The funds they donated will be used to help the Madison Environmental Commission update the Borough's Environmental Resource Inventory. This important document is a compilation of text, maps, pictures and information about the natural resources in our town and it provides a baseline for measuring and evaluating resource protection issues. It is an important tool for the commission, our open space committee and our land use boards. Updating this document would not be possible without PSE&G's help and support.

We would also like to thank the Boy Scouts and volunteers that helped during set up and break down. As most know, the Green Fair was organized as a partnership between the Madison Environmental Commission (MEC), Whole Foods, Drew University and the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. This partnership and the logistics of the fair were managed by Vijay Prabakaran as part of his Eagle Scout Project.

We would like to thank other important supporters of the fair including Madison's governing body, Mayor Holden, Council Member Astri Baillie, the Department of Public Works, the Madison Police Department, the Downtown Development Commission, the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, and all the organizations that exhibited at the fair.

We would also like to thank the members of our community who came to learn about New Jersey's first LEED certified dorm at Drew University, to tour Chris Kellogg's passive solar home, and to see products available locally that support a sustainable lifestyle.

The green fair is part of a larger initiative to help green Madison. Members of the MEC and our community have formed a green team called Madison2020 and are working towards gaining certification for Madison as a Sustainable Jersey community.  Anyone interested in learning more or helping should contact Betsy Uhlman at www.GreenMadison.org.  Together, we can create a sustainable future for our children and for Madison.

Sincerely,

- James Greene, Madison Environmental Commission (MEC) Chair

- Betsy Uhlman, MEC Commissioner and Madison 2020 Chair

- Vijay Prabakaran, Boy Scout Eagle Candidate, BS Troop 25, Madison

- Beth Gantz, Madison Whole Foods Market