Environmentalists: Rep. Garrett Puts Corporations Over Planet, People

Had Rep. Scott Garrett been at his Glen Rock congressional office on Friday, he would have been treated to a performance of street theater, though it's unlikely he would have enjoyed the show.

Environmentalists from several area groups crammed into the hallway in front of the conservative Republican's office protesting his environmental record, claiming the Wantage legislator has been gobbling up big checks written by oil interests and subsequently voting in their favor.

"We're all his constituents, we don't need a response, we know where Garrett stands and we know he's not going to change," 350.org organizer Matt Smith, of Wyckoff, said to a lone Garrett staffer in the office. "We're telling you here today we don't stand behind it and that he is being reckless with his stewartship of the fifth district of New Jersey, and his people do not agree with his choices on dirty energy or climate change."

Smith, donning a black suit with a piece of paper labeled "Koch Industries" taped to his back, shouted to the crowd of about 20 how the oil industry has supposedly benefited from Garrett's support.

In response, the protesters – dressed as referees with whistles – cried statements like: "Personal foul, inappropriate contact with corporate lobbyists!" in a call-and-response. Protesters exclaimed the five-term Republican voted to "destroy" the climate, voted to allow toxic waste into waterways, and also supported as well as the proposed controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which would run from Canada through the Texas.

"Stop putting corporations over the people!" one referee shouted at the end of the performance.

Another complained Garrett – who pushed Rep. Steve Rothman t – doesn't represent her views.

"We're going to vote him out!" she said. 

Garrett, up for re-election in 2012, has collected about $190,000 in campaign donations from companies tied to the oil industry (including Koch Industries, Exxon and Yankee Propane) in just over a decade, according to filings.

"We know that he's consistently voted against any measures to transition to clean energy," commented Smith. "He's voted to pad the profits of big oil and corporate polluters at every turn and he's flagrantly denied the science of climate change."

"We're here just so they know we won't back down," remarked Amanda Nesheiwat, an environmental science major at Ramapo College who was among over 200 arrested this past summer in front of the White House pleading with Obama to not support the Keystone pipeline measure. "We need to think about the future and what kind of planet we're going to live in." 

The Congressman has in the past touted his writing of the Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which designated portions of the Musconetcong River as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, as demonstrating his concern and appreciation for the environment.

Garrett's staffer did not respond to requests for comment Friday. Garrett's office did not return requests seeking comment.