By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — Although it has been more than 20 years since his first term as Hillsborough’s mayor, Assemblyman Pete Biondi credits that time with fueling his interest in the environment, which recently helped earn him the title of “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development (NJ SEED).
Also honored as outstanding legislators this year were New Jersey senators Barbara Buono and Kevin O’Toole, and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald.
Assemblyman Biondi said the award is given to those who sponsor legislation conforming to NJ SEED’s ideals about the environment and the economy, which he said he began to take an interest in when he served as Hillsborough’s mayor from 1986 to 1993.
He said he worked closely with open space advisors and the township’s environmental commission while in office.
”I think it’s extremely important to have that balance between economic development (and environmental concerns),” he said, citing that he has sponsored and co-sponsored several environmental bills in the past. “We have to be mindful of protecting the environment.”
In the past, Assemblyman Biondi said, he has received similar awards from such organizations as the League of Municipalities, but has never before received an award from NJ SEED.
”It is nice to be recognized, especially by NJ SEED, because it is an environmental group,” Assemblyman Biondi said. “I am honored to receive any award.”
The awards were presented Oct. 15, although Assemblyman Biondi will receive his on Dec. 3 because he was unable to attend the first ceremony due to illness.
According to Jim Morford, executive director of NJ SEED, Assemblyman Biondi was chosen by the organization’s executive board to receive the award which has been given out to at least two legislators each year for more than 20 years because of his record of public service, especially in supporting the ideals of NJ SEED.
”There are two times where he sponsored renewals of the Transportation Trust Fund to maintain the state’s transportation infrastructure,” Mr. Morford said. “Without that, the economy cannot succeed.”
According to Mr. Morford, award recipients were nominated by members of the organization before the board chose the final winners. He said they were looking to select those who have already provided service to the state, and who will continue to do so in the future.
”Assemblyman Biondi has provided such great public service,” he said. “He is one of our unsung heroes.”
Mr. Morford said NJ SEED is a combination of business and labor groups working to improve the economy and create jobs, while still protecting the environment. It began in the early 1970s under the administration of Gov. Brendan Byrne, and with assistance from AFL-CIO State President Charlie Marciante and New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Vice President and chief lobbyist Lew Applegate.
”Our focus is to bring attention to issues that are critical to strengthening the economy and growing jobs,” Mr. Morford said. He said the organization focuses on energy, transportation and technology, among other issues. “Environmentalism was rampant (in the 1970s), so it was a damper on the economy.”
Among NJ SEED’s current members are officials from such businesses and labor groups as the Hopewell Valley Community Bank, NJ Petroleum Council, AT&T, Building Contractors Association of NJ, Verizon, Healthcare Institute of NJ, Somerset County Business Partnership, Port Authority of NY & NJ and NJ Education Association.
”These are leading business organizations working with leading labor organizations,” Mr. Morford said.
