Spectra "Proposes" to Donate Monies to Board of Education

Spectra Donation to Jersey City Board of Education is Ethical Conflict

By Dale Hardman

Spectra Energy has proposed to donate one thousand dollars to the Board of Education (BOE).

NO Gas Pipeline considers it outrageous that Ellen Ruane, Associate Superintendent to Superintendent Epps, originated this donation from Spectra. This is wrong on many levels, including:

• BOE voted unanimous to oppose Spectra Pipeline coming through Jersey City.
• BOE filed as an intervenor, giving them legal standing before Federal Courts, if needed, to overturn FERC's ruling on behalf of Spectra.
• The acceptance of monies from Spectra would be an ethical conflict of interest.
• A school district in Texas has closed an elementary school, citing unacceptable risks due to an adjacent, aging Spectra Energy pipeline.

Please do the following and show up at the BOE meeting on St. Patrick’s Day and show them your outrage at trying to have our school system and our children jeopardized by getting in bed with Spectra, irrespective of the amount.

Members of the public wishing to address the Board of Education must state their name and address and are requested to limit their comments to five (5) minutes. Requests to speak may be made prior to the board meeting by sending your request to Anna Marie Carpenito. Call her at: 201.915.6074. (CALL EARLY!). Tell her you want to speak specifically on agenda item relative to "Approval of acceptance of Donation from Spectra Energy.” By doing so, you will be able to speak prior to the BOE vote on the agenda item.

March 17, 2011 at 6:00 PM, Regular Meeting

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOOL
Public School Number 11
886 Bergen Avenue  (map)
(corner of Academy & Bergen)
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Office: 201-915-6521
Fax: 201-418-8582

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Jersey City Board of Education approves to accept a donation from Spectra Energy in the amount of $1,000.00 for Abraham Lincoln High School.

Originator:  Ellen M. Ruane, Associate Superintendent

Dale Hardman, co-founder of NO Gas Pipeline said, “We need to stop Spectra Energy from using our children to generate corporate good will. I would hold Superintendent Epps and any BOE member accountable who votes to support this Spectra donation at school board meeting tonight. The school board election is on April 27th from 2 until 9pm, and we won't forget!”