Water is the new oil

The recent water bill that was rushed in both houses of our legislature and signed by our governor was largely supported by business interests, the New Jersey Utilities Association, New Jersey Alliance for Action, and the N.J. State Chamber of Commerce, which all can be parsed into one phrase: Big water!

Water is the new oil. Projections show that clean water will decline by 44 percent in the next five years. Our largest state — California-is showing the impact now.

In the town of Sussex, we had Aqua Water, a company with no knowledge of its operations 20 miles from the home of the New Jersey CEO, a former legislator back bencher, and political BPU appointee — and suddenly a CEO.

Those operations outside the City of Philly were repugnant. As they were in other states like Florida and Texas, which asked Aqua Water to leave. Other companies are more classier, but without a referendum; it is over for your water rights.

Do not let any of the hacks running against Republican Councilwomen Linda Masson and Annette Stendor trick you. Big water can easily take your water with the passage of that act, which is an abomination committed by two political parties!

Your town can get a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for upgrades Indeed, Councilwomen Stendor's husband did such a grant after a USDA presentation in my offices at the Littell Center.

These two councilwomen are leagues better than any of their opponents in the Republican primary. You can count your fingers when you shake the hands of these two ladies.

Vote for your water, and not lean and hungry politicians, but for two stateswomen — Stendor and Masson. Again water is the new oil.

Bill Weightman
Hardyston