Nicholas P. Scutari

TRENTON – Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, D-Union, yesterday sent a letter to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin expressing concern over a recent department decision to shut down the NY/NJ Baykeeper oyster project, which aids in reducing pollution in the Raritan Bay.

The DEP sent a directive to the Baykeeper on July 15 instructing it to remove its experimental oyster reef from the Hudson-Raritan Estuary out of concern that the shellfish could be illegally poached. The DEP contends that sickness caused by illegally poached oysters making their way into the market could damage the state’s shellfish industry.

TRENTON – In light of reports that two companies involved in developing ‘red-light’ cameras are planning to market similar technology to be used for parking enforcement, Senator Nicholas Scutari today reiterated his opposition to the use of video surveillance for minor vehicle-related infractions.

“The red-light pilot program is riddled with problems, and under the guise of public safety is being used as a revenue raiser for cash-strapped municipalities. A parking enforcement program would be just another hidden tax,” said Senator Scutari (D-Union). “It’s shameful that any government would resort to targeting its own residents for minor traffic infractions as a means to raise money. This has got to stop.”

TRENTON – Noting that a decision to grant bail this week is a step in the right direction, New Jersey State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Nicholas Scutari today renewed their calls for clemency for New Jersey medical marijuana user John Ray Wilson, a Franklin Township resident who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) and grew marijuana plants in his backyard to help relieve the symptoms of his disease.

Earlier this year, Mr. Wilson was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of possession and second-degree drug manufacturing. The second-degree manufacturing charge – an offense that was designed to be brought against drug cartels and large-scale drug pushers and not against individuals growing marijuana for personal, medical use – precludes Wilson from entering into supervised probation, which the legislators say would be a more appropriate setting for someone suffering from a chronic illness like MS.