Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100

Sierra Club Saddened by Senator Whelan’s Passing

Senator Jim Whelan passed away last night at age 68. Whelan served in the state Senate from 2008-present and was an Assemblyman from 2006-2007. Before his time in Trenton, he was Mayor of Atlantic City from 1982-90 and served on the Atlantic City School District and as a teacher. During his time as a public servant, he was influential in the re-development of Atlantic City and served as chair on the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. He also was a member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee as well as the Intergovernmental Relations Commission. Jeff Tittel, Director of The New Jersey Sierra Club released the following statement:

“We are sad to hear about Senator Jim Whelan’s sudden passing and our hearts go out to his family. As Mayor of Atlantic City, Jim was influential in transforming the city and improving the lives of its residents. When he became a Senator, Jim was a strong leader for clean energy in New Jersey. He sponsored legislation to allow for windmills on our piers, helping make offshore wind a reality, and turning landfills into solar farms.  Jim was also a strong advocate for preserving open space and helping to protect our coastal waterways from pollution from fertilizer and stormwater runoff. He supported bills to clean up Barnegat Bay and protect our beaches and coast. He also sponsored a bill to improve cleanups of brownfields. Jim was really a champion for the environment and we endorsed him in every race.”

“Jim was also a leader in the protection of the New Jersey Pinelands.  He sponsored a bill that would allow for Pineland Development Credits to be sent to Atlantic City and Pleasantville to take development pressure off of growth areas in the Pinelands. This allows appropriate growth to move forward in Southern New Jersey and brings additional funds to Pineland growth areas in Atlantic County while preserving one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in the state. I’ve worked with Jim for many years and he was deeply committed to protecting our environment and to making sure that our air and water are clean and we had preserved open space. Jim will be missed. However, when you go to Atlantic City beaches or the New Jersey Pinelands, you will see Jim Whelan’s legacy.”