Tom Ridge, who’s seeking the Republican nomination for governor
May 10, leads top-selling Penn-Gate Leadman Faith at recent
Pennsylvania Holstein Association’s Convention Sale. As a con
gressman in rural northwest Pa., he understands agriculture and
promises a farmer-friendly administration.
GET DER OFF YOUR BACK.
VOTE FOR RIDGE MAY 10.
Tom
Ag Coalition for
RID G E/SCHWEIEER
Ridge tells DER
to shape up
Dan Cook, chairman.
Farmers for Ridge, Dennis Grumbine, chairman.
Agribusiness for Ridge, Mike Brubaker, chairman.
Ad authorized by Ridge for Governor Committee
Ad paid by Pennsylvania Ag Republicans
Don’t get Tom Ridge started on
the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Resources, He’s had it
up to here with DER’s strong arm tactics.
A six-term congressman from Erie, he
has long championed farmer rights on
wetlands and other environmental issues
at the federal level.
Now as a candidate seeking the
Republican nomination for governor,
Ridge has taken direct aim at DER.
“We can protect the environment
without crippling the farmer’s ability to
compete,” Ridge insists. Here’s how he
plans to do it:
Take an axe to DER, splitting it into
two smaller, more responsive
departments. One handling environmental
protection, the other overseeing state parks
and forests.
Put halter on DER bullies. The new
DER will be a “partner of farmers rather
than prosecutor,” Ridge insists.
Speed up permit process immediately
with an executive order and provide
exemptions for normal farming practices.
■‘We shouldn’t make farmers wait months
before using their land,” Ridge says.
Involve farmers and others in the
decision making before regulations are
written. Result fairer, more workable
regs.
Work one on one with farmers trying
to cope with new regulations. No more
“you figure it out”. Under Ridge it will
be, “We’ll work together.”