Commissioners praise DEP work, commend LaTourette and honor colleague Jerry Eilich

Commissioner remarks during the Pinelands Commission open session included both policy praise and a personal tribute.

Speaker 1 said that about nine years earlier they had criticized the DEP for withdrawing from a map plan related to state forest work but credited Commissioner LaTourette with "turning that around, getting the map plan passed, and sticking with his promise that he would start implementation this year." Speaker 1 described that reversal as important for protecting forest lands from off-road vehicle impacts.

Speaker 1 also recounted a community event honoring colleague Jerry Eilich, saying the community "came out in force and for over an hour, lauded him publicly for all of his many" contributions. The speaker described Eilich's lifelong public service and noted that his family farm was recognized as a family-held farm for more than 100 years.

No formal votes or directives accompanied the remarks; they were offered as part of closing comments. The transcript records congratulations and seasonal well-wishes, and the meeting proceeded to a motion to adjourn.

Transcript notes: the speaker used the acronym DEP when referring to the Department of Environmental Protection and named "Commissioner LaTourette" in praise. The transcript also contains inconsistent references to the colleague's name (appears as "Jerry Eilich" and later as "Jared Ira"); that inconsistency is noted in clarifying details below.