Local activist chairs a music festival to raise environmental awareness

by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

As president of Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater, Ed Dlugosz has had a typically busy year. Among other activities, the group has been involved in efforts to prevent commercial development of portions of Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook, advocated for the repeal of the Fast Track statute that streamlined development in “smart growth” areas, fought for environmental justice in the face of eminent domain, and promoted awareness of clean, non-toxic sources of energy.

But one of MCFC’s most significant events is scheduled for next month, when the 31st annual Monmouth County Clearwater Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20, in Sunset Park in Asbury Park. Dlugosz is the festival chair for the second consecutive year, and says the event will again combine environmental awareness and musical entertainment.

The theme of this year’s festival is Alternative Energy: Earth, Wind, and Fire, and the message will be shared with attendees through environmentally themed displays and a variety of musical acts that will appeal to all age groups, Dlugosz said.

The ability of earth, wind, and fire to generate environmentally safe energy will be illustrated through informative displays on geothermal and alternative fuels; wind turbines; and solar power, which will provide a significant amount of the energy for the performance stages, he added.

The Smithereens, a rock group from Carteret that has been performing for more than 20 years, will headline this year’s array of musicians, all of whom share an environmental awareness, according to Dlugosz. A total of 30 groups, including several who specialize in performing for children, will appear during the two-day festival.

Although his interest in environmental preservation began during his adolescence, Dlugosz became more involved in the cause during the 1980s, when pollution levels began to rise in Raritan Bay. He joined MCFC in 1991 and has been on the group’s board of directors since 2000.

Since 1974, the non-profit, volunteer-run, grass-roots organization has been dedicated to raising awareness among children and adults of environmental issues; the summer festival has proven to be a successful method of spreading the word, Dlugosz said.

“It’s a way to share the message of environmental awareness and stewardship,” he said. “It’s critical that we eliminate pollution and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and it absolutely can be done; in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, almost 10 percent of power is now being supplied by wind turbines.”

In January and February, Dlugosz testified on the feasibility of wind power at a state blue ribbon panel in Trenton; along with representatives from other Monmouth County environmental groups, he also co-authored clean ocean zone legislation pertaining to the drilling, mining, and placement of natural gas terminals. The bill was endorsed last fall by Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, along with several elected colleagues from New York; several weeks ago, it was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Dlugosz and his wife, Linda, reside in Eatontown and are members of Temple Beth Torah in Ocean Township. He has been a software engineer at Fort Monmouth for 27 years, and Linda Dlugosz has been a nursery school teacher at the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal for 18 years.

The couple has two children: David, 28, of Matawan, and Lisa, 25, who recently moved to Maryland from Pittsburgh.

Dlugosz said his commitment to environmental preservation remains strong; he plans to continue his MCFC activities and was elected to the board of directors of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., MCFC’s parent organization, last October.

“Preserving the environment and promoting awareness and education is part of my personal mission,” he said. “I spend a lot of my time working with many committed, dedicated people who want to convey the importance of conservation and reparation of the earth. I don’t think I could ever walk away.”

Information on the 2006 Monmouth County Clearwater Festival is available on the MCFC Web site.