In a blatant act of hypocrisy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has been cited for illegally clearing thousands of trees and bushes behind his Greenwich home, despite advocating for statewide tree planting efforts.
According to neighbors and sources, the wealthy 70-year-old Democrat allegedly hired workers to cut down over 180 trees in a protected wetland area, without obtaining necessary permits. The trees, which included mature sugar maples, beech trees, and pignut hickories, played a vital role in the local ecosystem.
Land use attorney John Tesei, representing nearby property owners, described the incident as a “chainsaw massacre,” highlighting the extent of the damage. Sources from the city’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency revealed that the trees were felled to enhance the governor’s view of a pond from his opulent $7.6 million abode.
Property manager Fred Jacobsen witnessed the tree-felling operation and alerted authorities. He expressed dismay at the destruction of a delicate ecosystem, emphasizing the role of trees in safeguarding the riverbank.
The Lamonts, along with neighbors and a homeowner’s association, have been issued citations for wetland violations. The governor’s actions have sparked outrage among residents and environmentalists, who demand restoration of the damaged area. The incident has also raised questions about the governor’s environmental commitments, given his previous support for tree planting initiatives.
The tree-felling controversy comes on the heels of a similar incident in New Jersey, where a culprit was fined $13,000 for felling 32 trees. The Connecticut case highlights the consequences of environmental hypocrisy and the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions.
