P.O. Box 213   -   Pomona, NY 10970
Non-Profit Organization  -  Founded 1930

 

ANNUAL MEETING - THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2001 - 10:30 A.M.

PLACE: The United Church of Spring Valley, Mendum Room
11 East Church Street at Centre, Spring Valley, New York

10:30 A.M.: Business Meeting, Election (slate) and Environmental Reports

11:15 A.M.: Program: EGO-MYTHOLOGY:

A consideration of European and American indigenous mythologies that have contributed to our contemporary idea of nature.

Chuck Stead, Adjunct Professor, Ramapo College
Environmental History and Social Ecology

An author and a storyteller, Mr. Stead is just completing his first book. His plays have been produced regionally and on cable television.

Report of the Nominating Committee - Chuck Stead, Chair

In accordance with Article X of the By-Laws, the following slate is proposed:

President: - Betty Hedges
Second Vice President: - Dorice Madronero
Director Clarkstown: - Zipporah Fleisher
Director Orangetown: - Catherine Dodge
Director Stony Point: - Michael Diederich, Jr.
Assistant Director Haverstraw: - Netta Riba
Assistant Director Ramapo: - Julius Levine

Directors at Large: Emma Leigh Goodwin, Diane Gruskin, Cynthia McKenney, Jeanne Nelson, Robert Nelson

Continuing in Office: First Vice President - Faith Leigh; Third Vice President,- Chuck Stead. Treasurer - Eloise Litman; Secretary - Helen Hannigan

Directors - Basia Hammerstein, Frank Leonard, Joan King, Doris Metraux, Geoffrey Welch

Our deep gratitude to Renee Becker, Cynthia Brown and Robert Neff, retiring members of the Board of Directors, for their years of faithful service to the Association.

The Rockland County Conservative Association Eleanor Burlington Award is presented annually to a graduating senior from Rockland County who demonstrates outstanding achievement in environmental conservation. Faith Leigh and Jeanne Nelson, RCCA Award Go-Chairs, have announced that the $500 award application forms have been sent to the scholarship chairs at all high schools in the county. The winner will be honored at RCCA's summer quarterly meeting in July.

The Eleanor Burlingham Award memorializes this outstanding woman's contributions to environmental conservation.

Bowline 3 Update

The Rockland County Conservation Association continues to participate in the application of Mirant (formerly Southern Co.) for construction of Bowline 3 Power Plant at Haverstraw Bay.

We remain allied with the Passaic River Coalition and have raised substantive issues of environmental impacts on air and water resources. We hope to work closely with other intervenors, including the County of Rockland, during the hearings this summer. The Village of Haverstraw has recently withdrawn from the proceedings.

Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson continue to monitor impacts of the power plant on the Hudson River.

by Robert J. Nelson, RCCA

Overdue Energy Conservation Boost

Marking the first increase in several years for energy conservation programs, the Public Service Commission voted in January for funding of $150 million, nearly double last year's level. The funding - raised from a charge on all electric bills - is used to reduce consumption and encourage greater use of energy, efficient lighting and appliances. Experts say that were the program not cut (peak spending was $286 million in '92),New York would have prevented 500 MW of demand growth since then. The Governor-appointed Commission also okayed about $14 million for renewable energy development.

by New York League of Conservation Voters, Spring 2001

COUNTY EXECUTIVE C. SCOTT VANDERHOEF PRESENTS HIS FOURTH ANNUAL

OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER AWARD

On Monday, April 23,2001, County Executive Vanderhoef officiated at a ceremony in honor of Colleen and Harold Leidy, from the Village of Piermont. As winners of Mr. Vanderhoef's Fourth Annual Outstanding Environmental Volunteer Award, a tree was planted at Kennedy Dells County Park, to recognize their dedication to the environment. Jack Focht, Director, Trailside Museums & Zoo, nominated the Leidys, for their work on behalf of the Docent Program at Bear Mountain. Included, were letters of support from Joan Gussow, founder of the Piermont Community Garden, and Kristine Kosar, Program Manager, Rockland County Sustainable Lifestyle Campaign, programs for which the Leidys have also volunteered.

Previous winners were Charles F. Schwep, a gallant opponent of the Palisades Center Mall, and 15-year member of the Rockland County Environmental Management Council; Betty Hedges, President, Rockland County Conservation Association; and Zipporah Fleisher, Board Member, West Branch Conservation Association and Rockland County Conservation Association. As Betty remarked when she was honored in 1999,"If trees can talk there will be some very interesting conversations here."

Mr. Vanderhoef established his award four years ago in order to bring special deserved recognition to outstanding environmental volunteers. With his vision, as each tree is planted year by year, a grove of trees will be created to perpetually acknowledge citizens who have committed themselves to the preservation of Rockland County's natural heritage.

by Diane Gruskin, Executive Director
Rockland County Environmental Management Council

Transportation News - 1851

In May of this year, we have an important anniversary. One hundred and fifty years ago the Erie Railroad was completed from Piermont on the Hudson to Dunkirk on Lake Erie - 450 miles - the largest railroad in the world. The following description of the event is taken from "Early Days on the Erie Railroad", which was published in 1909:

On arriving in Piermont at 7:45 A.M., the party was received with the ringing of bells, the booming of cannon, and the cheers of a multitude. The two trains, which were to carry the invited guests, were decorated with bunting, and there were flags and banners everywhere.

At eight o'clock the first through train that ever carried passengers from the ocean to the Lakes pulled out of Pierimont, and was followed seven minutes later by the second section. President Fiilmore was on the first section, and Webster was on the second, seated in a comfortable rocker on a flat car, for the rain had ceased and he wanted to enjoy the scenery to the utmost.

At every station along the route there were cheering crowds, booming cannon, waving banners, and oratory. Wherever the trains stopped long enough, some of the distinguished guests would make brief speeches. As the observation platform, since found so convenient in National campaigns, had not then been thought of, the orators held forth from flat cars attached to the rear of the trains for the purpose.

 One of these flat cars was also occupied by the railroad official who had been designated to receive flags. By a singular coincidence the ladies at every one of the more than sixty stations between Piermont and Dunkirk had conceived the idea that it would be as original as it was appropriate to present a flag wrought by their own fair hands to the railroad company when the first train passed through to Lake Erie. As it would have consumed altogether too much time to make a stop for each of these flag presentations, the engineer merely slowed down at three-fourths of the stations enough to allow the flag officer to scoop up the banner in his arms much like the hands on the old fashioned Marsh Harvesters gathered up armful's of grain for binding. At the end of the journey the Erie Railroad had a collection of flags that would have done credit to a victorious army....

Geoff Welch, RCCA Board of Directors

Newsletter: - Betty Hedges email: bhbettyhedges@aol.com

Distribution: - Faith Leigh, Cynthia Brown, Diane Gruskin, Robert Nelson

Return to TOP of page

Last Updated: September 09, 2003
© Property of Rockland County Conservation Association, Inc.