PEEKSKILL – Officials from several organizations gathered in Peekskill on Tuesday to urge residents to support Proposition One on next week’s ballot – the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act.
Among those calling for approval of the bond is Andy Bicking, director of government relations and public policy for Scenic Hudson, who said the Hudson Valley “has been on the cutting edge of creating solutions that address the environmental challenges of our time, and despite great progress, much more can be done to ensure an even safer, healthier and thriving future for all New Yorkers.”
He said supporting the bond act will make a difference in the wellbeing of residents.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity that we have to protect some of the things that life relies on, that fuel our economy and enhance quality of life for all of us,” he said.
Those also speaking in support of the bond act included officials of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Physicians for Social Responsibility – New York, and labor leaders.
Daniel Ortega of Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative Local 825 said the bond act will support nearly 100,000 good-paying jobs, $8.7 billion in project spending and reinvest in local communities, and “gives us the opportunity to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers and invest in the future of our communities and our economy.”
Meanwhile, State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh), who represents the cities if Beacon, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, said, “most of their water/sewer infrastructure is over 100 years old with lead contaminated pipes.” He said the bond act will address those problems. “All municipalities will benefit in some way from the proceeds of the bond act.”
