The Pound Ridge Democratic Committee is pleased to announce that John Parker, Chair of the Democratic Committee for the past several years, has been appointed by the Governor to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to strengthen environmental protection in the Hudson Valley. Mr. Parker will serve as Regional Attorney for Region 3 which encompasses Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess and Westchester Counties. Mr. Parker will have offices in New Paltz and White Plains.
According to a press release from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, “Governor Spitzer announced that ‘strengthening the department of environmental conservation’ was a priority in January when he took office. In this year’s budget, Spitzer and Environmental Commissioner Pete Grannis expanded funding and staffing for projects and programs that protect clean water, clear air, natural lands, the environment and the health of New Yorkers.”
“Pound Ridge Democratic leadership is thrilled with this development”, said Elyse Arnow Brill, district leader and candidate for Town Board this fall. “John is a committed and very experienced advocate for the environment. He will bring his years of experience as counsel to the Chair of the NYS Assembly and the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committees, and his experience as a private practitioner representing individuals and public interest groups throughout the Hudson Valley, to his new position”.
Mr. Parker has had to resign as Chair of the Pound Ridge Democratic Committee as required by his appointment. The Committee has elected long-time Pound Ridge resident Dr. Ellen Kearns as Interim Chair. “I am looking forward to providing leadership to the Committee and anticipate strong participation by both present and new Committee members and district leaders”, said Dr. Kearns, who brings her interest and expertise in biology and the natural environment to her work with The Pound Ridge Land Conservancy Board. New Committee member and district leader for District 1, Tara Packer, Managing Editor for a scientific publication, has been appointed to the Committee. Two additional appointments will be made to replace outgoing Committee members Doris Seidlitz who has been a district leader for over 15 years and Joyce Turner, who, with her husband Sidney, are relocating to Florida.
Kevin Foley, long-term Democratic Committee member, highlighted the enthusiasm and expertise on the Town’s Democratic Committee, in his comment that “Mr. Parker’s appointment demonstrates the highly qualified and involved nature of Democratic Pound Ridge residents on issues important to our quality of life.” “New members of our committee and those seeking participation who have been attending committee meeting throughout the past year, come from a cross-section of our community- young and old- and desire to use their skills to bring effective democratic leadership to issues impacting Pound Ridge”.
With his new set of regional responsibilities, Mr. Parker will be able to utilize his past experience with the NYS Assembly’s investigative initiatives on brownfield redevelopment, acid rain, the Hudson River Superfund cleanup as well as the evacuation planning for Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. “We wish him the best of luck in his new responsibilities and know he will continue his work to protect the environment, a key democratic principle, and thereby contribute to growing Democratic influence and leadership in the region”, said David Parmet, also a Democratic Town Board candidate in this fall’s election.