As a former City Council member, I’ve voted no when needed. I’m proud of my environmentally conscious and humanitarian driven voting record. The bottom line in regard to the proposed Danskammer Power Plant is this:

There’s no need to continue poisoning us, our community, our constituents, our neighbors — with fossil fuel emissions. If we have the options and opportunity to utilize a cleaner and more efficient form of energy, we ought to. If we care about our city’s future and the next seven generations, the answer to Danskammer is NO.

I’m proud of my former hometown, Beacon, NY, and Mayor Randy Casale, for making a statement opposing Danskammer. They joined 7 other Lower Hudson Valley municipalities, including Yonkers, to pass resolutions opposing the project. Our neighbors believe this would be a step backward in the marathon against climate change.

I’m over the City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey’s lackluster approach to public service. Quick to pass the buck or kick the proverbial can down the road, he’s quoted, “we are going to “meet those deadlines” and pursue those things. We are going to reach out to those “environmental agencies” to make sure our environment is clean and safe “from these toxins.”

I have a few simple questions that we, the concerned citizens of Newburgh, NY want to be answered in the name of good government, transparency, and accountability:

Where are we in the Article 10 process?

• When are the deadlines and are we on track to meet them?

• What other environmental agencies have you worked with and where are you in your efforts to “reach out to them”?

• As Mayor and City Manager, how has your administration “made sure our environment is clean and safe from those toxins”, in case the project is approved?

• What are those toxins?

Mayor Harvey’s refusal to make a decision is a failure to lead. Regardless of a toothless charter that enables the City Manager to manage the city however they see fit. Our neighbors, friends, and family deserve public servants willing to lead and listen to the people. We ought to have a government that works for the people. The citizens of the City of Newburgh, the people, oppose Danskammer. It’s time our City Council acts accordingly.