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CLOSED
New York State Parks
NO FUNDING
For Open Space
Have you made your voice heard?
Dear Friends:
Can you imagine planning a trip to one of our beautiful state parks next summer only to discover that the park and many others were closed due to state
budget cuts? Governor Patterson’s proposed budget cuts to the Environmental Protection Fund will result in complete closure of or significantly
reduced public access to, many of our parks and historic sites all over New York State. Cuts to this fund will also eliminate open space and farmland
protection here in Orange County. Right now, these state budget proposals are just that- proposals. However, if implemented, these cuts in funding will
drastically reduce the integrity of our cherished parks and local farms.
I appreciate the time you’ve taken to contact our elected representatives in the past, and I am asking you to again contact them and make your voice
heard. I was told yesterday by one of our local assembly members that if they receive five e-mails on an issue they make a mental note, but if they receive
500 from constituents they know they must act. Make sure your representative knows you care about open space, our parks system and farmland protection. If
you haven’t written now is the time to speak up for the lands you treasure.
Assembly Environmental Conservation Chairman Robert Sweeney is circulating a sign-on letter to his colleagues in the assembly in support of the EPF. The
letter calls a restoration of the EPF to $222 million, including funding for land acquisition.
Assemblyman Sweeney is currently accepting sign-ons from his colleagues in the Democratic Conference until February 19th. Let your representative know
that they can sign on by calling Assemblyman Sweeney’s office.
If you have any media contacts and/or would like to write a letter to local newspapers, do it! We need to get the word out as quickly as possible! If you
know any young people who want to get involved and write letters and e-mails, please encourage them! I think this would be a great community service!
This is your chance to make a difference – Please take it!
Governor David A. Paterson: http://161.11.121.121/govemail
New York State Senate: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators
William J. Larkin: larkin@senate.state.ny.us
John J. Bonacic: bonacic@senate.state.ny.us
Thomas P. Morahan: morahan@senate.state.ny.us
New York State Assembly: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
Nancy Calhoun: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=096&sh=contact
Aileen M. Gunther: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=098&sh=contact
Frank K. Skartados: SkartadosF@assembly.state.ny.us
Annie Rabbitt: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=097&sh=contact
Jim Delaune
Executive Director
Orange County Land Trust
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