Riverkeeper presents: 'Moment of Truth for New York's Water'

Coldenham — Hudson Riverkeeper Paul Gallay will talk about his battles regarding the Indian Point nuclear plant, sewage pollution, and hydrofracking at this year's Rudy Vallet Memorial Dinner on Friday, Oct. 21. His presentation is titled "Moment of Truth for New York's Water." He notes that "2012 is the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. It's time for New Yorkers to assure the goals of that law will be accomplished once and for all." The dinner and presentation is hosted by the Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition (SPARC). The Hudson Riverkeeper has become a symbol of our connection to the river, and their organization is one of our boldest and most active environmental groups, patrolling the river, suing polluters," stated Sandra Kissam, the head of SPARC. SPARC will also present its environmental award to U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, who will accept it in person. "Hinchey's efforts established the Greenway, and the Hudson as a National Heritage River, even as environmental groups over the years have counted on Maurice and he has supported SPARC's fight to save the Stewart Lands," Kissam said. In addition, SPARC will recognize two bike shops — Wheel and Heel in Wappingers Falls and Beacon Cycles in Beacon — that have strongly promoted the Stewart Lands and SPARC's annual bike tour. The Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition is a grassroots organization that saved the Stewart Buffer Lands in Orange County. The dinner honors the memory of Rudy Vallet, who for years served as SPARC's vice president for years and was instrumental in its work to preserve the lands. Vallet was a longtime Goshen resident and a science teacher at Chester Junior Senior High School for 34 years. He died in 2004.