10.09
ShareThis| October 9, 2009 Vanderhoef, Kleiner square off in debate Jenna Carlesso Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and his Democratic challenger, Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner, debated a range of environmental issues Thursday night. The two attacked each other’s records while highlighting the solutions they would use if elected. Topics included a proposed water desalination plant, land- use policies, energy and flooding. Kleiner criticized what he called Vanderhoef’s lack of efforts to conserve water. “Only when there’s a crisis – a drought – is the county stepping up,” he said, calling for a better comprehensive conservation program. Though Vanderhoef, a Republican, acknowledged a failure in conservation strategies, he stressed that a desalination plant – which would draw water from the Hudson River – wouldn’t be a quick fix. “It may not be the answer,” he said of the plant. “There’s a long way to go. The plant is still going through a process to see if it’s safe.” United Water has taken steps in the past two years to construct a facility that would send treated river water to its more than 200,000 Rockland customers. The company has submitted plans for a plant that would take the water – which contains traces of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and radioactive isotopes tritium and strontium 90 – and make it safe to drink. Some environmentalists have condemned the project, saying it’s an unnecessary and expensive threat to the environment, due to the amount of electricity it will use to operate and the waste it will create when removing salt and other materials. Kleiner also called for a stronger working relationship between the county planning board and Rockland’s towns and villages. “We need to be more involved on the ground when critical and controversial issues come up,” he said, citing the recent public frustration over a proposed chicken plant in New Square. “We should be more involved in improving projects and mediating the results.” But Vanderhoef countered by saying it’s not up to the county executive to make decisions for the towns. “It is not up to the Planning Board or county executive to dictate how planning should occur,” he said. Both candidates’ arguments drew applause from the dozens who came to Town Hall to watch the debate. They found middle ground on the issue of open space, praising each other’s efforts to preserve and expand it in Rockland. The debate was sponsored the Rockland Coalition for Sustainable Water. Bob Dillon, a group organizer for the coalition and a member of Rockland Residents Against Flooding Tomorrow, and Martyn Ryan, a water coordinator for the Rockland Sierra Club, moderated the debate. In his closing remarks, Kleiner reiterated the importance of conserving water and forging a stronger bond between the county and its towns. “We need to be proactive in solving problems before they become an issue of public hostility,” he said. Vanderhoef encouraged audience members to pay attention to the plans and process of the desalination plant. “We need our water and we want it healthy,” he said. “I urge all of you to be engaged in how we get it.” |