To the editor:

We are writing to urge Pelham voters to remember to flip your ballots and vote YES on the Environmental Bond Act on Election Day.

On Oct. 11, the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees passed a resolution in support of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.

The resolution, item 13 on the agenda, states:

Whereas, providing clean drinking water and protecting our local rivers, bays, lakes, streams and waterfronts from pollution is paramount to quality of life in New York State, Westchester County and the Village of Pelham; and

Whereas, modernizing water infrastructure will safeguard clean water, reduce flooding, reduce lead exposure and other public health threats, and create jobs; and

Whereas, Pelham is vulnerable to extreme weather including deadly heat from rising temperatures and flooding from severe storms that put people, properties and public assets at risk; and

Whereas, upgrading transportation and stormwater infrastructure, restoring natural resources, growing urban forests, building green roofs and upgrading cooling centers will reduce the impact of extreme weather, saving lives and money; and

Whereas, the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of outdoor recreation and access to fresh, local food, as people flocked to local parks and sought out healthy foods for their families; and

Whereas, upgrades to facilities at state and local parks and preserves and the creation of new outdoor recreational areas will benefit our region by protecting wildlife habitat, providing more people access to nature and creating jobs in the outdoor recreation economy; and

Whereas, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 would authorize the four billion and two hundred million dollars of bonds to finance critical environmental restoration, clean water and infrastructure projects across New York State; and

Whereas, the funds would be targeted towards protecting clean water, reducing flood risk, restoring natural resources, protecting open space and farmland and reducing the pollution that causes climate change; and

Whereas, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 was passed by the New York State Legislature as part of the 2022-23 New York State budget and will appear on the Nov. 8, 2022, New York State General Election Ballot for voter approval; and

Whereas, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 includes strong labor provisions and will support more than 84,000 family-sustaining jobs for New Yorkers; and

Whereas, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 would enable New York State to address pollution and public health threats in disadvantaged communities by directing at least 35% (with a goal of 40%) of the measure’s funding to address hazardous conditions in such communities.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby supports passage of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.

According to the New York League of Conservation Voters, the “$4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act, also known as the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act, would allocate at least $200 million for wastewater infrastructure projects and at least $250 million for municipal stormwater projects in New York.” Learn more here  and here.

Pelham needs this; New York needs this.

Please join us in flipping your ballot and voting YES! And tell your friends!

Maryanne Joyce

142 Nyac Ave.

along with:

Thomas White

Melissa Eustace

Anna Riehl

Gregory Spock

Eileen Madden and Paul Osmolskis

Solange Hansen

Melissa Labonte

Moneeka Zaman

Debbie Winstead

Darius Kingsley

Marisa Panzani

Heather Eliezer

Emily Meyerson

Toby Marxuach-Gusciora

Roger Evans

Carol Ipsen

Yenna Chan