Sierra Club Endorses Andy Stewart for Orangetown Supervisor

The Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club today announced its endorsement of incumbent Andy Stewart for Orangetown Supervisor in the November 3, 2015, election.

“We are very proud to support Mr. Stewart for re-election,” said Ed Berry, Atlantic Chapter Political Co-Chair. “We are confident that he will continue to protect the environment and improve the quality of life for the people of Orangetown.”

“Andy Stewart’s record shows he has knowledge of and experience in a broad range of environmental areas, including open space preservation, water and flood policy, and green infrastructure,” said Gale Pisha, Rockland Sierra Club Political Coordinator.

Before his election as Town Supervisor in 2011, Stewart was Executive Director of environmental non-profit Keep Rockland Beautiful for 10 years, and also lectured in environmental policy at Rockland Community College and other area schools.

He currently represents the Rockland Town Supervisors on the Rockland Water Task Force, and chairs the Drought Committee. He has been an outspoken opponent of United Water’s proposal for a desalination plant to turn Hudson River water into Rockland’s drinking water because of the health and environmental issues and the enormous cost. He is also a board member of the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority, and has carried out various programs to prevent flooding and enhance water quality in the Sparkill Creek Watershed.

One of Supervisor Stewart’s most helpful accomplishments has been to make the process of government more accessible by installing television cameras to allow Town Board meetings and other important meetings at Town Hall to be broadcast live on TV and posted to YouTube. He opposes the relicensing of Indian Point nuclear power plant, opposes Anellotech, a proposed facility in Pearl River doing research and development on benzene and other toxic chemicals, favors protecting open space and promoting green infrastructure practices in the town, and has involved the town in working towards energy conservation and renewables with street light LED conversion and “community microgrid” programs.

“We appreciate Andy’s years of hard work on behalf of the environment,” said Pisha. “He has led the fight in Orangetown to protect Rockland’s clean air, clean water and special places.”

Stewart is running for re-election on the Democratic, Green, Working Families, Women’s Equality, and Orangetown First lines.