if you're in the Hudson Valley, particularly Dutchess County, this is worthwhile.
Northern Dutchess Alliance to Address Pressing Regional Issues
NDA To Host Quarterly Public Forums
DUTCHESS COUNTY, New York - As a centerpiece of its work in 2010, Northern Dutchess Alliance today announced it will present a series of four public forums on the most pressing challenges facing area towns: economic development compatible with agriculture; protecting unique historic sites; protecting and managing water as an essential resource; and finding ways to share services across communities to reduce costs and improve delivery.
"The series is central to NDA's mission to provide a means for all stakeholders to come together to address issues of regional interest, and it's a perfect follow up to the release of NDA's Blueprint for Economic Development," say Lucy Hayden, President of NDA. "It's putting the Blueprint into practice while looking at issues that cross municipal boundaries."
The forums will feature expert panels bridging varied perspectives, and will allow time for questions and open public dialogue about creative solutions. Following each forum, NDA will publish a white paper to disseminate the ideas and strategies that come out of the discussions.
"The aim is to facilitate important regional conversations, supported by the most current information, leading voices, and public interest, in order to generate workable strategies," says Hayden, "we intend to capture that information and put in the hands of the people who can make things happen," concluded, Hayden.
NDA has selected three venues for the quarterly forums: Norrie Point Environmental Center, a beautiful riverfront facility in Staatsburg managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation; Astor Courts, a historic private residence in Rhinebeck; and Omega Institute's Center for Sustainable Living, a state-of-the-art water reclamation facility and environmental education center, located in the Town of Clinton.
These forums will be free and open to the public. A detailed schedule follows.
Wednesday, March 17th, 4 pm - 7 pm
Trends in Agriculture and Compatible Economic Development
Norrie Point Environmental Center, Staatsburg, NY
Wednesday, June 16th, 4 pm- 7 pm
Strengthening Protection of Our Historic Sites
Astor Courts, Rhinebeck, NY
Wednesday, September 15th, 4 pm- 7 pm
Water and Wastewater: Maintaining Quality and Supply
Omega Institute, Clinton, NY
Wednesday, December 15th, 4 pm- 7 pm
Shared Services among Northern Dutchess Towns
Norrie Point Environmental Center, Staatsburg, NY
About Northern Dutchess Alliance:
Northern Dutchess Alliance aims to create a broad-based and inclusive institutional structure for regional cooperation and economic development throughout Northern Dutchess County with a public process that will lead to the implementation of the goals, ideas and policies established by the members of Northern Dutchess Alliance. Current members include many of the Towns, Villages, School Districts, Chambers of Commerce and other business associations of Clinton, Hyde Park, Milan, Pleasant Valley, Red Hook/Tivoli, Rhinebeck, and Stanford, as well as organizations such as Bard College, Omega Institute, Winnakee Land Trust and Scenic Hudson.