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The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the North Fork Environmental Council convened an opportunity for the Riverhead Town Supervisor candidates to discuss sustainability challenges facing the town on Tuesday night.

Town Supervisor incumbent Sean Walter and challenger Angela DeVito were asked about some of Riverhead’s most pressing environmental issues including surface and ground water quality, open space preservation and land management, dark skies enforcement and Enterprise Park at Calverton.

The differing opinions between the two candidates were especially highlighted on the issue of the dark skies ordinance as they disagreed on whether the ordinance has been effectively enforced.

Despite the differences between the candidates, both Walter and DeVito made it clear that as Town Supervisor they will protect the land preserved in the creation of Enterprise Park at Calverton and agreed on the need to reinvest in sewage treatment plants and replace residential septic systems to protect water quality.

A special thanks to all of our partners, the Community Planning Center Group for the East End, the Jamesport-South Jamesport Civic Association, the North Fork Environmental Council, the Peconic Baykeeper, Peconic Green Growth and the Sound Park Heights Civic Association in helping to coordinate such a great discussion.

Staten Islanders turned out in force at the Jewish Community Center on October 16, 2013 to hear where candidates Steve Matteo and John Mancuso stand on the most pressing sustainability issues facing the 50th City Council District.

This candidate forum was hosted by NYLCVEF along with  Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, the Westerleigh Improvement Society, Grasmere Civic Association, Grant City Civic Association, the Natural Resources Protective Association and Feeding Families.

The forum covered a wide range of issues, from the preservation of Mount Manresa to controlling Staten Island’s growing deer population. Both candidates stressed that their first environmental priority if elected will be Hurricane Sandy recovery and future resiliency. The candidates also agreed on the need to invest in infrastructure to protect the coastlines and the importance of improving transportation options in Staten Island to relieve the reliance on cars.

You can read the Staten Island Advance’s coverage of the forum, which includes a clip of the candidates’ perspectives on Mount Manresa preservation.

Our thanks to the candidates and everyone who joined us for this event. And special shout-out to our partner organizations that helped to make this forum a success!

Hundreds of Long Islanders turned out for an insightful discussion with the two candidates running for Nassau County Executive on Oct. 2, 2013 at Hofstra University.

The Nassau County Executive Forum on Sustainability, co-hosted by NYLCVEF and Hofstra University, covered a wide range of sustainability concerns that the county currently faces, from investments in wastewater treatment to mass transit, clean energy and more.

Expertly moderated by Larry Levy, the executive dean of National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra, the forum gave the floor to County Executive Ed Mangano and his challenger, former County Executive Tom Suozzi. Questions were asked by an expert panel that included Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director – Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Christopher Capece, Senior Development Director – Avalon Bay Communities, Inc.; Jennifer Rimmer, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Sustainability, Northeast Region – AECOM; and Lisa Dix, Senior New York Representative – Sierra Club, Beyond Coal Campaign.

You can check out the full recording of the forum by clicking here.

Newsday also had a write-up of the forum that noted both candidates said they would support the creation of an outfall pipe that extends into the Atlantic Ocean to get rid of the treated sewage water from the plant. Other topics covered at the forum included funding for the county bus system and the revitalization of downtown areas.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this great event. And thank you to our partnering organizations that helped make the forum a success: APA Long Island,  Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Operation Splash, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Vision Long Island.

From the Hudson River to Long Island Sound, Westchester County is on the forefront of many sustainability challenges. The Westchester County Executive plays an important role in fixing old sewage treatment plants, protecting open space and getting our county ready for a changing climate. But where do the candidates running for this important office stand on these and other environmental issues? On Sept. 24, 2013, NYLCVEF and Pace Law School hosted the first-ever Westchester County Executive Forum on Sustainability to find out.

The event featured appearances by current County Executive Rob Astorino and challenger Noam Bramson, as they seek election to the post on Nov. 5, 2013.

The candidates answered a wide range of questions on environmental issues, from climate change and parks funding, to Indian Point and the Hudson River.

If you missed the forum or would like tor relive the action, click here to view a video recording.

NYLCVEF would like to thank Pace Law School for co-sponsoring this event. We would also like to thank our partner organizations for helping make it a success:

Bedford 2020 * Citizens Campaign for the Environment * Federated Conservationists of Westchester County * Riverkeeper * Scenic Hudson * Teatown Lake Reservation* Tri-State Transportation Campaign * Westchester County Bar Association * Yonkers Committee for Smart Development

On July 18, 2013, over 120 people filled the Irondale Theater in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for a City Council candidate forum on sustainability issues.

The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Transportation Alternatives sponsored the lively debate. Additional support was provided by a host of local civic groups.

Many candidates from the crowded race for the Democratic nomination in District 35 were in attendance, including Olanike Alabi, Laurie Cumbo, Ede Fox, Richard Hurley and Jelani Mashariki. NYLCVEF President Marcia Brystryn was the evening’s emcee and moderated the event alongside Noah Budnick of Transportation Alternatives, Deborah Howard of the Pratt Area Community Council and James Subudhi of the Brooklyn Movement Center.

District 35 provides a compelling example of the kinds of sustainability challenges that face New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs. Development issues are of particular importance, as residents have recently grappled with the benefits and drawbacks of major development projects like the Barclays Center and the attendant commercial development along Atlantic Avenue.

The candidates debated a range of related issues, including the expansion of local bus routes, the viability of additional pedestrian plazas and bike share locations, and the rezoning of previously industrial areas for new economic purposes. The conversation provided attendees with a robust perspective on the candidates’ sustainability positions ahead of the September primary.

Scores of Bronx residents turned out at the Bronx Library on July 22, 2013 for NYLCVEF’s District 15 City Council Forum.

Those in attendance heard candidates including Kenny Agosto, Albert Alvarez, Raquel Batista, Joel Rivera, Cynthia Thompkins and Ritchie Torres articulate their positions on important sustainability issues facing the district.

The forum was hosted by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, alongside Bronx Health Reach and the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center. It was moderated by the Education Fund’s Marcia Bystryn, as well as Kelly Moltzen from Bronx Health Reach and Lili Hurley from the Mary Mitchell Center.

District 15 encompasses Bathgate, Belmont, Crotona, Fordham, East Tremont, Van Nest and West Farms.

Food policy, air quality and affordable housing were all important issues for the audience. Food quality was a particularly pressing concern, and a frequent topic of discussion. Attendees voiced their demand for more healthy, local food, and all of the candidates emphasized the vital importance of creating better food policy for a more sustainable community.

Scores of Southeast Queens residents came to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rosedale on July 11, 2013 for a City Council candidate forum on sustainability. The candidates running for District 31 who were in attendance included Herbert Binger, Michael Duncan, Scherie Murray and incumbent Councilman Donovan Richards.

The forum was co-hosted by the Eastern Queens Alliance, a prominent civic umbrella group in the borough. EQA chairperson Barbara Brown and NYLCVEF President Marcia Bystryn moderated the lively exchange.

District 31 faces critical choices on a range of sustainability issues in the 2013 municipal elections. The district includes Far Rockaway and many parts of the Jamaica Bay floodplain, areas still struggling to rebound from the effects Hurricane Sandy.

Other sustainability issues that face the district are the sparse public transportation options, air, water and noise pollution created by John F. Kennedy International Airport, and the protection of Idlewild Park from illegal dumpers.

The candidates highlighted their personal and professional experience with the issues and outlined their strategy for a more sustainable and healthy future.