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LATEST NEWS
Storefront open for WinterWalkThe Friends of Hudson storefront will be open for the WinterWalk in Hudson this Saturday, December 6th, from 5-8 pm. Our offices are located at 362-1/2 Warren Street, just below 4th street (and across from the First Presbyterian Church). Samples from our online archive of historical photographs will be on display in the storefront windows, and all visitors are welcome to step inside for music, snacks, and information. NEWS FLASH: Lochbrunner replaced as SLC Greenport managerHUDSON (NY) -- St. Lawrence Cement has quietly announced to a few select members of the press that their project director, Phillip Lochbrunner, has been replaced. Lochbrunner took over in 2000 from Dirk Cox, the original Greenport project manager. The original environmental managerfor the project, Denise Brubaker, also stepped down that year. As with Brubaker, SLC claims that Lochbrunner is leaving to pursue a "consulting career," including occasional consulting for his previous employer. During this five-year-long controversy, St. Lawrence has gone through a dizzying succession of managers and also public relations agents (Kyle Benziger, Phil Pepe, and lately Dan Odescalchi). The president of Montreal-based SLC has changed in the last year as well. The continual shifts in key SLC personnel point up the problem of holding a foreign-owned company of this size to its promises, when its staff are constantly shifting. Such turnovers in company leadership demonstrate why one cannot rely on "handshake agreements" based on personal relationships with project leaders -- especiallly when the health and quality of life of residents is at stake. Meanwhile, the leadership of the opposing groups has remained firmly in place, as opposition to this ill-conceived project continues to grow unabated. Friends of Hudson's commitment to our communities and region is steadfast. SLC says that David Loomes, a South African-born accountant who was a planner for the company's Ontario Division, and has worked on the Greenport project of late, will replace Lochbrunner. Major Connecticut paper adds voice to plant fightNEW HAVEN (CONN.) -- The New Haven Register came out on November 28th against the proposed St. Lawrence Cement plant. To read the entire editorial, click HERE. The strongly-worded editorial adds a major Connecticut paper's voice to the many other regional and national publications that have taken a stand on the issue (see earlier summary, below). The Register's editorial board was incredulous that New York State would contemplate building such a vast coal-burning facility, even as it joins with neighboring governors and attorneys general to crack down on pollution from neighboring states: "If New York allows construction of this coal-fired plant, it would badly undercut the lawsuit filed by it and Connecticut, among other Northeast states, to stop pollution from coal-fueled Midwest power plants that drifts into the region." The New Haven-based paper, which has a paid daily circulation of 96,000 (and an estimated daily readership of 225,000), concluded that "The plant would be an eyesore on the Hudson and a regional polluter. The New England states, including Connecticut, should protest strongly..." Letters to the editor of the New Haven Register can sent via email by clicking HERE. HOME | ARCHIVES BOX 326 HUDSON NY 12534 (518) 822-0334 TEL (518) 822-9435 FAX  |