Saturday, February 9, 2008

Ridgewood Reservoir Education & Preservation Project Community Meeting with Assemblyman Darryl Towns on February 7, 2008



An amicable and productive meeting was held on February 7th at the offices of Assemblyman Darryl Towns (840 Jamaica Avenue, Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, NY) with the Assemblyman, members of the Ridgewood Reservoir Education and Preservation Project (REPP) and members of the community including YMCA Director David Christmas...


Charles Monaco and Roy Sawyer

Among the government representatives present were Assemblyman Darryl Towns, his Chief of Staff DeMecia Wooten-Irizarry and Community Laison Roy Sawyer, Evelyn Cruz (Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez - Community Laison) and Andres Ledesma ( Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr - Legislative Assistant)...

Andres Ledesma (Bill Thompson's Office), community member and David Christmas (YMCA)

Andres Ledesma ( Comptroller's Office)

Members of the Ridgewood Reservoir Education and Preservation Project in attendance were Heidi Steiner, Gary Comorau, Ed Kampermann, Sam Franqui, Charles Monaco, Tom Dowd and myself...

Andres Ledesma, Edward Kampermann and David Christmas

After a lively and in-depth discussion of the best desired outcomes for the Highland Park-Ridgewood Reservoir a strategy session was conducted and then a presentation of the Save Ridgewood Reservoir DVD was shown...it blew the attendees away...!

Around the table clockwise - Andres Ledesma, David Christmas, Edward Kampermann, Charles Monaco, Evelyn Cruz, DeMecia Woolery-Irizarry, Assemblyman Towns, Roy Sawyer, Tom Dowd, Me, Heidi Steiner and Gary Comorau

Tom Dowd, Me, Heidi Steiner and Gary Comorau

Our thanks go out to all the representatives who attended and our utmost appreciation to Assemblyman Darryl Towns for hosting the meeting at his offices and for reaching out to other government officials to resolve this impasse with the Parks Department...

From left...Charles, Community member, DeMecia, Gary, Heidi, Assemblyman Towns, Tom, Ed, Me, Evelyn Cruz and Roy Sawyer

From left...Charles, Community member, DeMecia, Gary, Heidi, Assemblyman Towns, Tom, Ed, Me, Evelyn Cruz and Roy Sawyer