What:  EAGR Environmental Forum for Rye City Council Candidates

Where: Rye Free Reading Room, Boston Post Road

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 20^th, 7-9 p.m.

Cost:    FREE!

The Environmental Advocacy Group of Rye (EAGR) is sponsoring an environmental forum for the candidates for Rye City Council (including mayor) at the Rye Free Reading Room on Tuesday, October 20^th from 7 to 9p.m.  Everyone is invited.  Light refreshments will be served. 

The goal of the program, according to members of EAGR's event committee, is to provide candidates the opportunity to present their views on environmental issues facing Rye.  And, each candidate will have the chance to speak at greater length regarding one particular area of concern.  "We hope," said committee member Judy Martin, "that this forum will give all Rye's voters the opportunity to judge for themselves which candidates will do the best job in making Rye a healthy environment for future generations."

The moderator for the program will be Simon Delekta, Director of Voter Education and Civic Engagement of the New York League of Conservation Voters.  Following the discussion, members of the audience will be able to ask questions and raise any other issues or concerns they might have on environmental matters. 

EAGR is a non-partisan volunteer group.  EAGR received the "green seal award" from the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County in June 2009 for organizational sustainability.

Topics that may be covered during the forum include:

• What measures should City Council members take to encourage/require residents and property owners to reduce storm water runoff and, consequently, flooding?
• What more could we do in our community to improve the Sound Shore water quality?
• How can we improve traffic and air quality in Rye? What measures would you support to make the business district and environs more pedestrian friendly without impairing commerce for local businesses?
• What type of sustainability plan would you propose for the City of Rye's operations and what would you propose as timing for implementation of elements of the plan?
• How could we strengthen and enforce codes to protect our trees and wetlands?
• What would you do as a member of the City Council to strengthen our building codes to improve energy efficiency in our homes and commercial buildings?
• How can we reduce our construction and household waste at home and in our general community?
• Should Rye change its codes to improve land use to more effectively conserve open space areas and focus development in a more sustainable direction? If so, how?
• Do you consider the current deer situation in Rye to be a problem? If so, what can we do locally to solve the problem?