Auburn Mayor Timothy LattimoreAs the end of their terms approach, the New York League of Conservation Voters would like to thank Mayor Timothy Lattimore of Auburn, Mamaroneck Mayor Philip Trifiletti and Rye Town Supervisor Robert Morabito for their years in public service and dedication to the environment.

With almost 20 years in the public sector, Mayor Lattimore previously served Auburn as a City-County Planning Commission member and City Council member. During his time as mayor, he made energy efficiency his top priority, creating the Auburn Municipal Power Agency and putting together a $5.35 million energy conservation project targeted at twelve city buildings. He also authorized a public-private partnership to construct a bio-digester that utilizes landfill methane gas combined with sludge from Auburn's wastewater treatment plant, reducing the town's dependence on natural gas and taking its wastewater treatment plant off the grid. His leadership has set the precedent for energy efficiency in Auburn.

Philip Trifiletti became mayor of the village of Mamaroneck in 2001 and, in the years since, has left an indelible mark on the local environment. Upon entering office, he took note of the closed, polluted beachfront on Harbor Island Park and immediately set out to reopen it. He successfully did so three years later, repairing another damaged asset in the process: Mamaroneck's sewage system. He relined the sewers, repaired major and minor breaks and ended the problem of illegal hook-ups. In doing so, Mayor Trifiletti's work helped resolve one of the town's chronic environmental concerns.

Rye Town Supervisor Robert MorabitoAs Rye town supervisor, Robert Morabito helped transform his town into the proud environmental community it is today. During his term, Rye became a Tree City USA, a designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation for towns with a proven commitment to an effective, ongoing community forestry program. Since receiving the honor, Rye has aggressively fostered the planting and growth of the Liberty elm, a once endangered tree species. The town also conducted an energy audit during Morabito's term, using its findings to lessen its carbon footprint and save money through energy-efficiency programs like the use of low wattage, fluorescent light bulbs.

Morabito said his environmental legacy includes improving Rye's parks and lowering nitrogen levels in local ponds. He also prides himself on the town's comprehensive recycling program and his success in reducing Rye's carbon footprint.

Because of their bold visions and accomplishments, we look forward to hearing more from all three of these leaders in the coming years. They have made permanent, important contributions to their respective municipalities and raised the bar for environmental leadership in New York state.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- December 2007