Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos is among our 2007 honorees.NYLCV's Champions for a Greener Nassau cocktail reception is just days away -- don't miss out! This year's event will take place at Molloy College in Rockville Centre on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Who is a Champion for a Greener Nassau? An elected official, key individual, corporation or organization that works to advance the county's economic vitality and environmental sustainability. This year, NYLCV found several candidates that fit that description.

Molloy College, which is sponsoring and hosting the reception, will be honored for its Energeia Partnership: The Academy for Regional Stewardship at Molloy College, which launched in January 2006. It brings together Long Island's emerging leaders to address pressing social and economic problems including energy, land use and transportation.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli will be honored for his work on behalf of New York state's environment. As a former member of the Assembly, DiNapoli chaired the Environmental Conservation Committee. During his 20 years in the Legislature, DiNapoli championed a number of initiatives, including an expansion of the Environmental Protection Fund, protection of the Long Island Pine Barrens and the establishment of the Brownfield Cleanup Program. DiNapoli recently announced a sustainability agenda for the Office of the State Comptroller. His office will also hold all state agencies accountable for reducing energy costs by finding alternative means of energy.

Sen. Dean Skelos has represented Rockville Centre and neighboring towns in the state Legislature for over two decades. During the 2007 legislative session, in his role as deputy majority leader, Skelos sponsored legislation to exempt the sale of hybrid vehicles from all state sales taxes. He also played a critical roll in the passage of the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act.

Other honorees include members of the Nassau County Legislature, David Denenberg and Edward Mangano. Denenberg is chairman of the Planning, Development and Environment Committee in the Legislature and sponsored a voter referendum that secured a $50 million environmental bond in 2004 and a $100 million environmental bond that was approved by voters in 2006. Mangano has been instrumental in preserving open space, setting aside $5 million for the acquisition of the 81-acre Underhill Property. He has also worked to revitalize a former Grumman site.

In addition, Michael White will be honored for his service to the New York League of Conservation Voters as a past chairman of the Long Island Chapter. While on the board, he was vocal on a broad range of issues that included preserving open space and protecting the Long Island Sound. White is now director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board, where he urges the public and private sectors to adopt environmentally sustainable transportation, energy and housing policies.

If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, click here or contact NYLCV's Development Director Hilary Wilkes, at (212) 361-6350, ext. 204.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- October 2007