Spitzer's New Smart Growth Cabinet Reinforces Core Scenic Hudson Message

On Dec. 11, 2007, Gov. Eliot Spitzer issued an Executive Order creating a Smart Growth Cabinet that will work to discourage urban sprawl and promote appropriate land use practices. Gov. Spitzer's order comes at the end of a year-long process that included Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan's service as co-chair of the Spitzer Transition Team's Smart Growth Working Group.

The new cabinet will be chaired jointly by the governor's Deputy Secretary for the Environment Judith Enck and the Deptuty Secretary for Economic Development and Infrastructure Timothy Gilchrist. Other members will be high-level policymakers from an array of state agencies well versed in the principles of sustainable development."New York’s economy and environment are inextricably linked. Quite simply, smart growth is smart business. As our economy and population grow, it is vital that we ensure the development of vibrant, livable communities."—Gov. Eliot Spitzer

"This is very gratifying," Ned Sullivan commented. "As part of my role on transition team last year, I invited Scenic Hudson members to e-mail me ideas about what the state should do about sprawling development. We received -- and passed along -- hundreds of messages with good ideas about how growth can balance economic benefits with protecting our region's treasured natural
beauty and environment. With this new cabinet, the administration is taking a concrete step toward embracing some of these 'smarter' alternatives."