SEEING SOUTH BAY
When SLC announced its Greenport-Hudson proposal, Don Christensen thought, "Oh no, I am back in Cleveland, or rather, Cleveland came to me!"
Growing up in Cleveland at its industrial apex, Mr. Christensen remembers being forbidden to swim in Lake Erie and seeing the Cuyuhoga River on fire. In 1985 these memories drove him and his wife, Jo Bredwell, to Hudson, where there was no heavy industry.
He did not fully appreciate the significance of his celebrated South Bay view until, in his attic, he discovered a photograph of the bay taken from the roof of his house circa 1900. He wondered how the beautiful view in the picture turned into what looked like a swamp. |
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It prompted Mr. Christensen to organize the exhibition, "Seeing South Bay: The Visual Heritage of the Hudson-Mt. Merino Viewshed." This six-month project culled nearly 100 images documenting more than 200 years of history. It traced the viewshed's status from inspiration to 20th century industrial casualty.
The exhibition brought into focus the bay's importance in the landscape heritage of the Hudson River, a point raised during the April 2003 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hearings on the plant. The proceedings focused on the immitigable impacts of SLC's plans to cut a swath across the bay and riverfront to accommodate a two and one-half-mile conveyor system.
"If SLC proceeds with its proposal, it will destroy this famous view once and for all and signal that it's more important to make a handful of people filthy rich than to preserve this piece of American history."
Thanks to Mr. Christensen for his labor of love and to Citizens for the Hudson Valley and Historic Hudson Valley for co-sponsoring the exhibit. |
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GRAPHICS IN SIGHT
Art historian, curator and concerned resident of northwest Connecticut, Maureen Jerome is impassioned by the outdoors and the Hudson Valley's tradition of farming and agriculture.
"I had a hard time believing that the state would allow a massive cement plant and potentially toxic waste burning center to be built in one of the most visually beautiful and ecologically pristine parts of the country," said Ms. Jerome upon hearing about the cement plant proposal.
The more she learned, the clearer the impacts were to the local food chain and region's air quality. She felt that this monstrosity could become a reality if people in the area did not act. "We are in a crisis situation and I am compelled to spread the word."
Ms. Jerome began raising awareness in the upper Hudson Valley and Northwest Corner via fund-raisers, and leveraged her visual and graphic arts connections to assemble the creative team behind the coalition's new "Stop the Plant" visual campaign. |
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She brought in Glenn Kaplan, creative director, of Barnes & Noble, who tapped Woody Pirtle and Scott Buschkuhl of Pentagram for their design talent and Ray Melioli and Terry Daves of Medallion for printing.
"Stop the Plant" posters, lawn signs and t-shirts are now available at a number of businesses throughout the valley and northwest Connecticut. The coalition thanks her and the team for contributing their time and knowledge in the fight to stop the plant.
YOUR VALLEY. YOUR VOICE. YOUR FUTURE.
Scenic Hudson is taking important steps to ensure that the river continues nourishing our souls and giving strength and guidance through its landscapes. Heavy industry and sprawl development threaten our viability and culture. Your voice is vital to protecting our valley for generations to come. |
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