A Visitor from the Governor’s Administration Highlights Importance of the Environment

A member of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration paid a special visit to Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School on Friday, April 26.

Tom Congdon, Executive Deputy of the New York State Department of Public Service, joined Ms. Blitzer’s second-grade class and read the story, “Curious George Plants a Tree,” where, after getting into some typical trouble, the title character helps a museum plant some trees.

“The Hochul Administration sent cabinet members to schools and parks across the state to celebrate Earth Week and Arbor Day,” said Congdon, who also serves as the Chair of the state’s Indian Point Decommissioning Oversight Board. “We are reading in schools to raise literacy awareness because reading is so important.”

Congdon’s visit to the school provided a chance to highlight a week in which students learned more about the environment.

A day prior, Congdon also participated in the latest meeting of the Indian Point Decommissioning Oversight Board. Then, after reading to students at B-V, Congdon walked with B-V Principal James Mackin, Superintendent of Schools Michael A. Tromblee and others from school grounds to the site of a nearby gas pipeline. The contingent discussed the history of the pipeline and various safety measures in place.

Afterward, Congdon stressed the importance of forming a partnership with the Hendrick Hudson School District throughout the decommissioning process.

“After my visit to the school and in other conversations with the Superintendent, I definitely appreciate the financial hurdles the District faces, especially due to the closure of Indian Point and the loss of revenue from that,” Congdon said. “I’m proud of what the state has done to support Hendrick Hudson and want to continue to ensure that we have a good partnership going forward.”