November 21, 2023
Candidate Statements
Dave "Ace" Case— Sierra Club member for over 30 years. Resident of Kingston since 2020. Serving as Treasurer of the Ulster County Group since the spring (with the kind help of former Treasurers and our Chapter leaders.) When living in Jersey City I served as Chairperson of the Hudson County Group of NJ Chapter from 2015 - 2021. Despite being newly formed, our Hudson County Group organized at least 4-5 outings or educational events each year. We helped fight and defeat several proposed new fossil fuel power generation facilities. I got to use some of Sierra Club’s potentially powerful digital tools including “Club House” and “Marketing
Cloud.” I’ve been an Ulster County resident for only a few years. So, if I were elected to serve on the ExCom I’d be doing a lot of listening and learning. Jersey City and the Mid-Hudson region are just miles away on the same river, they face a lot of the same issues:water quality, unsustainable development, and of course the great challenge of climate change.
Dr. Susan Paynter — As an environmental activist, advocate, and educator I have sought to protect precious habitat and natural resources. In the 1990’s I was the founding principal of a charter school dedicated to a mission of ecological sustainability. We grew and composted the food for our cafeteria. All of our purchases were earth friendly, including the banning of plastic magic markers. Our curriculum focused on environmental science as well as the role of citizens in making a difference. During that period of time I was an active member of the Safe Earth Alliance in NJ. I have continued my environmental work as a resident of Woodstock, NY. I am a member of the Woodstock Environmental commission working to advise the town planning board and designating critical environmental areas of the community. Most recently I was the president of Citizens Against Terramor and with the support of the Mid-Hudson Sierra club, was successful in saving a 77 acre parcel from development. Currently I serve as the co-chair of the Stop Woodstock National Steering committee. In collaboration with the Woodstock Land Conservancy, we are leading an effort to protect 624 acres of lowland forest, meadow, and wetlands that are the foraging area for bald eagles. I have attended the Mid-Hudson executive meetings since 2022. I have a doctoral degree in educational leadership and wrote my dissertation on non-hierarchical leadership. My education and experience support my interest in collaborating with others to protect our precious earth.
Nivo Rovedo— I have been a member of the Sierra Club since the mid-1990s and began being active after the 2016 election; when the federal government turned rabidly anti-environment after the election, I felt it was time to do more than just pay dues and fret. I have served the past six years as a member of the ExCom as Energy Chair. I want to continue working to help move society toward renewable energy sources to preserve our natural world and provide a healthy environment for all. I have learned much participating in the Chapter’s energy discussions and I disseminate information that will help citizens be aware of problems and their solutions. I have participated in letter-writing campaigns and in person protests, as well as speaking at governmental public hearings on topics from offshore wind in NYS (pro), to the proposed Danskammer power plant expansion (opposed). I believe the Sierra Club is a strong force for good and I look forward to helping continue its work to protect the environment.