LATIMER ASSAILS REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL TO DRILL FOR OIL IN L.I. SOUND

(October 15, 2008) Assemblyman George Latimer (D-91st A.D.) has assailed the proposal by a Republican running for the Assembly in another district to lease rights for oil drilling in the Long Island Sound. "Absolutely insane," Latimer stated, when informed of the proposal by Jim Faulkner the Republican candidate for Assembly in the 93rd A.D., covering Yonkers. Faulkner is opposing Assemblyman Mike Spano (D).

Latimer, a long time advocate for improving the quality of the L.I. Sound which links all the communities of is Sound Shore district, said that Faulkner's idea is one of the most wrong-headed proposals ever floated. "He even stated that a lengthy environmental review would not
be needed, because [drilling] was not harmful to the environment," Latimer noted. "This is the latest example of ideology run wild - trashing science in quest of political science. The eco-system of the Sound is fragile - but has been getting better bit-by-bit over the last
20 years, in slow increments - and Mr. Faulkner would turn progress into a disaster with his reckless and foolish idea."

Latimer called on his Republican opponent Rob Biagi to publicly reject Faulkner's proposal. "Mr. Faulkner took a ride on Rob's express bus trip to Albany a few months ago. I hope Rob has enough independence to tell his riding companion that his idea is crazy."

Faulkner's comments were reported in the Thursday, October 16 edition of the Journal News, and can be seen on line at www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight clicking on demand video of the 93rd A.D. debate.