| Ken Herrington Seeks Re-Election to Help Boost Farming and Open Space Protection Efforts |
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| Saturday, 19 September 2009 00:00 |
Rensselaer County Legislators – Republican Legislative Campaign Committee News ReleaseDistrict 3: Ken Herrington
Brunswick, Pittstown, and Schaghticoke
Herrington sponsored the formation of the county's Agricultural and Farmland Protection program, which makes the county eligible for funding to protect farmland and open space. To date, the county has received funding for 10 projects and protected 3,200 acres across the county. Herrington has also been known for his tireless work in boosting agricultural businesses across the county. Farming and agriculture remain the largest business in the county, and Herrington has been recognized for his work as an advocate for protection of family farms and agricultural businesses. At a time when taxpayer dollars are at a premium, Herrington is also known for his fiscally conservative approach to budgeting and for his opposition to increases in state and federal mandates. That approach helped produce the 2009 county budget that did not raise property taxes and an upgrade in the county's credit rating."I am very proud of the success the county has had in protecting farming and open space. But there is more work to be done in protecting these important resources and I want to play a role in that work," said Herrington. "At the same time, I want to continue to be a fiscally conservative advocate for taxpayers and to fight to protect needed services for our residents," added Herrington. Herrington represents Brunswick, Pittstown and Schaghticoke along with Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr. and Vice Chairman for Finance Richard Salisbury. Knowledge about farming and the challenges facing farmers comes naturally to Herrington. He grew up in a farming family and today, he and his brother Phil operate Herrington Farms in Brunswick, the largest dairy farm in Rensselaer County and one of the most modern in the Northeast. "Ken Herrington was the person who made protection of farmland and open space a priority. Thanks to Ken, there are several thousand acres of some of the most beautiful and productive land protected for future generations," said Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher. Herrington and his wife Bobbie are parents of a son, Jason, and a daughter, Jessica, who are both involved in the daily operation of Herrington Farms Inc. Jason Herrington, an avid racer, recently won the Budget Sportsman championship at Lebanon Valley Speedway. (For more information regarding this news release, please call 928-1920) |
Legislator Ken Herrington, who helped found an open space protection effort and programs to bolster agricultural businesses, has announced his plans to seek re-election.