| Legislator Alex Shannon Seeks Re-Election to Continue Quality of Life Work |
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| Tuesday, 29 September 2009 17:00 |
Rensselaer County Legislators – Republican Legislative Campaign Committee News ReleaseDistrict 4: Alex ShannonTowns of Schodack, Nassau and Sand Lake
Shannon said he is proud of his work in supporting a 2009 county budget that did not raise property taxes, protection of county services despite huge increases in state mandates and the upgrade in the county's credit rating. Shannon has also joined with his colleague, Legislator Martin Reid, in supporting a farmland protection program that has protected more than 3,000 acres of open space. The two legislators also have joined local officials in fighting for a comprehensive clean-up of toxic waste in the Nassau Lake area, which helped bring about the construction of a new dam to protect the lake and nearby streams. Perhaps most notably, Shannon and Reid sponsored legislation that helped remove a $3 million federal lien on the Fort Orange Paper Co. property, which will help efforts to revitalize the property."I am very proud that we have been able to provide stable taxes and an improvement in county finances during difficult financial times. Rensselaer County has been able to protect needed services for our residents and help keep our county growing," said Shannon. "We have also been able to protect open space, and form an effective partnership to fight toxic contamination in Nassau. Getting the federal government to release a lien on Fort Orange is something we are also proud of," added Shannon. Shannon was first elected to the Legislature in 2007 following the tragic death of Legislator Edward Swartz. Shannon serves as chairman of the Legislature's Environment Committee, which helps advocate for protection of natural resources and oversees management of the Papscanee Island Nature Preserve along the Hudson River. Shannon served as Nassau Village justice from 1987 to 2002 and as Schodack Town Justice from 2000 to 2002. Shannon retired from service due to minor health issues at the time and issues involving the health of his parents. Shannon has been a resident of Schodack and the Village of Nassau for nearly 40 years. He is employed as a sales representative with Walter S. Pratt and Sons of Rensselaer and has extensive community service, including past service with Nassau Little League, East Greenbush Girls' Softball League, service with the Board of Trustees and Planning Board of the Village of Nassau. A communicant of St. Mary's Church in Nassau, Shannon has served on the Parish Council and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a Vietnam-era veteran, having been assigned as a member of the U.S. Navy as a medic to a U.S. Marine Corps. division in Cuba. Shannon and his wife Linda are the parents of two children, James and Sandra, and grandparents of four grandchildren. (For more information regarding this news release, please call 928-1920) |
Rensselaer County Legislator Alex Shannon has announced his bid for re-election, saying he will continue to focus on protecting quality of life and community renewal efforts.