CWC leader hears tributes at retirement

MARGARETVILLE, NY, April 25, 2008 - Perry Shelton, who has served for nearly a decade as President of the Board of Directors of the Catskill Watershed Corporation, wielded the gavel for the last time April 22 as he presided over the 11th Annual Meeting of CWC member towns.

Leonard Utter, Supervisor of the Town of Middletown, was elected by Delaware County Watershed Supervisors to fill the seat Shelton vacated with his retirement. Tina Mole of Bovina, Wayne Marshfield of Hamden and Paul Dibbell of Hunter were re-elected to the Board.

Following a slide show of 2007 accomplishments by the non-profit local development corporation he has headed since 1999, Shelton heard an hour of tributes from colleagues and representatives of several agencies he has worked – and done battle -- with over the years.

Among those praising the long-time Supervisor of the Town of Tompkins was Emily Lloyd, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and a fellow CWC board member. With Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush, Lloyd presented the retiring Shelton with a framed proclamation from the DEP congratulating him on his "distinguished record of service to the wider watershed community. In his demeanor and actions he has been a true gentleman and has shown great wisdom in his guidance of the Catskill Watershed Corporation."

CWC Executive Director Alan Rosa presented Shelton with a travel gift certificate from the Board, and with a plaque from CWC staff which will hang in the Board Room in tribute to his leadership, not only of the CWC, but of the Coalition of Watershed Towns (CWT), which he chaired from 1991 to 1997. Several Coalition colleagues were in attendance to laud his honesty and dedication to the well-being of Watershed residents during the tense years of negotiations preceding the signing of the NYC Watershed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

"We could not have had a better partner (who taught us) more about this living Watershed," said Deb DeWan, representative of environmental interests during MOA talks, and now a member of the CWC Board. "You were always there to listen. We really admire the leadership you have given to this organization."

Described as a "straight shooter," "an amazing individual," and "a good man," Shelton also received heartfelt good wishes from Marilyn Gelber, former commissioner of the DEP, who traveled to Margaretville from Brooklyn for the occasion. Gelber and Shelton struck up a friendship during MOA negotiations, a relationship that is credited with pushing the difficult process towards resolution. Noting that the Annual Meeting was occurring on Earth Day, Gelber said, "Our Earth is a better place because you are on it."

"You exemplify what public service is all about. You were there for the whole region, and that’s what made it work," said Georgianna Lepke of Neversink, who served with Shelton on both the CWT and the CWC.

"So many people contributed to this over the years," the outgoing President replied. "I’m proud of what we’ve done, and am honored to have had the opportunity. The pleasure has been all mine. It’ll be hard to leave, but I’ve got a lot of wood to cut."

Lepke, elected by fellow Board members to succeed Shelton as President, then took her seat for the regular monthly meeting of the Board, saying, "I thank everyone for their trust and confidence. I’ll never replace Perry. We’ll all miss him."

Other Board officers are Vice Presidents Michael Flaherty and Berndt Leifeld, Secretary Charles Buck, and Treasurer James Eisel.

CWC programs and projects are explained on the corporation’s web site: www.cwconline.org. Inquiries are welcome Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the CWC’s offices on upper Main Street, Margaretville, Delaware County, and over the toll-free line, 877-WAT-SHED (877-928-7433).