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Alice
Green
Photo:
Teri Currie
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The
Capital Region’s most influential community leaders and public
advocates of the past 30 years
Now
this is a heartwarming list. If you are ever feeling cynical,
just remember that the Capital Region has no shortage of hard-working,
selfless people. Looking over the names of community leaders
that our survey has produced reminds us that over the years
many of our neighbors have found many creative ways to be
good and decent to one another.
Topping
our list is Dr. Alice Green.
Green started the Center for Law and Justice in Albany in
1985 to offer legal assistance to those in need, to monitor
criminal justice activity, and to advocate on behalf of people
of color and the poor. Whether serving as Gov. Cuomo’s deputy
commissioner for the New York State Division of Probation
and Correctional Alternatives, or campaigning for lieutenant
governor or Albany mayor, Green never lost track of who she
was really working and fighting for.
Following Green is a legend of Center Square. Reszin Adams,
who was known to younger generations for her weekly radio
show on WRPI, boasts a long and meaningful history advocating
for environmental issues and wise living. She was instrumental
in stalling the plans to destroy Center Square with a highway.
She was crucial to the development of Save the Pine Bush,
and was an originator of the local food co-op movement. In
fact, the odds are pretty high that Adams was involved in
any of the major political battles over the past four decades.
From the remainder of our winners, we find household names,
such as Blair Horner and Alan Chartock, who have earned their
notoriety through decades of single-minded and fierce dedication.
We also find men like Yusuf Burgess and Charles LaCourt who
fought against overwhelming odds and have since devoted their
lives to helping younger generations in the same fight.
It is an appropriate coincidence that Judi Enck and Save the
Pine Bush tied. Enck and the stalwart advocates in Save the
Pine Bush share a deep love for the environment and a calling
to preserve and protect the natural beauty surrounding the
Capital Region and throughout upstate New York.
And no list of tireless advocates would be complete without
Hunger Action Network’s Mark Dunlea, who this year delivered
his 20th People’s State of the State.
Survey
respondents ranked up to 10 choices, and points were tallied
as follows: 10 for 1st place, 9 for 2nd, and so on.
1.
Alice Green (66)
2. Reszin Adams (22)
3. Mark Dunlea (19)
4. Yusuf Burgess (16)
5. Tie: Judi Enck (14); Save the Pine Bush (14)
7. Decky Lawson (12)
8. Blair Horner (11)
9. Tie: Alan Chartock (10); Charles LaCourt (10); Tom Nattell
(10); David Soares (10); Lou Swyer (10)
>>
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