August 6, 2000

The Brush Valley Preservation Association is proud to announce the endorsements of several influential local and state elected officials. These individuals agree with the basic goals of the BVPA. These goals include the preservation of Brush Valley in it's natural state, seeking funding to acquire the valley and open it for public recreation, and using an alternate site to build the prison in Northumberland County.

The following individuals feel, as we do, that the current County agenda, to purchase and develop Brush Valley, is environmentally and economically irresponsible, and have stated their intent to assist the BVPA.

One of our most dedicated supporters is Merle Phillips, Majority Caucus Administrator, Pa House of Representatives. In a recent letter to the BVPA he writes "I would like to re-emphasize to your group that I wholeheartedly support your efforts to preserve Brush Valley and believe that your group's effort is to be commended. You can count on my support throughout this process."

In a correspondence to the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Senator Edward Helfrick wrote " I appreciate our recent discussion relating to Brush Valley in Northumberland County, as well as several staff contacts on this issue. I am pleased to know of the Departments interest in this matter. While I am not in opposition to the location of a federal prison on a portion of the site if no suitable alternatives can be identified, I believe Brush Valley should be preserved in a natural state. I look forward to continued discussion relating to Brush Valley."

State Representative Robert W. Godshall, Chairman of the House Tourism and Recreation Development Committee has sent to us a statement which reads in part, "as chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, I am writing this letter in support of the BVPA's efforts to preserve a 2,000 acre portion of Brush Valley located near Trout Run...the Idea of one day having an area in Brush Valley for tourists to enjoy nature in a peaceful setting would be very welcoming to the many visitors from the urban areas."

Chuck Erdman, Northumberland County Controller, e-mailed us this letter. "I support the efforts of the BVPA to identify alternate sites for a federal prison in Northumberland County and secure funding for the preservation of Brush Valley as a public park. I am hopeful that an acceptable site can be found that would allow the county's residents to reap the economic benefits of a prison while protecting the natural asset that is Brush Valley."

County Commissioner Sam Deitrich, while being very much in favor of building a prison some where in Northumberland County, also has stated that he supports the BVPA's goals of finding a site other than Brush Valley.

Jim Brett, the Governors Sportsman Advisor, has become involved and is currently in contact with many officials in Harrisburg.

Mrs. Eleanor Kuhns, former Northumberland County and Coal Township Commissioner, and current BVPA member, has been working tirelessly, using her considerable knowledge of county politics, to help the BVPA cause.

These, and many other supporters show that there is wide spread political and public backing for the efforts of the BVPA. But is it having an impact? A response from John Oliver, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural resources, to a letter written by Representative Phillips, shows that it is making an impact. In part the response reads "DCNR will carefully consider the draft environmental impact statement when it is completed. Should the local officials determine that all or a portion of Brush Valley be preserved as open space, DCNR could povide funding assistance. " This shows once and for all that Brush Valley CAN be a public park.

Over the last six or seven months it has become clear that the general public, state agencies, and now even many polititians support the BVPA. The BVPA would like to make it clear that come election time we, as well as our families and friends, will remember who did, and who did not support us.