How does a big environmental mess get cleaned up in Dutchess County, New York?
How does a key waterfront revitalization effort get a nudge in Beacon, NY?
How does a precious piece of farmland in Red Hook, NY get saved?
How does a dilapidated building on Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie, NY get restored?
The answers to all these questions partially involve state and federal officials using sound judgment and making smart commitments.
They involve providing adequate money to important programs — including the federal Superfund and state brownfields and Environmental Protection Fund.
But they also must entail intense oversight over these excellent initiatives to see the money goes to timely and appropriate uses.