Orange County Partnership Names Cordisco MVP
The Orange County Partnership recently named Dominic Cordisco and his Co-Chair of the Alliance for Balanced Growth, John Lavelle, as the Partnership’s 2012 Most Valuable Partners. As part of a statewide effort to update its wetland maps and extend its jurisdiction, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is finalizing new wetlands maps for all of Orange County . Mr. Cordisco and Mr. Lavelle immediately recognized the potentially adverse impact of this remapping on businesses, landowners and municipalities. Future construction projects could be in jeopardy and loss of revenue could lead to a reduction of services. Together, they took the lead and began researching alternatives for the DEC to consider, educating the public on the remapping impact and mobilizing the business community and elected officials to ensure that our voices get heard. Their tireless efforts have raised awareness of this issue giving the Orange County community the opportunity to alter an otherwise foregone conclusion.
Orange County President Maureen Halahan stated, “For years, John and Dominic have supported economic development through their Alliance for Balanced Growth activities. Their work on the wetlands issue has been so thorough and exhaustive that it is being used as a model throughout the state. They are undoubtedly the best candidates for this prestigious award.”
The MVP Award is presented to honor an individual or individuals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the economic strength and diversity of Orange County .
Dominic Cordisco is a partner with the firm. His practice includes land use permitting and environmental law for both municipal and private clients. He is a past Regional Attorney for Region Three of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Cordisco has been a lecturer for various programs including SEQRA, wetlands regulation, endangered species, mining, underground storage, and oil spills, and appears regularly before the New York Association of Towns, the New York Planning Federation, and the Orange County Municipal Planning Federation. Mr. Cordisco is co-chair of the Alliance for Balanced Growth, and he serves as co-chair of the New York State Bar Association - Environmental Law Section’s committee on Mining, Oil and Gas Regulation. He earned his B.A. from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, where he received the Murray Award for Outstanding Public Service.
The Annual MVP Breakfast will be held on Thursday, June 7th at 8:00AM at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor. For reservations, call Ginny Forni at the Partnership (845-294-3696)