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Franklin County
Conservancy Formed to
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southampton Township (May 28) - The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) hosted the first Board of Directors meeting for the Franklin County Forest and Farmland Conservancy, Inc. on the evening of May 27th. The Conservancy was incorporated to assist the Franklin County Coalition (FCC) and the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) in their efforts to protect and preserve forest and farmland within Franklin County from sprawl development. The Conservancy will operate as a separate non-profit corporation with a governing board which consists of Franklin County community leaders. The first Board of Directors for the Conservancy includes Bonnie A. Shockey, Charles White, William Payne, Thomas Linzey, John Szajna, and Dr. Edward Wells. Serving as an ex officio Director is Franklin County Commissioner Warren Elliott. At the meeting, John Szajna was selected as the Chairman of the Board; Charles White was selected as vice-president of the organization; and Stacey Schmader of the Legal Defense Fund was selected to be treasurer and secretary. Unlike other land trusts, the Conservancy will concentrate on raising monies for the purchase of development rights from forest and farmland owners who own property in areas directly threatened by development. By preserving greenspace in focused areas, the Conservancy hopes to avert sprawl development. Thomas Linzey, legal advisor for the Conservancy, stated that "the Conservancy will serve an important role in the years ahead - to protect and preserve farmland; to maintain rural quality of life; and to carry out a sustainable vision for Franklin County." More information on the Conservancy can be obtained by contacting the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) at 709-0457. Donations to the Conservancy are tax deductible and can be sent to: FCFFC, c/o the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, 2859 Scotland Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201. |