Saturday, March 28th, CVH Newburgh members led 12 of their elected officials on a tour of their neighborhoods to demonstrate how the economic crisis is playing out in their world.  The officials, including Congressman Maurice Hinchey and State Assemblyman Frank Skartados, walked on broken sidewalks down Lander St. where almost half of the buildings are abandoned, into an apartment with numerous code violations, visited a motel where Social Services pays thousands to house homeless families.  A each stop they heard testimony from the members.

The City of Newburgh is suffering one of the highest forclosure rates in New York State--many families live in dilapidated buildings with numerous health hazards, and all the shelters and temporary motel housing for homeless families in the area are full.  The "Day in Our Shoes" tour aimed to create both transparency of the crisis, and hold officials accountable.  CVH members led ten officials, including Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), NY State Assemblyman Frank Skartados, Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine, as well as Newburgh City Council members, Orange County officials.  To read and hear press coverage of the tour, click on the link or attachments below.

WAMC - Northeast Public Radio