One of the two Democratic candidates vying to oppose incumbent 107th District Assemblyman Jake Ashby this November, is calling upon the Republican lawmaker to sign onto a letter that calls for Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA and other similar emerging contaminants. In his press release, Don Boyijian of Cambridge says “ I am dismayed that our Assemblyman does not support standards to protect human health in communities affected by PFOA contamination, such as Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh. This failure is unacceptable, and goes to the heart of why I am running for this seat.” The letter Mr. Boyajian refers to calls upon the Department of Health to establish maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and similar emerging contaminants, consistent with current science indicating such substances are harmful to human health at much lower levels than previously thought.
Tistrya Houghtling of New Lebanon is challenging Mr. Boyajian for the Democratic nomination to oppose Mr. Ashby. She tells The Eastwick Press “As our science improves we see that we must conduct more stringent testing on our water supplies. That is why I am proposing that New York State make available testing for homeowners’ private water sources as well as our public systems. Any elected official who doesn’t stand up for safe reliable water for our families will have to answer to the voters on Election Day. As a mother and a local elected official I see the concerns of our communities and those are the concerns I will fight for in Albany.”
The Eastwick Press also reached out to Assemblyman Jake Ashby for his response. He tells us “having never seen the letter Mr. Boyajian is referring to, I was unable to sign. In 4 months I did however sign legislation that provides state reimbursement for lost tax revenue from toxic contaminants, and provides tax credits to purchase and install water filtration or purification systems. I also authored the first piece of legislation in NY State history, which calls for the regulation of 1.4 dioxane in potable, ground, and runoff water. During my time picking up trash on the banks of the Hoosic River with community members and meeting with leaders like Nassau Town Supervisor Dave Fleming, EPA Administrator Pete Lopez, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam, and Hoosick Mayor Rob Allen- it’s clear that progress is being made. Unfortunately, it will take more than a single letter and a naive accusation to find a solution. I do encourage Mr. Boyajian to keep advocating for these principles, as they are in keeping with the preservation of our community’s well being.”