Article & Journal Resources

By CHRIS SERICO
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: December 10, 2007)

BEDFORD - A global-warming discussion among town leaders last month was held without a celebrity who was expected to attend.

Although actor Chevy Chase missed the two-hour, invitation-only meeting at the Bedford Town House, his wife, Jayni, said the Nov. 26 forum was a success. The couple founded the Center for Environmental Education charity, which raises awareness about global issues through educational initiatives.

"From my perspective, it was terrific," she said Thursday. "It was really so wonderful to see this community coming together and taking seriously the idea that we need to cut back and lower our carbon footprints."

Town Supervisor Lee Roberts called for reducing carbon emissions in town by 20 percent by the year 2020, according to Mary Beth Kass, chairwoman of the town's Energy Advisory Panel.

"It was very exciting," said Kass, whose panel intends to issue a plan for reducing greenhouse gases. "That's a very aggressive...goal, and I know we can do it."

Known for his comedic roles on "Saturday Night Live" and in "Caddyshack," "Fletch" and National Lampoon's "Vacation" series, Chevy Chase, 64, skipped the Bedford event because he was feeling "under the weather," his wife said.

On Nov. 10, the Chases were guest speakers at a Garrison expo on sustainable living. Chevy Chase said they also attended an event for the Global Green organization on Monday at the Ritz-Carlton in New York City.

"For me, it was fun to be there," he said in a phone interview Tuesday. "We are very big supporters and always have been, so we go to those things."

Almost 100 other local leaders attended the Bedford forum. The town also invited leaders of regional businesses, religious congregations, schools, towns and civic associations to inform them of the importance of being environmentally conscious on a local level.

"We had a short slide presentation about the likely impacts of climate change on the Hudson Valley, kind of to take it away from the polar bears and melting ice caps to (explain) how is this really going to affect us here," Kass said.

In addition to introducing local leaders to Kass and the rest of the Energy Advisory Panel, the meeting served as a symposium to discuss ways to "green" local homes and businesses. Such tips are in the process of being developed for the town's Web page, www.bedfordny.info, Kass said.

She added that she appreciated the Chases lending their support to the cause, one they have promoted often since buying their Bedford home on June 1, 1995.

Chevy Chase said his family drives "a lot of Priuses."

Said Kass: "You can tell that (Jayni Chase) has walked the talk for a long, long time."

The event was kept exclusive primarily due to space concerns, Kass said, but added that residents would have the opportunity to speak and learn about environmental matters at upcoming events in town.