Central Park N.C. Names Paul Gallay as Special Guest Speaker at the 2012 Annual Gathering

Raleigh, NC, September 26, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The North Carolina General Assembly recently passed legislation to legalize fracking, one of the most controversial issues in North Carolina politics as it will impact the water supply for more than 2.4 million people. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is the injection of more than a million gallons of water, sand and chemicals at high pressures down and across into horizontally drilled wells below surface level. The chemicals injected into the ground, often include toxic and dangerous chemicals and compounds.

The timely debate around fracking will be addressed at this year’s Central Park N.C. Annual Gathering at on October 18, 2012 at the STARworks Center in Star, N.C. The event, called The Future of North Carolina’s Water, will feature an impressive list of expert guest speakers, including Paul Gallay, president of the Hudson Riverkeeper and an active supporter of local communities.

As president of Riverkeeper, Gallay fights for a cleaner and safer drinking water for more than 9 million New Yorkers along the Hudson River. He has spent more than 25 years protecting the environment and supporting local communities. Gallay served in the N.Y. State Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau and the N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation, helping to close Fresh Kills landfill, raise standards at New York City wastewater treatment plants and bring hundreds of corporate and government polluters to justice.

At this year’s Annual Gathering, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the glass studios, the CSA garden, biofuels plant, ceramics studio and clay factory. Attendees will also be able to enjoy delicious locally sourced food, live entertainment, glass blowing and a host of other fun activities. The event is open to the public; however, a $30 registration fee is required. To register for the 2012 Annual Gathering, visit http://www.centralparknc.com or call (919) 428-9001.

Quotes:
“Paul Gallay has been such a strong advocate in the issues surrounding corporate control of water,” said Nancy Gottovi, executive director of Central Park N.C. “His admirable dedication to the communities around the Hudson River and his background in public service makes him an ideal candidate to speak about the future of North Carolina’s water.”

New Media Content:
Central Park NC on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Park-NC/82063618401?ref=ts

Central Park N.C. on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/riverofopp

Central Park N.C. on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/NCcentralpark

River of Opportunity:
http://www.riverofopportunity.org/

River of Opportunity on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/RiverOfOpportunity

About Central Park N.C.:
Central Park N.C. is a nonprofit organization designed to promote a new economy based on the sustainable use of natural resources in the eight counties in the center of North Carolina. Central Park N.C. focuses on the growth of small businesses and developing a strong and dependable regional infrastructure for the central region of North Carolina. In 2005, the organization launched the STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise to better serve the creative, agricultural and alternative energy sectors of the region’s economy. Central Park N.C. hosts an annual gathering at the STARworks Center to discuss environmental stewardship, the critical elements of an emerging regional economy and utilizing the state’s precious natural resources. For more information, visit the Central Park N.C. website at http://www.centralparknc.org.

Jake Potter
MMI Public Relations
(919) 233-6600
jake@mmipublicrelations.com
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http://www.mmipublicrelations.com