Politicians and Elected Officials Who Get Things Done
In a climate marked by endless talk and far too little action, these 12 politicians give us reason for hope.
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the November 2012 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
Photo: David Kidde
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The Challenge Rainwater often overwhelms Syracuse's sewer system, which handles both runoff and household waste, forcing untreated sewage into Onondaga Lake. How She Tackled It Mahoney created Save the Rain, a rainwater management plan. "Instead of building another sewage plant," she says, "I had a chance to do things differently." Under the plan, streets are paved with porous materials, the county subsidizes green roofs, and residents collect runoff in city-issued barrels. Even the local hockey rink ice is made from recycled rainwater. The Happy Result: The EPA recently named the region a national leader in green infrastructure design. And by 2018, Mahoney says, "I imagine we'll have open public beaches on Onondaga Lake." —Abbe Wright |
