Ruth Oliva Preserve dedicated at Dam Pond
TROY GUSTAVSON PHOTO
The Ruth Oliva Preserve at Dam Pond in East Marion.
A crowd of about 75 people attended a ceremony Wednesday afternoon to dedicate the Ruth Oliva Preserve at Dam Pond in East Marion, a joint acquisition of the county and town. Ms. Oliva, an environmental activist and former town councilwoman, died in June 2009 at the age of 76.
A plaque to be installed at the Dam Pond trailhead will read: “Dedicated September 2010 in memory of Ruth Oliva (1932-2009), whose life’s work was devoted to the protection and preservation of Southold Town, its open spaces and its natural resources. As president of the North Fork Environmental Council and a member of Southold Town’s Council, Zoning Board, Anti-Bias Task Force, Transportation Committee and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Coordinating Council, she set an example of selfless public service that will inspire future generations.”
A host of elected officials attended Wednesday’s ceremony, including Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches),
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell and former supervisors Frank
Murphy and Tom Wickham.
Others in attendance Wednesday included Mrs. Oliva’s husband, Gene; Town Council members Louisa Evans, Albert Krupski and Vincent Orlando; members of Southold’s Planning and Zoning boards; numerous town employees; and environmentalist and long-time Suffolk Times nature columnist Paul Stoutenburgh.
