MARBLEHEAD – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich made a 100-mile trek along Lake Erie’s coast with notable environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday, touting his intention to take Ohio in a new direction to protect water quality.
He noted that the Great Lakes are the largest supply of fresh water in the world.
“We’re here because there’s a challenge in Ohio to protecting our lake,” Kucinich said.
“It’s under threat from agricultural runoff and confined animal feeding operations.” (Photo: Jon Stinchcomb/News Herald) Kucinich referenced the Toledo water crisis of 2014, when nearly 500,000 people were suddenly without clean drinking water due to toxic algae contamination in Lake Erie.
“People were in danger of being poisoned, literally,” he said.
As governor, I intend to make the quality of this water, to protect it, to stop this pollution threatening it, and to make sure that we regard our fresh water supply as being imperative for our future.” If elected, Kucinich said he would look to ensure that the laws protecting the environment from water and air pollution are enforced.
As governor, I’ll take a new direction to protect this lake.” In addition to the lake being a source for freshwater, Kucinich also noted the importance of Lake Erie to Ohio’s tourism industry, especially for coastal communities such as Marblehead.
(Photo: Jon Stinchcomb/News Herald) He took a moment to mention how peaceful the sight of a sailboat floating by appeared to him.
Kennedy, who has been an environmental activist since he was young, said Kucinich has been one of his greatest allies on many issues, including water quality.
“On every one of these issues I’ve fought for over the past 35 years as an environmental advocate, Dennis Kucinich has been the most courageous in public office.” (Photo: Jon Stinchcomb/News Herald) jstinchcom@gannett.com 419-680-4897 Twitter: @JonDBN