Minutes of the 2/27/01 Meeting,
Niagara Group of the Sierra Club

 

Chairman Mike Kukla called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.

Mike Kukla reported a $1853.59 balance in the treasury as per Treasurer Murray Warner.

Membership chairperson Gen Robins reported that there are 1747 Niagara Group members. This figure does not include February totals.

Mike has mailed the Blue Sheets to the National.

Steve Burns will have access to the Membership Database.

Mike called for written submissions of experiences members had with Blake Reeves for publication in the memorial issue of the Trailblazer.

Jane Jontz will submit an article to the Trailblazer on special forest issues.

Larry Beahan announced a March 10 meeting regarding Newsletter Issues, specifically reimbursement for the inclusion of the Atlantic Chapter newsletter in Group newsletters and financing of Group newsletters in general. The Rochester Group asked for a reassessment of the amounts involved. Jane Jontz and Jim Bunn explained some of the benefits of putting the Trailblazer on-line and suggested that the Niagara Group move more deliberately in that direction. Art Klein pointed out that Environmental Advocates presently have an on-line newsletter. Larry wants a combination of on-line and mailed output. Art prefers the email approach. Mike pointed out that Sierra Club dues pay for the Sierra Magazine and the Trailblazer and some people may feel they may be getting less for their money if we go on-line. Jim Bunn suggested a 4 month trial period. Jane suggested we could poll members to learn their preferences via a phone tree. Mike pointed out that the last Trailblazer featured an appeal for members to join the listserv. Jason Brady also prefers a choice between on-line and mailed. Larry Beahan made a motion that the Trailblazer should be added to the Niagara Group web site and an announcement of this be made on the listserv. Art Klein seconded. Passed by acclamation. Mike pointed out that Group newsletter editor Joe DeMare is not present and this motion would be referred to him. Mike estimated that the labor time involved in publishing a newsletter is two hours. Larry stipulated that the same data must appear both on-line and in the mail. He also requested that Joe be consulted.

Jason Brady and Eric Noyes, representing the Environmental Network and the Buffalo Activist Network discussed the FTAA (Free Trade in the Americas) issue. An event to show solidarity with activists at the Quebec trade talks will be held April 22-24 in Buffalo. Jason has been contacting different environmental groups to garner support. Larry asked if Sierra Club has signed on nationally to this trade agenda. Art explained the Sierra Club position on NAFTA. It was agreed this was not a problem. Larry asked Jason and Eric if they needed financing for their event. Jim wanted to know if there were other rallies nationwide. Eric said yes to both. Jim Hufnagel asked if they had tried to get funding from any of the unions to be involved in the event. Jason said yes. Mike said we should publicize the event in the next issue of the Trailblazer. Larry said we have a surplus in the treasury. Mike stated that any decision for Niagara Group to donate money to this event would take place only after the treasurer had been apprised. Jim Bunn concurred with that. Mike Kukla called for a motion. Larry Beahan moved that the Niagara Group take a position opposed to the FTAA, that we form a committee to explore how we can assist with the event in Buffalo and the event be publicized in the Trailblazer. Paul Maine seconded. Passed by acclamation.

Chairman Kukla thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the recent press conference to protest the proposed oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Mike then led a discussion of what the Niagara Group could do to honor the memory of one of our most notable members and co-founder of the Niagara Group, Blake Reeves, who passed away recently. A memoriam to  Hospice of Buffalo will be made by Niagara Group. Jim Hufnagel suggested that an annual award named after Blake be instituted, and given at the annual dinner to one who stands out for their contributions to the environment. Art made a motion that we commemorate Blake in this manner. George Dillmann seconded. It was unanimously decided that we award a plaque, and the motion passed.

Mike reported that Allegheny Defense Project wants Niagara Group to join the lawsuit against the East Side Timber Sale. Larry is in favor of being involved in some capacity due partly to the fact that it is the nearest National Forest to us. Jackie White suggested we wait until Legal Chair Richard Lippes can be consulted before we decide. Mike said we have to decide by March 22. Art pointed out that the existence of endangered species at the cut is probably the best legal strategy. Eric pointed out that ADP has litigated over this forest before and knows what they re doing . Jim Bunn agreed with that. Paul wanted to know if we really have enough time. Mike read from a letter the entire legal process involved. Jackie said it may cost money to have Niagara Group involved. Larry volunteered to be spokesperson for the Group on the ESTS. Mike will seek to meet with Richard to discuss our course of action, if any. Russ Luke urged that we reach a consensus. Jackie White moved that we oppose the ESTS logging, and we further explore participating in the lawsuit with ADP. Seconded by Paul. Unanimously approved. Mike will listserv Richard s response re: our participation in the lawsuit.

Mike called for staffing volunteers for our annual Earth Day table at Buffalo State. Jackie, Art and Gen Robins volunteered. Art contends that the $10 table fee is reimbursable from the treasury.

Russ and Mike asked if we should assist Environmental Defense with its Farm Bill workshops. Russ discussed the highlights of the ED platform. Mike says they are having these meetings to garner support. Larry said we could sign on as partners, and Art observed that the ED statement that was passed out could serve as a Sierra Club statement. Mike moved that Russ be authorized to say that we are interested in attending (to Suzy Friedman) and we should encourage members to attend and spread the word, and possibly cosponsor a meeting closer to home. Seconded by Paul. Ayes all around.

Jackie White announced a seminar 9-5 on 3/28 at the Buffalo Convention Center on non-toxic pesticides. She ll put information about it on the listserv. Larry asked if we can include it in the Trailblazer, which we can since the deadline is 3/10.

Mike gave Jim Hufnagel information on a Lake Ontario fisheries meeting on Dec 20 7-10 PM at Coop Ext in Lockport.

Mike summarized the recent Annex 2001 meeting on Great Lakes Water Diversion and export plans. Several Sierrans attended and spoke at that meeting. Art Klein and Jim Bunn derided the plan once again here. Mike will submit a written statement on behalf of the Niagara Group re: Annex 2001.

The meeting ended by acclamation at 9:29 PM.

--Respectfully Submitted, James Hufnagel, Sec'y, Niagara Group