Minutes of the 3/27/01 Meeting,
Niagara Group of the Sierra Club

Present: Liz Kaszubski, Larry Beahan, Steve Burns, Sean McGrane, Paul Maine, Jim Bunn, Gen Robins, Ray Gang, Harriet Walbrun, Jane Jontz, Jim Hufnagel, Natalie Bulera, Richard Lippes and Russ Luke.

Chairman Mike Kukla called the meeting to order at 7:17 PM.

Minutes of the previous meeting were not read as they are on the web site, and in the interest of saving meeting time. Comments on last month's minutes were solicited from those present, of which there were none.

Jane moved that minutes no longer be read at meetings but instead be made available on the Niagara Group web site. Comments on the minutes will be solicited at the succeeding meeting. Liz seconded. Passed by acclamation.

Membership chair Gen reported that there were 157 new Sierra Club members in February and 114 new Sierra Club members so far in March.

Mike announced that a memorial service for Blake Reeves will take place at 2 PM on May 5 at the Amherst Community Church.

Mike said the newsletter will come in Thursday, the Newsletter Mailing Party will be Friday evening and the mailing will go out Saturday. It was decided by the membership that we need more specific information on pricing from Joe DeMare before we can proceed with the more expensive 100% recycled paper for the Trailblazer.

Saturday Mike met with Hugh Mitchell of the Rochester Group. It is the Niagara Group's turn to facilitate Chapter Elections. Hugh indicated that it requires an appreciable amount of volunteer time. Mike will get in touch with Stu Auchincloss for the timetable.

Mike announced that Martha Wilson of a new Canadian Niagara Sierra Club Group based near Hamilton contacted us. Larry suggested that prior to joint meetings we should exchange 2-3 members. Richard has welcomed the new Group and offered our cooperation and assistance on matters of international concern.

The Rochester Group has invited the Niagara Group to work with them on the Re-Apportionment of Congressional Voting Districts. It was decided that we should have input into this decision-making process but no one knew the exact mechanism by which the re-apportionment is accomplished. They suggested that we meet at the Allegany Audubon Pilgrimage June 1-3 to discuss it with them. Larry will be there and look them up. Larry also desires more information on re-apportionment and Mike will look into it further. Jim Bunn believes Congressman Reynolds is too strong to lose his seat and we will lose a Democratic congressperson.

Mike warned that the Allegany Defense Project's Forest Stewardship Council Weekend is the weekend following the Pilgrimage and we've been invited to address issues of Alleghany National Forest. He will attend, and asked the Group to consider attending. Larry responded that Gov. Pataki promised logging would end in Allegany State Park, and that we may want to direct our involvement there rather than the Allegany National Forest in Pennsylvania. Mike termed it Pennsylvania's fight, but Larry said we can offer our support.

Mike brought up proposed drilling for gas in Lake Erie but comments were largely inconsequential. Natalie will be active on this issue with Maria Maybee of Great Lakes United.

Richard relayed the happy news that Russ Luke won his lawsuit in the Town of Lancaster, requiring an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for CARS. This announcement was greeted by applause ().

Steve reported on the MUIR Database to access information about local Sierrans and print labels, thus getting out mailings in a more timely fashion. This database will be confidential.

Russ distributed Database printouts of Lancaster voter information. He explained prime vs. registered voters and how it is broken down for Lancaster voters by party, voting attendance, etc. He explained how we may use the features of a spreadsheet produced by a very large software company to send out automated mailings.

Natalie has calculated prices for 100% recycled paper and determined that they are moderately higher, only $45 extra per Trailblazer issue. Mike said that it is too late for this next issue. When Joe and Murray Warner are at the next meeting, we will decide.

Larry made the motion that if the cost is less than $150 we should switch to the 100% recycled paper. Richard seconded. Unanimous ayes.

Richard said that Hugh Mitchell has ideas to improve the Chapter elections process. Larry asked if we are responsible for preparing the ballot. Richard said we will be told. Larry suggested an election committee be formed to take some of the work load off the Chair. Richard said we have plenty of time to decide about that. Hugh also discussed Fund-Raising and the March rules. Richard responded that we only have March to fund-raise on specific issues. Mike inquired if we have money for MUIR mailings. Richard answered that we have always had $1-2K for whatever the Group needs and have been able to raise enough when needed.

Bill Kindall visited the group for 10 minutes before the meeting started. Richard announced that Bill, a former Executive Committee member of the Niagara Group, is running for Amherst Supervisor.

Liz revealed that Audubon Society has targeted activists by means of a membership database. Richard asked Liz if she has heard from the Wetlands Appeal Board or DEC, and she responded no. She said that the Fed no longer regards it (Klydel Wetlands) as a federal wetland, but it does have a historic stream. Art pointed out that the wetlands are located within a mile of the Niagara River and that gives them the dual status of vegetative connection and adjacent. Liz remarked that nothing is written to that effect.

Jim Hufnagel gave a report on the annual Washington DC Population Conference sponsored by Sierra Club, Zero Population Growth, Audubon Society and the National Wildlife Federation. Senators Schumer and Clinton were lobbied by a New York State delegation and a Congressmember LaFalce staffer was personally lobbied by Jim. The Global Gag Rule and increased funding for international family planning were the legislative topics addressed by the conference. In response to questions by the Group, it was reported that the Senators take positions on family planning aligned with Sierra Club while the Congressman does not. Jim passed out photos of his climb of Mt. Seneca with a West Virginia Sierra Club friend, and pamphlets and bumper stickers on population stabilization.

Jane will show a Wild Forest film at next month's ExCom meeting, at 7 PM as per Paul's suggestion. She is lining up Richard Whitehead, a staff Sierra Club member, to speak at the May meeting on ending commercial logging. Jane is also going to look into methods of advertising these events, such as in the newspaper. Art suggested she contact Will Elliott of the Buffalo News.

Jane is scheduling a Nature Walk for Challenged Youngsters of the Gateway Longview residence. It will be next month on a Sat or Sun.

Art reported that he has 3 volunteers for the Earth Day Exhibit. Larry called for more volunteers.

Larry called for more volunteers for the mailing party. Jane wants the mailing party to be Saturday morning. Steve said Thursday night is his preference, about 6:30 PM. It was decided to go with the 7 PM
Thursday session.

The meeting ended at 8:57.

 

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