Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - May 24, 2005

United Methodist Church Community Room, Main Street, Williamsville, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Art Klein*, Steve Burns-Treasurer, Ginger Ursitti*, Liz Kaszubski*, Jane Sheldon, Robert Ciesielski*, Marilyn Reeves, Larry Beahan*, Virginia Snider, Joe Gardella*, Charles Lamb*, Paul Maine*, Genevieve Robins*, Marian Owczarczak, Jean Palas, Richard Lippes*
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) SURVEY - J. Jontz: Membership survey to be mailed in July Trailblazer. Proposed survey distributed to attendees of meeting to complete and critique.

2) TREASURER'S REPORT - S. Burns: Chapter has current balance of $454.32, sufficient to mail July Trailblazer and survey. National Sierra Club is urging chapters and groups to utilize tax exempt (C) (3) money, which has been raised by the Sierra Club Foundation through donations. (C) (3) monies may be used on educational matters. The more (C) (3) funds spent, the more monies we can receive from the National for administration of funds. Discussions concerning utilization of email to distribute Trailblazer; eliminating politically related items from Trailblazer to maximize reimbursement through (C) (3) funds. Further discussion tabled.

3) MEMBERSHIP REPORT - G. Robins: Group has additional 130 new members for a total of 2,519. No welcoming cards were received from National.

4) NEWSLETTER - C. Lamb: Would like information for Trailblazer submitted as early as possible.

5) CWM TOXIC DUMP - C. Lamb: Thanked Group for $1,000.00 donation used in campaign against expansion of CWM. PCB's have leaked into Lake Ontario from CWM site for the 3 of last 4 years. The Niagara County Legislature has hired attorney to oppose further dumping of toxics at the site.

6) NOMINATING COMMITTEE - J. Jontz: Terms expiring this year: J. Jontz, M. Stroh, R. Lippes, J. Gardella, L. Kaszubski and C. Lamb. R. Ciesielski to act as-Chair of Nominating Committee with A. Klein and L. Beahan as members. The deadline for candidates is September 10. Ballot will be mailed in October issue of Trailblazer.

7) OUTINGS COMMITTEE - L. Beahan: The four outings leaders are J. Jontz, A. Klein, M. Stroh, and L. Beahan. L. Beahan will lead July 16 outing to Allegany State Park. M. Stroh will lead August 6 outing to Niagara Gorge.

8) GREENWAY COMMISSION - L. Beahan: No appointments as of this date to Commission; no Greenway plan yet in place. City of Niagara Falls, City of Buffalo, and Park Department each to initially be given $3 Million through the plan. Environmental Coalition to be given $1 Million.

9) PERRYSBURG - L. Beahan: Liz Kaszubski and A. Klein on Open Space Committee. Perrysburg has been included on list for possible inclusion as a State open space. David Franczak, Buffalo Council President, in favor of inclusion of property as open space. A Governor's representative from Olean scheduled to see site for possible recommendation.

10) GREAT LAKES COMMITTEE - L. Beahan: Hugh Mitchell of Chapter Conservation Committee is urging Groups to form Great Lakes Committees. Threat of removal of water from Great Lakes. Art Klein volunteers to chair committee. Other members are P. Maine, C. Lamb and L. Beahan. Committee established.

11) SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS - G. Ursitti: Recommends sale of 2006 Sierra Club calendars as a fundraiser.

12) ATLANTIC CHAPTER QUARTERLY MEETING - G. Ursitti: A. Klein will chair committee for June 18, 2005 meeting. G. Ursitti, R. Lippes, R. Ciesielski, and J. Gardella have volunteered to help. Joe Gardella will run toxic tour of Erie County for delegates.

13) EARTHLINK SEMINAR - G. Ursitti: Attended seminar on recycling in Buffalo. Earthlink will audit recycling at June's Corporate Challenge run and hopes to implement improved recycling at next years event.

14) WETLANDS COMMITTEE - L. Kaszubski: City of North Tonawanda continues to attempt development of 1500 homes in southeast portion of City despite Corps of Engineer finding that sites are wetlands. City segmenting development to avoid environment hearings. City engineer received stop work order but continued to work stating that they are not filling wetlands, only digging in them. Recommendation that Paulette Klein of Department of Niagara County Health Department be contacted.

15) ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS - R. Lippes: Three persons have contacted Group for endorsements: Tim Thielman, candidate for Al De Benedetti's County Legislative seat; Byron Brown, Buffalo Mayoral candidate; and Judy Einach, environmentalist Green Party candidate for mayor. J. Gardella suggests that a questionnaire be developed and sent to those seeking endorsements. R. Lippes would like to have endorsements made by the end of June. Some endorsements may need Atlantic Chapter approval.

16) CAMPAIGN PLANNING MATRIX ISSUE FOCUS - J. Jontz: J. Jontz noted that Strategic Planning Retreat set two conservation priorities for Group- urban sprawl/wetlands and importation of toxics/safeguarding Great Lakes eco-region. Should Group choose only one priority to focus on at this time? J. Gardella recommends limiting Group focus to urban sprawl/wetlands. Agreed that the Group will await member survey results to see how many members are interested in each priority before making a decision.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski