Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - September 26, 2006

Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Scotus Hall, Room 219, Amherst, New York, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Steve Burns*, Charles Lamb*, Bob Ciesielski*, Larry Beahan*, Paul Maine*, Ginger Ursitti*, Liz Kaszubski*, Marilyn Reeves, Jane Sheldon, Virginia Snider
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) MEMBERSHIP - S. Burns: 2,498 individual members, 2,325 households.

2) TREASURERS REPORT - S. Burns: Niagara Group account has balance of $2,019.92. Foundation account is owed approximately $1,600.00 by Chapter which should result in balance of approximately $5,100.00.

3) POLITICAL COMMITTEE - J. Jontz: Jim Hayes has requested endorsement. We will ask him for a letter concerning his position.

4) TRAILBLAZER - C. Lamb: October issue will publish Niagara Group ballot.

5) CWM WASTE SITE - C. Lamb: Governor Pataki has vetoed law passed by State Assembly and Senate to limit expansion of waste sites which leak toxic waste into Great Lakes. Larry Beahan has drafted sample letter on issue. RRG will press for override veto before end of the year with letter campaign to State Senators. Eliot Spitzer will be requested to make passage of law a priority.

6) ERIE COUNTY FORESTS - L. Beahan: Energy and Environment Committee of Erie County Legislature has meeting scheduled on October 5, 2006 at 2PM, to review logging in Erie County Forests. Planning session at Larry's house set for October 2, 2006 at 7PM. Discussion of strategy for meeting. So far tree removal has targeted trees with most economic value.

7) GREAT BAEHRE SWAMP - L. Beahan: 20th Anniversary celebration for park set for October and sponsored by Bill Kindel of Amherst Town Council.

8) GREENWAY - L Beahan: Stakeholder meeting will be held with Larry representing Sierra Club. Discussions as to various uses for Greenway and width of protected zone. Consultant attempting to work compromise on issue.

9) ATLANTIC CHAPTER - G. Ursitti: Eliot Spitzer's aid, Judy Enck, met with Chapter representatives to discuss environmental position. Chapter has discussed a proposed award to be made by Groups to prominent local environmentalists. Ginger Ursitti moves for Niagara Group to present environmental award to prominent environmentalist in Niagara region on an annual basis, seconded by Charles Lamb. Five in favor, two opposed, motion passed.

Atlantic Chapter has permitted Political Action Committee and will solicit private donations to support environmental candidates in Statewie races. L. Beahan states that Hillary Clinton is seeking endorsement for Senate race. Ken Baer is chair of Chapter and also chair of political committee. Hugh Mitchell has $20,000.00 for annual conservation related projects based upon priorities. It is important that Group has presence on Statewide committee to ensure funding.

10) GROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - J. Jontz: Appointment will be needed to fill Mike Stroh's position for one year. Discussion of offices and committee heads for 2007.

11) MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING FOLLOW-UP - J. Jontz: Jane asks for availability of people to meet between October 10 and November 10 to review these issues prior to next meeting.

12) OUTINGS - J. Jontz: Jane is attempting to set up 101 and 201 training programs for outing leaders in the Northeast region. Minimum of 35 participants required.

13) MEETINGS - J. Jontz: Discussion of meeting locations and times. December meeting set for December 18.

14) TRAILBLAZER - C. Lamb: December 1st deadline for submissions. Discussion of e-mailing Trailblazer.

15) WETLANDS HEARINGS - L. Kaszubski: Wetland hearings ongoing in North Tonawanda. DEC is mapping wetlands in New York and amending maps.

16) LOCAL WETLANDS ORDINANCE - R. Ciesielski: Work on adopting the ordinance to the Town of Amherst situation.


Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski.