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Minutes for Executive Committee Meeting,
April 25, 2000
Errata: It was pointed out that the correction to the March minutes misidentified the legislators the Club has granted an early endorsement to. Hoyt and Schimminger have received endorsments. Art Klein moved to accept the minutes. Jane Jontz seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report: Larry Beahan requested a discussion of our financial status with emphasis on our ability to spend money. Murray Warner reviewed the Goup's finances. Our present balance is $1,744. The club's largest expense is newsletter printing. Last issue cost us $258. Income is primarily from an 80 cent-per-member reimbursement from the Atlantic Chapter. That income is received in two checks annually. One comes about the first of July, the other at the end of December or early in January. Occasionally we receive contributions. For example, Blake solicited a $500 donation two years ago. The Group can't solicit by mail like the Atlantic and National wings can. In past years the Group has sold books, composters, and other items, sometimes making money, sometimes losing it. Murray submitted a report that broke down expenditures over the last four years by category. Newsletter expense was the largest, costing $200-$300 per issue in part because we use recycled paper. Next came member expense which is mostly postage for cards. Program expenses such as room rentals were next, followed by administrative costs made up mostly of bank fees. Larry pointed out that the only reason we have $1,544 today is becuase we've been carrying over a balance from past years. There followed a brief discussion of possible fund raising efforts. The question of wether or not the club could afford to help defray Dianne D'Arrigo's air fair was reviewed. Art Klein pointed out we will need to spend some money in the fall to get a good speaker for the awards banquet, but that a few hundred now should be no problem. Joe DeMare moved that the club spend $150 to help pay for Dianne D'Arrigo's plane ticket. Jim Bunn seconded, motion carried. Larry concluded by saying budgets for activities should be reviewed case by case.
Awards Dinner: Art Klein said there had been no decisions yet as to place or speaker. Jim Huffnagle suggested a politician with a good environmental record such as Sam Hoyt or John LaFalce. The Casino at Chestnut Ridge park was floated as location, but the cost to rent is several hundred dollars. Walter Simpson was mentioned as a possible award recipient. Robbyn Drake and Art Klein will help select award nominees. Larry asked for a deadline, Art responded that he will have decisions by June 1st.
Rhea Jheazer Phone Conference: Larry Beahan gave a report on the April 14 conference call with Rhea Jheazer, state Conservation Committee Chair. He submitted a sumary report which covered the following areas: NYS Budget, Pesticides, Archeological Sights, and Brown Fields. Jane Jontz agreed to attend the conference calls. Art Klein will back her up. There followed a discussion of issues the local Group would like brought up to the State Commitee. Larry reported that John Stouffer, the Club's Albany lobbyist, reported $10 million for an environmental fund. Most of which will go to NYC area bus exhaust cleaning and water access. Stouffer also prevented the removal of woodlot protection and wetland laws. Liz pointed out that wetland agencies are not enforcing regulations. Jim Bunn asked if the Atlantic Chapter puts together a list of issues or does the lobbyist report on what he hears. Larry replied that it's both. There was some discussion of the NFTA dropping the ball on clean buses in Erie county. Jane suggested that the report from Stouffer be a standing agenda item. Joe DeMare asked if we can use John Stouffer to help with some problems in the proposed Clean Energy Development Act. Specifically the bill does nothing to eliminate the penalties on solar and wind generation because they cannot generate power in whole megawatt blocks. The Group agreed.
Joe Davis Park: Larry reported that the plans to turn the Joe Davis park into a golf course have been cancelled. Liz said that at the public hearing, 44 environmental groups showed up to speak against it, and that Bernadette Castro will be the guest speaker at the Audoban meeting the week of May 1st. Jim Bunn reported that the warblers have already come through the park on their annual migration.
Klydell: Liz Kazubski reported that she sent the Club's letter to the DEC. The Clean Water Network and a whole bunch of groups are sending a lot of e-mail and there's lots of stuff on the web. NYS regulations are more restrictive than federal. Art said that the State is supposed to require a buffer zone around development. Liz has been appointed the chair of the state wetland committee and is working on comments on the proposed federal regulations. Liz also reported that Benderson has again appealed the decision restricting his development plans, this time to the South Atlantic division of the Corps of Engineers. She responded with the same questions: What is the effect on the wetlands; What is the effect of the parking lot; and other questions. The comments on the Klydell wetlands generated over 700 NO letters to the Fish and Wildlife department.
Natureview: Robbyn Drake reported that the lawsuit has been filed. Immediate neighbors and Bill Kindel are listed as parties. There will be a fund raiser on May 8. There was a hike on the land that was fun for all.
Newsletter: Mike Kukla reported that the deadline is June 10th and that he is working on the website.
Zoar Valley: Jim Bunn had no new information. Jim Huffnagle says that his impression is that the Governor is not willing to take a hit on Zoar. So, the unit management plan may Never come out because then there'd be nothing in writing to embarass the Governor. Friends of Zoar are working on public education. Bruce Kershner is arranging trips for ADK, politicians, mentions in his book. Larry confirmed that the Governor has assured Bruce Kershner there would be no cutting spelled out in the Master Plan. Larry Beahan and Mike Kukla will lead a Sierra Club hike to the Zoar on July 29. Art Klein suggested waiting to do the hike in the fall so that we could have a greater impact on politicians and policy issues. Jim Bunn said he would be willing to lead another hike at that time.
Oswagatachie: Jane Jontz wants to show a 17 minute film on the Oswatachie wilderness and possibly bring in a speaker. She is leaning towards a September date. She wants to see how the meeting on the 23rd of May goes before deciding wether or not to schedule a special time or use the regular meeting date.
Hunters' Creek: Hunters Creek is one of six unused parks that are owned by the County. They were purchased in 1965 as a land bank. Art Klein is concerned because these properties which also include Lakeview, 18 Mile Creek, and land in Clarence, Beleman, and Franklinville currently have no status, so the County could do anything with them at any time. Currently ATV's and Mountain Bikes are using the properties and doing some damage. Art says Sierra Club should urge limited access for mountain bikes and ATV's.
Nanticoke: Nanticoke is a coal fired electrical plant in Ontario, Canada. Most of its pollution drifts into the United States, affecting the Niagara region. Currently there are bilateral negotiations with Canada to lower emissions from the plant, but Larry reported that there is a danger both parties will walk away from the negotiating table. The Ontario Sierrans are asking that we adopt a position calling for clean up of the huge smokestack. Jane Jontz moved that we do so, Liz Kazubski seconded and the measure passed unanimously.
Membership: Steve Burns reported that membership has increased to 1,722 members with 110 new members since the last month.
Earth Day: Several people reported on the Sierra Club's table at the Earth Day event at Buff State on April 22. Our table was in the lounge, next to the Western New York Land Conservancy table. We sold 4 hats, 4 totes, and 5 copies of Bruce Kershner's book. The Zoo had a python which captured a lot of visitors' attention. It was a good chance for the participants to recharge and meet other people with similar interests.
Fleet Water Fest: Steve Burns suggested we have a similar table at the Fleet Water Fest this summer. There was some debate on the date. It may be July 29. Steve will have the date next meeting.
Misc.: An owl prowl was scheduled for April 29 at the Klydell wetland, and the website address for Liz's group is www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/3317/index.html. She suggested it's simpler to do a web search for Tonawanda. Natalie Blair introduced herself, she was formerly chair of the Erie Pennsylvania chapter, but has recently moved to the area and hopes to be an active member. There was a little debate over wether or not the newsletter should be completely electronic. It was decided that we should ask people their preference in the next newsletter. Someone moved we adjourn, it was seconded. Everyone agreed it was time to go so we did.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe DeMare, Secretary
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