4th EV Forum

If you were able to attend the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club's Fourth Environmental Forum, then you got to see and hear two great environmentalist, Mayor William Johnson, and Aaron Maier, chairperson for the Atlantic Chapter (all of New York) Sierra Club and the twenty or so environmental groups promoting their projects. If not, then check out these great shots by our resident photographer, Raymond Nelson.

If you were able to attend the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club's Fourth Environmental Forum, then you heard our two guests—both great environmentalists. This year our guest speaker was our own Mayor William Johnson, noted nationwide as specialist on Urban Sprawl. His 2010 Renaissance Project is a model for redesigning growing cities while protecting our environment. Besides mentioning that he has long worked side-by-side with our group’s chairperson, Hugh Mitchell, for many years, and how sprawl lowers the standard of living for all, the mayor highlighted the critical importance grassroots groups have in shaping what happens in and out of our government on our environment. The Mayor also used the forum as an opportunity to announce that the city has committed several million dollars over the next three years to make more houses in the city of Rochester lead-safe for young children.

The mayor was introduced by, Aaron Mair, chairperson for the Atlantic Chapter (which includes all of New York State) Sierra Club. Mr. Mair has been on the forefront in getting General Electric to clean up the PCB’s in the Hudson River. While talking about the mayor’s many accomplishments, Mr. Mair mentioned that our Rochester Regional Group’s report on Sprawl Follows the Pipes is becoming well known nationally as a well-documented report on how sprawl occurs.

Also at the forum, about twenty-six Rochester-area conservation groups, public and private and approximately 150 community members attended, along with several local media representatives.