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PRESS RELEASE February 2, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nicole Matteson at (315) 879-7894 or [email protected] OUR OUTER HARBOR COALITION SUGGESTS CHANGES TO ERIE CANAL HARBOR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS BUFFALO, NY (Feb 2, 2017) – The Our Outer Harbor Campaign (OOH) responded today to news that Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) board member David Colligan has resigned, leaving an open seat on the Board of Directors. Coalition partners voted on Wednesday evening to nominate six well-respected community advocates to fill this position, recommended changes to non-voting members, and defined qualities that any replacement board member should emulate. The OOH coalition recommends that any candidates considered by Governor Andrew Cuomo to fill this role be defined by their familiarity with Buffalo’s waterfront and the Outer Harbor in particular. They should live in the greater Buffalo area, be well-versed on environmental issues, and be committed to public participation and transparency. Some examples of candidates that would fill this mold, supported by the Our Outer Harbor coalition include:
Lynda Schneekloth, representative of the Western New York Environmental Alliance, said, “These candidates exemplify what ECHDC should be looking for in replacing David Colligan on the Board of Directors. Each of these individuals would serve admirably and carry credibility with the public as experts in Buffalo’s community life and knowledge of historic and recent development, local and regional ecology, and the transformation of Buffalo’s waterfront.” The ECHDC Board of Directors currently has two non-voting members, including Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. The OOH coalition voted unanimously on Wednesday night to recommend these elected officials for promotion to voting member status. Joanne Kahn, Co-chair of 21st Century Park on the Outer Harbor, Inc. said, “Executive Poloncarz and Mayor Brown are more familiar with the issues of concern to their constituents than other members of the board, and as voting members, would be the only two that would be directly accountable to the public.” Jay Burney, Chair of Times Beach Nature Preserve, said, “We believe these changes to the board will better reflect the public voice and ensure more well-rounded consideration of development proposals on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.” The coalition advocates that the public lands and shorelines of the Outer Harbor, the last stretch of open waterfront in the City of Buffalo, remain publicly controlled regional asset. Any proposed use or development of these public properties must be used for purposes that benefit the wider public. The coalition further advocates that any projects proposed for this area should be water dependent and support the unique character and ecological integrity of the Outer Harbor. More information and an online petition can be found on the campaign’s website, www.OurOuterHarbor.org. |
Letter to Governor Cuomo
February 3, 2017 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 RE: Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Board of Directors Dear Governor Cuomo, The OUR OUTER HARBOR Coalition is a group of over 25 organizations interested in the future of Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, including the League of Women Voters Buffalo Niagara, Partnership for the Public Good, 21st Century Park on the Outer Harbor, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, and the Western New York Environmental Alliance. As a group, we have held public meetings to solicit ideas about the future of this special place and responses to proposals by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC). Several members have worked on the lands and waters of the Outer Harbor for more than 25 years. Today, we are writing to you in response to the recent announcement that David Colligan has stepped down from the ECHDC Board of Directors after years of service. Given the sporadic attendance at these meetings, we have heard there may be two seats open on the board. According to the ECHDC website, we recognize that these positions are “recommended by the Governor of the State of New York and are appointed by Empire State Development as Sole Shareholder of ECHDC”. Therefore, we are writing to you with suggestions of some individuals and candidate qualities that we would like to see serve on the board responsible for the development of the Inner, Middle and Outer Harbors at the Buffalo waterfronts. We request that in addition to your requirements, that the next appointees live in the Greater Buffalo area, be knowledgeable about the deep history of our community and especially the waterfront, and have substantial knowledge of the local and regional ecology of the waterways involved. For example, we recommend: Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Jessica Owley, Law Professor in Administrative Law and Environmental Law Larry Brooks, President, Western New York Land Conservancy and President, St. Vincent DePaul Society Phil Haberstro, Executive Director, Wellness Institute and Board, Partners for Liveable WNY Gladys Gifford, League of Women Voters Waterfront Committee, and former President, Citizens For Regional Transit No doubt there are many qualified people in our community who might serve well, but these individuals are not only knowledgeable and would better reflect the public voice, but also would promote the ideas presented in your 12/1/16 New Blueprint: For “Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) Shoreline, Islands and Tributaries: “The shoreline of New York’s Great Lakes is sufficiently developed such that creation of continuous open space systems is not feasible in most locations. Where large tracts of undeveloped shoreline exist, efforts need to be made to preserve them in an undeveloped state. Additional public access for fishing, boating, swimming and public recreation along the Great Lakes coastline is needed in urban, suburban and rural areas.” http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/98720.html In addition, it is our strong recommendation that the two current Non-Voting Ex-Officio Director positions, held by the Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, are promoted to Voting Director status. Executive Poloncarz and Mayor Brown are more familiar with the issues of concern to their constituents than other members of the board, and as voting members, would be the only two that would be directly accountable to the public. Thank you for your careful time and consideration with this matter. We look forward to a response from your office on your plans to include more community voices on the ECHDC Board of Directors. Sincerely, Nicole Matteson Campaign Organizer, Our Outer Harbor [email protected] (315) 879-7894 CC: Howard Zemsky, President and CEO, Empire State Development Sam Hoyt, Regional President, Empire State Development Robert Gioia, Chairman, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Thomas Dee, President, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation |
Our Outer Harbor Press Release November 28
Our Outer Harbor Announces Next Public Meeting at Buffalo Irish Center Hosted by South Buffalo District Councilman Chris Colins; Releases Newsletter FULL TEXT CLICK HERE
Public Meeting September 28, 2016
WGRZ-TV Our Outer Harbor Holds First Public Meeting with a "call to action"
WBFO Community Calls for Transparency in 'Our Outer Harbor' Development Process
Time Warner News Leaders of Local Group Say Outer Harbor Should Stay Accessible to Public, Not Become Privatized
WGRZ-TV Our Outer Harbor Holds First Public Meeting with a "call to action"
WBFO Community Calls for Transparency in 'Our Outer Harbor' Development Process
Time Warner News Leaders of Local Group Say Outer Harbor Should Stay Accessible to Public, Not Become Privatized
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Brian Higgins announces small grant to Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State College to study pollution that hinders swimming at Gallagher Beach. No swimming allowed due to pollution from sewer overflow and heritage contamination.
Buffalo Rising 27 August 2016 Full Press Release from Great Lakes Center, CLICK HERE
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