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ACAL NewsRecent Documents...
News Updates...ACAL News – Week of 23 March 2007With local concern mounting regarding the Boonville Village Board and their apparent push to vote on the “community compensation package” proposal submitted by the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority BEFORE the newly elected major takes office, I would like to share ACAL members, Kathy and Peter Crofoot’s March 23 letter, which clearly addresses key points and issues concerning many village citizens. Dear Boonville Officials: The outgoing Boonville Mayor and Deputy Mayor appear to be using their remaining days in office to rush a vote on the Oneida Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (OHSWA) landfill compensation package. Citizens’ concerns are being discounted by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, while radio reports inform the public that all is well with the proposal. The mishandling of this critical issue is cause for great concern. Participants witnessed a significant outpouring of concerns relating to numerous items in the landfill compensation proposal at the second public meeting held on March 19, 2007. Item #20 pertaining to the town and village giving up their right to bring legal action against the operation of the landfill continues to distress citizens, including a newly elected village trustee. Item #20 received the largest negative response from the audience during the first public meeting, yet village and town officials presumably agreed to leave it in. The excessive power given to OHSWA by county and state government literally stripped local citizens and towns of their constitutional right to “home rule” during the landfill siting process. Now Boonville village officials are perched to sell our remaining rights to protect the environment and keep the community safe. Citizens of Boonville should accept no outcome that fails to reinstate our constitutional rights. Other worthy concerns were raised during the March 19 meeting. Citizens are not happy with the infinite nature of the contract. The desire to wait for the U.S. Supreme Court Flow Control decision was brought up repeatedly. Concerns were raised about the future potential to process leachate at the Boonville water treatment facility and whether or not it could safely remove toxic heavy metals. Citizens are concerned about preserving the rural way of life for future generations. Concerns were raised over the safety of the waste stream should the agreement make it easier for OHSWA to import waste from outside the two county region, including New York City. Concerns over the possible sale of the landfill to a private company were raised in addition to worry over the landfill growing out of control. Local officials were encouraged to follow the wishes of the people as expressed in the environmental portion of the Planning Board Survey. Most disturbing is what appears to be Boonville’s indifference to concerns raised by the Ava Town Supervisor, Ava Councilman, and Town of Lewis Councilman present at the meeting. Ava believes an agreement with Boonville will place pressure on their town to do the same. Their objections fell on deaf ears. Boonville Officials lack of moral stamina regarding their neighboring township is a public embarrassment. No parent would teach his/her child to turn away from someone in need of help, but that is exactly what Boonville has done to Ava. It is shameful and a disgrace to our community. Boonville is being used by the Authority to achieve their ultimate goal of obtaining a willing host community in the town of Ava. And it appears there is a sense of urgency to get it done before the Flow Control decision gets handed down. Any Boonville Official, who thinks helping the Authority is more important then carrying out the wishes of the people, fails to understand their position in local government. The consensus of the meeting was summed up in one citizen’s question. Is there a reason why we can’t wait to make the decision? The answer by Boonville Town Supervisor was, “No”. The following statement by the Executive Director of Earthjustice, a non-profit public interest law firm, speaks to the heart of the matter. “We must preserve the ability of citizens to take corporations and the government to court. This bedrock of American democracy is the underpinning of many of our nation’s advances in civil rights and environmental protection. It’s a right we can never surrender.” We find it imperative that the town and village of Boonville resist any pressure from the Authority to rush a vote on the landfill compensation agreement. We fully expect that you will acknowledge and seek to remedy portions of the agreement that citizens find unacceptable prior to any further consideration. Finally, we request that you respect the wishes of our neighbors in the towns of Ava and Lewis, as would be desirable for Boonville if circumstances were reversed. Thank you for your consideration of this matter, and your commitment to serve the Boonville Community. Respectfully, Peter & Kathy Crofoot I applaud Peter and Kathy for not only taking the time to write to their local officials, but for making time to attend local meetings and voice their concerns and opinions. Citizen participation is more than showing up to vote in an election. Citizen participation involves attending town and village board meetings, reading the paper, magazines and books, listening to the radio, discussing issues with neighbors and colleagues, writing letters to officials at all levels, and sharing individual talents or “gifts” with the community. I would like to invite citizens to consider their personal interests, knowledge, education and personal “gifts” this week. Everyone, no matter what your age, background, or level of education has something to offer the community. What can you do to make your community a better place live? Cities, villages and townships throughout the U.S. have been orchestrating efforts to help improve communities by creating partnerships between citizens and local government. How can elected officials solve community problems, promote citizen responsibility, and regain the confidence of its people? Tune in next week to learn more. Jacki Chamberlain, Communication Chairperson Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL) 03/16/12 - NEW SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION 08/07/11 - Can Landfill Odors Be Prevented? 07/27/11 - Don't Give Up the Ship 12/21/10 - AUTHORITY SETTLES LAWSUIT WITH ACAL 10/11/10 - Black River Trash Bash 07/02/10 - Burning household trash is illegal in New York 06/17/10 - New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 07/13/09 - ACAL - Alive and well 04/13/08 - ACAL 2008 Update - Part 2 03/18/08 - ACAL Continues Environmental Mission in 2008 11/09/07 - Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust 10/26/07 - A good read - The Adirondack Atlas 10/12/07 - New York State Opening Meeting Law 09/28/07 - ACAL Fall Foliage Auction Oct. 5 09/21/07 - Integrity found in the Town of Ava 09/14/07 - Tug Hill resources have been targeted 08/19/07 - Fair and straighforward journalism? 08/10/07 - A Needed Appreciation for Nature 08/03/07 - New York State Municipal Home Rule Law 07/27/07 - Boonville Village Litter/Debris Local Law 07/19/07 - Black River Landing Subdivision Issues 07/13/07 - WTE vs. Landfills 06/29/07 - Too many impaired waters - Black River Watershed 06/22/07 - Protecting our drinking water starts at home 06/15/07 - ACAL Joins Northern Forest Alliance 06/07/07 - ACAL Holds 200/20 Drawing & Picnic, Annual Meeting 06/07/07 - ACAL AWARDED GRANT 06/01/07 - Be a solution - get involved 05/25/07 - American flags do not belong in landfills 05/24/07 - PRESS RELEASE - ACAL Signs Stolen & Vandalized 05/18/07 - Reality check for the DEC 05/04/07 - All citizens are called to act responsibly 04/27/07 - "An Inconvenient Truth" 04/13/07 - Citizens Deserve the Whole Truth ... 04/06/07 - Great Lakes United & Citizen Resources 03/30/07 - "What is the future of local government?" 03/23/07 - Citizens Expect More From Local Government 03/16/07 - Plastic Grocery Bags Harm Wildlife 03/09/07 - The Precious Gift of Water 03/02/07 - Working Together to Protect the Environment 02/26/07 - Grassroots groups are citizens who care! 02/16/07 - Local Citizens Want Environment Protected 02/09/07 - Open Letter to Boonville Town/Village Officials 02/02/07 - Ava Landfill Story Told in Chicago 01/26/07 - It's time for New Yorkers to reclaim their rights! 01/12/07 - CITIZENS' RIGHTS ARE NOT FOR SALE! 01/05/07 - "DO NOT LITTER" Applies to Everyone 12/15/06 - "March of the Penguins" 12/08/06 - Be "good news" in the community 12/01/06 - Moose Creek Prediction - 12 years ago! 11/22/06 - United Haulers v. OHSWA 11/17/06 - A Citizen's Rights 11/03/06 - EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE 11/01/06 - ACAL statement regarding opening of landfill 10/24/06 - OHSWA Opens Landfill Without Required DEC Permit 10/20/06 - OHSWA required by DEC to have proper permit 10/13/06 - Dr. Bob Johnson Speaks at Public Forum 10/06/06 - OHSWA Fails to Deliver 10/04/06 - PRESS RELEASE - Court Denies OHSWA Motions 09/26/06 - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 09/21/06 - If OHSWA knew what they were doing ... 09/08/06 - Joint Board Resolution Revisited 08/28/06 - A Special Message 08/11/06 - Who will save the Town of Ava? 07/21/06 - The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes! 06/10/06 - Honoring Flag Day 05/19/06 - Local Residents Demand Protection for Environment 05/12/06 - The Foundation for a Better Life 05/05/06 - ACAL will pursue justice 04/28/06 - "Tug Hill, A Threatened Paradise" 04/21/06 - NYS environmental law contradicts State action 04/13/06 - The Tug Hill Plateau is worth protecting! 03/22/06 - Press Release - OHSWA & Rifenburg Being Sued 02/24/06 - ACAL Finds NYSDEC Consent Out of Order 02/03/06 - ACAL Defends the Truth 01/02/06 - PRESS RELEASE 12/15/05 - ACAL Continues with its Mission 12/01/05 - Tug Hill Heritage 11/23/05 - Boonville Breaks Resolution 11/06/05 - October 2005 OHSWA meeting 10/28/05 - NYS Waste Disposal Policies Not Enforced 10/21/05 - Environmental Conservation Laws 10/12/05 - Response to Village Trustee 09/23/05 - OHSWA Permit Violations 09/16/05 - ACAL Misinformation 09/07/05 - Press Release: DEC Enforcement Action 08/24/05 - ACAL Misinformation 08/05/05 - It's never too late 07/22/05 - Citizens, stand strong - DO NOT NEGOTIATE! 07/15/05 - PRESS RELEASE - Problems on Ava Landfill Site 07/08/05 - The truth must be told 07/07/05 - WBRV Statement #5 - DANGER to our drinking water 07/06/05 - WBRV Statement #4 - Polluting landfills kill 07/05/05 - WBRV STATEMENT #3 - Boonville Poll Not Official 06/29/05 - WBRV Statement #2 - Landfills provide NO benefits 06/27/05 - WBRV Statement #1 -Towns must stick together 06/24/05 - Waste to energy facilities better alternative 06/17/05 - Boonville boards break agreement 06/17/05 - Slope failure sends mud into Moose Creek AGAIN! 06/12/05 - Environmentally safe alternatives to landfills 05/27/05 - Town of Ava will file an appeal 05/22/05 - Dynamite blasting on landfill site? 05/15/05 - Oneida County in Trouble 05/08/05 - FACTS and What You Can Do 05/01/05 - Community Gathers for Prayer Service 04/24/05 - Personal Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi 04/17/05 - Power of Prayer 04/03/05 - The Waste Authority Must Be Stopped! 03/27/05 - Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi 03/20/05 - OHSWA Propaganda 03/13/05 - Letter to Griffo - Put Words into Action! 03/06/05 - Get involved in your community 02/27/05 - Assemblyman Townsend Has Concerns Re: OHSWA 02/06/05 - Power of the Press 01/24/05 - Legislator Pam Mandryck Opposes SWA Reappointment 01/02/05 - Weeks of 1/2 - 1/16/05 12/22/04 - Response to letter 12/12/04 - Senator Ray Meier Favors Ava Landfill 11/28/04 - Proud Heritage 11/14/04 - Oneida County chooses - for the people, or not? 11/07/04 - Letters sent to Governor and NYS Senators 10/31/04 - Ava/Boonville future - NO DUMP! 10/28/04 - Letter to Governor Pataki 10/24/04 - Environment Justice All the Way! 10/22/04 - Press Release 10/17/04 - No Civil Rights for Ava Residents 10/10/04 - Article 78 Lawsuit Against DEC Commissioner Crotty 10/03/04 - 400+ Days and Still Fighting! 09/27/04 - Family Home Threatened 09/26/04 - Important Facts to Know About the Ava Landfill 09/19/04 - Letter from Concerned Citizen 09/12/04 - Small Town of Ava Dragged into Court by OHSWA 08/29/04 - Where Do Your Loyalities Lie? 08/22/04 - Beaver Dam Incident Still a Mystery 08/15/04 - Ava-Boonville-Lewis Joint Boards Resolution |
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