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ACAL NewsRecent Documents...
News Updates...ACAL News – Week of 13 April 2007In the April 4 Boonville Herald article entitled, “Boonville Trustees Approve OHSWA Benefits Package With Amendments”, there is one statement worth addressing in further detail. “Presiding at his last official board meeting Mayor David Ernst said that an outside law firm had reviewed the agreement and advised that they strike Item 20 from the proposed agreement.” Although “an outside law firm” did review the OHSWA proposal and highly recommended removing Item 20, the former mayor failed to disclose all of the information to the public. In the March 26, 2007 letter from Holly Austin of Hancock & Estabrook LLC of Syracuse to David Ernst, Ms. Austin stated, “A more thorough review of documents associated with the landfill, including the Authority’s permit applications, and the plans, maps, drawings and special conditions referred to and incorporated by reference into the DEC Permit 6-3024-00009/00007, may provide additional insight into the matter. In light of the Village’s need to receive an opinion on the Agreement within a short period of time, thorough review of all those documents was not possible. However, Hancock & Estabrook would be pleased to conduct the necessary review of the essential documents to provide you with a more detailed analysis in this regard. Please let us know if you would like us to conduct such a review.” Why didn’t the Village ask for a thorough review of OHSWA’s proposal? Why were they in such a hurry? Any conscientious attorney would concur that signing an agreement with any entity should always be thoroughly read, analyzed and reviewed. The law firm of Hancock & Estbrook was no different. Ms. Austin’s comments made it quite clear the firm believed the proposal should be thoroughly reviewed. But despite the professional recommendation of the Syracuse law firm, the Village Board “unanimously passed a resolution approving the OHSWA community compensation package”. It is quite apparent, the former mayor wanted a decision made by the board before he left office. This type of political decision-making is totally inappropriate and is cause for citizens to distrust local officials. What ever happened to government being the voice of the people? What is most puzzling, is how an individual who helped form Boonville’s only grassroots environmental organization in 1993 and served on its board for over ten years, could suddenly turn a deaf ear to the very group he helped to create. Sadly, it appears Boonville’s newly elected mayor Mike Kramer will offer the village more of the same. When asked by the Boonville Herald to share his feelings regarding OHSWA’s community compensation package, he answered, “I agree with the outgoing administration’s decisions to approve an amended version of the OHSWA compensation package as it affects the village. As an impacted community, the proposal softens, not eliminates, the inconvenience and disruption created by the transportation of trash through Boonville.” How does putting citizens’ rights, health and safety at risk “soften the inconvenience” of garbage trucks driving through the Village of Boonville? Why would the village make a hasty decision to accept a long-term agreement without a thorough review and analysis of OHSWA’s proposal, as recommended by the Syracuse law firm? What is also disheartening is how the Village and Town of Boonville has not sought pertinent information and knowledge regarding the Ava landfill from ACAL – a group which has continued to research and disseminate information regarding New York State landfills and the environment for almost 14 years. The best way for local government to build a strong community is by utilizing its citizens as a resource. Instead of continuing on with the same old approach to village board meetings, perhaps the new village administration may consider holding town meetings, like in the State of Vermont, where citizens’ opinions and concerns become a necessary part of the decision-making process. Jacki Chamberlain, Director of Communications Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL) 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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