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ACAL NewsRecent Documents...
News Updates...ACAL News – Week of October 12, 2007For folks who don’t know, and most do not, there was an 11:00AM meeting scheduled for Friday, October 5 at the Boonville Office Building on Route 12. The meeting, including Senator Joe Griffo, Assemblyman Dave Townsend, former Mayor Dave Ernst and three of five Boonville Village Trustees, was cancelled at the last minute. Why? Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblyman Townsend cancelled the meeting after being notified by a Village Trustee the meeting had not been properly announced to the public and had deliberately excluded some of the Village Trustees. Purpose of the meeting: To discuss community matters relating to the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s landfill in Ava. According to a legal source, the individual(s) who were planning to hold this meeting violated New York State Open Meetings Law, which clearly states that public access to an open meeting cannot be restricted. “The open meeting requirement applies to the entire decision-making process, not just vote taking; even a series of phone conferences (or any other series of communications) involving less than a majority (of the board) that results in a decision violates the law. When there is intent to evade the law by ensuring less than a quorum or majority is present, such intent violates the law.” It is a sad and appalling fact that “back room” meetings still take place among government officials. One would hope that elected officials would choose not to engage in unethical politics and leadership. Such behavior is hurtful to the communities they represent. Leaders are role models and they should act as such. There is big difference between local boards deliberately evading the public and those trying to do what is right. The following notice has been published in local newspapers: The Ava Town Board has scheduled a public hearing to be held on October 22, 2007 at the Ava Town Hall commencing at 7:00 PM and continuing until all those desiring to be heard are heard. Purpose of the hearing is to hear comments from the citizens as to what they expect or don't expect of the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority in return for Ava hosting the landfill. All persons having an interest are encouraged to attend and make a statement. The Ava Town Board fully intends to present a transcription of the comments heard at this hearing to the Waste Authority in the very near future. Written statements will be also accepted prior to the close of the hearing. Town councilman Alex Stempien further explained in an email, “There will be a stenographer present and she will provide the Town Board with a transcription of the comments. The transcript will be then be presented to the SWA for their response ... A negotiating committee will be appointed by the Town Board in the near future but not until after the public hearing. Persons wishing to be on this committee should so state at the hearing.” Mr. Stempien also made it perfectly clear that, “Any person may speak.” It appears the Ava Town Board knows the rules. A requirement of opening meetings is that anyone is welcome to attend. One does not have to be a resident of a town or village in order to attend a meeting, and attendees are not required to give their names or where they reside. Keeping the rules in mind, another public hearing is being held on October 22, 7:00PM at the Boonville Office Building. The Town of Boonville Planning Board is holding a public hearing to consider the application of James Ferrari aka Black River Land Co. LLC for a subdivision known as Black River Landing Subdivision I. A proposed residential development is being planned on the Black River in the Town of Boonville. The project, originally proposed in the Towns of Boonville and Forestport, has been reduced to Boonville only. However, the development has caused concern on the part of environmental groups and local and county officials due to its location, which borders and includes the banks of the Black River. Proper land stewardship is also another concern. Several years ago, the present owners were fined by the Department of Environmental Conservation for cutting down trees on a designated tree farm. Citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing or write a letter expressing personal concerns and viewpoints regarding the proposed development. Finally, there is one more event scheduled for October 22 – the Boonville Village Board meeting. All citizens are encouraged to attend. Due to the fact there are three important meetings going on at once, citizens may wish to select one meeting to attend, and write letters to the boards expressing their thoughts and opinions regarding the other issues Citizens are a community’s greatest resource. With added input and accountability, local government can only benefit from their involvement. Jacki Chamberlain, ACAL Director of Communications 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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