Quality Quest Coalition News Page 2006-2007-2008
P. O. Box 1174
Grand Island, NY 14072
President Jim Tomkins - 773-5268
Official Website
Quality Quest News Page 2000-2004
Quality Quest News Page 2005
Quality Quest to Show “Gasland” - April 2011
Quality Quest and Riverside Salem Environmental Chapel are pleased to announce a free showing of the famed award winning film “Gasland” on Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Nike Base (Golden Age Center), 3278 Whitehaven Road. The film was obtained through courtesy of Sam Hoyt’s office.
“Gasland” illustrates the process and effects of hydofracturing--forcing huge amounts of water and chemicals deep into bedrock in order to release the trapped natural gas found in formations like the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and parts of New York. Thousands of old gas wells around the nation have been “fracked,” but directional drilling now allows several wells to be drilled from one site, multiplying the amount of toxic and radioactive waste water to be disposed of. What is left underground is also a concern regarding its effect on our water sources. The intense new interest of oil drillers in Marcellus is of such concern to citizens in our area that Buffalo has passed a moratorium by which it hopes to prevent receiving fracking waste in the city sewer system. The EPA will soon render a decision on this issue, but it is advisable for citizens to be informed independently.
Bring your friends to share the experiences that gas drilling has had on many of our distant and not-so-distant neighbors. Refreshments will be served at the showing of this interesting and informative film.
Quality Quest To Address Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law - May 2008
Michelle Iannello, Erie County Legislator for Grand Island and Tom Hershey, Erie County Commissioner of Environment and Planning, will speak on enforcement of the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law at 7 pm. Thursday, May 22 at the Nike Base, 3278 Whitehaven Road. The meeting has been organized by the Quality Quest Coalition.
Dr. Jennifer Grant, NYS Integrated Pest Management Specialist at Cornell, will also speak on ways to reduce or eliminate the use of commercial pesticides and still have healthy lawns. Lawn pesticides can have adverse health effects, especially on children, pets, and wildlife and can enter our water table and waterways on runoff.
The notification law requires Commercial Lawn Applicators to give written notice to abutting properties with a property boundary within 150 feet of pesticide applications such as spray, dust or powders that are applied to the ground, trees or shrubs on private, outdoor property. The written notice must be delivered no less than 48 hours to such an application.
Homeowners - do-it-yourself residential applicators - are also covered under the law. If you are making a pesticide application to more than 100 square feet of property you own, lease or rent, you must post visual notification markers around the perimeter of the application site. Pesticides include common lawn fertilizers (liquids or granules) that contain pesticides to control weeds, grubs, and other common insects. Indoor applications around the foundation of your house do not require the posting of markers.
This law only will be enforced if affected residents are willing to complain abut violations. First time commercial violators can be fined to up to $1000 and up to$10,000 for multiple violations. Call Erie Co. Environment and Planning with complaints or for further information at 858-7070. For further information, see http://www.grassrootsinfo.org/pub/Unacceptable_Risk.pdf
Quality Quest Events - April 2008
The Quality Quest Coalition will host its annual shoreline clean-up at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 19. Participants are asked to meet Jim Tomkins at the Buckhorn parking lot.
Quality Quest invites the public to hear Diane Evans who will present a slide talk on her three weeks in Kenya and Tanzania in July 2007, including views of big and little game and a visit to the Maasai villages. The program is being held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24th at the Nike Base recreation hall at 3278 Whitehaven Road. For more information, call Jim Tomkins at 773 5268.
"State Of The Island Forum" - Dec. 2007
Quality Quest Coalition of Grand Island will sponsor a "State Of Grand Island Forum" from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Thursday, December 6 in the Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road. The forum's goal is to give town officials an opportunity to update the community on current Island projects as well as new projects on the horizon. Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, Long Range Planning Committee co-chairs Frank Burkhardt and Jim Sharpe and Town Board member Mary Cooke will give updates on issues and projects such as revisions in the town Master Plan that have been adopted or proposed for adoption. A power point presentation on new design and performance standards for businesses along Grand Island Blvd. will be given by Mr. Burkhardt. This presentation includes a discussion of the revision of the “town center” concept and of standards for landscaping, signage, buildings, tree plantings, etc. along the
Boulevard “business district.” The presentation will also include discussion of a Greenway project (“Fisherman’s Pier”), new and proposed bike path extensions, the Staley Rd. project, next year’s bridge re-decking project, etc.
Following the presentations, the floor will be open for questions. Refreshments will be provided.
Grand Island Candidates' Forum - Oct. 2007
Quality Quest Coalition will host a Grand Island Candidates' Forum from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, October 18th in the Grand Island Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road. See "Candidates' Forum for complete information.
Grand Island Beach Sweep - Sept. 2007
Volunteers are needed for the Grand Island portion of the Great Lakes Beach Sweep. The event will commence at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 15, 2007 at Riverside Salem Church, 3449 West River Road and continue until noon.
The shoreline cleanup is sponsored by Quality Quest and the United Church of Christ. Corporate sponsors include Waste Management Corp., John's Pizza and Subs, and Tops Market. For more information call 773-7621.
Quality Quest Hosts Assemblyman Hoyt, Senator Thompson - May 2007
The Quality Quest Coalition invites you to meet with Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and Senator Antoine Thompson at a meeting in the Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road/Nike Base from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2007. Quality Quest will ask Assemblyman Hoyt and Senator Thompson to address issues of concern, including the proposed Grand Island Greenway projects, State Park and overlook improvements, the whitehaven overpass, transportation services for senior citizens, entrance fees for Islanders to Beaver Island Park, the Bottle Bill, EZPass issues, etc. All Grand Island residents are invited to attend and to raise issues that our state legislators are able to take action on.
Quality Quest Events - April 2007
The Quality Quest Coalition announces the following April 2007 events:
• Saturday, April 21 - earth day event - clean up of Buckhorn; meet Jim Tomkins at the parking lot- near fishing area at 10 a.m.
• Friday, April 27 at 7:30 a.m. - Veterans' Park concession stand - meet to plant trees...refreshments - call Dorothy Westhafer if you can come 773 1720
• Sunday, April 29 - meet at the Riverside Salem cottage at 2 p.m. on the W. River - south of Bedell to help chip paths
Quality Quest Meeting - January 2007
The Quality Quest Coalition will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2007 at the Nike Base recreation center, 3278 Whitehaven Road, to hear members of LaSalle Pride, a similar organization, discuss their work, Greenway projects, etc. The public is welcome. For information, contact Jim Tomkins, 773 5268.
Hike-stroll Along Big Six Nature Trail Offered by Quality Quest - 2006
Quality Quest Coalition will sponsor a 9 a.m. December 2nd Hike-stroll with Jim Tomkins along the Big Six Nature Trail from the Nike Base, 3278 Whitehaven Rd. Wear boots. Call Jim Tomkins, 773 5268 for more information.
Quality Space Into The Future Through Use Of Conservation Easements - 2006 Quality Quest Coalition Press Release - Nov. 14, 2006 . . .Pat Szarpa will discuss how Grand Island can maintain quality space into the future through the use of Conservation Easements. Quality Quest Coalition is program sponsor of this free and open public meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, December 7, 2006 at the Nike Base Community Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road.
A new and innovative New York State law passed in April is the first of its kind in the nation to benefit property owners interested in land conservation. The law provides for an annual rebate to property owners of 25% of taxes paid on land permanently restricted by a conservation easement which has been donated entirely or partially to a government or to a land trust such as the WNY Land Conservancy. Property owners are eligible for a rebate of up to $5000 per year regardless of when the easement was created. Landowners can claim this rebate when they file their 2006 state income tax returns.
The protection of wildlife habitat, forested areas, open spaces, important wetlands and natural scenic spots is expected to increase across New York State because of property tax relief now available on easement restricted land. Landowners with modest incomes can conserve their land without sacrificing financial security. Successive owners as well as the original easement donor-owner benefit.
The recently appointed WNY Land Conservancy Executive Director Szarpa is a hiker, scouter and birder. She presented a power point program in September to the Town Board and Conservation Commission members concerning easements. On December 7, she will tell Grand Islanders about how they can protect property of 25 acres or more of ecological value forever. She describes herself as an “Overseer of Forever.”
The plus of the Conservation Tax Credit is that it does not reduce local property tax revenue, so there is no negative impact on town and county budgets.
87% of Grand Islanders in a poll taken in conjunction with the formulation of the Comprehensive Plan, said they prize the isle’s rural atmosphere. Here’s how it can stay this way forever.
Quality Quest Coalition will sponsor a 9 a.m. December 2nd Hike-stroll with Jim Tomkins along the Big Six Nature trail from the Nike Base, 3278 Whitehaven Rd. Wear boots. Call Jim Tomkins, 773 5268 for more information.
Quality Quest Coalition June Meeting - 2006
Margaret Wooster will speak on "Old and New Visions of Niagara's Power," at a Quality Quest meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2006 at the Nike Base recreation center, 3278 Whitehaven Road.
Wooster is coordinating the Riverkeeper work on the Niagara Greenway. According to a spokesman for Quality Quest, Grand Island is in a unique position with many Greenway possibilities; however there is a March 2007 deadline - come and share ideas. The public is invited.
Quality Quest Coalition Spring Meeting Schedule - 2006
Quality Quest Coalition lists the following spring calendar:
• Thursday, April 20 - 7 p.m. - Grand Island Memorial Library - Speaker, Master Gardner Sally Cunningham's topic: Harmony With Nature - how to build nature back into your yard
• Saturday, May 13 - 8 a.m. - Buckhorn Parking Lot - Do a Warbler Walk with Tom Burke
• Thursday, May 25 - 7 p.m. - Nike Base, Whitehaven Rec. Center - a family concert with Nan Hoffman
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