Community Benefits NOT Council Bribery

Mayor Brown, along with Larry Quinn and Jordan Levy of the Canal Harbor Corporation is trying to strong-arm Buffalo Common Council members into approving the transfer of 13 acres of city land considered critical to the Bass-Pro anchored waterfront development project.

The Mayor and Harbor Corporation officials struck a deal regarding the land transfer that they now want the Common Council to approve. The deal was brokered behind closed doors and with no council or community input.

The bait being offered - $1 million to each Councilmember for district improvements.

A quick review of the deal reveals it for the sham it is –

• The Councilmembers will have little input into how money gets invested in their district.


• Nothing in the deal the Mayor and the Corporation want approved is enforceable or binding.

In March of this year, the Common Council voted unanimously to condition their land transfer on the successful negotiation of a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) with the 40-plus member Canal Side Community Alliance.

Please call your Common Council Member today to tell him/her to stand by his/her decision requiring a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) for the Canal Side project.

It is vital that the Council know their constituents are behind them on this issue, which will have a huge impact on our region far into the future.

The Common Council could act this coming Tuesday, July 27 at 1pm to call a special session and vote on the land transfer.

ACT NOW – Tell your Councilperson to support long-term benefits for the Community (Phone Numbers for the Council Listed Below).

• No Special Session. No Land Transfer without community input and until a binding and enforceable agreement is negotiated.

• The Harbor Corporation just initiated talks with the Canal Side Alliance. Demand that the Harbor Corporation stay at the table to negotiate a CBA.

• Congressman Higgins just gave Bass Pro a 2-week ultimatum. The whole project is suddenly in doubt. You can’t transfer the land if you don’t know what it is going to be used for.
  

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT –

Faith Leaders Speak Out in Support of CBA:

Monday, July 26th

11am

In Front of City Hall

___________________________

Common Council Committee Meeting

Tuesday, July 27th

1pm

Council Chambers – 13th Floor of City Hall


For more information contact Micaela Shapiro-Shellaby at 892-5877
Buffalo Common Council Contact Information:
Rich Fontana – 851-5151
Joseph Golombeck – 851-5116
David Franczyk – 851-4138
Michael Kearns – 851- 5169
Demone Smith – 851-5145
Bonnie Russell – 851-5165
Curtis Haynes – 851-4980
Michael LoCurto – 851-5155
David Rivera – 851-5125

If you don’t know who represents your district on the Council, please refer to the chart on the website below:
http://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/Leadership/CommonCouncil