Kaisertown Coalition

At the July 12th meeting our guest speaker was Assemblyman Jack Quinn III who addressed many issues. One such issue is the fact that the State has too many Authorities and his willingness to eliminate many of them.

Councilman Rich Fontana announced that the city property tax has been reduced again. He is disappointed to see the playground equipment at Stachowski-Houghton Park breaking down and is fighting for new equipment. The Councilman asked for our help by calling 311 or writing a letter to the city complaining of their condition.

At our June 14th meeting, thru the office of Steve Stepniak, Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation, the Coalition received a flag standard and flag. It was presented by Dan Mahoney of the Engineering Dept. where it was fabricated.

The trees on Clinton St. were planted as promised by Dave Majewski of Premium Services, Inc. The businesses and residents are now asked to do their part by watering them on a daily basis.

At the May 10th meeting Erie County Historian Douglas Kohler gave a slide show presentation on the origins of Kaisertown and the surrounding communities. The members showed great interest and he was invited to come back in the fall for another presentation separate from our monthly meetings.

National Night Out 2010 is in the planning stages. So far, donations have been coming back and thank you notes have been going out. We have secured our location with Father Gary at St Casimirs and things are steadily moving forward.

The NNO committee consists of chairman Beth Sturm along with co-chairs Gregg Sturm and Kevin Mason, Eric Zarko and Sergeant-at-Arms, John Poniewierski.

The guest speaker at the Coalition's April 12th meeting was Steve Stepniak, Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation. It was very informative where Mr. Stepniak briefed everyone about the many departments that he oversees. Many improvements have been made, especially the newly installed tracking devices on garbage trucks and snow plows making it possible to send crews where needed. He answered many questions, among them: snow-plowing, garbage collection, street cleaning, pot holes, exterior cleaning around city owned buildings, signage, etc. Mr.

At the March 8th Coalition meeting Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy complimented the Coalition for their accomplishments in the Kaisertown community. He also spoke of improved library functions, 'Prime Time' funding for the Machnica Center, the South Park reconstruction project, revitalization of the Clinton St. business corridor as a priority, and the downsizing of the Legislature.

Members voiced concerns that Kaisertown is being forgotten, compared to other neighborhoods, as to such items as senior housing, and a transport van for doctor's visits for the handicapped and elderly.

At the February 8th meeting Ann Enger, Executive Director of the Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, reported that State Assemblyman Mark Schroeder will be addressing issues in Albany such as redistricting after the U.S. Census, Public Authority reform, a budget spending cap tied to the inflation rate, the Constitutional Convention, and proposing term limits such as six [6] two [2] year terms.

Last month's meeting was a good start for 2010. A presentation of the East Buffalo Good Neighbors Planning Alliance was made by Norman Bakos, Chairman, with technical assistant Bill Parke, a Community Planner. Neighborhood topics discussed were Zoning, Transportation, Economic Development, Demographic Profiles of Population, Median Age, Racial Composition and goals and strategies of the East Buffalo CNPA Neighborhood Plan.

The December 14th meeting was brief because we held our Christmas party afterwards. Many thanks to all who brought a dish to share with everyone. Everything was delicious and it was a good start to everyone's holiday partying. Memories from the past were shared with everyone and Christmas Carols were sung.

The Coalition members, on Nov. 9th, were given an update by Councilman Rich Fontana on various items as housing court cases are being processed faster, some garbage cans on Clinton St. have been salvaged, repaired, and attached to the lite poles, the $150,000 winterization contract for the Autumnwood Senior Center is slowly moving ahead, etc.