Buffalo Rising Online

Beautifully stated Bill. Even if a person doesn't think the health issue will really affect them, they must realize that the cost of an epidemic affects ALL of us in health care and tax rates. The PBA and traditional media only spoon-feed the public a "need" for expediency & smoke-and-mirrors renderings of "progress", The PBA-preferred Alternative 1B-R3 has a $330 million budget on paper but, what are the hidden costs in health care, lost business-development opportunity and shattered self-esteem of an entire GATEWAY city?

The disheartening aspect would be if the truck traffic and plaza is squished onto what could have been a reclaimed historic asset — instead of having trucks re-located to an area where there is enough space to properly remediate the deisel exhaust. The "Front" and Fort Porter could co-exist with an auto/bike/pedestrian crossing AND become a beautiful Gateway entrance — while, the trucks could be handled downstream in an environmentally neutral way that might make Buffalo a "model city" for such technology. How is that not a win-win-win compared to 1B?

Dear VoiceOfReason,

Your comment is most awe-conspiring-- who wrote this drivel, Tokyo Rose? There are millions of trucks that are definitely nor covered in this meager myopic resolution. We're literally asthma-youth death-defining decades away from eco-value truck emission resolves, not 2010. Sorry, but that's the truth.

Your quote:

"The reference to exhaust fumes from trucks fails to recognize new technology that has dramatically decreased emissions. All 2007 model year engines have reduced soot by 90 percent and nitrous oxide by 50 percent. The Canadian Trucking Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the next generation of trucks that by 2010 will virtually eliminate smog emissions."

Just not true.

It just seems to me that with Buffalo staking a claim on high-tech and advanced science as a critical part of our renaissance, why CAN'T we expect better than "same ole thinking" on the pollution-solution? From what I understand, there are ways of capturing (even harvesting) deisel emissions — if the passage route is adequately designed to incorparate overhead vacuum and filtration devises. I'm no expert on this but, my understanding is that the RR corridor could allow such technology to be used and NO neighborhood would have to suffer. This COULD BE an opportunity to create a MODEL project that other cities would want to come here and LEARN FROM — in a good way, for a change!

The Ambassador Bridge Project promises MORE than the PBA, and likely still less than what we need and deserve, but they do propose this:

1. less diesel fuel particulate emmissions from less idling trucksnot needing to idle.

2. a vented commercial outlet neighborhood for any emmisions, specially studied to not harm a residential community

3. a geographical station and expanding lands for business to ammalgamate and grow as an international trade hub, impossible geographically a the PBA site.

4. a taxable private enterprise

5. competition to an authority that serves only an authority, the PBA

I do not care about the ABP in and of itself-- whatsoever.

I do care that 99% of Buffalo listening is listening only to PBA options thread to bear profits for the PBA alone.

People that hold jobs and influence in Buffalo are AFRAID to upset the ship that the PBA runs.

Hands are in every till wherever you look. Asthma kids are dying, but that's okay for those that covet looking the other way.

I do care that this health issue is number one-- go ahead and exert pressure on the ABP-- they deserve a scrutininzed eye too-- but Do Not Let the PBA off the Health Hook.

The asthma health issue caused by the PBA is huge. It's like watching a clock...every once in a while as time passes, a click on that clock pops up another kid with asthma...and once in a while, they die.

That's the issue. If you have an answer for that, make it good-- because the PBA expansion only proposes an exaggerated version of the current epidemic health problems.

Other cities have three, four or more bridges. Our PBA Troll wants only ONE. This lizard on our tired shoulders must be stopped and stomped upon.

The PBA takes troll tolls 24-7, and gives nothing in return. They say they do, but is a tiny community PR budget that gives foolish little. They shared pants with Fort Erie's mayor and built a skate stadium and more, sure, to keep pockets happy. But the PBA does squat in reality.

The ABP would be privately financed, run like a business, not like a communist gulag authority like the PBA.

If anyone likes an authority agency, it's only because their connections to such a pathetic structure of rule that is totally-- Totally undemocratic-- is to their private job security they lay reverence only.

State Auhtorities are misnomers ion a democratic society-- they are soley there for politicians to corrupt the process without public say.

They make people afraid, weak, unwilling to express opinion. Authorities are in they very essence evil and undemocratic. Name even ONE that is good.

What, the NFTA? Love 'em, right-- what they've done to several generations starving them from the waterfront?

Robert Moses loved authorities too-- his own. The guy never even had a drivers license, but he ripped lives and neighborhoods equal to Hitler and Mussiolini. He was a sick minded and evil megalomaniacal fop of a greedy and worst kind of person.

This whole issue is about health, not the wealth of a few. Build ten bridges if private funds are willing-- spread the wealth, the risk, the tax base, the region, -- and spread the diesel particulates that are killing neighborhoods.

There is a power vacuum for voice out there. We could speak up. We could gather a voice of strength.

When I went to the many public meetings at Buffalo Commion Council, and at Fort Erie's City Council, there were about 12 of us designates from various sources scheduled to speak at the podium against the PBA's intended plans. Against us were about an equal number but ALL of whom were paid by the PBA to speak. What does that tell you?

It simply tells you that free voices-- from science, medicine, community, and some from the Army Corp of Engineers (although retired) were willing to speak up and voice theobvious issues...but that No One was there aany time to support the PBA unless they received a paycheck from such.

The point is this not debatable: If you move to the West Side, you will have respiratory probklems within the first year. No one is void of this.

Too many current studies uphold this. If you want copies of these studies, contact me at wnysail@yahoo.com . I'd be happy to oblige and help you see the facts no one wants you to see.

Buffalo's been run over with the power of the too few too many times. We've got to take a stand this time.

Damp: what purpose does a smarmy comment like "Zimmerman acknowledging "free voices". Imagine the irony" serve in this discussion??? Zimmerman's comment states facts and opinions supported by personal experience and involvement. Does your pithy little comment seek to cast doubt upon his motives — imply that he might personally gain from a different bridge/plaza solution? Well guess what — we can ALL gain something if a SMART solution is achieved: a healthier community (lower health care costs), a gateway for tourism that we can design postcards around (as was done in previous generations) and a gateway for NAFTA that could open up business opportunities for citizens (taxes, jobs). Oh yeah, let's add in the aspire-higher goal of having the truck crossing so environmentally neutral that engineers from around the world come here to study it.

Rox — I'm not at all pie-eyed about AMG but, I do see them behaving a hell of a lot more like potential parners iin the community than the PBA has ever done! When I comment about the IRR corridor, it's is mostly without "committment" one way or the other to ANG (it's Ambassador-Niagara Group, right?) or the PBA managing it. Personally, I'd just as soon have Spitzer disassemble all Authorities starting with the PBA but… if we're stuck with them and there's resistance to private ownership, why can't State/Fed gov't mandate the PBA (or create a NEW one!) to do it there? Oh, I forgot, the PBA is trying to assert that they are not answerable to gov't (and in effect, that's why they were created — to not be influenced by partisan politics LMFAO!!!

Jiim Kane — besides the difference in wind current and speed (IRR compared to "The Front") what, if any, technology does your group expect to incorporate to reduce the deisel burden on all liviing things? That may be putting you one the spot since you don't have the full EIS yet but, you must be considering options? We've heard nothing on the subject from the PBA.

There is a pheonomenal amount of money that flows over the Peace Bridge each year-- over 25 billion-- and while millions of dollars in toll fees are collected at the PBA troll coffers, none of it stays in and for Buffalo-- we taxpayers only get the brunt of paying for the indrastucture that allows the trucks to escape away quickly.

Since the PBA is of, by and for the people, (legally) and yet hallowed into sovereignty by the mysteries of laws not confining an Authority of the State (the reality), we're all at a grave loss of power communication.

Our top leaders are extremely well supported by the PBA, and in essence Shut Up from defending our rights. Each of our politicians and community leaders are discretely told to pick their battles in their illustrious careers, in order to win their long strides, and if they want to play for the long haul in WNY, then just damn well stay away from the PBA! And sadly, they needs-must listen and comply, and Obey the PBA

This issue is about health, however. Listen to the ABG-- but demand the PBA answers the health issues at hand. There's more rugs covering over the community start-up discussion attempts with the PBA than you can imagine.

Do you know what an actuary study is? That's where GM does a prior study of how many deaths might occur if a certain vehicle enters the marketplace. Certain standards are met (sort of like a food product allowing just so many rat hairs percentage, etc). If the number of deaths resultant from expectations are low enough, the product comes off the assembly to the marketplace. The key ingredient is to avoid lawsuits, condemnation an insurance rate hikes.

Given that actuary table background, consider that the PBA's arrogant aggression with their project is to horrifically deny the health jeopardy and assault they plague upon a rsidential west side community.

What's more, the PBA is assertively held harmless-- they think-- because the health threats are covered up by mainstream media.

Warren Buffet was refused co-ownership investment years ago by the owner of the ABG there, and has since refused his reporters and editors their jiournalistic rights to give a fair hearing to the ABG. What's more, the Detroit onslaught would upset the financial holds balance of the Buffalo Few who think and are probably correct in assumptions that they alone run things here.

If millions of trucks make an entire community sick and kill several of them individually over time, ongoingly, the PBA is unapologetic to the final degree-- they are not threatened by lawsuits, nor insurance threats, nor anything as remote as legal assaults of any kind. They are impervious.

The actuary tables are well documented that the present exisiting format is indeed killing persons on a constant qualified time clock of a schedule... they know it...ignore it...and raise halos to their collective ignorant head.

The West Side of Buffalo is Ground Zero for asthma. It's not because of the vast industry there-- there isn't ANY at all. Heck, there's less cars per household even than in any other areas. Why then?

When approximately 14 delegations rose to podiums at Buffalo and Fort Erie public meetings, (delegrations are merely those individuals who sought a right to speak up) they were from so varied walks of life and interests, and we each and all spoke of the PBA health threats. What was unique is that Not ONE delegation from the side supporting the PBA was not under their payroll. Cover that fact over months and years of public hearings and it makes you wonder. No, it makes you sad and victimized.

Incidentally-- those who were community diligent enough to speak up at said meetings-- doctors, engineers, professors, homeowners, cancer and asthma patients and parents of patients, were all treated as if they were wandering wackos...community loudmouths, ignorant sloths of dreamerville, etc. Absolutely no respect.

At the Fort Erie hearing by the Town Council a couple years back the several delegations got up one by one to speak their peace-- individuals concerned about PBA health issues, and individuals on PBA salaries--- and all were cross examined after and during their speech by the Fort Erie Mayor (whose law firm repre$ented the PBA). The Council meeting lasted from 6 pm on a Monday night until 1:05 am that night.

I was there, and was ongoingly shocked at how the Fort Erie mayor lambasted me and each other speaker, cross examined us like a Southern Sheriff battering at a chain gang. He abused every member of his Town Council opposing him as well. He stole the several hour show. At 1:03 am, the Mayor said it's time to vote. Then, surprise; in a low gentlemanly tone of apology, the Mayor whisperingly "recused" himself from the voting process due to conflict of interest and bias. In another minute, the night was done, finished, and the Fort Erie mayor managed to badger the entire truth process on behalf of the PBA agenda.

I've never seen a public display of idiocy and greed overtake a democratic process to this transaparent an extent. And the PBA attorneys all sat there knowing they had a lock on our tuth and voice.

That's the sad, sick process at work here.

There's a little school kid trying to go to sleep tonight on the west side, and he'll wake his parents if he's lucky enough to get their attention that he simply Cannot Breath. They'll call an ambulance-- he'll get pumped with drugs, and the cycle will go on.

The clock ticks away and little kids on the west side of Buffalo are dying because of the controls of the PBA to ignore the health consequences of their ongoing actions in pursuit of money and greed.

Thje PBA shuts down debate. The PBA buys politicians. The PBA threatens careers if anyone speaks out against them. The PBA crushes the media from opening real debate. The Buffalo News complies.

Too many of the people who run Buffalo-- not you ar me-- know that there's a west side child or grandmother who will choke to death tonight or some night soon because they cannot breath. They know there's a woman happily seeking the pursuit of her life and career whose life will be cut short by cancer. It's all in the actuary tables. It's okay.

Clarkson University shows this news in their medical studies. So does Harvard Universioty. So does University of Buffalo. So does McMasters University. They've ALL been to ground Zero-- the West Side.

I don't want to cliose down the Peace Bridge. I just don't want any trucks to go over this intended car bridge.

I don't want the trucks to harm folks in Black Rock either.

I in fact Do want the Buffalo Community to crush the veritable wall put up by the PBA and the Media, and to Open the Discussion between the Community and the PBA and the Ambassador Bridge people.

Make it Only a health issue first. Then get your wealth concerns underway.

Health first.

Otherwise, bring on the lawyers and we'll supply the scientists' studies, plus the doctors, families, patients, and petitions and we'll take it another way...because one thing is for sure-- unless you kill us with asthma or otherwise, we are not going away.

We're going to gather, assimilate, and class act if need be. But we're not going away.

Remove the Trucks... or else...Tear Down That Bridge Mr. Koessler.

Bill: I wanted to compliment you on the image at the top of the post and wonder what was the event that had all those young people in that spot? Does it happen to be at (or even near) where Olmsted stood at the "bluff"? I know of some great old photos that show how lovely and accessible that part of our waterfront USED to be. hmmmmmmmm maybe Brian Higgins has seen them? Well, maybe when he was our Waterfront guy, before he became Highway-guy.