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Challenger Community News • January 14, 2015
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: It was Antoine Thompson Who Spearheaded the Pushback Against Fracking! Dear Editor: In December a long-awaited study released by the Cuomo administration determined that hydraulic fracturing could pose “significant public health risks.” The result is that fracking would not be allowed anywhere in New York State for at least several more years.
At this incredibly happy moment, I want to congratulate Rita Yelda, Drilling Defense, Food & Water Watch, the Sierra Club, and so many others for their wonderful work in the face of the powerful fossil fuel industry. This is truly an incredible grass roots victory where millions of courageous
bid Buffalo City School District Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the Office of Plant Services, 403 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. On February 5, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for: Project #0050-008 BPS #99 Stanley A. Makowski Early Childhood Center Phase 2 Interior Renovations 1095 Jefferson Avenue Buffalo, NY Bids will be opened for a single General Prime Contract. Beginning Monday, January 12, 2015, bidding document packages may be reviewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at www.avalonbuff-planroom.com, under “Pubic Jobs,” or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777. Owner can assume no responsibility for errors, omissions or other misinformation obtained via other bid document distribution resources. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at the school on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.; please assemble at the main entrance. The Architect will be present. Eligible bidders are required to attend this walkthrough or another previously arranged and documented site visit with Architect and District personnel. Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. For any questions regarding this project, please contact Kideney Architects, PC at 716-636-9700. Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Facilities Planning Buffalo City School District Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the Office of Plant Services, 403 City Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14202. On January 28, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for: BPS #95 - Waterfront Elementary School Mechanical Systems Reconstruction SED#: 14060001-0095-016 Bids will be opened for the following four (4) prime contracts: General; Electrical; HVAC; and Plumbing. Beginning Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at www.avalonbuff-planroom.com, under “Public Jobs”, or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777. Owner can assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or other misinformation obtained via other bid document distribution resources. Any questions on this project should be referred to Rich Polak at Wendel by email: rpolak@wendelcompanies.com. Final request for information shall be submitted in writing by January 21, 2015 by 1:00 p.m. Final addendum shall be issued on January 22, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Facilities Planning
individual sacrifices have added up to a momentous victory. I also hope people take a moment to remember that it was Antoine Thompson who spearheaded the pushback against fracking within the NYS legislature as Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee! It was Antoine Thompson who was the first NY legislator to drive to Dimock, PA, to talk with courageous residents there who continue to fight back against the destruction caused by fracking. It was Antoine Thompson who filed 64 pages of comments criticizing the DEC’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement in December 2009, when approval of hydrofracking appeared to be sailing through state government. It was Antoine Thompson who first brought “Gasland” film maker Josh Fox to Albany to speak and show the film to state legislators, as well as to Buffalo to spread awareness of the issue here. It was Antoine Thompson who took a 2nd trip to Dimock, PA, and brought sever-
CHARTER SCHOOLS
al fellow NY State Legislators with him to witness first-hand the destruction caused byfracking. It was Antoine Thompson who helped lead the charge for a moratorium on hydrofracking in 2010 at the highest levels of NYS government, when many saw it as a political impossibility. It was Antoine Thompson who withstood enormous pressure from fossil fuel interests and stood up for New York’s environment. This is the same Antoine Thompson that our local media has taken every opportunity to villainize, and who lost the 2010 Senate election by about 500 votes. He could have remained silent or passive on hydrofracking and saved himself of a bunch of trouble, but didn’t. I am proud to consider Antoine Thompson a friend and congratulate him, as well as so many others, on this great day. I called the Governor’s office to thank and congratulate him on this fantastic decision and hope you will too - 1-518474-8390. They give you the option of leaving a message or talking with an aide. -Bill Nowak
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liberations on the plans for the out-of-time schools, listen for the promotion of these charter schools: Tapestry, Charter School for Applied Technology and the Health Sciences Charter. Like everything else, language plays an important role in the campaign to privatize public education. The designation of “high performing” will specifically be used to describe these schools. This descriptor serves to differentiate these charters from other charters as the reality is that many charters are no higher performing than their counterparts in the public sector. What will these charters provide to the students, who are currently attending the out- of- time schools? That should be a critical question. Keep in mind, however, that their requests are for the buildings and contents, not to serve the current students. Make a special note that there was no request to take over Lafayette, the only school of the four that was not renovated as part of the Joint Schools Construction Project. More about the charter school requests in the next article.
ROOMS FOR RENT Rooms for Rent: Delavan and Oakgrove ; Bailey and Delavan, everything included. Only things needed is your food and clothes. $325 - 450 plus deposit. Call 716-
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Business for Sale: Main Street, Theatre District. Great Potential. 465-8696.