Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) Buffalo, NY

New Policy Brief on Buffalo’s Sprawl

Megan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:36:40 +0000

PPG’s latest policy brief tackles one of our region’s biggest barriers to sustainable community and economic development in Buffalo’s Sprawl: Fiscal, Environmental, and Social Costs.

Other resources on sprawl can be found here.

PPG on New York State Redistricting Proposal

Megan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:15:56 +0000

Although nearly every legislator in New York State pledged to support independent redistricting, instead they have resorted to gerrymandering as usual. Common Cause has led an independent redistricting process and generated maps that are fair and impartial, proving that it can be done. New Yorkers now need to rise up and demand that lawmakers honor their promises and put an end to gerrymandering.

On February 16, PPG co-director Sam Magavern testified at a hearing before the New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) regarding the proposed reform maps. Read the full testimony here.

Prior to the hearing, PPG held a press conference with Common Cause NY. You can read about the press conference along with further coverage of the hearing here.

Cynnie Gaasch of Young Audiences of WNY on this week’s Public Good

Megan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:18:28 +0000

PPG has a radio show, the Public Good, each Tuesday from 1:00 to 1:30 pm on WUFO AM 1080. Each week we feature a PPG Partner or other person working toward the public good and discuss some of the region’s hottest issues.

Tune into the Public Good this Tuesday, February 21 at 1pm on WUFO AM 1080 or www.wufoam.com as host Sam Magavern speaks with Cynnie Gaasch, executive director of Young Audiences of WNY, about bringing arts and culture to children and students.

You can find previous week’s shows here.

Buffalo Poverty Research Workshop, March 2

Megan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:17:08 +0000

The third Buffalo Poverty Research Workshop offers everyone concerned with Buffalo’s poverty the chance to hear about new and ongoing research, promising strategies, and opportunities for collaboration. The workshop is designed for local scholars, social service agencies, advocates, and government leaders and staff, among others.

In addition to getting the latest data on local poverty, participants will hear about three innovative university-community collaborations: implementing the “Housing First” model to end chronic homelessness; teaching science and engineering in the Buffalo Public Schools; and improving health outcomes by paying heed to patient voices.

The presenters include:

Karen Carman, Hope Center director, Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY
Elizabeth McClam, director, Homeless Services Program, Lake Shore Safe Haven, Lake Shore Behavioral Health
Dale Zuchlewski, executive director, Homeless Alliance of Western New York
Joseph Gardella, PhD, John and Frances Larkin Professor of Chemistry, University at Buffalo
Daniel L. MacIsaac, PhD, Physics, Buffalo State College
Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, PhD, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo
Rona D’Aniello, RD, Diabetes Education Coordinator, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo
Sam Magavern, co-director, Partnership for the Public Good.

The Workshop takes place on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon (registration from 8:30 am) at the Education Center and Atrium, Olmsted Center for Sight, 1170 Main Street, Buffalo.

The Workshop is free and open to the public. To register, email Sara Gales, sara@ppgbuffalo.org, or phone Megan Connelly, 852-4191, ext. 110.

The Poverty Research Workshop is sponsored by the Homeless Alliance of Western New York, the Partnership for the Public Good, the University at Buffalo Civic Engagement and Public Policy research initiative, and the Western New York Service Learning Coalition.

Fight Corporate Power Training

Megan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:29:58 +0000

Fight for a Fair Economy is holding a training which will teach individuals how to help develop, implement, and change policies and practices that will result in an new economy that works for everyone. The training is Saturday, February 18 from 9am-12pm.

Who should come: Activists, leaders, and members of labor, community, faith organizations and anyone who wants to build their skills and strengthen the growing movement to confront corporate power.

The training will take place at the offices of 1199 SEIU located at 2421 Main Street, Suite 100 (near the First Niagara Bank)

8:30 Registration

Press Conference at noon!

For more information or to reserve your spot, contact the Coalition for Economic Justice at 892-5877

Advocacy regarding NFTA Service Cuts

Megan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:53:16 +0000

“Our partners are working on some of the key issues affecting our area like cutting pollution, reducing poverty, promoting good economic development. An adequate, comprehensive, affordable public transport system is absolutely key to all of those goals.”

PPG joined partner organizations VOICE, Citizens for Regional Transit, Buffalo CarShare and Green Options Buffalo yesterday at a press conference to call on state lawmakers to adequately fund the NFTA and avoid route reductions and fare increases. The group released PPG’s latest policy brief, State Funding for the NFTA Reduces Pollution, Fights Poverty, and Promotes Economic Development, supporting NFTA’s request for an additional $10 million in operating assistance and an additional eight megawatts in low cost power.

Check out the WBFO coverage here.

Save Buffalo-Niagara Transit is a current item on PPG’s 2012 Community Agenda.

Local Represents! Jonathon Welch on tomorrow’s Public Good

Megan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:45:16 +0000

This Tuesday, January 31, Jonathon Welch, owner of Talking Leaves Books, discusses buying local, independent bookstores, and the importance of bringing local business to Canal Side.

The Public Good is hosted by PPG co-director Sam Magavern. Listen on your radio or at www.wufoam.com.

You can find previous week’s shows here.

Rally at CanalSide: Support Buffalo Business, Not Big Business!

Megan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:24:26 +0000

Tomorrow, our friends at Buffalo First! have organized a rally calling for local and independent business be the anchor tenant for CanalSide and the Buffalo waterfont. The rally starts at 1pm at 95 Perry Street.
Economic vitality in our region requires the participation and passion from its residents. (This is what Democracy looks like!) Localizing and diversifying the projected “anchor tenant” makes good fiscal sense, not to mention preserves Buffalo’s unique identity. By supporting Buffalo business, NOT big business, we are investing in ourselves!

Join us on Thursday, January 26th at the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) headquarters to DEMAND that one of our region’s greatest assets be reserved for those who own it — US!

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Buffalo First! is petitioning the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) to make local business the “anchor tenant” at Canal Side.

Sign the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/erie-canal-harbor-development-corporation-make-local-business-the-anchor-tenant-at-canal-side

Make Local Business the Anchor Tenant at Canal Side

Megan — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:17:49 +0000

PPG partner and fellow Canal Side Community Alliance (CSCA) member Buffalo First! has created a petition calling on the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation to ” Make local business the anchor tenant at Canal Side!”

No more big retailers luring public money out of the state. No more entertaining corporations who pay poverty wages. What the CSACA collectively aims for is accountable real economic development.

Please take some time to sign the petition and pass it along. The CSCA’s goal is 500 signatures by the end of next week.

This petition is one piece to ensuring that the development of Canal Side brings prosperity and access to (first and foremost) people living right here in the Buffalo community. The petition is part of a 2 year campaign, demanding that our money used to promote economic development be spent wisely, effectively, and creates quality jobs, access to the public, and green operations.

For more information, check out the CSCA blog.

How to Boost Buffalo’s Recycling Rate

Megan — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:41:33 +0000

On Wednesday, January 4 at 4pm, PPG Co-Director Sam Magavern will lead a discussion of how to boost Buffalo’s recycling rate. Learn about Buffalo’s new program and best practices from other cities and help brainstorm about what more we can do in Buffalo.

This discussion will take place at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, 712 Main Street (corner of Tupper). Walk-ins are welcome, but, if possible, RSVP to Judy Einach at jeinach@yahoo.com. The discussion is part of a meeting of the Waste and Pollution Task Force of the WNY Environmental Alliance