Coalition forms to bring growth awareness to communities
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

"You need to know that we need to grow."

That's a message one coalition of builders, developers and community leaders are looking to get across to government officials and residents throughout Western New York.

The Coalition for Community Building was unveiled during a recent press conference held in the Meadow Lakes Park overlooking the Meadow Lakes subdivision in Clarence.

Kevin Curry, president of the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association, said the location was chosen because after completion of the Meadow Lakes subdivision, the developer then donated the remaining land - where the park is now situated - to the town.

Curry said this type of relationship between developers, builders and the community is what the coalition is all about.

"Local governments are often confronted by angry residents whenever an economic development project of any kind is proposed," the CCB stated in a press release. "Even if a proposed project is in keeping with local zoning and master plans, it is not unusual for the most immediate neighbors to voice opposition."

The group said this type of attitude is now known as NIMBY - Not in My Back Yard.

"When local government officials are confronted with such opposition, and no other groups step forward to talk bout the positive economic and noneconomic benefits created by economic growth, the vocal minority often prevail, thus depriving the entire municipality and region of the one thing it needs most - jobs and wealth creation," the group stated.

Those supporting CCB include the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Amherst Industrial Development Agency, Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County, Associated Builders & Contractors, Bethel AME Church, Boys and Girls Club, Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, Buffalo

Niagara Enterprise, Ciminelli Development, Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters Local 289, Food Bank of Western New York, Set Free Buffalo, Williamsville Rotary Club and Uniland Development.

"We are very pleased that so many respected groups and leaders have stepped forward to lend their voice to this effort," said Curry, noting that the CCB will be headed by honorary chair Paul Koessler, "a leader in our community in the fields of economic development, education and numerous cultural and charitable activities."

Among the messages the coalition is looking to send is that the group was formed to "counter a growing "no growth" movement across Western New York."

With the area's "brain drain" topping news stories in all media outlets in recent weeks, the coalition's timing for action was right on target.

"The mission of the Coalition for Community Building is to educate our community on the need for an importance of a growing economy in our region," according

to the group's mission statement. "The CCB will be organized at the local level and will conduct advocacy campaigns for projects that create jobs, create wealth, strengthen neighborhoods and improve the individuals and community's quality of life."

Members of the coalition plan on becoming more visual at local meetings such as Town and Planning Board gatherings.

"Our next step will be to organize a CCB in communities throughout Erie County. It is absolutely essential that these groups be made up of respected and recognizable community leaders whenever they address growth issues in their respective towns," Curry said during the press conference.

"There's an old rule in politics that says, 'Whenever one side fights, it usually wins.' Up until now, small vocal minorities have been the only group in town halls when these issues arise," he said. "The CCB will guarantee a second group in the room and hopefully a more balanced approach to the issue of growth in a region that is desperately in need of growth."