Author Topic: Isn't it amazing that a mayor backs this group? (Read 226 times)

Michael Caswell · « **on:** October 18, 2020, 10:53:32 am »

Despite all the scientific engineering articles written by folks like the USACE, ASDSO, FEMA and NYDEC, and a report by Rizzo Engineering, all stating that these embankment dams are downright dangerous, the Mayor of Pittsford STILL supports the radical and illogical STCC, and regularly posts on their Facebook page.

Isn't it amazing that a mayor backs this group?

Blows my mind!

Doug K · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2020, 09:34:55 am »

There is a very simple explanation for this phenomenon Mr Caswell, it's called the Gump Factor.

Just check the top of the list below for the answer about why a Pittsford Mayor, charged with PROTECTING a community, would ignore that job and instead EMBRACE a Facebook Group fighting against improving public safety in and around the Erie Canal.

This should be wake up call to every voter in Pittsford (and surrounding areas) to make sure citizens elect leadership that truly understands what the job in PUBLIC SERVICE entails... serving the whole public. And this should also help taxpayers spot a mayor who doesn't understand why the priority for increasing public safety should be greater that trying to increase the number of likes someone gets on a social media platform

Just to be crystal clear Mayor Corby, these overgrown canal embankments place Erie Canal Neighbors in constant danger of flooding. They also create a safety issue for ALL users of the NYS Canal System by falling branches from old end of life trees.

According to New York Canal Corporation's Notice to Mariners messaging, the NY Canal waterway or the NYS Empire Trail were CLOSED due to trees on more than a dozen occasions in 2020. Some of those trees could have badly injured either a trail users or boater as it fell, if they were unfortunate enough to be near it.

In fact, this anti-safety Facebook group you are supporting also showed images of trees blocking the walking trail a number of times... but didn't get the message.

https://ecna.createaforum.com/general-discussion/yet-another-tree-down-into-the-navigation-channel/msg1257/#msg1257

Mr. Corby, are you a Mayor for the whole community living along this canal or are you just working for your "base", who appears to be ignoring public safety along the Erie Canal Corridor in favor of "shade"?

Wake up and support the safety of all Pittsford residents living near or using the Erie Canal.

Doug K · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2021, 11:40:32 am »

Once again it's Robert Corby putting his "views & opinions" on the Facebook Group's space to try and rally the team to "fight fight fight"

And it's once again his "thumbs down vote" to the continued efforts being made by the NYS Canal Corporation, and it's parent company, the New York Power Authority, to rebrand the NYS Erie Canal System into a 21st century entity and make the Canal System a cost effective business for New Yorkers alike.

Mayor Corby's views seems to parrot anything this Facebook group says, or any other organization that speaks against changes being made along the Canalway. It appears for the most part, that Mr. Corby hasn't done his homework again and is simply stating what the NYS Preservation League has said about upcoming changes to the Canal Oversight Committees.

Most of what Mr. Corby says also appear to be contrary to the best interest of the public, and taxpayers.

Here's his new post to "rile up" the Stop the Canal Clear-cut Troops.

Now before I get into the part about stirring up this Facebook Group, let's look at what the NYS Preservation league stated... it's found on this website:

https://www.preservenys.org/advocacy-updates/response-to-governor-cuomos-30-day-budget-amendment-canal-system-revitalization-act-proposal

Here's the meat of their discussion, which is basically the NYS Preservation League CRITICISING a NYS Lawmakers Plan to eliminate the ORIGINAL New York State Canal Recreationway Commission, formed in 1992, and letting the NEWER Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission accept full responsibility for managing the system. That new commission was put into place in the year 2000.

This group somehow thinks that losing a redundant commission would not be in the best interest of New Yorkers, or the Erie Canal... sadly they don't pay the cost of having two Erie Canal Commissions doing the EXACT SAME WORK.

Of special note is the glaring inaccuracies in the Preservation League of New York's statement:

In 1992, the NYS Legislature created the Canal Recreationway Commission. According to the NYS Canal Corporation:

In addition to maintaining and periodically revising the Canal Recreationway Plan, the primary responsibility of the Commission is to make recommendations concerning the future of the Canal System. Embodied in the Commission’s vision are three fundamental goals:

Preserving the best of the past.... Enhancing recreational opportunities.... Fostering appropriate and sustainable economic development.

Given the overlap between the Canal Recreationway Commission’s purpose and goals and those stated in Governor Cuomo’s proposed Canal System Revitalization Act, we ask what purpose it serves to dissolve a commission that has not had an opportunity to meet since 2017, in order to create a separate and largely Governor-controlled entity?

Fake News Alert: Take a look at what the commission has been doing since 2017, including meeting to discuss their own future.

In fact here's more information on the ECNHC, the Erie Canal NATIONAL Heritage Corridor's Commission that has been working on improving the Erie Canal since 2000. This group and it's Heritage Corridor Commission have done more studies, generated more reports, and collected more data to support the work they have done than any other single organization, including the New York State Canal Recreational Commission.

There's a lesson to be learned here, it's about doing your own homework to find the line between fact & fiction.

It's about knowing the topic at hand well enough to navigate between the opinions & thoughts of those who simply don't like change, and the facts and truth of those who understand the real issues and are looking to improve them.

It's about understanding the sources of information, and knowing if they apply. The Preservation League of NY is great at restoring old buildings, but I would hardly trust their judgement on "old Erie Canal systems", that the owners themselves have already stated is failing and in need of immediate repair.

Ask yourself how many "unsafe embankment dams" has the Preservation League repaired in NY State?

Have they every managed a job that was under FEDERAL jurisdiction before?

In the end this decision being proposed by NYS Lawmakers is trying to do ONE THING, eliminate a "redundant" Erie Canal oversight commission. There are TWO of them now, one from 1992, based in New York State, and the other from 2000, which is part of the Federal level of the US Parks Service.

Some may boil this down to "out with the old and in with the new", but honestly, why would we want to PAY for two groups, when one will do just fine?

So... back to that "riling up" this Facebook Group Statement... because that is the most concerning affect of Mayor Corby's remarks

And with Mayor Bob's endorsement to fight against THIS particular Canal System change, the faithful Leaders & Followers of this Stop the Canal Clear-Cut group, jump right on board that bandwagon.

It's all about how "evil" the NYS Legislators are, how these people know nothing about their own property, and how they are making changes this group simply doesn't like. You read it in their Leaders' comments, and also the members who simply spread fake news, and destructive opinions along. Anyone who wants to deny this simple fact is just being blind to the truth

Read the first set of comments posted to Mayor Corby's Facebook Post:

I have to point out that the Facebook group's FOUNDER and Leader, Elizabeth Agte, even had to try and call out her own members, and their venomous tone.
It's noted in this set of comments but not the earlier ones to follow. This group has been patterned from Day 1 to spread ill will towards the Canal Corporation

Sadly her attempt to make this group more "productive" in their fight against canal change may be in vain as she has been one of the most people who spoke out rudely against the Canal Corporation, the Power Authority and ALL of it's leadership for the past 3 years. Go look at their website for yourself, to gain an understanding of just how negative she and her fellow leaders have been towards anyone trying to promote change along the Erie Canalway.

Here's more comments to that Robert Corby Post...

Not sure what is left to say except this...

Perhaps Mayor Corby should be more concerned with how to explain that his FIGHT against the Canal Corporation, and their Canal Embankment Integrity Work, is a stand AGAINST the safety of the general public, and in particular, his own Village & Town.

And perhaps Mayor Corby should spend a bit more time doing the job he was hired to do, and less time playing nursemaid & cheerleader to a Facebook Group that has done nothing but spread mis-information and "fake news" about Canal Safety, and fought to keep UNSAFE dams in our canal communities.

Pittsford... Let Mayor Bob know how you feel:

https://www.villageofpittsford.com/index.asp?SEC=A7FD3D35-1E8C-42E3-8A5D-EB8A7E75E186

List of References:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/374651252977621/

https://www.preservenys.org/advocacy-updates/response-to-governor-cuomos-30-day-budget-amendment-canal-system-revitalization-act-proposal

https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/senator-gillibrand-congressman-tonko-call-for-extension-of-erie-canalway-commission

https://www.canals.ny.gov/news/pressrel/2019/Task_Force_Named_To_Begin_Work_on_Revitalizing_Erie_Canal_Corridor.html

https://www.canals.ny.gov/news/crc/index.html

https://www.canals.ny.gov/news/pressrel/2018/new-york-state-canal-recreationway-commission-to-meet-november-19.html

https://orleanshub.com/county-legislator-appointed-to-nys-canal-recreationway-commission/

https://eriecanalway.org/leadership

Michael Caswell · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2021, 12:38:23 pm »

Isn't this The Pot calling the Kettle black? Ms Agte has cost the three towns at least $50,000 in legal fees for her group's interference with the NYPA. And I hate to think what she has cost the NYPA in lost time and delays in the inevitable.

Doug K · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2021, 09:09:26 am »

Here's the Summary of this new legislation for reinventing the NYS Canal System to enable it's repair, and insure it will become a sustainable entity for New York, and the US Parks Dept in this century.

It was released on the Canal Corporation website in the past few days.

https://www.canals.ny.gov/news/pressrel/index.html

This summary should clarify the goals of Canal Improvement efforts, and hopefully put people like Mayor Bob Corby & Boat US at ease that the Canal will be well taken care if by its new owners, the New York Power Authority.

http://www.canals.ny.gov/news/pressrel/2021/CANAL_REVITALIZATION_ACT_SUMMARY.pdf

After all, now this is becoming an issue across the whole United States, thanks in part to Boat US and a local Facebook group who now believes they have a new ally to fight against the New York Canal Corporation.

We have been in conversation with Boat US leadership, who were unaware of the many safety issues facing the NY Canal System when they posted their statement regarding Canal System stewardship. After the conversation with the ECNA they have started to look at the Canal Corporation websites dedicated to restoring safety of the canal, it's waterway, and trail.

https://www.boatus.com/news-room/release/last-minute-new-york-state-budget-maneuver-pr

Hopefully in the future, those who might think it is wise to criticise how the Erie Canal is being managed would do so with consideration of the substantial public safety issue the entire Canal System has become today. Mostly due to poor decisions of "past management" and "lost opportunities" for proper inspection & repair.

Communities, and their leaders, cannot, and should not continue, to deny the current public safety issues facing the NYS Erie Canal System and those responsible to repair these deficiencies, they do so at all the peril of all Erie Canal Neighbors

It would be better for ALL if some would just take a moment to understand their actions do not progress the necessary work to restore canal system safety. In fact it works to undermine the importance of Public Safety in and around the waterway.

Read more about this new plan, part of the Reimagining a safer, more sustainable and a 21st century Erie Canal

https://ecna.createaforum.com/notices-from-the-canal-authority/canal-corporation-releases-canal-system-revitalization-act-summary/

Doug K · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2021, 03:18:21 pm »

According to Mayor Corby he is working to save the canal, just check his latest post on this Facebook page.

By the way, that group, Stop the Canal Clear-Cut, well they are working to keep the canal embankments unsafe, and a serious public safety concern for all communities located around the NYS canal System. So much for "saving" anything.

Here's Mayor Corby's latest, which looks like his original which merely quotes the NYS Preservation Society position that "something is being lost". This is his complete message:

WORKING TO SAVE OUR CANAL

   The New York State Canal System passes through 200 municipalities, including 50 cities and villages and 5 of the largest metropolitan areas in Upstate New York. Over the last three decades, the canal has been leveraged as perhaps New York State's most successful economic tool to revitalize historic downtowns.

   The transformation of Pittsford Village's canal waterfront that I initiated as mayor has been recognized by the National League of Cities as the best village downtown revitalization effort in New York State. Pittsford has a lot at stake in the canal and in its future.

   Since assuming oversight of the canal system the New York State Power Authority (NYPA) has proposed changes that would truncate the system, destroy its connectivity and curtail boat navigation as we know it in a thinly veiled attempt to cut costs. This was done without consideration of the canal's economic benefits or its historic and cultural importance as a working National Historic Landmark.

   I am one of 6 of the 434 mayors in the state selected to serve on the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) Executive Board. NYCOM represents the interests of cities and villages throughout our state. Last year, using my connections in this position, I helped raise opposition from mayors across the state to NYPA's plan to not open the canal last season and to the proposed destructive proposals included in the "Reimagine the Canal" initiative.

   This year, when newly elected State Senator Samra Brouk informed me that NYPA had lobbied to insert last minute changes in the Governor’s budget proposal I swung into action again. The language in the budget affecting the canal was quietly added at the last minute with no public discussion and no canal stakeholders input. Samra forwarded me the full language of the proposed bill and asked for my comments which I then provided. I then contacted Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes and told her about the bill and explained my concerns.

   My next step was to speak to my contacts at NYCOM, the Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor, and the Preservation League of New York State to share what I knew and to find out as much as I could about bill and its implications. I then posted a summary of the information I had gathered on social media.

   Two days later, I was contacted by NYPA and the Canal Corporation to set up a meeting. In the meeting I asked a number of questions that were deflected and of course was given no explanation of why this bill was being pushed in a very clandestine fashion.

   To ensure NYPA's proposal gets open public discussion, I have been working with NYCOM Executive Director Peter Baynes to schedule a virtual roundtable meeting including canal city and village mayors and other key stakeholders.

I will continue to report progress as this situation evolves.

For more information on why the proposal concerns canal users, refer to the statement below from the Preservation League of New York State:

   The Preservation League of New York State is New York State’s statewide historic preservation nonprofit. We lead advocacy, economic development and education programs across the state. We believe that the power of our New York State Canal System, a National Historic Landmark, is rooted in its history, authenticity as a continuously operating end-to-end canal system, vibrancy, and ability to leverage tourism now and in the future.

   Upon reading Governor Cuomo’s “Canal System Revitalization Act” proposed in a 30-day budget amendment, we believe that actions taken with respect to our National Historic Landmark treasure should be done with transparency and thorough, meaningful public engagement.

   While the Preservation League encourages and supports meaningful investment in our National Historic Landmark NYS Canal System, we have concerns with the bill’s stated Legislative findings and statement of purposes, as well as the actions and goals that follow.

   In 1992, the NYS Legislature created the Canal Recreationway Commission. According to the NYS Canal Corporation: In addition to maintaining and periodically revising the Canal Recreationway Plan, the primary responsibility of the Commission is to make recommendations concerning the future of the Canal System.

Embodied in the Commission’s vision are three fundamental goals:

o   Preserving the best of the past.
o   Enhancing recreational opportunities.
o   Fostering appropriate and sustainable economic development.

Given the overlap between the Canal Recreationway Commission’s purpose and goals and those stated in Governor Cuomo’s proposed Canal System Revitalization Act, we ask what purpose it serves to dissolve a commission that has not had an opportunity to meet since 2017, in order to create a separate and largely Governor-controlled entity?

The Canal System Revitalization Act proposed substantive changes to our National Historic Landmark NYS Canal System including removal of important preservation considerations, and therefore deserves opportunity for open presentation and discussion outside of the 30-day budget amendment process.

The Preservation League strongly urges the NYS Legislature to strike New Part VV from the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation (TED) Bill and ask Governor Cuomo to engage in an open and transparent conversation about the purpose and goals of dissolving the Canal Recreationway Commission and establishing significant funding authority to a new and duplicative New York State Canal System Revitalization Trust.

Wow, that is a good note, but how much of it is true?

Now on the surface this all may appear to be fact, but it is mostly opinion, based on the Mayor's understood position that "any change to the Erie Canal is a bad one". The following post will show that perhaps Mr. Corby & the Preservation League of NYS may be omitting information that would help the PUBLIC make an informed decision on whether their efforts should be supported. Because it's always good to have a well informed public when decisions like this are made.

What Bob Corby and the Preservation League ARE NOT telling you all is that there are way too many "canal oversight committees" now. They must know of them, they just seem to be choosing to ignore this simple fact, because it doesn't suit their argument.

This is a little history on another "Canal Commission"

https://buffalonews.com/news/article_7db756bc-694a-51da-b202-9e622bfd2fcb.html

Mayor Corby et all, also do not want to share freely that there is a NEWER commission formed to oversee the Erie Canal than the one he says is going to be abolished from 1992. That new one, well it is on the Federal Level and was put into place by and Act of Congress in the year 2000

https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/5375/text

It's called the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, and it has it's own Canalway Commission and Comprehensive Canalway Plan. You will see images from the Erie Canal National Heritage groups website below

https://eriecanalway.org/resources/preserve-plan

https://eriecanalway.org/leadership

So what is being done that Mayor Corby, The Preservation League of New York and a Group from Virginia called Boat US do not like?

Some might call it Eliminating Redundant Canal Oversight.

Some might call it Prioritizing a Federal Government Oversight Committee

But those won't fit the narrative that these "special interest" groups want to present it seems. They would rather spread mis-information about what's at the heart of this proposed change, better to tell New Yorkers they are "losing control" of the Erie Canal. than to be honest and say it's in the hands of the Erie Canal National Heritage group, working with the US Dept of the Interior.

Truth is so hard to find these days, and the words of folks like Mayor Corby do not help.

There's more to come on this topic... Next we will take a look at the inner working of the NY Canal Recreationalway Commission. The ECNA has uncovered a few skeletons in that closet regarding it's members who have quit because they were being asked to provide proof they were conducting matters ethically.

Go and read the webpage - https://www.canals.ny.gov/news/crc/index.html

Upon its formation, the Commission was instructed to develop a conceptual framework for fostering the development of the Canal System into a recreationway system. As a result, the Canal Recreationway Plan was prepared and was adopted by the Commission in August 1995. In September 1995 the Canal Corporation Board adopted the Recreationway Plan with the stipulation that a detailed schedule of costs, funding and phasing be prepared for the Plan’s proposals prior to implementation.

The New York State Canal Revitalization Program was completed in September 1996. The $32.3 million, five-year program presented a realistic approach to Canal System development. It focused on four major elements: Canal Harbors, Canal Service Port and Lock Projects, the Canalway Trail, and a Canal System Marketing Plan.

And we also will do a little information piece on Boats US, who's website shows they are very much against the Reimagine the Canals effort in New York State as it would place the needs of ' human powered watercraft' ABOVE that of gas-powered boats.

Boat US supports a very motorized "reimaging" of the Erie Canal, and doesn't think the Reimagine efforts to increase kayaks & canoes is "in New Yorkers best interest"

https://www.boatus.com/news-room/release/boatus-urges-new-york-state-boaters-snowbirds

This group has several news stories that are critical of the new canal owners/caretakers, NYPA, and their members discuss topics like the delayed Canal Opening in 2020 due to Covid, as well as the current plan to "decommission" the NY Canal Recreationalway group, which we now have shown is due to it becoming obsolete.

https://www.boatus.com/news-room/release/boatus-questions-work-stoppage-on-the-erie-ca

Remember what has been said about a "well informed public", it's up to all of us to understand who's pedaling truth and who's not.

That why many posts on the ECNA contain pictures & website links to help everyone wade through the BS

Michael Caswell · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2021, 12:22:53 pm »

Corby is no more - as Pittsford Mayor!

https://ecna.createaforum.com/village-and-town-taxes/corby-loses-mayoral-election!/msg1437/?topicseen#msg1437

Michael Caswell · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2021, 08:19:22 am »

Mayor Corby lost the election. He's been deposed!

Perhaps this is a clear indication that village residents are more concerned about their safety living under dangerous dams, rather than worrying about a few old Cottonwoods?

https://ecna.createaforum.com/village-and-town-taxes/corby-loses-mayoral-election!/msg1437/?topicseen#msg1437

News:

Author Topic: Isn't it amazing that a mayor backs this group? (Read 226 times)

Michael Caswell

Isn't it amazing that a mayor backs this group?

Doug K

Re: Isn't it amazing that a mayor backs this group?

Doug K

Pittsford Mayor Corby tries to Rally Facebook Group with More Fake News

Michael Caswell

Re: Pittsford Mayor Corby tries to Rally Facebook Group with More Fake News

Doug K

Canal Corporation Canal Revitalization Act is not popular with Mayor Corby or Boat US

Doug K

Is Mayor Corby really working to SAVE the Erie Canal? If so, from what?

Michael Caswell

Re: Pittsford Mayor Corby tries to Rally Facebook Group with More Fake News

Michael Caswell

Re: Isn't it amazing that a mayor backs this group?