By Rebecca Martin
Last night, the Kingston Common Council unanimously passed through an amended Water Powers resolution.
We will be following up with the Mayor’s office to get a date on the public hearing that is to occur in the next 10 days (the Daily Freeman reported 20) so that you can organize your schedules in advance to attend. This – after ten months – will be the last meeting of this sort and ask prior to the November ballot.
Thank you for your participation.
READ: Kingston Times Editorial “Moral, Business and the Moral Imperative” by Dan Barton
“We are pleased to witness the second reading of the amended local law regarding Water Powers to include the common council in municipal water sales outside of Kingstons corporate boundary this evening. Once passed, the legislation will be on its way to a referendum and a public vote this fall.
Shortly after February 13th of this year, when the Niagara Bottling Company choose not to locate to the area, our community was left with an opportunity to examine our charter and to consider who was to be included in the decision making process for water sales outside of our community.
Since then, KingstonCitizens.org and our great partners – some of which we am pleased to say are here tonight – have had the distinct pleasure to support you, our common council, as you have taken a very important step in identifying a solution to effectively protect the interests of the public whom you represent. You understand that the more eyes that are watching, the more minds that are aware of how their government functions – the more likely we can expect transparent outcomes.
Thinking about water and our watershed together as a people and elected/appointed body is new for our community. Some are calling it historic. That, is now a part of your legacy and its something to be very proud of.
So thank you, to all of our council members and council president for your collective concern, smarts and follow through on this matter. Swiftly, you addressed a glaring item and your action tonight illustrates great leadership to our community.”
– KingstonCitizens.org
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Rebecca Martin, KingstonCitizens.org: 4:38 – 6:55
Alex Beauchamp, Food and Water Watch: 7:00 – 9:10
Kate Hudson, Riverkeeper: 9:21 – 11:05
Kevin Smith, The Woodstock Land Conservancy: 11:07 – 15:59
Jennifer Schwartz Berky: 16:03 – 18:27
Johannes Sayre: 18:34 – 22:34
Rachel Marc0-Havens, Earth Guardians NY: 22:52 – 24:44
Aiden Ferris, Earth Guardians NY: 24:52 – 26:14
SECOND READING, COUNCIL SPEECHES. RESOLUTION PASSES!
