All About Us
Our Start
Carroll Concerned Citizens was formed in 2004 when a group of area residents joined forces to research, organize, and vocalize concerns to protect and improve the quality of life in the Town of Carroll, Chautauqua County, NY.
Where Else You Can Find Us
We also have a Facebook page where information is posted. It is a closed group, so please allow time for your membership to be approved (usually within a day).
In the past we also had quite an extensive email list-- if you would like to be added to a new list for email updates, please send your contact information to us in the SUBSCRIBE section.
What You Can Do
The first goal for all our townspeople and surrounding residents and businesses is to be aware of what is happening around us.
Are the decisions made for the long-term best interest for our community? Are they short-sighted with only profit in mind? Will they entice more people to visit our beautiful area? Will they make our community members want to leave and live elsewhere?
The second goal is to be informed enough to speak out when things are not happening that are in the best interest of our community. We ARE our community. Who we are, and what we do, IS the community. So we need to make sure we have a voice in what is happening. No one will come in and 'save us' -- we have to take care of ourselves, and information is the best way to do that.
Notes about Legislative Hearing on Feb 7th
What are WE about?
We are about families
We are about neighbors
We are about a tight-knit community
We are about businesses
We are about health and happiness for our townspeople and visitors
Clean air
Clean water
Clean soil
Safe places to live, play, work, and raise a family
Happiness about our living environment and quality of life
Based on what we are about...
We have determined that we want businesses that will help us maintain, or increase
either our happiness, health, or quality of life for the long-term
It just so happens that Sealand Waste, LLC does not allow for this
Do you remember Sealand's 2004 public scoping document?
Well, they haven't given up on that. But they know that can't get that now. So they are biding their time.
This new public scoping document mentions BOTH
A single composite liner – to start with (explain why)
A double-composite liner – later, when they apply for 360-2 once they get their foot in the door for this permit
This proves that they are not concerned about meeting the needs of the town, or respecting the town's concerns. They have only made a 'temporary' change until they are approved. Then they will keep pushing until they get what they want. You've heard the expression 'give them an inch and they take a mile', right?
We are not against Sealand
I am not a FAN, but they are not the enemy.
They just happen to want to go against our town’s wishes… and so we are defending ourselves from that.
They have every right to want to come here – heck, we did. But we didn’t take away the health, safety, cleaniness, happiness, or quality of life when we came here either. And if we DID – we can bet our neighbors would have raised a ruckus!
We are not against the DEC
The DEC is a NYS agency that is meant to work in the best interest of the citizens by managing all types of endeavors – such as hunting, waste management, forestry, wildlife…
They have to be a part of this process because it deals with waste management. They are doing their job to mediate to the best of their ability. They need to provide an avenue for businesses to apply for these types of permits, and they have to also work to protect the well-being of the environment and citizens who may be affected by those
types of businesses.
We need YOUR input on the documents
What professionals or amateur ‘experts’ do we have in town who may know about some important issues?
Can you get them to look over the documents?
Trucks
Traffic
Air
Noise
Dust
Lighting
Water
Soil
Contamination of things
Wildlife – all kinds
Domestic animals
Vibration
Impacts on tourism
Hunting
Fishing
Hiking
Boating (various)
Camping
Sport vehicles (snow, 4wheelers, dirt bikes, …)
Horseback riding
Other areas of expertise??
THIS is why we need people to come to these meetings.
THIS is why we need people to be informed and spread the news to others in the area
THIS is why, if you have some concerns, we are asking you
Don’t just say them here
Say them in a letter
And before you DO say them in a letter
Look over the public scoping document
1. At the library
2. On the CCC page (show)
3. Email me asking for a copy
And use specific information from the scoping document to bring attention to your concern
I know this may not be fun to do, but this is a short-term effort that can have a long-term effect for the betterment of our little community
The more concerns that are brought up
1. The more the DEC and Sealand know our community cares
2. The more protected we are if Sealand IS able to come, because they have to address our concerns (which will be mediated by the DEC)
3. Many hands make light work
And many brains make things safer, healthier, cleaner, happier, and with a better quality of life
PLEASE ATTEND on February 7th – Frewsburg High School auditorium – 6pm
Even if you don’t want to speak...
You will hear both sides
You will be supporting your community
You will learn a lot more about what is happening, and why