Clean Air’s Seventh Annual Dinner

Golden Gas Mask Award winners, the Kenmore Teachers Assocation, with Clean Air Executive Director Rebecca Newberry

On Thursday, May 5, over 200 Clean Air members, supporters, and community leaders joined us at the Hotel Lafayette to celebrate another year filled with victories and successes for environmental justice and public health in Western New York. Over 40 local businesses & organizations sponsored, and made the event a huge success. We honored this year’s award winners and were incredibly grateful to have such a large group of dedicated fighters for environmental health and justice in the room.

Babies love Clean Air!

THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD honors a person who has shown a significant commitment to the fight for environmental health and justice in Western New York but whose work might go unnoticed. This individual has demonstrated both humility and an unwavering commitment to the fight for environmental health and justice in the region.

THE GOLDEN GAS MASK AWARD honors a person who has shown dedication and leadership in the fight for environmental health and justice in Western New York. This individual has demonstrated a deep commitment to action on behalf of Western New York residents and has contributed to the development of powerful strategies to improve community health and the environment.

ROSE SICKLER is a retired teacher who became a member of Clean Air in 2011 around the Amigone Crematory campaign. She has dedicated countless hours to the campaign, going to bat for her family and neighbors so that residents can enjoy their backyards without the smell, noise, and soot associated with the running of the crematory. Rose also spends a significant amount of time working on grassroots development projects, split between phone banking, letter writing, hosting events, and representing Clean Air at community events. She is one of the recipients of the 2016 Unsung Hero Award.

The KENMORE TEACHERS ASSOCATION (KTA) is a union of professional educators dedicated to providing high quality public education and a common voice for advancing values for students, members, and community. Democracy, solidarity, and integrity are the hallmarks of the KTA. The KTA’s membership work and live in Kenmore and Tonawanda, and joined with Clean Air and the WNY Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO to plan and organize in case of the anticipated retirement announcement of the Huntley Coal plant in Tonawanda. The Kenmore Teachers Association was a crucial player in securing $30 million in state wide funds to support municipalities and school districts during energy company closures. This means education, jobs of teachers and support staff, roads, garbage pick up and other services will not be impacted by the loss Huntley’s tax revenue after the company retires. The KTA is a recipient of the 2016 Golden Gas Mask Award.

SEAN MULLIGAN is Legislative Aid to Niagara District Councilman and Majority Leader of the Buffalo Common Council, David A. Rivera for the past 5 years. As a member of the Steering Committee he has been instrumental in advocating for Participatory Budgeting (PB) and informing the process on necessary timelines and processes within City Hall that have been pivotal to PB Buffalo’s success. Sean has traveled to Chicago as a member of Clean Air, where certain wards are on their 5th PB cycle, to learn more about their best practices and help shape
Buffalo’s process. He has helped inform strategy, along with Harper Bishop from the office of former Delaware District Councilman Michael LoCurto, which initiated a committee at City Hall that was tasked with researching the feasibility of PB in Buffalo and led to Buffalo’s first ever PB process. If you’re fortunate you can catch Sean wearing Uggs, playing basketball or repeating Drake lyrics to an empty room. Sean is a recipient of the 2016 Golden Gas Mask Award.

BRIAN BORNCAMP came into the Clean Air office after reading an Artvoice article on Participatory Budgeting (PB) in 2013 and uttered words everyone who has ever worked in our organization wants to hear but hardly ever does: “I love what you’re doing and will do anything to make it happen.” Brian is an amazing researcher and has created maps and graphics that have informed our campaigns, such as where the Mayor’s 2014 campaign contributions come from, for example. He understands and advocates for the need to have ordinary individuals running for office and has been active in his work with CPHJ. He has served on the PB Buffalo Steering Committee, a group responsible for writing the “Rules of the Game” used throughout the process during PB Buffalo’s first cycle in addition to advocating that PB be included in the City of Buffalo’s Budget. In addition to fighting for a true democracy that is inclusive and participatory, Brian grows an amazing amount of living things and will swing by the office with honey from his bees and peppers or strawberries from his garden ─ look out for some onions (possibly) this year. Brian is a recipient of the 2016 Unsung Hero Award, and as of this past Monday, has joined the Clean Air staff as a community organizer!

New staff member Brian Borncamp receives Unsung Hero Award from CAC member, James Lopez

Our deepest gratitude to all who attended, sponsored, and supported our Seventh Annual Dinner. If you couldn’t make it but would still like to support the work of Clean Air and our members like Rose, Sean, Brian, and partners like the KTA, just hit the Donate tab up there on the top left – your contribution will go to work right away fighting for a healthier and more just region for all of us.

Seventh Annual Dinner Sponsors

Allen Street Consulting
Austin Air
Buffalo Melting Point
Clean Air Board
Coalition for Economic Justice
Citizen Action
Buffalo Central Labor Council
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Associates
Congressman Brian Higgins
CWA 1117
CWA 1122
CWA 1133
CWA 1168
WNY CWA Council
CWA District 1
Daemen College, Department of Health Care Studies
Foiled Again Salon
Gallagher Printing
Geico
Hip Gypsy
ECDC Chairman Jeremy Zellner
Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger
Kenmore Teachers Association
Lipsitz & Ponterio
Make Communities
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz
Mid-City Office Furniture
Queen City Renovations
River Road Fire Company
SAGE Law Firm Group
Sweetness_7
Teamsters Local 264
Senator Timothy Kennedy
University at Buffalo, Department of English
Union Square Rehab & Health
Urbanity Salon
USW 6992
WNY Area Labor Federation
WNY Council for Occupational Safety and Health