This committee meets the first Monday of each month, other than June and July. New members welcomed.
Committee Members: Jim Mahon(chair), Bob Sexsmith, Steve Holmes, Len Elliott, Stephan Cronin.
Committee Members: Jim Mahon(chair), Bob Sexsmith, Steve Holmes, Len Elliott, Stephan Cronin.
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Much of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem has been lost, but what remains is vibrant. Great Lakes United formed to advocate for policies to protect water in the basin.
Reminder: Information Session on Proposed Changes to Great Lakes United's Bylaws
Join members of Great Lakes United's Board of Directors on a teleconference as they explain the rationale behind proposed bylaw changes, and answer your questions. Proposed Changes to the Bylaws: Information Session Monday, November 1 11:00am CDT / 12:00pm EDT 1-888-289-4573 776089# The Board of Directors is recommending changes to the bylaws to broaden the capacity of the board and reduce some of the limitations on who can join the board. Overall, they believe that this will broaden the perspective and skills of our Directors and strengthen Great Lakes United as an organization. Please join us for this special information session so you can learn more about how the Board of Directors came to these proposed changes, and ask questions. Information on how to vote using our online voting centre will be sent to you on Tuesday, November 2. Online voting will take place online on Monday November 8. Learn more at www.glu.org/meeting2010/bylaws. Donate Now Follow us @glunited Forward this email You are receiving this e-mail because you are an organizational member of Great Lakes United, and opted to receive notices from us at our website or on your membership form. Our mailing address is: Great Lakes United c/o Daemen College 4380 Main Street Amherst, New York 14226 Copenhagen police tackle 4,000-strong climate protest
On a day when NGOs were given limited access to the Copenhagen summit, protesters marched on the Bella centre to reclaim the climate debate back to the people most affected.
Click picture to view the video. | Committee contact: Jim Mahon ~ jimahon@ody.ca
Proud Ontario Environment Network members http://oen.ca// The Ontario Environment Network (OEN) is a non-profit, non-governmental network coordinating the efforts of over 500 Ontario environmental groups working towards and promoting protection of the environment. Proud Great Lakes United members http://www.glu.org/ For over 25 years, Great Lakes United has been a unifying voice for ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River ecosystem. United Water’s Service Failures Indicative of Problems Suffered Under Privatized Utilities
Washington, D.C.—Billing problems, poor system maintenance, repair delays, workforce reductions and other cost-cutting measures are just some of the many problems plaguing United Water, reveals a new report released today by the national consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch. Entitled United Water: Suez Environnement’s Poor Record in the United States , the report details how this subsidiary of the French corporation Suez Environnement, and the second-largest private operator of municipal water systems in the U.S. , compromises consumer and environmental safety at the expense of profits. “The many problems experienced by communities that have suffered under United Water’s so-called ‘service’ illustrate why the movement to stop the privatization of water is gaining momentum,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. “While private water companies such as United Water often promise to improve the quality of aging, underfunded water systems, most communities find that their water service actually deteriorates under private control.” By taking over smaller municipal water systems, United Water has grown into the second-largest private provider of drinking and wastewater services in the U.S. As of 2009, the company served 7.2 million customers in 26 states. Yet expansion has come at a cost. Several municipalities, such as Atlanta , Ga. ; Milwaukee , Wis. ; Gary , Ind. ; and Gloucester , Mass. ended contracts with the company after suffering from maintenance backlogs, sewage spills, contaminated drinking water, workforce reductions and infrastructure problems. Privatized water systems often end up costing municipalities extra money in the form of fines for water quality violations and water loss, among other problems. Gary , Ind. , which terminated its contract with United Water earlier this year, expects to save $8 million a year under public operation of its water system. Ratepayers have also suffered financially under United Water’s service. North Brunswick , N.J. , cancelled its water contract with United Water in 2002, after customers there saw their bills increase by 100 to 200 percent. “Reliable public operation of water systems is the best way to ensure the integrity of these essential services. With many communities lacking funds to upgrade and maintain their water systems, the federal government should implement a dedicated source of funding so that all Americans can have access to safe, reliable, affordable drinking and wastewater services,” said Hauter. United Water: Suez Environnement’s Poor Record in the United States is available here: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/report/united-water/ Contact: Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch: (202) 683-2500, kfried(at)fwwatch(dot)org |
