March 17, 2003

Dear Mr. Slepkov:

I have received the material on the coalition you plan to form toward a sustainable community in Niagara. It is clear to me that your philosophies are well-researched and thorough.

Your aspirations for an involvement of 75% private to 25% public representaton for such an undertaking would seem both timely and essential. With your commitment to socio-economic development, I am confident that you will work hard for our region.

Yours Truly
Timothy H. Rigby,
Mayor

April 28, 2003

Dear Mr. Slepkov,

On behalf of the City of Welland I would like to congradulate you and the members of your committee for your work in promoting a sustainable Niagara. Your efforts to ensure environmentally sensible economic development and community planning are much needed and very consistent with the Smart Growth initiatives carried out by the City of Welland.

Your website is a wonderful source of information for best practices on creating sustainable communities.

I support your aims and wish you continued success in helping to ensure we create healthy and vibrant communities for ourselves and for future generations.

Yours Truly
Cindy Forster
Mayor

June 4, 2003

Dear Mr. Slepkov:

May I take this opportunity to extend, on behalf of members of City Council and all the citizens of the City of Port Colborne, our support for the Coalition for a Sustainable Niagara.

It is important that we work together within public and private organizations, as well as, on an individual basis to develop sustainabillty within our Region. Smarter Niagara policies must be the guiding principle when working toward available investment opportunities while enhancing the quality of life throughout the Region.

Together, we continue to put forward a "Made in Niagara" solution ensuring the preservation of our unique character and culture for future generations.

With best regards, I remain

Yours truly
Vance M. Badawey,
Mayor

March 5, 2003

Re: Coalition for a Sustainable Niagara

Dear Bernie:

Further to our previous communications, I would like to express my support for the Coalition for a Sustainable Niagara. The enormous environmental, economic and social pressures on Niagara's economy need to be addressed through proactive sustainable policy planning. Development needs to be encouraged to follow a sustainable growth curve to pormote a premiere quality of life for current and future generations.

The Coalition for a Sustainable Niagara promotes this philosophy while encouraging "smart" development throughout this unique and significant region.

Sincerely,
Brock Dickinson
Director, Economic Development & Tourism Services

May 15, 2003

Dear Mr. Slepkov:

This acknowledges your request for support of your intention to form a collaborative Coalition for a sustainable community - Sustainable Environment.

Please be advised that I am in support of your efforts to "meet the needs for the present without compromising the ability of future generations of humans and other species to meet their own needs, while restoring local and global ecosystems."

Your goal of forming a coalition of stakeholders from the public and private sectors is noteworthy and ought to give focus and advancement to the need to implement environmentally sound economic and community planning and policies.

I note that this work, although in its initial stages, is consistent with the Regional Municipality of Niagara's Smarter Niagara strategy and principles for sustainable grouwth, business development and quality of life, without compromising the integrity and sustainability of environmental factors such as land use, water and air quality, and waste management.

I extend best wishes for success and anticipate reading about your plan of action and timelines for implementation.

Yours truly,
Debbie M. Zimmerman
Regional Chair

c: Mr. Patrick Robson

Dear Mr. Slepkov

With the multitude of issues facing the Niagara region at present, it is paramount that groups of people do what they must to inform and involve the citizens of this area. Your group for sustainable communities is just such a group, to which its importance can not be overstated.

Recently it was asked of me "How do you undo the non-visionary planning practices of the past?" In reply I said "One step at a time with much more thinking this time around."

I tip my hat to you Bernie for rekindling the idea and process of SMART growth/planning starts with smarter thinking. We live in a beautiful area that can be sustained and improved upon with the principles of sustainable communities for generations to come.

I endorse your committee and its efforts towards a better present and future development of the Niagara Region.

Sincerely
Alan R. Stevenson
Queenston Street Housing & Policing Committees
Citizens for a Smart Growth Hospital Committee