CITY OF BUFFALO, ERIE COUNTY AND FLEET BANK TEAM-UP FOR BEAUTIFICATION EFFORT

BUFFALO (9/26/00) -- How could one miss the sea of daffodils that bloomed everywhere throughout Erie County this past spring? The 75,000 blooms were part of a generous gift of bulbs from the Erie County Legislature to the people of Erie County last fall.

In building on last year's success, The Erie County Legislature has donated 175,000 more daffodils, and 50,000 crocuses to the people of the region this fall.

This year's project is called: Keep Western New York Beautiful/Fleet Project for a Blossoming Community - An initiative of the Erie County Legislature, Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra, and Mayor Anthony M. Masiello

"We hope that together, we can reshape the appearance, attitude and future of WNY," replied Judith A. Fisher, 4th District Legislator, who spearheaded the effort with Jim Pavel, Director of the Mayor's Office of Support Services.

"The City of Buffalo has benefited from past Keep Western New York Beautiful campaigns - both physically and aesthetically," stated Mayor Masiello. "This new public/private partnership will strengthen the continuing good work of the dedicated volunteers who have made our local effort one of the most successful urban beautification efforts in the country. I commend the Erie County Legislature and Fleet Bank for their generous support of this very worthy effort."

Fleet Bank is a major corporate sponsor, with their gift of $5000. "Through our involvement, we can give something of value and beauty to the community," stated John J. Larry, Regional President of Fleet Bank.

Mr. Pavel added, "As people of all ages come together, and work in the soil, bulbs are not the only things being cultivated. So much more is accomplished. People exchange ideas. They tell stories and they build trust and connections to each other and the earth."

Another prime supporter is The Women's Pavilion Pan Am 2001, who is helping to coordinate promotion and distribution of the bulbs.

"Before long, when springtime comes, and the blooms begin to appear, the people who planted them will be rewarded with a brand new understanding of how important they really are to this region," remarked Jessica Brason, Women's Pavilion Pan Am 2001 Beautification Committee Co-Chair and Director of Keep WNY Beautiful.

Bulbs will be given to any citizens' group (schools, fraternal & social groups, block clubs, etc.) in Erie County, wishing to organize a planting event. Interested participants should determine a place, date, and time of their planting event, and then either call 851-5550 or log on to the City of Buffalo or Erie County websites to obtain registration forms. Registrants may pick up their bulbs on October 14, 2000 between 10am and 1pm, at Shoshone Park, 471 Beard Avenue, in Buffalo, off Hertel Avenue, near Main Street. Rick Flett of Seneca Greenhouse will be on hand to lend technical support.

Bulbs may also be obtained through the Erie County Legislature after October 4, 2000 by calling 858-7500.

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