Community Mobilization for Environmental Problems: How a Grassro ...

remaining properties and wanted details of the original four-lot remediation released to the public.

In December 1999 the Common Council agreed to hold a special session solely to discuss Hickory Woods. The resolution on the agenda read as follows:

This Common Council recognizes that some residents of the Abby Street/Hickory Woods neighborhood have suffered financial losses as a result of purchasing homes in the City-sponsored development; and also recognizes that the health concerns of the residents of this area are legitimate and need to be fully addressed in a way that satisfies the residents, and requests that the Mayor propose a plan to provide justice for the residents of Abby Street/Hickory Woods that addresses the following issues:
• Relocating the residents who would like to leave
• Remediating the contamination in a comprehensive fashion
• Developing a formula for making up financial losses of the residents with resources provided by LTV, Inc., and various levels of government, including the City of Buffalo, Erie County, New York State (perhaps through the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act) and the Federal Government
• Providing adequate avenues for full public input on this issue.

(City of Buffalo Common Council, 1999a)

The Common Council president, James Pitts, called this public hearing because he “believe[d] a full public airing of the issues involved is an important first step in deciding an intelligent course of action” (City of Buffalo Common Council, 1999a). Residents were invited to speak on public record about specific concerns they had regarding the issues of soil testing and contamination in the community. About 50 residents gave public testimony of their concerns. Many residents voiced concerns about family health and illness in the neighborhood. Others discussed the uncertainty surrounding whether the area was contaminated and if so, to what extent. Still others were concerned about rumors of redlined real estate in the community and plummeting home values. Residents