By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A newly formed group is mapping out a time table for local change. The Principles for Progress recently took out a full page ad in the "Buffalo News" trying drum up support.
Principles for Progress features a mix of 32 business and labor leaders coming together for change. Knowing that many citizens are disgusted with the on-going county fiscal mess, and the lack of progress on certain efforts to improve the region, the organization's members placed their names in an advertisement. The ad urged the public to join their effort.
They want to bridge the gap between local business and labor. Mark Jones, president of the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, is part of this effort. He says the response to their ad has been "tremendous."
"We have a lot of people who are saying it is about time somebody did something, and that this group is very courageous in what they did," Jones said. "And you have a silent majority in this area that said this is it. Let's stop fighting and start working together."
The listing of labor and business names who are now working toward the same result range from Buffalo Building Trades member Dan Boody to M & T Bank Chairman Robert Wilmers -- a combination you would rarely find together.
"I think Bob Wilmers and others in the community saw a need to work together, as business people but also as residents of this area," Jones said. "We have something very much in common. We want to see this area grow and prosper. We are tried of it declining, and we are tired of the fighting. People said enough is enough."
Jones says one of the goals of Principles for Progress is to build stronger relationships between local business and labor.
The group is planning to hold a meeting by the beginning of August.