Kresse appointed Greenway chair

Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, June 22-24, 2006

Gov. George Pataki has appointed Robert Kresse of Buffalo as chairman of the Niagara River Greenway Commission.

Kresse will lead the 14-member commission as it works with local communities to develop a regional plan linking parks, trails and recreation areas and creating economic interest along the waterfront between downtown Buffalo and Niagara County.

“Bob Kresse’s enthusiasm and longstanding dedication has been instrumental in helping to protect cultural landmarks, support innovative programs and foster successful public-private partnerships that have helped improve the quality of life for Western New Yorkers,” Pataki said after appointing Kresse on June 15. “I’m confident his energy and commitment as chair of the Niagara River Greenway Commission, at this critical and exciting time, will help provide a strong foundation as it works to create opportunities among the scenic parklands and beautiful waterfronts that are hallmarks of the Buffalo-Niagara region.”

An attorney with Hiscock and Barclay in Buffalo, Kresse serves on a number of boards and community organizations, including the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, King Urban Life Center, Martin House Restoration Corporation, Green Downtown Buffalo, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, New York State Preservation League, and the Buffalo Green Fund. He is a graduate of Canisius College and Georgetown University Law Center.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission coordinates the planning and development of a greenway of interconnected parks, river access points and waterfront trails along the Niagara River from Lake Erie at Buffalo to Lake Ontario at the site of historic Fort Niagara in Youngstown.

Under the legislation creating the Greenway, the governor appoints eight members to the commission and selects a chairperson. Appointed last May were Greenway Commission members Michael Cornell, Paul Dyster, John Giardano, Paul Leuchner, Ronald Moline, Richard Soluri and Brett Sommer. Each of the appointees serves a term of four years.