'Save Our Sodus' continues efforts

SOS (Save Our Sodus), Inc. held a Public Meeting at the Sodus Point Community Center this past Saturday. Many officers and committee members gave reports on the status of SOS. A question and answer period followed.

Nine additional volunteers signed up for committee work.

SOS was reported to be alive and well and growing 'like a Sodus Bay weed,' by President Ed Wheeler. He said that membership has tripled in the past couple of months. SOS is now incorporated in New York as a not-for-profit corporation called SOS (Save Our Sodus), Inc. and IRS approval has been applied for. A major fund raising event is planned for September 8.

Wheeler said the mission of SOS is simply to improve, protect and preserve the quality of water in the Sodus Bay watershed, 'nothing more but nothing less.' There is no magic wand that will remove the weeds, but SOS is learning from experiences elsewhere that a more manageable situation can be achieved. SOS is looking for long-term solutions that involve working on the sources of pollution. SOS now has a two-year track record, active current programs and a long-range planning committee in place. More members and more volunteers are needed.

The position of SOS is to work cooperatively with any organization seriously interested in improving water quality in the Sodus Bay watershed, whether they are official organizations, municipalities or private associations. He said that SOS invites all private associations around the Bay to send a delegation to a meeting on September 14 at 3 p.m. at the International Freshwater Resource Center.

Vice President Al Fagan reported for the Science Committee that he and other SOS members are collecting samples throughout the summer around the Bay and are looking for 'hot spots.' Much of the season has been unusually dry so there has been relatively little run off. He spoke of the beauty and attractiveness of Sodus Bay and his hope that SOS efforts will help maintain that attractiveness for generations to come.

Allison Passeck-Cain reported for the fund raising committee that the September dinner event is sold out, but that names are being taken for next year, as well as for a waiting list for possible cancellations.

Lorie Thomas reported for the membership committee that new memberships are coming in too fast right now to print an accurate to-the-minute count, but that she will have a new listing shortly. The committee is planning ahead for the new fiscal year, starting Jan 1.

Gerry Palmer reported an ambitious program for the political affairs committee. First on the list is to encourage support for the new septic law under consideration in the Town of Huron. Another major project is to urge our leaders to get more water representation on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board effective Jan 1, 2002.

At the beginning of the question and answer session, Rob Williams, District Manager of the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District, made a brief report stating his support for SOS efforts and that he expects to continue to work with SOS for the benefit of the Bay.

Sharon Lilla, Wayne County Planning Director, encouraged SOS to continue its efforts and said that there is a great deal of activity now under way to help in planning the future of the Bay community.

Contributions, inquiries or comments may be directed to SOS (Save Our Sodus), Inc. at PO Box 424, Alton, New York 14413

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