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Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced the formation of a regional steering committee as a first step in the essential effort to protect Rome Lab and the Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) in the 2005 base closing process.

"One of the things I learned from our successful defense of Rome Lab in 1995 is that we need to get ahead of the federal timetable and stay ahead of it," said Griffo, who as Mayor of Rome was a leader of the successful 1995 effort to keep the Air Force Research Laboratory at Griffiss. "By forming this Steering Committee now, we will have a team in place to work with Congressman Boehlert, Governor Pataki and all of the other great supporters of Rome Lab and all of our efforts at Griffiss. Protecting the Lab and NEADS requires the kind of public-private partnership that this committee represents."

Griffo noted that Air Force Secretary James G. Roche’s visit to the Lab last week was a catalyst in forming the committee. "Secretary Roche clearly liked what he saw," Griffo said. "Thanks to Congressman Boehlert, Rome Lab got a great boost last week. Thanks to Gov. Pataki and the state, the Lab will be moving into a great new facility that is a sign of our commitment to lowering the Air Force’s cost of operating here. However, we know from experience that we cannot sit back and await events. Griffiss has tremendous high technology growth potential through the Griffiss Institute and the biolab project. But we cannot lose sight of the need to protect and enhance Rome Lab and NEADS. That’s why we must gear up now to be ready."

Griffo said appointees include:

• Nick Matt, President, Mohawk Valley EDGE
• Fred Tillman, Chairman, Griffiss Local Development Corp.
• Mike Miravalle, President, Dolphin Technology; Board Chair, Griffiss Institute
• Todd Hutton, President, Utica College
• Dr. John Sammon, CEO, PAR Technology
• Marianne Gaige, President, Cathedral Corp.
• State Sen. Raymond Meier
• Assembly Member RoAnn Destito
• Rome Mayor John Mazzaferro
• Utica Mayor Tim Julian
• Town of Kirkland Supervisor Annette Foley
• Steven DiMeo, President, Mohawk Valley EDGE
• Anthony Picente, Regional Director, Empire State Development Corp.
• Ray Gillen, Director of the Strategic Business Division for Empire State Development Corp.

"This group, which represents the many parts of our region, will be the nucleus of our efforts and bring others into the process as we move forward," Griffo said. "We know that between employers who do business with Rome Lab and NEADS, and the employees of each, these vital operations touch the lives of thousands of people in our region. By starting their work now, the committee can become fully cognizant of the process and, if necessary, be ready to tell our story even before the May 2005 base closure list is out. The Steering Committee will be the focal point for our region’s efforts so that we can work as a team."