Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy was one of the leaders of a recent effort in the Erie County Legislature to fight to save the Niagara Falls Air Base.

The Department of Defense recently recommended to the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) that the Niagara Falls Air Base be closed along with several others. BRAC is now considering this recommendation, and is receiving input from community stakeholders.

"The majority of the 800 permanent employees at the airbase are residents of Erie County, and the local economic impact of the airbase is estimated to be $150 million," said Kennedy, who is taking a leave from his work as a licensed occupational therapist to serve in the Erie County Legislature.

The airbase is home to the 914th Airlift Wing and the 107th Air Refueling Wing. Both wings have been activated to support important military missions in recent years.

The base closure would result in the elimination of 527 civilian jobs and 115 military positions.

"If this base closes, it will have a direct and detrimental effect on the economy of Erie County, and so we in Erie County must stand united with our neighbors in Niagara County in our opposition to this closure," Kennedy said.

"It is very important that BRAC hear from us loud and clear that the entire regional community is opposed to this closure," said Kennedy, who indicated that residents should write the BRAC commission at 2521 South Clark Street, Suite 600 Arlington, Va. 22202.

Tim Kennedy resides on Tuscarora Road in South Buffalo with his wife, Katie Kennedy.

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