By JAMES FINK
Business First

Greg Stamm, the Williamsville attorney who chaired the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, has resigned his state-appointed NFTA post.

While Stamm's tenure as NFTA chairman was due to expire on June 30, he surprised fellow Authority commissioners by submitting a resignation letter to Gov. David Paterson Tuesday. Paterson makes recommendations to the NFTA board of commissioners, including suggestions on who should serve as chairman.

Stamm was named NFTA chairman after Luiz Kahl died in late 2005. Stamm has been on the NFTA board for more than six years.

"I think this is the best way to do it," Stamm said of his resignation. "I don't believe in holdovers or being a lame duck."

By his resigning now, Stamm said, Paterson has one month to name his replacement and have lawmakers in Albany approve the appointment.

Henry Sloma, NFTA vice chairman, will serve as interim chairman.

Widely regarded as a consensus builder, Stamm has presided over a period of rapid expansion and focus by the NFTA.

Among the Authority developments he's been involved with:

• The Buffalo Niagara International Airport surpassed the 5 million passenger mark in 2006, 15 years ahead of schedule. The airport last year handled 5.5 million passengers.
• The NFTA opened a new bus terminal in Niagara Falls.
• Construction on the 68,000-square-foot new passenger terminal at Niagara Falls International Airport is well under way, with the building expected to open in early September.
• The NFTA has secured state and federal grants to purchase a wave of hybrid buses.
• The Transportation Security Administration expanded its passenger clearance checkpoints at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, a move that also led to the revamping of the airport's food-concessions operations.
• The opening of a waterfront trail along NFTA-owned land on Buffalo's waterfront.

"Government usually works slow, but not with Greg," said Larry Meckler, NFTA executive director. "He really focused on our mission."

Sloma called Stamm "a breath of fresh air."

"Niagara County never would have gotten done what we did there without Greg's leadership," Sloma said.

Many observers felt that because of Stamm's deep Republican Party roots, it was unlikely that Paterson was going to re-appoint him.

Stamm, however, said politics was not a deciding factor in his resignation.

"I just thought it was time for the governor to appoint someone new," he said. "And,I wanted to do it in such way that would not disrupt the NFTA."

Fellow commissioners praised Stamm's approach.

"Greg is someone who shows a genuine care for the community," said Pete Demakos. "Greg never viewed the NFTA has a private business, but as a community asset."

"When Greg gave his word, it was his bond," added Carmen Granto, former Niagara Falls Schools superintendent.