WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 6, 2024 — WaterFront blog posts will continue to be available through online searches because I have renewed my annual contract today to keep the post active long after I’ve high-tailed it to Massachusetts.
I so appreciate the many kind comments I received in response to my announcement yesterday that I planned to quit the blog because of my pending move.
A few of those commenters specifically requested that I find a way to archive the posts so they remain available online for the environmentally curious, and — maybe, who knows? — my successor.
WaterFront has been increasingly popular with readers since 2017, but hardly an online sensation.
Fortunately, the website has enjoyed the benefit of a “force multiplier” (as they say in the military) in FingerLakes1.com, the region’s authoritative online news outlet.
FL1 has faithfully reposted virtually everything that appears on WaterFront — hundreds of articles. In so doing it reaches many, many more people than I could ever hope to attract to my website.
Consider this example. A grand total of 440 people have turned to WaterFront to view my Aug. 2, 2024 post “HABs Widespread Across Finger Lakes; State Department of Health Rejects Proposed Rules to Protect Owasco Lake.”
Within the first month on FL1, the identical article has been viewed more than 56,000 times.
The advertising dollars generated by that piece go entirely to FL1.
I write pro bono, and I consider that sum — however large or small — part of my contribution to a cutting edge local news outlet that deserves broad community support.
Josh Durso, FL1’s vice president of content and a journalism pro, has been my connection there for several years now.
In response to the news of my plans to move to Massachusetts, Josh wrote a column for substack.com, where he has more than 5,000 followers. In it, he describes our business relationship, generously referring to WaterFront as “the cornerstone of the most important and influential environmental journalism in the Finger Lakes.”
I blushed when I read parts of it. When I thanked him for it today, saying I owed him a beer or three, he responded:
“Just sharing the truth. I really thought it was important that people understood how rare it is in any part of the country to have a journalist of your caliber doing volunteer work for 7 years.”
Check out Josh’s column about WaterFront.
Water Front- Peter Mantius 
Apparently you are BOTH class acts! Enjoy your family and the Beantown area!
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I agree 100% with Josh Durso.Thank you soooo much for your years of excellent journalism on environmental issues in the Finger Lakes. And that you did it all totally pro-bono! It’s hard to imagine who could fill your shoes. I’ve appreciated your journalism skills and ability to communicate it all in a straightforward style, with all the links and charts to back up. It’s been a treasure trove of information that motivated me to action, and fortified my discussion with others, including elected officials. I’ve been forwarding your posts for years, urging people to subscribe. I’m active with Cayuga Climate Action, a very small grassroots group in Cayuga County. We’ve supported the past efforts of Seneca Lake Guardians, and just recently agreed to help build a regional coalition of municipalities to oppose the expansion of Seneca Meadows and ensure it gets shut down in 2025. Best wishes with the move to your new home in Massachusetts. Being closer to family is so important!Glenda NeffAuburn, NY
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Peter,
I can’t thank you enough for your exceptional reporting on the environment of the Finger Lakes. You are a super professional journalist, a true inspiration, and your work an indispensable resource for the rest of us amateurs. I and the Finger Lakes Sierra Club team are truly grateful for all you done and will miss you dearly. Enjoy Massachusetts and being closer to your family, and thank you again for all you’ve done.
Bill
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