County moving to take over Niagara and Lockport Town IDAs. John
Simon head of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) appears on track to
take over his competition in the towns of Niagara and Lockport. A single County IDA
is being pushed through the Niagara County Legislature. The move is strongly opposed
by the Town of Niagara. Town of Niagara Supervisor Steven C. Richards said he
opposed the merger because he doesn't like the way the County IDA does business. He
cited the tactic by the County IDA of aiding non-industrial businesses (such as retail
shops, lawyers offices, service businesses, banks, and the like) rather than true
industrial (manufacturing) business. Before the merger can be effected State
Legislative approval will have to be obtained. (11/24/01)
Niagara County officials reported working to impose new telephone tax. Niagara
County Budget Director Sharon Sacco is suggesting that the County impose a new tax on
Niagara County business and residents paying for telephone service. Sacco suggests a
35-cent-line telephone surcharge. The money would be used to lessen pressure to cut
fat off County payrolls which is causing real estate taxes to rise. The new tax
would be instituted under the claim it would be used to pay for the County's expensive
"911" telephone emergency service which now costs taxpayers $900,000 a year and
is responsible for funneling record amounts of telephone traffic to the Niagara County
Sheriff's Department. Sacco says the new tax would probably raise about $500,000 in
new revenue for the County. (11/20/01)
End of An Era: Perry's at Hartland Corners to close. Rural
Niagara County generations can remember going to the Perry family business on Ridge
Road, Route 104 in Hartland for farm equipment, especially those John Deere
motorized farm workers. The landmark farm equipment dealer prospered during times
when, in rural Niagara County's fruit belt, it seemed as if John Deere, and Massey-Furgerson
were more sought after motor vehicles than Chevy, Dodge, or Ford
(although Ford still sells a line of tractors and other farm units). But
Niagara County agricultural business is a shadow of what it was up through the mid 20th
Century. Well fewer than 300 families engage in farming in Niagara County as a
serious business. And for those who remain, many are Big Business farms that insist
on buying everything at discount and without the product and family business loyalty Perry's
cashed in on for so many decades. On November 30th Perry's will close its doors
and the remaining members of the Perry family will retire. A liquidation sale is now
going on. (11/11/01)
Urtel won't disclose proposed County budget until after elections. This
is indeed a bad omen for Niagara County property taxpayers. Shirley Urtel the
Niagara County Legislature's Majority Leader (R-Cambria) won't comment on the budget that
she and Budge Director Sharon Sacco have come up with...until after the November 3rd
election. Urtel claims there are "no printed copies" of the document and
indicates there will be no time to make any copies until after November 3rd.
Minority Leader, Robert Seger (D-NT) declares, "There's some games going on
here!" Well, the "game" is the same one both political parties love
to play---"Fool the Public." Veteran political observers are not fooled,
however. They know the latest hiding game by Urtel means that the property taxes
will be set to go up much more than the 5% the legislators had previously promised.
(10/31/01)
Sheriff's deputies, CSEA members, organize to pressure legislators. Union
employees of the Niagara County Sheriff's Department have organized to put pressure on
Niagara County Legislators. The deputies fear the lost of some of their jobs because
the Sheriff's Department has been identified as operating with a bloated payroll and as one of
the most cost-inefficient Sheriff's Departments in New York State. Legislators
are be threatened: that if they vote for any cost-cutting in the Sheriff's
Department they will be the target of a negative campaign between now and election
time. Other Niagara County employees are expected to join in, too, with a
"march" on the County Legislator's meeting this Wednesday in Lockport. The
campaign began a few weeks ago with a deceptive billboard advertising
campaign that insinuated that cuts on runaway County spending would negatively impact
the "quality of life" of County residents. Even non-county
employees are being brought into the effort with telephone lists of legislators being
circulated and supporters urged to constantly call the legislators at home.
Employees of the County's numerous give-away programs are being asked to
"activate" members of organizations that get County grant monies, welfare
clients, mental health patients, all employee unions, to orchestrate a near non-stop
script of public protests and whining until a giant property tax increase is passed to
fund the continued public dole to the various groups. (10/14/01)
Bennett balking at merger of county tourism efforts.
It has not been the best of years for Niagara County Deputy Director of Tourism, Cyd Bennett. Amid being involved in two police investigations, Bennett has had to contend with the possible lost of her highly paid political job. Under Niagara County budget pressure numerous proposals have been circulated to eliminate her costly position. The most recent has been the merger of all County efforts into a proposed new nonprofit agency, The Niagara Tourism Promotion Corporation, which would include the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau. The latest proposal comes from an independent consultant (Joseph Lathrop of Florida) hired to try to get more results for the millions in tax monies poured into tourism promotion in Niagara County. Bennett and her County political backers say they will support the merged agency if it is so structured to give Niagara County politicians de facto control. Such control would ensure Bennett's continued employment---at least as long as Niagara County Legislature Chairman (Republican) Clyde Burmaster retains his position. (10/13/01)Thousands of dollars
from IDA-funded businesses reported traced back to gifts to politicians. Town of Wheatfield activist Donald Hobel has released to Niagara County media select copies of his search of records of political contributions received by State Senator George Maziarz and certain other area politicians. Mr. Hobel's data implies that the payments appear to present a pattern of interest between Maziarz and projects of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency---a funding device for start-up business that Maziarz has generally supported. Hobel is known as a frequent and exacting critic of the Niagara County IDA. Hobel says he's searched public government websites and used various Freedom of Information requests to obtain his information and details several of his sources. Named by Hobel as one of the sources of money for the politicians is Falls Street Leasing (of Niagara Falls) which Hobel links to the enterprises of Niagara Falls developer James Harry Williams. (9/20/01)Niagara County workmen's compensation insurance fund appears insolvent
. Workmen's compensation insurance claims by city of Lockport employees are reported going unpaid because the Niagara County Insurance fund the city is a part of apparently has run out of money. The Lockport Union-Sun & Journal incorrectly has reported that it is the County's health insurance plan that is in trouble but the Lockport Page has been told it is the County Workman's Compensaiton Insurance Fund that has apparently has run short of cash because many members of the program have stopped paying premiums. Among those governmental units identified as not paying premiums or behind in payments are: The City of Niagara Falls (about $1-million behind in payments) plus the towns of Wheatfield, Lewiston, Royalton, and Niagara. The latter two towns have withdrawn from the County insurance fund but left without the payment of exit fees, leaving the County to assume an unknown amount of claims. Health care suppliers are now complaining to the city of Lockport over non-payment of their claims and the city has been warned its employees may no longer be given health care services from some vendors if the insurance claims are not paid soon. The City of Lockport has been current in its premium payments to the County. (7/28/01)Restaino wants to move Social Services Department to Niagara Falls.
The former Niagara Falls city manger, Anthony J. Restaino wants to full off a major coup for his city. Restaino is reported moving to close down the Department of Social Services complex on Davison Road in the County Seat, Lockport and move the entire operation into Niagara Falls. What's stopping him so far reportedly is finding enough space. The move would probably further increase welfare claims from Niagara Falls (where about half the population is reported on some type of welfare) and would have a serious impact on the Lockport economy where over a hundred highly paid Social Services staff are employed. Niagara Falls interests for several years now have been intensifying efforts to move county offices out of Lockport, the County Seat, and into vacant properties in Niagara Falls. They have met so far with limited success. (5/19/01)Sheriff's deputy, charged with sex crime, reported considering (paid) retirement.
The Niagara Gazette is reporting that Donald Piedmont, waiting court actions to answer charges of forced (at gun-point) sodomy in connection with a Wrights Corners woman, is considering "retirement" for the Sheriff's Department. In that course of action, he would join a number of other members of the department (including ex-Sheriff Francis Giles) who opted for paid retirement rather than go through departmental dismissal hearings. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in mostly taxpayer funded retirement benefits are being doled out to a collection of disgraced former Sheriff Department employees. (4/14/01)Rookies Sports Bar sold. The sports complex in the Town of Pendleton, which closed at the end of summer 2000, will reopen in the Spring under new ownership. The facility at 6856 South Transit Road will be known as "Jimmy B's Bar & Restaurant" with a Italian-American menu and continued outdoor sports facilities. The new owner, James C. Buscaglia, is reportedly telling folks that the site will be used for a "dinner-theatre" in the cold weather months when the outside sport facilities shut down. The adjacent Pendleton House banquet facility was not reported as part of the sale made by founder, Howard Urban. Through the end of the summer the facility had been leased to a subsidiary of the Rich Company in Buffalo which attempted to tie it in with the Buffalo Bisons. (2/17/01)
Niagara County Legislators want Summit Park Mall for new county office complex. A couple of Niagara County Legislators Wednesday, 1/24, declared Niagara County should study taking over the Summit Park Mall and use the vast shopping mall to house county offices. There have been numerous moves recently to transfer county offices from the county seat in Lockport to the Niagara Falls area and Wednesday's proposal by Legislators William Ross (C-Wheatfield) and Malcolm Needler (R-NT) would follow that trend. It could be a financial bonanza for the owners of the mall which has been reported suffering losses and low occupancy rates since 1995. Niagara County, despite declining population, has had a steady growth in County employees, offices, and programs. The County is now estimated to have about 60 buildings, many of them leased from private companies, to house the increasingly bloated County employee roster. (1/25/01)
Five stores leaving Summit Park Mall. Another exodus of stores departing Summit Park Mall in Wheatfield is reported underway. The latest departures leave more ominous vacant space in the Mall that has been troubled with occupancy for several years. Among those reported leaving during January-February are: Walden Books, Structure, Things Remembered, Victoria's Secret, and Carlton Cards. Mall management is reported trying to get the assessment of the property reduced from $10-million to the area of about $3.2-million. (1/10/01)
GOP Legislators reported re-thinking Norris reappointment. Michael J. Norris, the Republican Niagara County Elections Commissioner who made a deal for immunity from prosecution with the DA, may still not get his reappointment for a second term. The Buffalo News is reporting Tuesday, 12/26, that his reappointment is "uncertain." His counterpart, Judy Cirifalco, was forced out as Democratic Elections Commissioner. Her case has yet to go to trial. GOP Niagara County Legislators are clearly worried about their re-election hopes. Moreover, the Office of Niagara County Elections scandal is only part of the GOP problem. Legislators like Jerry DiFlippo will have to answer at the polls for imposing a 10% County tax hike on city of Lockport residents and for the appearances of mismanagement of the County for the past year. Voting to retain Norris, while the Democrats had the fortitude to rid themselves of Cirfalco, would leave the GOP very vulnerable in November. The Republicans must act on Norris by January 8th or he's out. The final word will probably not be from the public or even the individual GOP Legislators but from State Senator George Maziarz, the de facto boss of Niagara County Republican politics. Maziarz has been a strong Norris supporter and got him the job in the first place. But Maziarz himself could look bad in the election scandal because his top Niagara County aide, Newfane Legislator Jim Ward, is also under indictment in the case. (12/26/00) Update 12/28: Assistant Niagara County Attorney, Kathleen Wojtaszek-Gariano told County Legislators Wednesday, 12/27, that if a replacement for Norris is not nominated by the Republicans and acted on by the Legislature, Mr. Norris could serve as a "holdover" appointment until the Legislature decides to take formal action.
Attorney says he expects Jim Ward will be charged in salary scandal. His attorney was telling media Tuesday that he expected his client, Niagara County Legislator Jim Ward (R-Newfane) will be charged in the Board of Elections scandal. Democratic Elections Commission, Judith Cirifalco, is also expected to be charged according to reports circulating around Lockport on Tuesday, 12/5. Republican Elections Commissioner, Michael Norris, strongly supported by George Maziarz is expected to escape any charges --- he had testified in the matter only under immunity from prosecution. Cirifalco reportedly will be out of her job in January but Norris with stubborn support of the County Republican organization is expected to keep his position. The matter has been mostly recently under investigation by a Niagara County Grand Jury. (12/6/00)
County employee raises, averaging 17.2%, cited as main cause for
County tax hike. Niagara County employees will get 17.2% more in pay,
salaries, and benefits in 2001 than they did in 2000 according to a report in the Sunday,
11/26, Buffalo News. Research by News ace reporter, Tom Prohaska,
reveals that the increase in spending for employees comes with no actual increase in their
numbers...just ballooning salaries and payments. Property taxpayers in the city of
Lockport will face an increase in their county tax bills of about 10% to cover the pay
increases. Some employees, it is rumored, have been budgeted for raises of up to
40%. (11/26/00)
Another County cash crisis: Health Care fund needs $820K. The
Niagara County Health Care Account is expected to run out of money by the end of
November. That revelation is the second financial shocker in less than a month out
of the County's Risk Management Office --- the self-insurance office whereby Niagara
County covers its own risks. Earlier this month it was revealed that employees had
been under-billed for the health care coverage for all of last year---perhaps even for a
longer period. Niagara County Legislators are being asked to approve the transfer of
money that had been set aside for highway repair to pay instead for health claims being
made by County employees. (11/16/00)
Republican reported ready to spring tax hike on County. The first
details of a tentative Niagara County budget for 2001 are expected to be disclosed at a
special meeting of the Legislature's Finance Committee Monday evening, 11/13.
Despite a windfall influx of over $40-million in tobacco settlement money, Republican
leaders have been insisting for months that a tax hike on property owners is needed.
They will try to explain this Monday at the Finance Committee meeting after which all
members of the Legislature will get copies of the tentative budget that they will be asked
to approve. (11/10/00)
Historians backing Dickinson plan rally Wednesday evening at Court House. The
municipal historians and members of all the historical societies in Niagara County are
planning to picket and speak at Wednesday's Legislative Meeting. There action will
be supportive of David L. Dickenson, County Historian, who may lose his job due to a Civil
Service testing dispute. The rally will begin about 6:30PM. (11/6/00) See
further details below
County Historian could be history after Wednesday. Niagara County
Historian, David L. Dickinson appears to be on the way out of office. Dickinson did
not place in the top three in a recent civil service test for the position. Instead
young college grads appears to have "maxed" the test and "old-timer"
Dickinson did poorly on sections about being a museum director---a topic he says has
nothing to do with the duties of County Historian (the county doesn't operate a
museum). Now because of a formal complaint from one of Mr. Dickinson's opponents,
the County Attorney says Dickinson will have to go off the county payroll. He has
been serving on an interim appointment basis since early in the year. However, all
is not loss for Dickinson. There are reports that the Legislature, where he is
reported to have good backing, may do away with the $32K/year Historian position all
together and instead create a similar position, not subject to Civil Service, and appoint
Dickinson to it. The matter is not on the advance agenda given out by the
Legislature but is still expected to come up as a "late agenda" item (11/5/00)
Justice Department to sue more homeowners, to seize land for Indians. Thousands
of additional acres of private land in Erie, Genesee, Allegany, and Livingston counties
would be seized for the Seneca tribe of Indians if United States Attorney General, Janet
Reno carries out the latest Clinton-administration proposed legal action. The the
most recent announcement from the Interior Department is that only the individual land
owners would be brought to court by the Justice Department, acting on behalf of the
Indians. However, Thursday, 11/2, when the story broke, Administration
officials hurried to deny that the government would again be entering the case on the side
of the Indians. The denials came as political damage started to set in throughout the
parts of Western New York that would be impacted. Reno is already siding with the
Indians in their attempted takeover of Grand Island properties. (11/2/00)
Deputy director named to take over for Wertman in Health
Department. Shirley Sampson has been named Niagara County Health Director
for a one year period. She will assume the position when David Wertman leaves office
on November 13th. She would get a $6K a year raise, to $68,840 if her appointment,
recommended by the Niagara County Board of Health is approved by the State and the Niagara
County Legislature. (10/28/00)
Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital to get State bail-out money. After
what up, until now have been secret talks designed to give Assemblyman Rob Daly a last
minute boost in his re-election bid, Republicans in State government have reportedly
agreed to give Niagara Falls' financially desperate hospital a huge cash bailout.
The money reportedly will about $1-million. Daly and Senator George Maziarz are
expected to make the announcement jointly this week. There was no mention of any
state grants for Lockport Memorial Hospital, also in serious financial trouble, but not in
Daly's district. (10/19/00)
Health Department Director quitting. David Wertman, who came into
Niagara County only six years ago to head the Health Department is reported taking
advantage of the County's lucrative "early retirement" incentive to quit county
government and leave Niagara County. Wertman has maintained a home in suburban
Atlantic City, NJ and that's where's he's said to be headed upon "retirement"
which is pegged for November 13th. The search for a new director will start all over
again and the department is expected to run only with an "interim director"
picked from existing staff for some time into the future. (10/18/00)
Republicans making plans to lose control of County Legislature. The
election for County legislature seats is more than a year away but Simonson, Burmaster,
Urtel & Company are apparently already making plans to lose the election for
their party. As if the Election Commissioner scandal cover-up is not bad enough for
them, they seem to continue efforts to raise county property taxes. The County just
got a multi-million dollar cash settlement deal on the tobacco front but GOP operatives
were busy this week confiding to the Niagara Gazette on Thursday, 10/12, that a
"County tax increase may be hard to avoid." On top of that the County
expects to get $4.4-million next year in "unanticipated revenue" but Lee
Simonson whines that the county's health insurance costs are "up 40 percent over the
last two years." Could that be mismanagement of County's self-insurance
program? Oh, no, Simonson wouldn't want to say that! Instead the GOP trio
like chant the chorus of "state mandates." (10/12/00)
30 subpoenas sent out in Grand Jury probe of County Elections office. A
Niagara County Grand Jury continues to pursue a criminal investigation of the County
Elections Commissioners pay scandal. Word from those in County buildings in Lockport
indicated Thursday, 10/5 that as many as thirty County employees had received subpoenas to
appear before the Grand Jury. (10/5/00)
Dale Association moves services into North Tonawanda. The Lockport senior citizen organization has been expanding into a host of new missions thanks to their heavy subsidies from the Lockport City taxpayers doled out by the City Council to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. They've gotten into competition with local travel agents, gift shops, and now a mental health clinic in...North Tonawanda? What's this got to do with Lockport? The Dale Association may be outgrowing Lockport ---- but they're not about to (willingly) outgrow their subsidy from city taxpayers. (9/30/00)
Census indicates Niagara County continuing to lose population.
Although taxes and the size of County government continues to mushroom,
the population of Niagara County continues to decline. Latest Census estimates
indicates the County with a population of about 218,070 down from 220,756 in 1990.
Leading the population loss was Niagara Falls with a drop of almost 10% of its population
now estimated at 56,768. Population increases are reported for the towns of
Lockport, Pendleton, and Wheatfield. (8/31)
County Historian could be history. Buffalo News ace
reporter Tom Prohaska writes in a Saturday, 8/26, exclusive report that Niagara
County Historian David L. Dickinson could be out of his job by September 20th. The
newspaper report says Dickinson came in only 5th on a 60-question multiple-choice civil
service test for the job conducted in June. Dickinson had resigned his job with the
State Labor Department to take the $33,455/year position, beating out a former Republican
Legislator and Niagara Falls Historian, William Feder for the choice job. But when
Dickinson took the state-mandated civil service test he was bested by four other surprise
candidates. State Civil Service law says the County must choose from the top three
scorers on the Civil Service test. Dickinson is reported protesting the test content
after he found out about his low ranking. Among those who reportedly scored above
Dickinson are: Linda E. Deeks and Franklin E. Pfeil both of Lockport (tied for 1st)
followed by Carol A. Schwartz of Wheatfield and Susan L. Penfold of North Tonawanda.
(8/26)
Chinese reported interested in Niagara Falls
Main Street. The first reaction to the recent visit of Mayor Irene Elia
showed up to keen observers of the Niagara Falls Main Street scene in early July.
Members of a Chinese delegation were seen touring the city's downtrodden Main Street
area. The tour reportedly included a look at the former Jenss Department Store which
has been taken over by a store-front church group. Reports to the Lockport Page
say that Mayor Elia was involved with meeting the delegation and showing them
around. The group reportedly expressed interest in becoming part of a Main Street
retail development. (7/14)
Avenue of international shops proposed for Niagara Falls Main Street. A
prominent Niagara Falls businessman and community booster is quietly marketing his idea of
a string of international stores up and down the city's failed Main Street. The idea
is to solicit country's from all over the world to establish a store along Main Street to
promote their products for export to the international tourism trade who flock to Niagara
Falls. The daring proposal would turn the city's Main Street of mostly urban decay
and debris into a vibrant tourist attraction in its own right. Movement of the idea
depends on support from the Niagara Falls City County membership and Mayor Irene
Elia. (7/9)
Commissioners, Legislator, subpoenaed. Niagara
County Legislator James W. Ward (R-Newfane) has reportedly issued a subpoena to appear
before the Niagara County Board of Inquiry looking into the matter overpayments to the
County Elections Commissioners. Ward has been reported ordered to appear before the
Board on July 13th. Also subpoenaed were Election Commissioners Judith M. Cirfalco
and Michael J. Norris, according to public papers. As in all investigations of the
scandal in the past, no public reporting of the proceedings will be allowed. (6/30)
Republicans again hint county tax hike necessary. GOP leaders have
been trying to raise taxes in Niagara County almost since they day they took control of
the Legislature a few years ago. Now, the latest in a string of excuses has been
leaked to the press. The new State law raising the age of a Persons In Need of
Supervision (PINS) from 16 to 18 years is claimed to be the cause for at least another
$750,000 for every ten juveniles affected. That's the word going out from Legislator Lee
Simonson. The solution the Republicans say is to raise property taxes if the State
does not come through and cover these additional costs. Meanwhile the Legislators
are acting to allow Niagara County Community College to spend $222,583 from its surplus
funds left at the end of the fiscal year ending in June. They wouldn't want to have
to turn that money back to the taxpayers or use it to off-set other county expense
increases such as the PINS program. (6/24)
Cornell reported to have violated his parole. Kevin Cornell, the
ex-Wilson School Board member convicted of criminally negligent homicide in May for the death of a bicyclist hit while
Cornell was alleged to be under the influence of alcohol, is in trouble again. The Niagara
Gazette is reporting that substantial amounts of booze were found in Cornell's house
by a probation officer --- and then later found to be moved to his garage. Those are
reportedly violations of Cornell's parole and possible cause for more jail time. He
got off with just 15 days behind bars plus four weeks of weekend jail in court action last
month. He has been ordered back in court on Thursday, 6/22 and could face well more
than a year in jail. Sources tell the Lockport Page that the limited jail
exposure he's received so far has only been in the "trustee" section of
the County facility---nothing like doing real time behind bars. (6/19) Update
6/23: Kevin Cornell admitted in Niagara County Court Thursday, 6/22
that he had violated his probation as charged. Sentencing has been scheduled for
September 15th, the date Cornell is to have completed his probationary weekend jail
terms. He could face additional jail time but the delay in sentencing is seen as a
signal that he may be given another chance.
County leaders advocating tax increase. Just days after the Niagara
County Legislature approved a 16% pay increase for about 375 union employees, officials
were leaking to the press cries that another tax increase would be needed. County
Treasurer, David S. Broderick was the one to confide in Tom Prohaska, of the Buffalo
News Niagara Bureau that the county surplus was "dangerously low" and
declared "This obsession with a zero percent increase is going to come home to roost
in 2001...our cost of operating doesn't go down." Then, Paul J. Roman, the
County's Chief Accountant told Prohaska about the County's reserve funds, "It's a
dangerously low level for cash flow purposes." Prohaska used the warnings in a
newspaper report published Sunday, 6/11. Meanwhile legislators were lining up to
posture that they would "fight" to keep taxes down. (6/11)
County union employees said to be settling for 16% raise. About
375 workers will be getting the raises, part of which will be retroactive for all of 1999.
The agreement, reportedly still tentative with Local 182 of the American Federation
of State, County, and Municipal Employees, was made in the hopes of gaining labor peace
with the county's blue collar union through 2002. There was no immediate word on how
much the new accord would actually cost County taxpayers or add to the County taxes.
The matter is expected to be brought to a vote at a meeting of the Niagara County
Legislature on June 6th. (5/20)
Voyager Emblems said to be winding down in Niagara County. A report
on WLVL Radio Wednesday, 5/3, indicated that the maker of Swiss embroidered emblems has
been slowly moving operations to its parent's facilities in Toronto. The station
broadcast a number of rumors including one that "the bank" had taken ownership
of the Voyager building on Lockport Road in Sanborn. At one time the company had
employed 175 people at the Sanborn facility established in 1965. (5/3)
Rainbow Mall at Falls may be turned into entertainment venue.
The Shopping Center in what remains of the city's downtown tourist
district has been on the ropes for a long time. The hair that broke the camel's back
was the move of Burlington Coat Factory Outlet store out of the Mall in January.
Now, sources say, the owners are considering turning the Mall into a site for video game
parlors, movie screens, eateries, and a youth-oriented entertainment venue. The
proposed changes will require city council approval (4/26)
NCCC hinting it wants taxpayer money to build 3-rink ice complex. Niagara
County Community College President, Antonette J. Cleveland reportedly invited an
assortment of politicians to meet with her and a Canadian firm recently to discuss plans
for a 3-rink deluxe ice rink facility. Nustadia Development of Toronto reportedly
wants to design the facility for NCCC and the college wants taxpayers to foot the
bill. Ms. Cleveland referred to the funding as "public sector
money." According to reliable sources, among those present at the meeting was
Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, chief John Simon. No public cost
estimates have been made available yet but the project is expected to be priced at several
million dollars. The talk of spending more tax money for an ice rink complex comes
just a couple months after NCCC indicated that additional tax dollars are needed to fund
NCCC operations. (4/15)
Scare tactics reported in effort to stop move of Senior food kitchen to
Lockport. The Niagara County Senior Nutrition Program kitchen at Cambria is
set to be closed and the operation moved to the County Jail kitchen at Lockport.
County officials say the Cambria site, a former Air Force Mess Hall, is in need of over
$100,000 in repairs to continue to operate. Instead of paying that money out,
officials want to move the operation to the County Jail Kitchen in the town of
Lockport. The jail kitchen, like many other aspects of the County Jail expansion,
was built too large and the cost of operating a kitchen designed to serve 1,300 meals is
turning out too expensive when only about 300 meals are being prepared for a prison
population that has not lived up to original size projections. About 16 employees of
the kitchen at Cambria would be transferred to the Jail kitchen and, authorities say, jail
inmates would not be used to prepare food for seniors. However, that's not what
rumors circulated through the senior community are saying. Seniors are reported in
"fear" that they will be fed "jail food" and are hearing stories of
how prisoners who help in the preparation of jail food often spike the food with little
"extras." However, with 16 additional kitchen employees at the jail, it's
clear that facility would be over-staffed. The employees, knowing this, fear that
some of them will eventually lose their jobs. The scare tactics have been suggested
as originating from this employee group. The move proposal is now under
committee study by the Niagara County Legislature. For a pictorial on the
present Cambria food preparation site go to: Niagara County Profiles In Pictures
(4/9)
The talk is that Sharon Sacco wants County Youth Bureau moved closer to her home.
The de facto head of the Niagara County Youth Bureau, who also
functions as County Budget Director, apparently has reportedly reacted (somewhat) to a
wave of criticism after it was related here that she intends to move the Bureau
headquarters out of Lockport to a high-rent shopping Plaza in Niagara Falls. (See previous
Pictorial coverage) According to a report over WLVL Radio, Sharon will now
settle for space in the Niagara County Office Building in Niagara Falls. Either
place, Sharon wants the office closer her home---and not in the County Seat of Niagara
where all other County headquarter offices are maintained. (Sharon, if it really
doesn't matter, why not drop the County Youth Bureau all together and save us some tax
dollars?) (4/2)
Restaino to surface again as head of Social Services. The
Niagara Falls City Administrator who helped to orchestrate the mismanagement of the Mayor
James Galie's administration, reportedly will be able to do his thing as the new Niagara
County Commissioner or Social Services. Members of the County's Social Services
Committee reportedly decided to pass over those with more experience in that area to allow
Anthony Restaino, to secure employment. Restaino lost his job when Galie was
rejected in his re-election bid in November '99. (3/28)
Summit Park Mall reported in process of being sold again. Sources
in contact with Wheatfield Supervisor Timothy Demler advise the Lockport Home Page
that the deal to sell the 750,000-square foot troubled shopping center has been reached in
principle. Those sources identify the buyer as a North Carolina businessman, Haywood
Whichard of Raleigh. Whichard, however, said that he is only in the process of
"gathering information" about the property. Other sources say an April
15th closing date has been targeted. The present mall owner, Connecticut General
Life Insurance purchased the property a few years ago from a Cleveland Ohio mall operator.
(3/11)
NCCC wants $150 per student more from taxpayers. Niagara County Community College Board of Trustees went on record Wednesday, 2/23 as asking State authorities to give the college $150 additional financial aid for every full-time student enrolled. The money would come from New York State taxpayers. (2/24)
Niagara County legislators posture on DWI laws. Meeting
Tuesday, 1/18, the County Legislature voted to urge the New York State Legislature to
enact harsher laws dealing with those caught driving while intoxicated. However, as
one veteran County Legislature observer points out, harsher laws don't necessarily mean enforced
laws, let alone equal enforcement. Take for example, the observer tells The
Lockport Page, the case of the Niagara County Legislator reportedly stopped one
evening for driving while intoxicated on the way to work. The matter reportedly
never saw the enforcement stage as the Legislator is said to have reminded local
powers-that-be "who I am." You won't find any record of the arrest or
disposition of the matter in any county record. (1/19/00)
Bishop Mansell reported under consideration to head NYC Archdiocese. Henry
J. Mansell came from New York City when he took over leadership of the Buffalo-based
Western New York Catholic diocese in 1995. Now, with the announced intent of
Cardinal John J. O'Connor to retire and his recent illness, speculation about a
replacement is active in church circles. Bishop Mansell is reported on the
"short list" of candidates under consideration to replace Cardinal
O'Connor as the next head of the New York Catholic Archdiocese. (1/5/00)
David Dickinson to be appointed Niagara County Historian. The
political plum job worth $33,455 reportedly goes to Mr. Dickinson of Newfane on
recommendation of Newfane Town Legislator, James W. Ward. Ward works for GOP Senator
George Maziarz who has advanced in party power politics to the point that he calls the
shots (from behind the scenes) on most of the political patronage jobs in Niagara County.
The Niagara County Legislature is expected to formalize the appointment when it
meets Tuesday, 1/4. Mr. Dickinson, in addition to having the favor of the the County
Republican Leadership, actually has an extensive background in history. He has a
Master's Degree in History from Binghamton University, is a founding president of the
Niagara County Genealogical Society, and member of the Newfane and Niagara County
Historical Societies. He has been working as "Rural Labor Services
Representative" for the New York State Department of Labor out of Lockport.
(1/1/00)
Union & County at impasse over new contract. 375
members of Local 182 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
watched while millions in raises were doled out to hundreds of other Niagara County
employees. The blue collar workers, who have been working without a contract since
December 31, 1998 didn't join the chorus of objections when County Legislators gave
themselves a 25% raise. Nor when County Clerk put in for multiple thousands to boost
his job over $60K. They were looking for "only" 4%---but they weren't out
picketing Legislators homes and businesses just before election and---they got nothing.
And the County apparently is not going to offer Local 182 members the same big
boosts that others got. Thus the union expects to file a "declaration of
impasse" with the Public Employment Relations Board. Likely outcome: with
millions in raises at percents as high as 25% already granted, Local 182 may even get more
than they are asking for if the matter goes to arbitration. It's a matter of
precedent and the GOP Legislators have already set that. Of course here's another
county spending item that will be blamed on "state mandates." (12/26)
Assault on school bus driver in Niagara Falls. The woman driver was
loading students at Niagara Falls High School just off Pine Avenue last week when attacked
by a boy. Details were not publicized but sources at the scene tell The Lockport
Page, police fanned out of a wide area but were unable to immediately apprehend the
boy. The driver, with a bloodied face, was reported treated and released. The
report comes about the same time another Niagara Falls driver drove his bus to a police
station because of unruly students on board---this latter item made mention status in the Niagara
Falls Gazette. (12/15)
County over-estimated tobacco settlement funds. Don't consider this
a big surprise. Days after they passed a new Niagara County budget giving themselves
a 25% raise along with a couple million more for their supporting army of county
employees, Niagara County legislators are leaking word that the projected tobacco
settlement money being counted on as income may have been over-estimated. At the
time of the raises, legislators claimed the pay boosts would cost the taxpayers nothing
extra because of $3.8-million in tobacco settlement funds. Now, days after approval
of their pay boosts, legislators say they have "new figures." About
$780,000 less they say than original estimates. Seems cigarette sales are
down and the tobacco funds are each year dependent on a percent of total cigarette
sales. The now projected short-fall in revenues will have to be made up by property
taxpayers in the year 2001. It must be little tricks like this that cause many
Niagara County residents to go to the polls and vote against every single incumbent on the
ballot, regardless of party. (12/11)
Legislators propose county tax cut, and cut in legislator pay hikes. Niagara County Legislators from Niagara Falls, Dennis Virtuoso and Renae Kimble have built solid reputations with many County political observers as accomplished publicity hounds. This week it appears they struck gold again. Media types are falling all over themselves reporting the proposal by Virtuoso to cut county taxes by up to 4%. Kimble declares she wants to cut the $3,000 raise the Legislators have budgeted for themselves to a mere 4% increase in 2000. Both have accurately detected the outrage of County property taxpayers when they learned that Legislators---after the November elections were complete---were moving on a 25% pay hike for themselves while slightly increasing taxes. And both normally would be leaders in moves to increase spending.
The tax increase is especially galling to residents who watch
nearby Erie County propose a 15% tax cut because of the influx from the State of tobacco
settlement money---money legislators in Niagara County used to give pay raises to over a
thousand county employees. (12/4)
Real reason Bills training camp leaving Fredonia. The
word circulating on campus is that the move came about because of pressure from a major
supermarket executive, based in Rochester, whose company is a major advertiser/sponsor for
the Bills. Sources say everyone was happy with Fredonia but...money talks quite loud
at times. (11/30)
Tobacco money to finance $2.5-million in raises for county employees. Niagara
County officials are indicating (just days after the election) that they will use about
$2.5-million to pay raises to about 1,000 Niagara County Civil Service employees.
The settlement with the county employees was announced Thursday, 11/4, just before
approval of the deal was rammed through the County Legislature for an approval vote.
Lockport Legislator Gerald DeFlippo, whose restaurant was picketed by some employees
during various negotiations this summer, is quoted as happily declaring, "It's
finally done." And where will the money for the raises be coming from? The
"tobacco settlement money" which had been previously promised as a tax rebate
for Niagara County property taxpayers. A public hearing on the proposed County 2000
budget has been set for November 23rd but details of the spending plan have still not been
released to the public. (11/5)
Niagara County GOP promises no tax increase. Party
leadership Friday, 10/29, called in favored media to announce that the Niagara County
Legislature (which they hope to retain control of after Tuesday's election), will propose
no new taxes for the 2000 budget. The disclosure appeared timed to influence Tuesday
elections and Niagara County newspapers fell in line by giving headlines like "County
GOP: no tax increase" atop Saturday front pages. The no-tax increase pledge
comes despite soaring spending by the GOP and pay raises for most everybody in county
employment. In fact spending, it was disclosed, will increase over $6-million. Turns
out the County intends to grab the the State Tobacco Lawsuit Settlement money going to
Niagara County to finance the increased spending. County Legislature Majority Leader
Shirley Urtel told the Niagara Gazette that her Republican leadership was able to
hold the line on taxes because of a influx of "tobacco lawsuit settlement
money." No Lockport Pagers were invited to the GOP private briefing
session---perhaps because we would have asked the obvious: "But, Shirley,
wasn't all that tobacco money supposed to go back to the property taxpayers of Niagara
County who were taxed to pay for the health care (Medicaid) for those who smoked
cigarettes over the years? Were we not promised tax reduction?"
(10/30)
They can't blame this on "state mandates." The
Buffalo News is reporting that almost 1,000 white-collar employees of Niagara County
will be getting bonus payments of about $1,000 each this year plus a raise of about 12%
over the next three years. The pay boosts come as part of a new contract with CSEA
which has been reportedly settled on behind closed doors and will be retroactive to
January 1st 1999. The raises come as county legislators claim that "state
mandates" may cause them to impose another tax increase on beleaguered Niagara County
property owners for the year 2000. Formal action on the tax increases and other
budget details are being delayed until after the election---critics say---to protect the
Republicans who would have to take the bulk of the blame for any tax hike.
Meanwhile, the Niagara Gazette was disclosing that the Niagara County Health
Department has gone over its current budget, needing $24,000 more. The County Health
Department Director claims the money is for employee costs. "State
mandates" are blamed, but it is the county leadership that hires and sets salaries.
(10/18)
County officials mum on budget details except one: they want pay
raises. With County Legislature elections coming in November, Niagara
County officials are refusing to go on record about the County Budget for Year 2000.
The apparent reason: most agree they will impose another tax
increase---perhaps a big one---on county property taxpayers. Look for details of the
budget to come out within a week after elections. However, one item has come out
already: Niagara County department heads are clamoring for raises. They have
new ammunition after the county gave in to the County Sheriff's Department employees for
across-the-board increases of 3% per year. (10/11)
County kitchen may move operations from Cambria to jail. The
expensive Niagara County hot food program for seniors may be closing down its Central
Kitchen operations in Cambria and moving food preparation to the Niagara County Jail in an
effort to save money. The kitchen in Cambria (pictured below) operates out of the
building that had been extensively (and expensively) renovated at the former Lockport Air
Force Station site. Now, officials claim, it is in need of up to $150,000 in repairs
and consideration is being given to closing it down all together. Senior clients of
the county food program could wind up eating jail food where a huge kitchen is being
under-utilized. Employees at the Cambria kitchen are already sounding an alarm that
some of their jobs may be eliminated in any consolidation move. County taxpayers,
however, could possibly benefit from savings due to consolidation efficiencies.
(10/11)
American Sigma reported leaving Medina. According to a report on WLVL Monday morning, 10/4, American Sigma, Inc. will be moving production to a location out west in early 2000. About 130 jobs will be lost in Medina the report said indicating the relocation would be to Colorado. A small staff may remain in Medina, the report indicated. The move is supposed to take place by February 2000 according to the radio report. American Sigma employs just over 130 at its Ridge Road location in Medina, established there in 1981. The company is a major producer of environmental monitoring equipment including flow meters, water pollution samplers, and environmental sensors. Word of the Medina close-down started circulating in the village over the weekend according to the radio reports. As of Monday afternoon, the company had not addressed the issue on its World Wide Web site location (10/4)
Sanborn Historical Society talking about building 56-acre tourist village. The theme of the complex would be 19th-century life and promoters say it will be the "biggest tourist development in Niagara County in 30 years." It would be located on off Route 31, between Town Line Road and the Niagara-Wheatfield School. The Sanborn Historical Society announced Tuesday, 9/28, that it would buy the property from its present owner, Leonard Wienke. The Society expects to pay for bulk of the project through taxpayer money obtained from various government agencies, grants, and loans. (9/29)
Niagara County officials sending out trial balloons for tax hike. Ever since the Republicans took control of the Niagara County Legislature a couple years ago they have been threatening to increase taxes. Public pressure and a record of the prior Democratic-controlled Legislature in stopping the tax escalation has kept the local GOP leaders restrained. Now there is a new excuse. County (GOP) Legislators are claiming because of the new state budget, Niagara County will get hit with about $3-million more in state mandated costs. However, the state reportedly will be sending through to the county about $4.5-million in new "tobacco settlement money." That leaves the county with about $1.5-million more net funding! But the local spenders have already been tripping over themselves with schemes to spend the "tobacco" money before the state budget was settled. Local or state---they still don't get it---people are leaving New York and Niagara County because of high taxes! (8/10)
White estate reporting suing driver in fatal crash for
$90.5-million. Remember all the impromptu fund-raising and donations for
the survivors of the White family after the father failed to stop at a Royalton
intersection and piloted the family to death and injury? Mom and dad plus one child
dead, two children survived. Apparently not enough money was raised since those two
child survivors, through lawyers and guardians, are now reported suing the driver of the
SUV their vehicle collided with for $90.5-million. Niagara County Sheriff Tom
Beilein says, "There is no evidence he was speeding" in referring to the driving
practices of the lawsuit's target, 26-year old Christopher J. Peracciny of Chestnut Ridge
Road. An accident report shows Mr. White clearly at
fault in the accident for failure to yield at the intersection of Mountain Road and
Griswold Street. Another lawsuit is pending by the White estate against
Niagara County. (5/31)
Niagara County bracing for suit over fatal auto crash. It
seemed pretty straight forward at the time. Christopher J. White was driving his van
with his family on board when he reportedly failed to yield the right-of-way at the
intersection of Mountain Road and Griswold Streets in the town of Royalton. His van
was hit by an on-coming sport utility vehicle and he, his wife (Dr. Deborah White) and
their son were killed. The driver of the SUV was not charged. The fault in the
accident apparently was clearly that of Mr. White. Right? Wrong, say lawyers
now gearing up for a lawsuit. And how do they expect to win against the driver of
the SUV when, if anything, he has a case against the White estate? The lawyers
are staking their case of a claim that the standard rural speed limit of 55-miles per hour
was too high for that intersection and they are blaming Niagara County. The estate
for the Whites is setting the stage to sue county taxpayers for millions according to a
report in the Sunday, 5/16, Buffalo News. Go figure! (5/16)
Over 600 acres of lakefront property purchased in
town of Porter. The attorney representing two corporations that have
made the buys won't say who the owner is. 13 properties have been purchased since
December 24th . 338 acres are along Youngstown-Wilson Road, 235 acres along Lake
Road, and 37 more acres were just purchased from Occidental Chemical on April 16th.
Records show that about $1,638,600 has been paid for the properties. Niagara Fall
lawyer Angelo Massaro is acting as front for the purchases and he declined to identify
those involved or comment on the matter. (4/30)
Senator Schumer afraid of being shot during Falls visit. The Niagara
Gazette indicates that New York's new U. S. Senator, Charles Schumer wore a
bulletproof vest on his recent visit to Niagara Falls. He even wore it during a
speech before the friendly teachers union convention. He demanded that a platoon of
police walk with him as he went to and from public functions. (4/30)
25% of fires in county arson-related on Indian land. That's the
word coming from a survey of fire companies by the Buffalo News for the late
March, early April period when about 60 fires were fought in Niagara County. Almost
all of them were brush fires helped along by drying conditions, warm weather, and wind.
Many are suspected due to carelessness, officials say, but about 25% were suspected
arson on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation. There, off-reservation volunteers,
usually from Lewiston, go in under danger of getting involved with internal tribal feuds,
to fight the fires. (4/5)
Telephone company afraid to send crews onto Tuscarora Reservation. Bell Atlantic responded this week to a new pressure campaign by residents of the Tuscarora Indian Reservation, east of Lockport on the north side of Route 31, to get the government to force telephone company workers to fix and install service. Crews of Bell Atlantic have refused to do routine work on Indian land without police protection because of violence. Some of the violence, including cutting wires, comes about because of internal-tribal disputes. Other violence is attributed to deep racial hate by some tribal factions of non-Indians. Signs at times, especially along Chew Road, warn non-Indians to stay out of the Reservation on threat of violence. Even the Niagara County Sheriff's Department will not go into the area at night. Now, Indians are writing letters to Gov. George Pataki, the Federal Communications Commission, and Hillary Clinton asking the telephone company crews be ordered to fix telephone service on Indian land. A Bell-Atlantic spokesman describes the internal-tribal feuds as "politics." Cliff Lee says, "They want to pick and choose who gets service...we want to provide it to everyone...we can't afford to get involved in the politics. They won't guarantee the safety of our technicians and we cannot put them at risk. We don't want our technicians being hurt or our equipment being destroyed. Until this is resolved, we won't go out there." The Reservation is gaining an increasing reputation as a "haven of hate and a venue of violence." Suspects in off-reservation crime are routinely traced to the Reservation where they "disappear." (3/10)
Elderly sisters swindled out of their money
seek court help. The Shellberry sisters of Newfane have
reportedly filed a State Supreme Court lawsuit against a Lockport attorney in an attempt
to recover about $100,000 in their life savings. The Buffalo News reports
that Louise, Marie, and Margaret Shellberry, now all in their 70's, had sent 43 checks to
Lockport attorney, Edwin J. Shoemaker, during the period 1991 to 1995 thinking they were
investing in "Town of Lockport Municipal Bonds." The payments were
reportedly made on advice of the late Robert A. Albright, the former Lockport Town
Assessor and close friend of the sisters. Albright is said to have then received the
money from Shoemaker but never bought any "bonds" for the sisters. Efforts
to recover the money from Mr. Albright's estate (he died in October 1995) have been
unsuccessful and the newspaper says Mr. Albright's widow, a Lockport school teacher, says
she "doesn't know" what happened to the money and has declined to reimburse the
Shellberry sisters. An investigation by Niagara County District Attorney, Matthew J.
Murphy III indicates lawyer Shoemaker was used only as a "pass-through" for the
money and did not pocket any of the funds. However, Murphy told The News, "I
have concerns about Mr. Shoemaker's conduct as an attorney in this case..." Court
records show Mr. Albright died leaving an estate valued at $257,162. Albright and
Shoemaker were said to be cousins according to the The Buffalo News report.
(10/25/98)