Michael
Norris (pictured left) ) was supported by his fellow Republicans in the Niagara County Elections
Commissioner pay scandal.
Michael
Norris (pictured left) ) was supported by his fellow Republicans in the Niagara County Elections
Commissioner pay scandal.
The following transcript tells legions about the Niagara County District Attorney's Office. It was April 19, 2000 and Niagara County (Republican) Elections Commissioner, Michael J. Norris was giving testimony in the matter of the Election Commissioner's Office pay scandal. Timothy R. Lundquist, First Assistant District Attorney was questioning Mr. Norris. Norris' attorney, John Ottaviano is present. A segment of the "confidential" transcribed transcript of the exchange follows:
JO: Tim, is this going to be kept confidential by the District Attorney?
TRL: And as far as this tape is concerned, and our conversation with Mr. Norris, we will keep that confidential.
JO: OK
MN: I have a question.
TRL: OK. Certainly.
MN: Would that be made, would this information be made public at any time? Testimony I give today? Would that remain confidential?
TRL: NO. We will keep that, uh confidential, all right.
MN: So it won't be released to any media or anything else like that?
TRL: Will not be released to the media, will not be released to any person outside the District Attorney's office, uh, will not be released to the Board of Inquiry at this point. Those types of things.
Flash ahead to September 6, 2001. The scene is the office of the Lockport Home Page. The transcript of Mr. Norris' "confidential" testimony is on a desk, having been obtained through routine copying of now-public documents. Perhaps we should publish excerpts under "Lockport Confidential" in respect to the promises made to Mr. Norris by the DA's Office.
The appointment of Regina C. Rosati of Lockport to the position of Niagara County Youth Bureau Director was approved by the Niagara County Legislature mainly along party lines Tuesday, 2/6/01. Six Democrats voted against her appointment after Renae Kimble (D-NF) leveled an unspecified charge of "discrimination" against Mrs. Rosati. Legislator, John Cole (D-Lockport) was the sole Democrat to vote in favor of Mrs. Rosati. His vote and later explanation tells legions about Rosati --- and Mr. Cole:
Retired teacher and now member of the Lockport Board of Education, Renee A. Knight, recently made an observation of why costs (and taxes) have gone up so sharply in recent years in the Lockport School District. (1/27/01)
Lockport Alderman Sean Smith went to the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal last week to attack the chairman of the Citizen's Advisory Committee, Glenn Aronow. Aronow had provided the city with a list of 100 locations of different building inspection violations visible from the street and Smith responded to the unwelcome embarrassment caused the city building inspection department by calling the list "appalling and ridiculous." Smith was one of the alderman who fought to have a proposed Landlord Licensing Law which Aronow's committee had worked on shot down. At a meeting of the City Council Wednesday night, 9/6, another member of the committee, Jon May, addressed the council responding to Smith's attack and then questioning why city legal counsel was trying to find "loopholes" in a state law that mandates local communities keep tabs on landlords of multiple unit apartments. May's comments are reproduced below:
"Recently, at the public forum for Landlord Licensing, many people stated that we should enforce laws we already have, rather than make new ones. Now apparently, a state law has been discovered that requires Landlord Registration and addresses code compliance for multiple unit dwellings.
So, what are we doing to enforce this law? "Our lawyers are working on it." "Working on it" is nice, but why not spend the time, energy & money to hire some more help rather than "researching it". The only reason I can think of for such research is to find a way not to have to enforce this law. WHY?
In your positions, one of your primary responsibilities should be to enforce the laws. This is a law. Why can't we just accept that we didn't know about it and start enforcing it. Glenn Aronow recently submitted a list of over a hundred homes with apparent visible violations. Alderman Smith commented that this list is appalling and ridiculous, and that the request to inspect these properties is of no benefit to the city. I'd like to ask: What is appalling enforcing a law? What's ridiculous about trying to clean up properties with visible violations? How can that NOT benefit the city? How is a cleaner, safer city of no benefit?
I can't see how it will cost us additional money to have the Building Inspection department do the job they are paid to do. But, even if it does, I think cleaning up even a few properties is a better use for our tax money than legal fees. With all due respect to everyone involved, I personally find it appalling and ridiculous that an alderman would call the efforts of a citizen or group of citizens to make the city a cleaner and better place appalling and ridiculous. I personally find it appalling and ridiculous that a team of lawyers and TWO city administrations were unaware of a law that's only 6 years old.
It's very convenient to talk
about personal vendettas and sour grapes. It distracts from the fact that the job is
not being done, and there seems to be reluctance on the part of this council to force the
issue. The complaint is that the list is too long. I'd like to give you
a list of my own. It has one property on it. There's a vacant house on my
street that has numerous visible violations. Tall, weedy grass, flooded back yard,
broken and boarded windows, roof damage, etc. It's just a general eyesore.
I'm told it has a cracked foundation slab and can't be rented in its current
condition. I know you'll be able to contact the owner because there is a
for sale sign in the front yard with his phone number on it. It's located between 27
and 37 Pennsylvania Ave. I can't tell you the exact number because I didn't see one
posted on the house, which, if that's the case, is, I believe also a violation.
Maybe the Landlords were right.
Maybe we don't need and new laws. But, please, enforce the ones we
have." (9/00)
Niagara County's two political party leaders didn't leave much hope for the citizens of the County Beautiful that the two County Election Commissioners would be replaced anytime soon. The two stand accused by an Investigating Team from the Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office of "subterfuge and deceit" in the on-going scandal over unauthorized pay. Neither of the Commissioners appears inclined, on their own, to resign their office. The Niagara Gazette has published some choice quotes from the GOP and Democratic Party bosses:
Of Republican Commissioner Michael Norris, party boss John Long proclaims:
Of Democratic Commissioner Judith Cirifalco, party boss Nicholas Forster declares:
8/24/00
Niagara Falls' new mayor, Irene Elia, has wasted no time making it clear with the Niagara Falls Redevelopment Corporation that the city is tired of waiting for action. NRC has had exclusive development rights for downtown Niagara Falls for several years now and recently missed a deadline to show that it had invested $20-million in new development. While listening to NRC officials, Tuesday, 1/25/00, respond to a six-month deadline for some kind of concrete action, she started to hear another set of excuses. After that the mayor got right down to the nitty gritty, declaring,
Three (black) Buffalo Bills football players were arrested after a sex attack on an off-duty (white) lady copy in Sensation'z, a Buffalo nightclub early in the morning of November 6th. According to a report in the Buffalo News, Policewoman Donna Hall was grabbed by a football player by her crotch then pushed and shoved when she wouldn't submit to him. Her companion in the nightclub, off-duty Policewoman Natalie Perez, was picked up by one of the three football players and "whipped around" before being thrown to the ground when she attempted to come to the aid of Hall. Both women fled the nightclub and after their escape, called on-duty police who came in and, after additional fighting, arrested the three players. Former Bills fullback, Brian Edwards, is quoted as telling police upon being booked in a Buffalo News story...
11/7/99
Niagara County officials have devised an unusually inventive number of schemes to disguise their ever increasing spending of taxpayer resources. Most of these go undetected. But a nationally known accounting firm, doing an audit of county books found one such scheme they had to red flag. Seems the county had "loaned" the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency and the Niagara County Refuse Disposal District some $1,800.000 so that the two agencies could function. Only county legislators didn't want to admit to putting money down those dark holes. So, they put the $1.8-million on the books as "cash on hand" claiming they have a defaco I.O.U. from the two groups in their county cash box---sort of payable on demand. Of course, neither agency is in any position to pay the money back "on demand" ---or, for that matter---perhaps even 40 years from now. The accounting firm tells the county to made the adjustments drawing down the county's "unappropirated fund balance" (that's where money for property tax relief comes from) for the full $1.8-million. Ouch! That's a direct hit to county property taxpayers. But Sharon Sacco, the county budget director, continues the financial rhetoric of fiscal denial telling the Niagara Gazette:
You tell 'em, Sharon. Of course, faced with an additional bill estimated at about $1.3-million for state mandated Medicaid expense, "readily available money" is exactly what the county needs to avoid another big property tax hike. (7/11)
Patrick Bradley comments in his Tuesday, 7/6 column in the Niagara Gazette that Niagara Falls school board member Mark Zito has been elected Vice-President of the Board of Education. This on the heels of Zito's involvement with a legal fee/commission scheme Zito was reportedly involved in with former school board attorney, Michael Gold. Bradley moans,
Buffalo Sabre hockey head coach, Lindy Ruff, had some interesting comments at a press conference Friday, 6/11/99. The Sabres were tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven series with The Dallas Stars with the Stanley Cup as the prize. We don't know if Mr. Ruff ever served in the military. But if he did, he probably has an extremely short memory. And if he didn't he probably doesn't remember much from world history or ethics classes either. Regarding the upcoming games with Dallas, Ruff declared to the press:
Even for those accustomed to hearing sports stars being referred to as "heroes," Mr. Ruff's concept of "how to play the game" may be a bit much.
The Chief-of-Staff at Lockport Memorial Hospital had strong criticism for the facility's Board of Trustees on Wednesday, 3/31 when a Hospital Recovery Plan was unveiled by the Board and hospital administrators. Dr. Muneeb U. Haroon, had only been appointed to the Board in January, himself. Now, at the end of March, he said he would no longer attend meetings. He had critical comments on the board's "cloak of secrecy," the multi-million dollar ill-planned expansion program, the competency of the new management team, and the egos of some Board members.
WBEN morning host, Bill Lacey was commenting on the sad state of Buffalo education Tuesday morning, 3/30, following the announcement that the Buffalo School Board had reversed itself after intense Afro-American pressures were brought to bear. They decided, 5-4, that Superintendent of Schools, James Harris---who they had sought to oust for mismanagement in connection with the loss of nearly $9-million in state aid---could keep his job. Lacey commented...
Western New York Real Estate executive, Peter F. Hunt says the high cost of local government is hurting the Niagara Frontier. Hunt hits the nail on the head when he said Thursday, 3/18:
Local Congressman John LaFalce, just back from a winter trip to Mexico with the Clintons, was asked about the feelers the "first lady" was putting out concerning her running for the U. S. Senate seat to be vacated by New York's Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He was supportive, of course. But pressed further regarding Mrs. Clinton's non-resident status, LaFalce excused this declaring,
However, as Patrick Bradley points out in the Niagara Gazette, 2/18/99, the Tonawanda Democrat had no such excuse for his Republican opponent, Chris Collins, in the last election :
Lockport Common Alderman Greg Wik wasn't being very supportive this week when Delphi Automotive, the new corporate parent for Lockport's Delphi-Harrison, began their public stock offering, 2/5/99. (Common stock at $17 per share is being offered by current owner, General Motors.) Not the kind of publicity a company needs when it's trying to sell stock...especially considering that Mr. Wik has been on the Harrison payroll for about 27 years. Wik, with his continued employment at Delphi-Harrison protected by union contract, "went public" with his "support" and "financial analysis" on Thursday, 2/4 telling the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal:
Former New York State Senator, John Daly, reflected back on his own political career upon the swearing in of his son, 38-year old Robert A. Daly as the new (Republican) Assemblyman for the 138th District. Young Rob had just won his first public elective office over two Democrats who engaged in a bitter campaign (amongst themselves, not Daly) filled with "dirty tricks." People at the ceremony held at the Como Restaurant in Niagara Falls were talking about an assortment of local and national disgraces...President Clinton's extramarital affairs and perjury along with the various Niagara County officials who betrayed public trust and had served jail time. The elder Daly who had a record in public service of integrity and civility, lamented...
Howard Wiseman is the Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Fiber in North Tonawanda. Frontier recently acquired part of a deserted area of the Lumber City between Main and Oliver Streets known as "Ghostman's Path." It is in this area that a 15-year old girl was attacked and raped while "taking a shortcut" across private property while out walking at 2 o'clock in the morning. A suspect in her attack has been apprehended. That done, some public groups are clamoring for the city to "do something" about the private property and Mr. Wiseman's company is included in the finger-pointing going on. Mr. Wisemen in a comment to the Niagara Gazette lets us stop and think about the matter in a bit different light as he asked,
8/11/98
Family "concern" for teen Indian fugitive. The family of 16-year old Joshua Rickard of the Tuscarora Indian Reservation were expressing "concern" to local media on how the youngster would be "treated" once caught (again) by law enforcement agencies. The kid himself was featured in a "live" interview on Buffalo TV by newshounds who found him when the police couldn't. Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein was probably practicing extreme restraint when he gave the media the following in response to the family's "concern:"
Rickard faces numerous charges including escape and possession of stolen merchandise (from a break-in at Mills Jewelers). He is considered "dangerous." (7/7)
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than the past, than education, than
money, than circumstances, than failure, than success, than what other
people think or say or do. It is more important than appearances,
giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we
will embrace for that day. We can not change our past... we cannot change
the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the
inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one strength we have,
and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to
me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...
We are in charge of our Attitudes.
(Author Unknown)
Submitted by:
George E. Fritz
Mills Jewelers
800-859-3135
www.millsjewelers.com
Joseph T. Spina, 50, of Niagara Falls who police say had just killed his wife and his drug dealer, was with a new "companion", an 18-year old Gasport girl. As many romantics do, the couple was walking down toward the rapids just above the mighty Niagara at twilight Monday, 4/21 when Spina reportedly inquired:
"Do you think I'm a nice person?" ( YES! she replied)...."Me and my wife got into a fight two days ago, and I killed her. A drug dealer came to my house (and) I stabbed him four or five times in the chest. I beat him in the head with a hammer."
...Quote in the Buffalo News 4/22/98
New York State Comptroler, H. Carl McCall, in a state audit report says that abused and neglected children are being put "at risk" by "bulging caseloads of local social service workers assigned to look out for their interest." Say what? And all this time we thought the children were being put at "risk" by their self-indulging parents!
Stan Rydelek is vice president of tourism and
development for the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau (funded in large part by
taxpayer dollars). He is featured in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal on
Saturday, December 20, 1997 calling for "more than $100,000" be allocated for
"food catering" a group of Asian visitors to Niagara County for three days
during September 1998. According to the implication of the newspaper report, the food bill
would be to "promote" Niagara County to Asian travel agents (about 350) who will
be attending a travel agent convention at Niagara Falls.
Immediately below Mr. Rydelek's plan to "lure Asian tourists"with $100,000 in
food is a second story relating the struggle the Lockport Soup Kitchen is having raising
money to feed the local poor. They've raised only $26,000 compared to $45,000 last year.
They feed about 200 local poor people per day, every day of the year.
"Asian exposure into Lockport has been
limited. We are
working to promote the whole area so that they know
Lockport is a part of Niagara Falls."
Over my 38-year relationship with this city, I have established many great friendships, and I feel very much at home in Buffalo. I find Western New York picturesque and the area is lucky to have many wonderful resources close at hand.
The Bills are not just a business entity located in Buffalo, but a part of Buffalo. That is also why it has been disheartening for me to see so many businesses leave the area over the past four decades. The disappearance of jobs, coupled with ever-escalating taxes, has had a serious effect on the quality of life for many people in Buffalo.
Upstate New York is a region at risk---serious risk, economic and social. When jobs don't grow, the people go.
What is needed to save this threatened area? First, an absolute requirement is an easing of the tax burden that continues to drive productive enterprises and people away. The combined weight of New York's state and local taxes is too great a handicap for business or individuals to tolerate if they have a viable means of escape.
The eight U.S. metropolian areas with highest local taxes relative to personal income included six in New York. On that national list, Buffalo-Niagara was third-highest.
Local property taxes take a larger share of personal income in New York than in any other state except New Hampshire (which has no income tax and no sales tax).
The bite that local taxes took out of income in Buffalo-Niagara was 38 percent bigger than the average for the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country.
Leadership is taking care of your people. Whether you're in a very small organization or a very large organization. You put them in the tent first, you feed them first, you make sure they're recognized, and you make sure that they know that they are important to the mission and the organization. If you don't do that, you're not a leader.
If you do not have standards and ethics you will not have respect. If you do not have respect, you can't lead.
"Truth, though the heavens may fall." The meaning of this phrase, like the Latin used to word it, seems to have gone out of vogue today. The world still thirsts for truth. But, what is often dispensed, are half-truths, distortions, mumbo-jumbo ( in legal, educational, political, scientific, and advertising dialects), "corrected" or updated translations, and lies. Messengers of bad and unpleasant news, scientists reporting unpopular and politically incorrect findings, preachers striving to delineate the truth in the face of changing "standards," organizations dependent on advertising revenue, grants, or access from the very institutions they report on, and historians attempting to report "unrevised" versions of history...all are often pressured to change their reports to avoid, themselves, criticism or retaliation.