Frontier Follies!

Comment & Opinion From Around The Niagara Frontier and Western New York...
Here Are Some Real Doozies!
You may say, "This must be a joke" when you read some of these antics.
But they're all true---some stranger than fiction, many an embarrassment to our region and government.
A report of happenings here on the Niagara Frontier wouldn't be representative without them.

 Since 1996 Sharing Niagara Frontier Silliness With The World
The Lockport Home Page:   www.Lockport-NY.com
A Nose For News, An Eye For Beauty... A Sense Of Humor And
A Bias For The Truth!

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Most items appear first in our Niagara Frontier Today section and are later archived here
Latest items are first and age as you scroll down the screen

Brits hike electric rates for WNY, blame increased gas prices.   The British firm, National Grid, which gobbled up our formerly locally owned Niagara-Mohawk utility a year back, is showing their first flash of "British humour" in the United States.  At the expense of Western New York electricity customers.  In a newspaper report on December 28th, the company says it will raise household electric bills $5.50 per month in January 2006, another $3/month in April, and still more again in January 2007.  It blames the hike on the increased cost of natural gas which it claims to use to produce electricity.  Now, here is the first punch line:  Only problem, in Western New York, most electricity is produced from cheap hydroelectric sources, followed by the large coal-fired generators in Hamburg, Dunkirk, and Somerset, followed by imported hydro power from Niagara Falls, Ontario.   What's the price of natural gas got to do with that?  And, in case you don't die laughing at deception --- the newspaper puts on the same page as National Grid's rate hike story, a national wire report that says natural gas prices continue to fall---wholesale bulk and futures went down about 23% last week alone!  The jokes on us, but we're not an appreciative audience for the British humour.   (12/28/05)

Why Johnny Can't Do Math

So many of you report enlightenment after our Why Johnny Can't Read  article we were delighted to pick up the following story out of Buffalo this past weekend (major details of which we have confirmed).  We knew you'd enjoy knowing about it. 

A not-too-bright upperclassman at Buffalo college (major production center for secondary school teachers around Western New York) failed to buy the text book for his math class in time this past September. Let's call him Marvin (not his real name).   The stock at the campus book store had run out and he had to special-order one.  When the book finally arrived Marvin discovered the distributor had sent a "teachers edition" by mistake!  These are the books, only the professors are to get, that have all the answers to all the book's end-of-chapter practice questions!  And the particular professor Marvin has likes to make things easy for his students and uses mostly questions from the book and gives "take-home" exams.  How easy can it get?  Even more easy when you have the teacher's Answer Book for take-home exams!  So, you imagine, this wannabe future math teacher has probably aced the exams and is running something like a 100% average in the course?   Not nearly quite.  The talk is he's failing the course since he hasn't yet passed one of the take-home tests.  Someone whispered to us, "We don't think he's even read the book and doesn't realize where all the exam questions are coming from!"  Parents of Western New York:  Does this help you understand why from time to time a child gets such a bad teacher that their entire scholastic sequence can be destroyed?  In another year, a "Marvin" could be coming to your school district!  (12/10/01)

County blaming title company for its ill-conceived seizure of Flintkote property.  Niagara County bureaucrats thought they'd show the City of Lockport a thing or two.  The City had taken no action to seize the Flintkote property on Mill Street for unpaid City and County back taxes.  So in 1999, the County went in and took seizure action on its own and...became owners of a hazardous waste site.  Lockport Mayor Kenneth Swan could have told them if they had bothered to ask.     So could have several thousand residents of Lockport.  The Lockport Home Page had a detailed report on the hazards there. But a County attorney who had apparently not researched adequately  what he was doing, had the County move with a foreclosure action.  In the process of that action Iroquois Abstract Company was retained to prepare a title search.  Now, a few years later and well after County leaders appreciate the financial liability they have got themselves into, Legislator Brad Erck (himself a former City resident who should have known better) proposed legislation that would have the County sue Iroquois.  The reason?  Although the firm did give them title information they did not spell out in black and white what nearly everybody else knew---the place was a toxic hot spot!  (12/8/01)
Another half-mil of "tobacco money" to go up in smoke.   When Niagara County Legislators learned Monday night, 12/3, that the County would be getting an extra $527,379 in tobacco settlement money, they apparently didn't have time to think twice about using it to cut the giant property tax hike they have been planning.  County Treasurer, David Broderick, noted that the County's workers compensation insurance pool was short of cash and that the additional tobacco money would be useful to transfer to that fund to prevent insolvency.    (12/4/01)

Niagara County officials propose spending $200,000 for new golf carts.  The same officials that claim the County is in such financial trouble that it will have to raise property taxes and close all County parks (except the golf course at Lockport) now wants to spend $200,000 on new golf carts for the Davison Road golf facility.  The funds, according to out-going Majority Leader Shirley Urtel (R- Cambria) will come from "tobacco money"---the multimillion dollar bonanza handed the County as part of a national settlement with tobacco companies over health issues.  Meanwhile County officials have announced December 4th as the date of public hearings on the proposed 2002 "austerity" County budget.  (11/22/01) 
New Mount View Director gets raise before he even starts work.   The new Director for the Niagara County Nursing Home, a/k/a The Mount View Health Facility, received a raise from the Niagara County Legislature Tuesday, 11/20 of $4371 to boost his starting pay to $72,246.  According to talk at the meeting, Edmond Marchi, who is presently the director of a nursing home in Orleans County, backed down on his previous acceptance of the position after he won out in a field of several candidates.    Then, when Niagara County personnel administrators attempted to hire runner-up candidates they were no longer interested.  Marchi was then able to extract a raise from County negotiators and waiving of the County-residence requirement.  The County has been under pressure to hire a new administrator before the current one retires in December a fact known to Mr. Marchi and useful in his negotiations for more money.    (11/21/01)
Gone but not forgotten.  Five former fire officers with the Niagara Falls Fire Department have been retired for some time now.  But they are not forgotten.  City Administrator Al Joseph included retroactive raises (going back to January 2000) for all five in a new contract between the firemen's union and the City he recently submitted for City Council approval.  "And why was this?" questioned one Council member who discovered "Big Al's" little going-away gift in the contract's fine print.  Joseph didn't have an explanation handy other than to refer to the retroactive raises for the men now gone form city service as a contract "deal maker."  The Council tabled the contract but City firemen's union representatives are expected to apply pressure for its adoption--- with the retroactive raises for the departed.  (11/21/01)
State aid to Lockport slashed but increased for Niagara Falls and Buffalo.  Financially incompetent Buffalo is reported getting a 74% increase in New York State financial aid in the 2001-2 State Budget despite apparent widespread city financial mismanagement.  In Niagara Falls, where city government corruption seems a part of the city's genetic code, spenders there will get 5% more than last year.   In Lockport, however, the city will suffer an alarming 23% cut in State aid despite a declining tax base (caused by reduction in assessment to Delphi-Harrison) and other exiting industry.  The Associated Press report doesn't give details as to why Lockport State funding will decline but observers are asking, "Could this be the result of another failure on the part of the Sullivan administration to properly pursue State grants and funding?...The squeaky wheel does indeed get the oil!"   (11/19/01) 
Who is watching the till at Buffalo City Hall?  Latest news from audits of the financially incompetent City of Buffalo indicate that seven retired Buffalo firefighters were overpaid more than $350,000 during the past couple of years.  The men continued to be paid out of city accounts for long after State retirement system payments took over.  They were paid double but nobody at City Hall seemed to care.   Now, an investigation into 96 other recent retirements in the Fire Department are being looked at to see how much more to others was overpaid.  City losses are expected to total over a half million dollars.  None of the firefighters have indicated any willingness to return the overpayments.  (11/19/01) 

Hobel drops lawsuit against County and IDA.  Citizen activist and foe of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, Don Hobel, has dropped his federal lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the IDA's tax exemption policies.   Hobel apparently dropped the suit for lack of financial resources to hire the expensive legal representation to carry to suit further.   Niagara County Attorney  Claude Joerg, upon hearing that the Hobel suit had been withdrawn, immediately told the media that he's considering a suit against Mr. Hobel to cover the County's cost of the "frivolous litigation."  Hobel had been acting as his own attorney in the action, a move especially galling to the County Attorney's office which claimed it had to go out and hire a special attorney (at a cost of $1650) to deal with Hobel's action.  The County never explained why it didn't have the in-house legal talent to handle the case itself---especially against a non-lawyer.    (10/28/01)

Union won't yield, coke ovens to close, 340 lose jobs.  The members of the United Steel Workers decided they'd rather be out of work than give in to a few dollars an hour of wage reductions at the Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna coke ovens.    Bethlehem, in serious financial trouble because of inability to compete with foreign imports of steel, had attempted to sell the Lackawanna operation to a Tonawanda company.  But Tonawanda Coke Corporation said the only way it would buy the giant facility and save the employment there was if it could make a profit---and that meant lowering the unrealistic union wages to a level where they could compete on labor costs.    But the union said "no" and the sale fell through Wednesday, 9/26.    The coke ovens will be shut down Friday, 9/28 and 340 will quickly be phased off the payroll.  Demolition is a possibility for the future and Lackawanna will have another expensive piece of tax-paying property reduced to a vacant land low-tax property.    (9/27/01)
Readers Digest story critical of Niagara County use of "tobacco money."  The October issue of Readers Digest includes the article "Up In Smoke" which is critical of Niagara County and a few other governments around the USA for their use of monies obtained from tobacco companies in a national legal settlement.  The article details how Niagara County politicians sent the money into their favorite pork barrel projects rather than use it for health-related matters.  Niagara County Legislator Dennis Virtuoso (D-NF) says the article makes him and his fellow legislators look like "bumbling idiots."   What the article misses, however, is an explanation of how Niagara County could receive $42-million in a one-time cash infusion and still wind up with legislators planning to raise property taxes and cut services. (9/27/01) 

Sheriff refuses to cooperate, instead of cutting budget submits one with a 3.5% increase.  Niagara County Sheriff Tom Beilein refused to follow a directive from County fiscal officials and Thursday, 8/30, submitted a budget 3.5% higher than last year rather than cut $1.7-million as ordered.  The Sheriff's Department, with a $19.1-million operation, is a major tax drain on Niagara County and has been reported to be one of the most cost-inefficient sheriff operations in New York State.   Beilein may be following the tactic of Niagara County Community College President Cleveland who also demanded more money rather than submit to budget cuts---and got it---as Legislators weakened their resolve to hold a tax increase at 5%.  A major reason for increases in the Sheriff's operating expenses are the large raises granted to those in the department last year.   (8/31/01) 
Fat man sobs for newspaper--says he's losing his "foster children."    A 37-year old Buffalo man posed, sobbing, for a Buffalo News photographer this week and complained that a foster children's agency was threatening to take away three children placed in his care as a "foster parent."  The man reportedly weighs 500 pounds and the child care agency felt he was not able to care for the children adequately.  The government-paid support money for the children appears to be the only source of cash income for the man who hasn't worked in years and is, himself, receiving substantial government assistance.  The man told the newspaper he's been trying to lose weight but reports indicate he's been gaining steady since he stopped working.  (8/25/01) 

Currently making its way around Western New York cyberspace is the following
submitted to us by Teresa Lasher Winslow :

Another unfulfilled promise.  One of the promises the Niagara Falls School Board made to the community when approving a long-term contract to lease---not buy---the new $80-million Niagara Falls High School was that the school's Olympic-sized pool and other school facilities would be opened to the general public.    Now, a half year later, such facilities have yet to be opened for public use.    The claimed reason by the school district is that they are awaiting "grant money" so they can set up a new bureaucracy to "administer" allowing the public to use these public facilities.  They claim $296,000 is needed.    (3/28/01)
County looking for more office space in Lockport.  Despite a declining population, Niagara County government continues to grow and the County is again seeking more office space to house its bloated staffing.  Lockport office space owned by developer David Ulrich is reported under consideration---along East Avenue, between Market and Elm.   Ulrich has said that regardless of County occupancy he is beginning a major reconstruction of the facade for buildings on the block.    Additionally, developer Elmer Granchelli is reported pitching the County to rent some of his vacant city properties.  Legislators from the western part of the County are urging more County offices be relocated to places like the Summit Park Mall in Wheatfield.Despite debate on where to put the offices,  all the politicians agree---they don't want to trim back on the political jobs that cause the county staff to continually expand, making more offices necessary.  (3/23/01)
County nursing home manager fined $135 for harassment of employee.   43-year old Robert T. Dombrowski, still on suspension from his position at Niagara County's Mount View Health Facility, entered a guilty plea to charges of Second-Degree Harassment in Lockport Town Court.  An order of protection has been issued against him, requiring him to stay away from the female employee he had under his supervision.  He'll be able to do that only because he's been suspended from his job.   The Lockport Page has been told that except for a 30-day period, Mr. Dombrowski has continued to be paid by Niagara County taxpayers even though he is not at work.  So while Mr. Dombrowski is getting hit for $135 in fines, guess who the real victim of this escapade is?  (3/23/01) 
Politicians posture at public hearing on Niagara County Airport transfer.  The de facto giveaway of the Niagara County Airport, connected to the Niagara Falls Air Base, was attended by about 200 members of the public Monday night, 3/19.  But few members of the public got a chance to voice their objections since area politicians took about three (3) hours posturing in front of cameras and giving their comments about the airport transfer to the Spanish firm, Cintra.  It wasn't until about 10 PM that members of the general public were allowed to speak at the hearing being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration which will have final say on the airport transfer already approved by the current operation the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA).   (3/20/01)
Sheriff's department wants another helicopter for its "air force."   The two helicopters the Niagara County Sheriff's Department says it has are not adequate according to word out from Captain Jeffery Miller.   Miller wants still another chopper, this one with more bells and whistles...and a $4-million price tag.  Miller says he has been in contact with the Power Authority of the State of New York and State Senator George Maziarz to see if they can "help out."   Miller claims the additional helicopter with infrared technology and a large winch on board would be useful in those dramatic (maybe once-a-year) rescue attempts from the brink of Niagara Falls.  But after any "contributions" from the state, local taxpayers would still be left with the bulk of the bill to pay.  The latest move is another example of why the Niagara County Sheriff's Department was pointed to recently in a report out of Binghamton as one of the most costly law enforcement agencies in the state to operate. (3/17/01)

County employees mess up new $1.4-million software program.  Niagara County bureaucrats claimed the purchase of PeopleSoft computer software (for $1.4-million in taxpayer money) would be a big boost to the county bureacracy's operating efficiency.  Of course that's not what the politicos want since the bloated bureacurcy is the haven for hundreds of political appointees and payoffs.  But be that as it may, the public spin was the big expenditure of taxpayer money (from the latest county tax increase imposed) would improve results---like issuing payroll for the county's ever-increasing number of employees.  So what are some of the first results?    According to reporter Tom Prohaska, it's a giant snafu resulting in sending out 1,500 erroneous W-2 forms to employees.  Last week, Prohaska reported, the County spent about $500 additional in postage alone advising employees of the mistakes.  Now employees must go back to studying the software so they can issue corrected W-2 forms (late) and again go through the distribution expense.  Yes, this is the same County that made a mountain out of molehill when a couple of Election Commissioners accepted a few thousand they were not authorized to receive.  (2/18/01)
NF Library, on austerity program due to budget cutbacks, still gives director $2,720 raise.  She may have closed the children's room, the computer room, and the LaSalle branch library most days but the Niagara Falls Library Director is still taking a $2,720 raise in her own pay despite proclaimed austerity.    Sources say the money for Betty Babanoury is receiving the money from the "temporary help" section of her budget --- the same budget line she says doesn't have enough money to hire aides to keep the children's room open regular hours.    Babanoury has denied she has received a pay raise but the Niagara Gazette, after inspection of public records, reports two raises, of $2,010 in 2000 and the most recent boost of $2,720 were effected through budget transfer by the Library Board of Trustees.  The newspaper says Babanoury is now receiving $57,058 per year. (2/8/01)
Niagara County Republicans renew push for increase in sales tax.    Although the County is awash in "Tobacco Settlement Money" they can't spend fast enough, Niagara County Legislator (R-Lewiston) Lee Simonson told the Niagara County Legislature Tuesday, 2/6, that a 1-cent boost in the County Sales tax was needed.  Simonson gave the usual reason, "un-funded state mandates" that will increase county spending on Medicare.  Simonson declined to mention increasing State aid to the county, the millions in Tobacco Settlement monies, and any thought of cutting the county's bloated payroll as possible alternatives.  Simonson's proposal is not expected to get support of Democrat members of the Legislature nor even from State Senator George Maziarz (R).  Maziarz's support will be needed in order for the State Senator to approve such a home rule measure as boosting the sales tax.  (2/7/01)  

Talk is cheap, but computers are not.  Niagara County Legislature Chairman Clyde Burmaster likes to "talk the talk" about cutting budgets.  But does he "walk the walk?"  Take for example this week when Burmaster told the Niagara Gazette that he wants to form a (another) committee on which those who accuse county officials of over spending and raising taxes would serve.  Burmaster challenges the would-be members of the committee to "come in and study whether we have too many people, whether we are too fat."    What's to study?  Take a look at the recent report on the bloated staffing and budget of the Niagara County Sheriff's Department. (Thanks to reporting of the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin). As if that were not enough evidence, just page into the Sunday, 1/28,  Buffalo News where ace reporter Tom Prohaska reveals "hidden" in the county budget is a provision where each member of the County Legislature will receive a "free" $3500 top-of-the-line laptop computer from county monies from the "tobacco settlement."  Then there is the $175,000 to replace Microsoft Office 97 software on 700 county desktop computers with Microsoft Office 2000 (Here at the Lockport Page we have both versions and can attest the $175K upgrade is a waste of money).  And the spending list goes on...and on...including changing Windows 95 operating systems to Windows 2000 ($80,000) and other such computer extravagance to the total tune of $1,193,000!  No need for Mr. Burmaster to form another committee---he just needs to read Prohaska's report in the newspaper, and download the Lockport Home Page report on the Sheriff's budget!    (1/28/01)
Everything old is new again.  The Sheriff in Chautauqua County has taken some old ideas and put them back in place at the County Jail to save money and maybe save a prison escape.  Inmates will no longer wear plain color tops and pants. They will be attired in "classic" prison garb of black and white striped one-piece suits, orange canvas boat shoes, and pink underpants.  The new "uniform" will cost the taxpayers less and make the inmates more identifiable to the public if they escape.  The Sheriff is also making arrangements to stop the showing of MTV and Jerry Springer TV shows to the inmates and has cancelled basketball games (too violent, and too many injuries requiring hospital trips).   Sheriff Joseph Gerace told the Buffalo News, "They're in jail...It's not a county club."  (1/23/01)
How to do less with more:. Niagara County Sheriff's costs and size nearly double Erie County. According to a combination of government statistical reports, Niagara County's Sheriff's Department, with less population and fewer square miles to cover, has almost 50% more staffing and spends about 73% more money. A summary report published by the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin as part of a feature detailing costs of Sheriff's Departments across the State reveals the following comparisons: 
Niagara County:
    Population         216,194
    Square Miles:         523
    Budget:               $19.8 million
    Staff (F/T)        313
    Sheriff's Salary    $79,866
Eire County:
    Population:        925,957
    Square Miles:        1,045
    Budget:               $11.1-million
    Staff: (F/T)        228
    Sheriff's Salary    $79,092

The report cites: NYS Association of Counties Salary Survey, US Census Population Estimates for July 1999, NYS Comptroller's Special Report on Municipal Affairs for New York State. (1/19/01)
Newspaper pushes for boost in sports spending amid academic crisis.   The Buffalo News is publishing a series of front page advocacy stories urging more money be spent on sports in Buffalo schools.  The newspaper urges the millions more for sports, especially at inter-city schools, where academic problems are among the worst in the state.  Buffalo schools are ranked (by Buffalo First) dead last among nearly 100 Western New York Schools on the basis of academics but the newspaper article urges additional state and local money coming into the school district go to build bigger sports facilities and enlarged programs so that inner-city children will get the same "level playing field" as those in the suburbs.    (1/15/01)

Maziarz seeking to give away environmental funds while taxpayers face huge bill at Lockport dump.  State Senator George Maziarz advised the press this week he was seeking to hand out applications to community groups to give away portions of the remaining millions in the Niagara County Environmental Fund.  Maziarz encourages groups that purport to educate children and others about environmental matters, plant trees, engage in child coloring contests with a "green theme," display the "history of Love Canal" and other such activities to apply for the funds.    Meanwhile, it is revealed that the Niagara County Refuse District landfill faces $12-million in clean-up costs.  The landfill which has been an on-going example of how not to manage wastes, now has a leaking landfill cap.  Taxpayers will be expected to pick up the costs as they have been doing since the district's director found he couldn't sell the "valuable property" to waste companies. Perhaps Maziarz doesn't know about the landfill (off the South Lockport Bypass, on the west border of the city).  After all he claimed to be "shocked" about the environmental endowment the city faces at the old Simonds Steel property and the former Flintkote site.  And why not just use the Niagara County Environmental Fund monies for the clean-up of the landfill?   (12/25/00)
Prof. loses students' final projects.  A D'Youville College professor admits he's responsible for the loss of his graduate students' final exams/essays.  The philosophy professor told his students to put their extensive written semester ending projects in "the box" at the front of his office.   They did that, but none of the students' work made it to the professor.  Seems the Prof. used a "Paper Recycle" box for the purpose and a college employee dutifully emptied the box and sent the contents for paper recycling.  Well, folks, nobody ever said that a doctorate degree for philosophy types indicates practical real world knowledge. (12/18/00)

Legislators wants to spend $1.2-Million for new County voting machines.  Leave it to Niagara County Big Spenders, Daniel Mocniak and William Ross to jump at the Florida crisis in vote counting to clamor for local taxpayers to spend $1.2-million for new voting machines in Niagara County.  The two Niagara County Legislators want new computer-based voting machines built by a company in Jamestown to replace the lever type machines first nationally introduced here in Lockport in April 1892.  Although the mechanical lever machines have been extensively updated since then, they still operate on strictly mechanical movement:  the voters pulls a lever and a register reliabily clicks off a tally for the candidate.  There have been few troubles with the machines in  Niagara County on Election Day and almost no chance of fraud such as is being witnessed in the Florida "re-count."  Still, with all that "tobacco settlement money" to spend, and a nice big 10% tax increase in the works, Legislators Mocniak and Ross want to spend more money.  They were in contact with local newspapers this week to get help in hyping their proposal.  Mr. Ross told the Buffalo News that he received a FAX quotation from the voting machine company's salesman this past week that promised 200 machines for slightly over $1.2-million---if---the County acted within 60 days.  "As soon as I saw that, I said, 'We have to act on this', Ross exclaimed to Buffalo News reporter Tom Prohaska.   (11-26-00)
Niagara County Fishing Magazine -- latest way to spend tax money.   Already in a cash crisis, Niagara County leaders are proposing taking money from the county's "Environmental Fund" (originally promoted to help clean up environmental "brownfields") to start publishing a "fishing magazine."  The magazine would be given away free to potential fishermen who might come to Niagara County to fish.  The printing cost alone is estimated at about $15,000 for one issue of about 25,000 copies.  In addition to this, the County Tourism office is proposing running a "Fishing Odyssey" promotion in September 2001 at a still undisclosed cost.  (11/20/00)
Sheriff proposes 40% raises for this top aides.  With Niagara County facing a cash crisis ---and taxpayers facing multiple tax increases --- leave it to the Niagara County Sheriff's Department to come up with a little more salt to rub in the wound.  The Lockport Union-Sun & Journal reports it has found, tucked away in the proposed 2001 County budget, raises in the amount of 40% for Sheriff Tom Beilein's top three assistants.  All three make over $50,000 a year now but the raise the Sheriff has budgeted would boost their pays into the $75,000 to $81,000 range (and that's plus benefits!)  Who said crime doesn't pay?  (11/16/00)  
County to expand nursing home it's running paid advertising trying to fill now.  Niagara County bureaucrats are moving toward a $8.3-million "expansion and renovation" of the county nursing home, The Mount View Health Facility, off Upper Mountain Road in Lockport.  The site is of the former TB hospital that dates back to about 1940.  The County is spending thousands of dollars advertising this fall telling Lockportians the nursing home is a delightful place to put family loved ones in.  Since most of the patients there are welfare paid by State and County tax monies the question comes up why is there an expensive radio ad campaign to put more patients into a losing operation?  The answer may be "media appreciation" of Niagara County leadership in an important election year now, and to come in 2001.  And after spending the $8.3-million, how many additional beds would the facility have to offer?  Are you ready for this?  Officials at the nursing home admitted there would be no additional patient capacity. And if that didn't floor you, listen to this:  Bureaucrats now are proposing spending another $3-million for a dual use "power plant" (co-generation) that would power the facility and the nearby County Jail in "off-peak hours" while also providing steam for heating (and adding another layer to County government operations).  And what would be done with the steam in summer?  And what would be done for electricity in "peak hours?"  You probably know the answer to those questions.   (11/10/00) 
In a rush to spend our money.  The Niagara County Legislature appears in a bit of a hurry.  They have just received word that they will be receiving $42-million as a result of the the 1999 federal tobacco lawsuit.  Prior to this legislators have been publicly moaning that they might have to raise taxes.   World-class spenders such as Legislator Lee Simonson posture for local media with claims they just don't know how to avoid a tax increase but they will "fight" to put it off.  Now, with $42-million fresh bucks in their pocket one might there would be no need for any tax increase.  Wrong!  The legislators are now scampering to find ways to spend $16-million of the tobacco money for "capital spending projects" (read "wish list" pork projects for favored department heads). On Thursday, November 2nd, legislators toured various county properties to see if they could find ways to spend the money.  None of the tobacco money is being talked about for tax relief.  (11/3/00)

But we've already given!  The New York State University of Buffalo announced Friday, 10/20 that it was starting a campaign to raise $250-million in public donations.  The tax-supported institution is said to seeking the highest level of public donation of any tax-supported public university.  New York State taxpayers already pump in the majority of millions needed to run the school every year.  A small percentage comes from tuition charged students.  (10/20/00)

Cries of "Cover-Up" at Legislature meeting. The Republican dominated board of special inquiry into the scandal of extra payments to the Niagara County Election Commissioners voted to cease operations, saying they have all the information they need.  But Democratic members of the Legislature cried "cover-up" and called for the probe to continue, Tuesday, 9/5.  The Republicans were part right.  The story is pretty much out.  The appearance now seems to be that the Republican Party leadership through its Legislative whip, Jim Ward, gave de facto approval of the extra monies and then ordered the cover-up.   Resignations are in order all the way around.  But don't expect that.   (9/6)

Public relations disaster.  Did you hear Niagara County Legislator Samuel Granieri (R-Niagara Falls) on WLVL's morning talk show Wednesday, 8/30?  The purpose of the visit was to promote a Niagara County charter revision which most agree would be designed to lead to a County Executive style of county government previously turned down by the voters.  But Granieri was ill-prepared to answer questions from WLVL listeners.  In fact, his on-air presentation was so poor that if the Legislator were to have to run for re-election on the basis on his radio appearance he'd probably be turned out of office!  Not only couldn't he give straight answers to most questions, his presentation failed to project confidence in anything he was saying.  He appeared to need a voice coach or an information coach (or both).    (8/30)
Financial management, Niagara County style.  For the last six months Niagara County officials, sometimes with, sometimes without, the formal approval of the County Legislature, have been spending money like there was "no tomorrow." Raises all around.  Super-raises for top county politicians.   $150,000 wasted in overpayments in the Sheriff's Department.  The County "surplus" wiped out to pay NCCC more money so they could spend more.  The Election Commissioners scandal that is eating up more money in legal fees than it cost in overpayments.  And now...it's tomorrow.  Surprise!  The County officials are now disclosing they are in danger of running out of money!  One Legislator told the Niagara Gazette that the County might have to consider a "spending freeze" and "hold the line" on hiring, overtime, and purchases.  Of course the solution nearly everyone in the County's growing politically inflated bureaucracy wants is...a property tax increase or a sales tax increase or---better still---both!  (8/14)
Here we go again.  The Niagara County Social Services Committee reportedly wants to spend $60,000 to have another consultant do another study of welfare administration inefficiencies in The County Beautiful.  The Niagara Gazette is reporting that the study would determine if it is more   cost-effective to have one social services site or continue operating locations in Niagara Falls, Lockport, and North Tonawanda.  Really.  The results are already known!  Consolidation of all services in the central Davison Road location at Lockport would save almost 20% (according to a previously unreleased report from a Think Tank of Lockport Pagers)!  But is that what County politicians really want?   Such consolidations would reduce the County payroll (reducing political jobs), reduce office rental space (reducing options to dole out choice rental contracts to supporters) and reduce welfare claims (select constituent benefits).  Why spend $60K to find out again what they really don't want to be reminded of?  (8/4)

"Mistakes" at Niagara County Sheriff's Department cost about $150K.  Niagara County funds took several hits in July thanks to various "miscues" at the Niagara County Sheriff's Department.  First there was a pay dispute with 24 sheriff's department investigators who were ordered paid another $120,069 by the US Labor Board.  In effect they got paid twice for the same work.   It was a contract wording snafu that allowed the investigators to make (and win) a claim against the County (against the taxpayers).  Then $70,000 was agreed to be paid Deputy Brian Grear as a settlement of his claim against the County---but no details were released to the public.  That matter is being kept secret.  Then a special embarassment:   A $1-million dollar suit against the County was settled for a $65,000 payment to a Wheatfield woman.  The County got off easy.  Evidence showed the woman was driving along South Transit Road in Lockport at Summit when a Sheriff's patrol car made a left turn in front her smashing her car and causing back injuries.  The woman clearly had the right-of-way at the intersection.  (7/31)
She doesn't know Erie, PA from Erie County, NY.  The President's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, campaigning for one of New York State's two US Senate seats, has shown her ignorance of her adopted state again.  This time it was a ten minute interview she arranged with Radio Station WLKK at Erie, PA.  She apparently thought that an "Erie" station would be Erie County, New York covering Buffalo.  What she found herself doing, however, was a ten minute on-air attack on the Republicans to a listenership in Erie County, PA which contains Erie, PA.   She didn't realize her mistake until after the air segment and then wouldn't comment on the matter to the press.  Republicans immediately heaped ridicule on the First Lady for her lack on basic geography knowledge of the Western New York-Pennsylvania area. (7/28)
Another hint that legislators want to boost taxes.  Niagara County legislators and local political kingpins reportedly met this week to set priorities for the County Beautiful.  With the number one complaint in Niagara County being the high level of taxes, you'd think this subject would at least get lip service in a list of priorities.  Wrong!  The politicians listed their priorities as:   "Economic Development, Establishing Financial Strategies (translation:   ways to increase county revenues), General Planning, Personnel Issues (translation:   how to manage more political jobs), and Restructuring Government (translation:   How to foist a County Manager system on Niagara County and create a new bureaucracy, even though previously rejected by voters). (7/21)

Website taken for task for critical review of Niagara Falls.   Don Glynn is one of our favorite newspaper columnists.  We don't blame him for standing up for his city, Niagara Falls.  We all know it needs all the support it can get.  But Don took a swipe at a national website this week that highlights travel destinations.  Naturally Niagara Falls was included.  Don didn't like this published advice at Rough Guides:  "Don't expect too much; neither the small city of Niagara Falls, still a smelly, shabby industrial eyesore despite recent efforts to spruce it up, nor the more developed tinsel town of Niagara, Canada, is a place to savour in any way."  So you attack the messenger, Don?   (6/9)
Ad campaign starts urging people to apply for food stamps.  As previously reported, Niagara County DoleMasters are concerned about their jobs what with the decline in local unemployed.  Now an advertising campaign has started in newspapers practically begging people to apply for food stamps.  The ads are running under Niagara County Community Action sponsorship---one of several "independent" groups whose financial funding comes from doling out taxpayer paid for  "benefits."  Additionally, paid ads are running on the local radio station promoting the county nursing home, Mt. View, which apparently is having a hard time getting enough "customers."  (6/7)
Youth Director, admits $15K unemployment fraud but wants to keep his County job.  53-year old James B. Ward Jr. reportedly obtained a nice plea bargain agreement this week in an attempt to escape jail time on a felony grand larceny charge.  Ward is the newly appointed Erie County Commissioner of Youth Services (at $75,000 a year).  The New York State Department of Labor had accused him of filing for and accepting about $15,000 in unemployment insurance benefits during 1996.   At the time Mr. Ward was claiming he was unemployed (and collecting benefits) he actually was working for the Buffalo School system as a physical education teacher.   His plea in State Supreme Court, admitting the fraud, allowed him to have the charged dropped down to a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of only a year in jail.   Sentencing is set for July 24th and the word on the street is that Mr. Ward won't do jail time.  He's a VIP for the Erie County GOP organization which values his liaison with the "black community."  Asked if Ward would be dismissed from his job as Youth Director, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra told the Buffalo News,   "At this point, we have no plans on doing anything further."  The "at this point" qualifier by Mr. Giambra is translated in the political world to mean, "Unless there is so much public outrage over this that we don't want to take the heat."  (6/1) Update 6/8:  James Ward reportedly resigned as Youth Director on Wednesday, 6/7 after public outrage undercut the base of his support with County Executive Joel Giambra.  But Giambra won't rule out bringing  Ward back to the public payroll in some other position, saying he doesn't think Ward's admission of guilt to a crime should bar him from holding public office.  

The bad side of increased employment.  It could mean un-employment for some Niagara County DoleMasters.  Some officials at government welfare offices and quasi-government "human services agencies" are getting a bit worried about the lowest Niagara County unemployment rate in over 20 years.   That translates to fewer people on welfare, food stamps, aid to dependent families, and other delights doled at the public trough by government employees.  For example, from 1995 to 1999 people on food stamps declined in Niagara County about 37%---that's faster than the population decline!  Nowadays only about 12,683 people are collecting food stamps in the county (at a direct cost to taxpayers of $852,852).  This brings attention to the question how do you justify all those jobs in "human services" when the population of Niagara County continues to decline and the number on welfare go down also?  Answer?  Encourage more people to apply for public benefits!   That appears to be the motivation behind a publicity effort launched to get more people to apply for food stamps.  Some of the dolemasters say public shame shouldn't enter into it---there should be no stigma to going on the public dole, they say in a weekend PR publication.  And now, a new service has apparently been added for the impoverished to boost applications.  In Niagara County they can now apply and get more information right from their home computers and communications centers.  A FAX number has been installed to make it easier to get those applications in.  Additionally, an e-mail address has been added.  Yup, "Where Do You Want To Go Today?"   (4/30/00)
County Legislator sends his own company's tourist business---to Canada.  Leave it to Niagara County Legislator Lee Simonson to "talk the talk."  The Lewiston politician has had the talk solutions for all kinds of Niagara County economic, tourism, and other problems.  We've learned, however, that when Mr. Simonson decided to stage an event for his Internet company that will bring in about 200 customers from around the the cyberworld, he chose Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario CANADA as the event site.  And why not Niagara Falls, New York---or Buffalo---or Lockport?  Mr. Simonson was quoted to the effect that the hotels were not good enough on the U.S. side of the border.  With leadership such as Mr. Simonson no wonder Niagara County suffers from population and economic decline.  (4/26)
Another return to the public payroll for Harvey Albond.   The 71-year old Niagara Falls man has had so many political jobs that even here at the Lockport Home Page --- Niagara County's biggest website --- we don't have the space or time to detail them all.  But to mention a few major appointments....Niagara Falls City Manager for countless years stands out.  Executive Director of the Love Canal Revitalization Agency (according to the Buffalo News:   "fired under a cloud of suspicion of corruption"), and a continuing number of local "consultant" employments to local governments.  And, thanks to a non-agenda item with the Niagara County Legislature Tuesday night, 4/19, ...he's back!  Albond gets the part-time plum appointment of County "personnel officer" at $15,000 a year.  The position was never advertised.  (4/19)
Another excuse for moving the Youth Bureau to Niagara Falls.  Niagara County bureaucrats and politicians are now saying that cramped quarters in the County Court Building require that space be freed up for more "mandated" court-related facilities.  They don't, however, suggest that court be moved across the street to the converted house that serves as offices for the Niagara County Youth Bureau.  Yet, they want that moved out of the County Seat to Niagara Falls.  This with all the vacant office space available in Lockport.  And why is Niagara County in such a fix---what with steady declining population one would think fewer county employees would be necessary and less office space.  Not so with politicians---Democrat or Republican.  Every year the pols add more political jobs to the county payroll and these people have to hide out somewhere. (4/10)
Another name change for "the telephone company."  For decades it was "Ma Bell" going under the name of The New York Telephone Company.  Then Nynex.  Then Bell Atlantic.  Now we're going to have go through another change as the telephone company is reportedly gearing up to force the name "Verison " on us.   Verison (pronounced vurr-EYE-zun) is an "inexact composite" of the words "vision" and "horizon." The name change should go through after Bell Atlanic's merger with GTE is approved.  An advertising publication is reporting that the telephone company is planning to spend $300-million to promote the new name.  With that, we could all receive BIG rate cuts or improvements in service.   Instead we get a name we'll have to learn how to pronounce and spell!  (4/2)

Legislature pays out-of-area firm $40K to advise them how to raise taxes and "improve." The Rochester firm, Center for Governmental Research, is to be paid $40,000 for the 115-page report they have produced that urges lawmakers to raise the county sales tax by 1%.  The report is said to tell the legislators just what they wanted to hear:  boost the county sales tax to 8% with the excuse that this is necessary to "control" the property tax rate.  What the report doesn't advise:  cut county government employment levels (to reflect a declining county population), cut out patronage jobs, stop pay hikes to favored employee groups (the legislature plans to give bonuses to about 250 at its meeting this week), cut spending on non-essential services, re-allocate funding for the Sheriff's Department to have it paid for by those who use it, and eliminate scores of committees, departments, and cash drains used to shelter and support the "party faithful."  (3/20)
State to pay two farms $205K to stop polluting our waterways.   Asking farmers to stop pollution is a touchy political issue.  And farmers are a major source of water pollution.  So State Of New York bureaucrats are paying two Niagara County farms, in the Town of Royalton, $205,994 to stop pollution of the Mud Creek-Tonawanda Creek sub-watershed.  Only the grant, announced by Gov. Pataki as a part of the New York State Non-Point Source Abatement and Control Program, is being called a "water-quality improvement" grant.  If anyone other than farmers were caught polluting water they'd be paying the State the big bucks in fines or possible jail time. Imagine!  These kind of "grants" are going on all over the state at costs estimated at $4.5-million for the current year.  (3/11)

Council of Arts gives $3000 to Planned Parenthood.  The money comes from New York State taxpayers and is granted for what they are calling a traveling theater group.  And what does that have to do with Planned Parenthood?   We think it's sort of funny.  A few other non-arts groups (Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Living Word Church, and Center City Neighborhood Development) also got their claws on some of the taxpayer "arts" money.  What isn't funny, however, is that Planned Parenthood, meanwhile, is establishing a new facility on Williams Road in the Town of Wheatfield which critics charge will be used for abortions.   Planned Parenthood won't confirm or deny this but they did tell the Niagara Gazette that they are making no promises that the facility's "medical area" won't be used for abortions. The group says 1,000 Niagara County women received abortions in 1999---up 2% from 1998.  Almost all of those women had to go to Erie County to have the abortions, a practice that Niagara County doctors generally avoid.  (2/28)
Niagara County IDA puts new name on old liability.  The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency has taken over the former Inducon Industrial Park and has re-named it, "Vantage International Pointe."  In a complicated and illogical scheme, the property was a tax drain for Niagara County taxpayers who have had to make payments to the Town of Wheatfield for property improvements when the owners defaulted---even though the property never had any significant successful industries. Now, the IDA says, the new property will be a key to boosting business for Niagara County.   The IDA set the tone for that promise by going outside Niagara County---to Amherst---to hire a public relations firm to come up with a name and logo for the re-make of the property.  Yes, the spelling of "Pointe" was the idea of the PR firm.   Niagara County politicians were on hand Thursday for the announcement and took turns gushing before select media over the new theme the PR people came up with: "Niagara Corridor:  where commerce flows."  So far, about $3-million in taxpayer funds have been committed to the re-make which includes a 50,000-square foot building for "e-commerce."  And, here we thought e-commerce made possible low cost overhead and limited physical size facilities.  (2/18)
Niagara County Tourism promotion---books VIP tour leaders into dining across the border.  The Niagara Gazette is reporting Monday, 2/7 that of about 1700 tourism industry leaders are having a convention starting March 22nd at the Buffalo Convention Center. Some 60 will be staying at a Holiday Inn at Niagara Falls, NY.  The Niagara County Office of Tourism hears about this and reportedly succeeds in setting up a itinerary for the group's  "off" time including a visit to the probably still- frozen shores of Olcott beach to see the Lake View Village, lunch at the Wilson Boat House, and a tour around Niagara Falls.  To top it all off---the group is scheduled by Niagara County tourism to dine across the border atop the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario!  Niagara Falls NY restaurant owners wonder..."why?" (2/7)

Royalton promotional brochure good for local laughs.  Niagara County called a press conference this week to brag about the slick promotional brochures for tourism and business recruitment it has produced for all the county towns, villages, and cities.  From the Town of Royalton, Al Wroblewski didn't have a press conference but he went on the WLVL call-in show to tell about one of the most preposterous claims in his town brochure as produced by Niagara County. Says Al, "it brags about Royalton's 'largest employer'---a junk dealer specializing in car wrecks."  The brochures for the various towns, villages, and cities appears to have been written by someone unfamiliar with their subject.  However, the front cover on each brochure---and often the insides---contain some dramatic photographic scenes of Niagara, the county beautiful.  (1/26)
IDA continues to shell out money for non-industrial projects.   The Niagara County "Industrial" Development Agency (IDA) continues to dispense public monies to business and other non-industrial ventures.   First goes a tax exemption to the former Melody Fair property in North Tonawanda which is the destination of over a million dollars in "investment" to make the aging former entertainment showplace competitive with Artpark and other struggling Niagara Frontier entertainment venues.  There are so many stages on the Niagara Frontier nowadays that promoters see hard times for all as they try to attract the area's declining population.  Last week the IDA also agrees to send $45,000 to an outfit that wants to start up a new motorcycle dealership in Niagara County---filling a "vital need."   Another $25,000 to a Lockport man who wants to buy new equipment for his auto repair shop in North Tonawanda.  And yet another $20,000 to The Art Loft at 12 West Main Street in Lockport for "working capital."  But we forgot---the IDA did help one industrial business lately.  It provided financial help to the Gooding Press so that they could move out of their longtime home in the city of Lockport into a new development in the Town.  (1/23/00)

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