Archive for August, 2016

It didn't cost any of them a dime including the silver haired guy in the middle - Mark Hamister, since taxpayers and bankers paid for his entire hotel. The clever developer knows how to grease the itchy palms of politicians to win development contracts paid for by the taxpayers. Hamister got a free hotel and  from left to right, Councilmen Kenny Tompkins, Charles Walker, Mayor Paul Dyster, Hamister, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti and Council Chairman Andrew Touma happily shovel some dirt for the cameras. And life is good for everyone but the taxpayers.

Public Can Learn About Reassessment at Council Meeting

Niagara Falls August 31, 2016 at 10:57 pm

  by Tony Farina Residents of Niagara Falls who want to learn more about the planned citywide property reassessment should make a point to attend next Tuesday’s (Sept. 6) council meeting at City Hall when officials including Assessor James Bird will brief lawmakers on the reassessment process. Joining Bird inRead More

North Tonawanda Senior Center to hold fundraiser

North Tonawanda Senior Center to hold fundraiser

Community News August 31, 2016 at 8:56 pm

The North Tonawanda Senior Center, located at 110 Goundry St. near the corner of Oliver Street, will be hosting its annual theme basket fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 10. Doors will open at 1 p.m. and drawings begin at 2:15 p.m. The entrance fee is $5, which includes 25 basket tickets, a drink ticket and a refreshmentRead More

Realistically Taxes will go up for most through reassessment in Niagara Falls

Realistically Taxes will go up for most through reassessment in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls August 31, 2016 at 8:52 pm

Realistically Taxes will go up for most through reassessment in Niagara Falls There is a dirty little secret no one but the Niagara Falls Reporter will dare to tell you about the proposed Niagara Falls reassessment of properties. Most people’s taxes will go up. And they are high enough already.Read More

THE WEALTH HAS BEEN DRAINED AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE

THE WEALTH HAS BEEN DRAINED AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE

Niagara Falls August 31, 2016 at 8:37 pm

by Ann Williams – Committee to Stop the Reassessments & Continuous Tax Increases   Too many of our elected officials have found the ways and means to put their own interests above those whom they swore to serve and protect. The profligate spending over the past eight plus years is disgracefulRead More

Niagara County residents enjoy the scenic trek down the Niagara Escarpment to the historic Village of Youngstown for many reasons – to visit Old Fort Niagara, the Stella Niagara Preserve or the Youngstown Yacht Club. On Labor Day, traditionally, the villagers come out to their annual parade and their social in the park. Visitors are welcome. Youngstown, New York is a quaint and historic village located in the Town of Porter, 11 miles north of Niagara Falls, New York and has waterfront on the Niagara River and Lake Ontario.

Youngstown readies for Labor Day Parade

Niagara County August 31, 2016 at 8:17 pm

The Youngstown Labor Day Parade begins at noon on Monday, September 5, along Main Street.

Two Grand Island residents give opposing views on Supervisor McMurray’s bike path

Two Grand Island residents give opposing views on Supervisor McMurray’s bike path

Erie County August 27, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    Two readers have offered their opposing views of a state plan to create a bike path on Grand Island that is supported by Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray. Kris writes: Nate McMurray’s campaign for Grand Island Supervisor was about keeping our beautiful, quiet Island rural and to stopRead More

A grand idea for Grand Island?  Development key to future

A grand idea for Grand Island? Development key to future

Erie County August 25, 2016 at 12:08 am

  By Mike Hudson; A great percentage of the visitors coming to see Niagara Falls arrive via the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. About halfway between the airport and the falls themselves is Grand Island, a charming, almost rustic community in the middle of the Niagara River that tourists must crossRead More

When a bevy of public officials broke ground on the new Niagara Falls train station not a one of them stop to discuss who would pay for it. Now we know - the City of Niagara Falls taxpayers, that's who!

Still no contract with Amtrak; Train station remains vacant

Niagara Falls August 24, 2016 at 10:59 pm

  By Mike Hudson; Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and City Planner Tom DeDantis have spent upwards of $44 million of taxpayer money to build a train station that is now facing a slight possibility that no train will ever use and a much more likely possibility that the primeRead More

Dyster Concerned As Seneca Gas Station Moves Forward

Dyster Concerned As Seneca Gas Station Moves Forward

Niagara Falls August 24, 2016 at 9:28 pm

By Tony Farina;       Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, who saw his city held hostage during the four-year gaming dispute between the state and the Seneca Nation, is once again caught in the middle, this time over the construction of a convenience store and gas station on SenecaRead More

Gosy’s Patients Doing Well Under New Arrangement

Gosy’s Patients Doing Well Under New Arrangement

Erie County August 24, 2016 at 9:17 pm

By Tony Farina; “The 9,500 patients of indicted pain doctor Eugene Gosy are being well treated,” says Joel Daniels, the attorney who represents Gosy who is accused in a federal indictment of issuing over 300,000 illegal painkiller prescriptions over four years. Under a new arrangement, Dr. James Hitt, a painRead More

The Right Side:  Trump and Clinton’s …Medical Records: LET’S SEE THEM!             

The Right Side:  Trump and Clinton’s …Medical Records: LET’S SEE THEM!             

State and National News August 24, 2016 at 9:03 pm

By J Gary DiLaura; Reportedly, Mr. Trump is in good health and Hillary maybe…not so much! So we the American people demand to see if the two candidates are physically and mentally fit to be president! The below  information is ALL OVER THE INTERNET but goes UNREPORTED by ABC, NBC,Read More

Pushing Daisies on Albany Agenda last week; Cuomo, State Lawmakers Boost Undertaker Bottom Line

Pushing Daisies on Albany Agenda last week; Cuomo, State Lawmakers Boost Undertaker Bottom Line

State and National News August 24, 2016 at 8:43 pm

New York State’s reputation as a socialist paradise that takes care of a multitude of free-loaders from cradle to grave, was recently extended to the great beyond for many of them, thanks to a bill recently signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Last Friday the governor announced that he had givenRead More

This week in stupid crime

This week in stupid crime

Niagara Falls August 24, 2016 at 8:37 pm

By Mike Hudson; Merry Christmas! Why would you have a Christmas tree up in August? Shots were fired on Pierce Avenue this week and police recovered an AK-47 beneath a Christmas tree in the apartment of a man charged with menacing. Witnesses told police several shots were fired, but noRead More

Stephenson Avenue Park renamed in honor of the late Councilman Bob Anderson

Stephenson Avenue Park renamed in honor of the late Councilman Bob Anderson

Community News August 24, 2016 at 8:29 pm

Stephenson Avenue Park, a small but popular park on Stephenson Ave. near 74th Street in LaSalle will be renamed in honor of the late Robert “Bob” Anderson, Jr., a longtime resident of Niagara Falls who died last year after a brief bout with cancer. Anderson lived near the park forRead More

DEGRAFF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TO DOUBLE SIZE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

DEGRAFF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TO DOUBLE SIZE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Community News August 24, 2016 at 11:58 am

DEGRAFF MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TO UPGRADE, EXPAND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NORTH TONAWANDA Kaleida Health today announced plans to modernize and double the size of DeGraff Memorial Hospital’s emergency department (ED). The plan is to relocate the Emergency Department from the west side of hospital campus to the east side, fronting the TwinRead More

Memorial promotes Timothy Freer to vice president of HR

Memorial promotes Timothy Freer to vice president of HR

Community News August 24, 2016 at 11:19 am

Timothy J. Freer has been promoted to Vice President, Human Resources at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Tim joined the medical center staff as director of human resources in June 2014. A graduate of the University of Buffalo and experienced human resource executive, his areas of expertise include strategic planningRead More

NY State Senate Wins Online Democracy Award for Website that Smells a lot like ‘Digital Franking’

NY State Senate Wins Online Democracy Award for Website that Smells a lot like ‘Digital Franking’

State and National News August 19, 2016 at 7:57 pm

By Frank Parlato The New York State Senate was recognized last week for having the “best legislative website in the country” by the National Conference of State Legislatures and, consequently, received the 2016 “Online Democracy Award,” according to a press release issued by the New York State Senate. The awardRead More

As Buffalo becomes more transparent, Niagara Falls is as secretive as hell

As Buffalo becomes more transparent, Niagara Falls is as secretive as hell

Niagara Falls August 19, 2016 at 7:56 pm

BY FRANK PARLATO Late last year, Buffalo City Comptroller Mark J. F. Schroeder created an online database called Open Book Buffalo. A website, it is updated biweekly, and publishes all of the City of Buffalo’s expenditures and revenue, allowing everyone to see detailed financial information while Buffalo spends some $480 million per year.Read More

State Parks bulldozed over a Niagara River tributary that separates Three Sisters Islands from Goat Island, yet they claim that their Niagara Falls State Park "Landscape Improvements" plan doesn't have environmental impacts.

Local governments ignore environmental law to rush controversial projects

News August 18, 2016 at 7:55 pm

BY JAMES HUFNAGEL The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) of 1978 was in tended to serve as a vehicle for citizen participation and government accountability with regards to decisions impacting the environment. Unfortunately, not only has the Act failed to live up to its original promise for greater democratization ofRead More

Guest View: Stop the Reassessment!

Guest View: Stop the Reassessment!

Uncategorized August 18, 2016 at 7:54 pm

By The Committee to Stop the Reassessments & Continuous Tax Increases Once again, on August 15, 2016, at 11:45 a.m. workers from the Department of Public Works were seen removing Stop the Reassessment signs that residents put up on utility poles in front of their homes. Yes that is right, City workersRead More

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