Niagara Reporter-
Mayor Pappas Talks 2019 North Tonawanda Budget
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda Of the many difficult decisions made by city officials in North Tonawanda, the 2019 budget is calling for a 2.9 % property tax increase. On Tuesday, November 6th, Mayor Art Pappas gave a people a look at the spending plan. Pappas says the tax increase was a necessary part of his budget to preserve public services. Over the past ten years there have been three budgets that contained no
NT Common Council to Hold Special Budget Listening Session
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda Residents in North Tonawanda will have a special listening session to voice any questions, concerns, or ideas they have on Mayor Pappas’s proposed 2019 budget. Public officials will be on hand starting at 6:00pm on Wednesday, November 14th, inside City Hall. The $37 million budget will then be voted upon – with any changes that might be made – on Thursday, November 15th. Any interested residents who would
Veterans Day & America’s Greatest Generation Lives On
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Ken Hamilton On the occasion of his father’s death, my friend Andy Ligammari received and recently posted on Facebook a certificate that was signed by President Barack Obama. The decorative document simply said, “The United States of America honors the memory of Alfred D. Ligammari, Sr. This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Dyster Must Shoulder Most of Blame for Crisis
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Tony Farina The fiscal crisis confronting the City of Niagara Falls has been in the making for years and Mayor Paul Dyster, who is now in his third term as the city’s chief elected official, must shoulder considerable blame for the mess along with other elected officials who went along for the ride. Dyster survived one gaming crisis that ended in 2013 with the infusion of $89 million in slot payments to the city that
Second-Hand Books Getting New Looks in North Tonawanda
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda This past week residents and public officials took part in a ribbon cutting at the Old Editions Bookstore on Oliver Street where thousands of used books are for sale. All of the books are personally collected by the owners, Ronald Cozzi and his wife. As it turns out, they have a passion for history. “People collect books and there is a demand out there,” said Ronald Cozzi. “We have
HAMILTON: Leave Bishop Malone Alone . . . For Now
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Ken Hamilton What is it that we don’t understand about “due process” in law anymore? It wasn’t all that long ago that the Kavanaugh/Ford debacle took place, wasn’t it? You know, where a formerly beer- addled -year old girl who would later become a college professor some 35-years thereafter accused a 17-year old beer-addled boy who would become a US Supreme Court Justice, of sexually molesting her. What did we learn by allowing the case to
Common Council Seeks to Slow Down Drivers in North Tonawanda
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda People across North Tonawanda could soon be driving a little slower. Members of the Common Council put forth a motion to reduce the speed between Tremont and Goundry Streets to 25 MPH, the current speed is 30MPH. However, due to current traffic safety laws, they cannot lower the speed to anything under 30MPH. City leaders wanted to reduce the speed because of all of the business and people
Nick Casal Returning to Ring in December
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Tony Farina Niagara Falls boxer Nick Casal has signed to fight junior middleweight Rick Graham on Dec. 14 in Houston, Texas, his first bout since scoring a unanimous decision over Antonio Fernandez in May of 2016 at the Seneca Niagara Casino. “I’m very excited to be getting back in the ring,” said Casal, “and Graham is a good opponent. It should be a good test.” Casal, whose ring career was derailed when he was beaten
Niagara Falls Officials Fighting to Avoid Financial Train Wreck
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Tony Farina Analysis With no casino cash next year, dwindling reserves, and disagreement among elected officials on how to close a projected $14-million budget shortfall, Niagara Falls is facing a potential financial train wreck that is gaining speed with each passing day. Councilmember Kenny Tompkins, who is among lawmakers not yet sold on a garbage user fee to raise $3.1 million to help close the deficit next year along with a $12.3 million loan from
Mayor Pappas Leads Ceremony Unveiling Children’s Remembrance Garden
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda On Wednesday, October 24th, 2018, city leaders along with friends, family and loved ones took part in the opening ceremony of the new Children’s Remembrance Garden. The park is located in Brauer Park – right across from City Hall – and is designed for people of all ages to come and remember those whose lives were taken too soon. For Mary Beth Kupiec it’s a place to come
Public Officials & Residents Discuss the Fate of Memorial Pool
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda Built in 1947, it is no secret that Memorial Pool in North Tonawnada is in dire need of repairs. This notion was reinforced after a Cleveland based architecture-engineer firm conducted a feasibility study on the pool. This past week Nancy Nozik presented her findings to the Common Council as well as residents. “If we were going to really repair this facility to make sure that it lasts another ten to
Kids Pumpkin Day at Imagine Community Garden
Please click the link below to subscribe to a FREE PDF version of each print edition of the Niagara Reporter http://eepurl.com/dnsYM9 By: Brendan McDonough Reporter for North Tonawanda More than 2 dozen kids gathered at the Imagine Community Gardens on Saturday, October 20th, not to dig in the dirt but to carve pumpkins. The event was all part of the 1st Annual Kids Pumpkin Day where more than sixty pumpkins were donated for people to carve into any crazy or creative design they choose. The event was open to both kids and adults. For many, it