Niagara Reporter-
Public Can Learn About Reassessment at Council Meeting
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 in the briefing will be officials from the state’s Office of Real Property Tax Services and representatives from GAR Associates, a real estate valuation and consulting service contractor. It would be the first citywide property reassessment in 14 years and as we reported in a July story, Council President Andrew Touma
Pushing Daisies on Albany Agenda last week; Cuomo, State Lawmakers Boost Undertaker Bottom Line
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 given his stamp of approval to what’s being called the “Awards for Burial Expenses of Crime Victims Act”. Previously, families of murder victims, and the independent funeral homes they may have chosen to patronize, were eligible to apply to the state Office of Victim Services for reimbursement of expenses associated
Local governments ignore environmental law to rush controversial projects
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 of environmental decision making, but certain state and local political leaders have turned SEQRA on its head, using it as a tool for obfuscation and delay. On January 1, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), requiring actions proposed by federal agencies that might affect the environment
‘Discover Niagara’ Shuttle Parking Plan, A Blueprint for a Better Future?
Lest anyone think the Niagara Falls Reporter prefers to dwell on the negative, concentrating on the city’s dire circumstances and cornering the local newspaper market on pessimism, try this article from major business network Bloomberg News, which ran a couple of years ago, on for size. “Niagara Falls’ descent into blight — in spite of its proximity to an attraction that draws at least 8 million tourists each year…encompasses just about every mistake a city could make… a 1960’s mayor’s decision to bulldoze his quaint downtown and replace it with a bunch of modernist follies… Once a hydropowered center
Local Economy, Quality of Life Harmed by Politicians, Tourism Bureaucracy
For many who live in the City of Niagara Falls, life is a daily struggle. Poverty, crime, substandard housing, lack of educational attainment, drug abuse and teen pregnancy here are across-the-board higher than New York State averages. For example, according to US Census figures, 40.6% of children in Niagara Falls live below the poverty level, nearly twice the state average of 22.5%. Paying the rent, putting food on the table and seeing to it that your kids don’t fall victim to the drugs and violence that seemingly lurk around every corner – it can feel overwhelming at times. It’s no
Bills, Sabres Getting Ready but Sun Still Shining
Well, the Buffalo Bills have opened camp to prepare for their second season under head coach Rex Ryan. Could this be the year the Bills end the longest playoff drought in major sports? Of course we won’t really know the answer to that question for some time, probably not until the dead of winter when cold and snow blanket Western New York and frigid fans are hoping they have something to cheer about, if not the Bills then maybe the Sabres. Unfortunately, reality intrudes more often than not when it comes to local sports teams, and the chances
Cambria Seeks Info on Plea Deals in Pigeon Case
Political operative and former Erie County Democratic Chairman Steve Pigeon faces nine felony counts in a state prosecution involving former State Supreme Court Justice John Michalek who has already pleaded guilty to two felony counts, including taking bribe, and who is expected to be a key witness against Pigeon if the case goes to trial. But Pigeon and his lawyer, prominent defense attorney Paul Cambria, seem prepared to vigorously fight the charges brought by the attorney general’s special grand jury, claiming Pigeon did nothing wrong in his dealings with Michalek. A look at the discovery and bill of particulars filed
Touma, Bird Seek to Reassure Taxpayers on Reassessment As Plans Move Forward on First Revaluation in 14 Years
The first citywide property reassessment in 14 years is likely to begin in November, says Niagara Falls Assessor James Bird, with the new rates for taxpayers likely to be included with the school tax bill of August, 2018, if all goes according to plan. “A lot of people believe it is a good thing to determine fair market value, starting with the city’s Financial Advisory Panel,” says Council Chairman Andrew Touma who expects Bird will present the plan to move forward with the reassessment at the council’s first session in September, including recommendations on an outside contractor who would
Paladino Leads Trump Brigade
The big political news this week, of course, was the nomination of New York billionaire Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president at the GOP convention in Cleveland. Prominent among the Trump supporters is Buffalo developer Carl Paladino, front and center in front of the podium at the head of the New York convention delegation and the leader of Trump’s campaign in the Empire State, meaning Carl will be traveling across the state trying to help Trump somehow win New York’s electoral votes over presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Now anyone who knows Carl knows that when he’s into
Michalek’s Famous Lawyer Paid Well to Take Guilty Plea
Carrie Cohen was a big-time prosecutor with corruption-fighting U. S. Attorney Preet Bharara in the Southern District of New York and before that, with the State Attorney General’s office. But she left it all behind a few months ago to return to possibly greener financial pastures in private practice with the New York firm of Morrison & Foerster where she once worked as an associate. Well, Cohen’s first high-profile defense case could hardly be called a win compared to her Shelly Silver days as she represented then-State Supreme Court Justice John Michalek last month as he pleaded guilty to two
Former Sorrento Cheese Exec Finds Perfect Career Match
Every once in a while in life, we find a perfect match. It may be a golf club, a pet, a career, or a partner. There is something that tells us this is it! This fits me perfectly and I know it, a once in a lifetime match that I will treasure. That looks like what’s happened to 54-year-old Ed Sullivan, a longtime business executive who dreamed of someday owning his own business, one that would fit for his background and experience and would offer him a challenge and a chance to grow professionally and personally. A so-called perfect match.
It’s in the Stars: Your Weekly Horoscope: July 21- July 27
Aries: (March 21 – April 19): Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but no one has to use their eyes to see your stupid. When shoplifting, avoid stealing purple bathing suit. It will reveal unflattering dimple. High appeal to the opposite gender. Fun to be around. Very caring. This doesn’t sound like you, and the stars can do nothing to change it. Taurus: (April 20 – May 20): Spreading lies about friends may give you extra pleasure this week. Co-workers think you had too much Botox. You finally realize that taking drugs is neither smart nor savvy. However,