LOCKPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

Lockport Fire Chief Tom Passuite said last night it
would cost the City $500,000 a year to comply with
an arbitrator's ruling there must be ten firefighters
on each shift. He said the City would have to hire
nine more or double the annual overtime allowance.
The City has asked the State Supreme Court to
review the ruling. Mayor Mike Tucker said if it's
upheld, they will cover the amount by Fire Service
and staff cuts. He said residents have let them
know they can't take any more taxes and they
struggled with the recently passed budget to get
the minimal increase that it included. He said they
could not continue to shoulder these types of
expenses....that taxes are high enough. He did
not know how long it would take for the Supreme
Court to issue a decision.

STATE BUDGET DEFICIT

Everyone would share the pain under a two-year
$5-billion deficit reduction program announced
Thursday by the Governor. He called for cuts
to schools, cities, grants for college students,
police and health care providers to erase a
$3-billion deficit in this year's budget and to
start on savings for the following year. The plan
calls for no tax increases. Paterson said the
revenues from taxes are coming in lower than
expected because of unemployment and
displacement. He called for $1.8-billion in
spending cuts for all agenices. It would include
the $500-million reduction he already ordered October 6.
Paterson called for a ten per cent in
most of the agencies but said he was only
proposing a 4.5 % cut in education. He also said
they would also have to cut social service programs,
transportation programs, and higher education. He
proposed a $500-million cut in health but said they
would not affect anyone on Medicaid. Paterson said
it was the only way to keep the state from going into
default. He said he wanted lawmakers to return to
Albany October 26. The proposal would mean the
Lockport School District would lose $1.31-million in
aid, the Falls $1.78-million and Niagara Wheatfield
$1.15-million. Starpoint would see a cut of $847,000,
Lew-Port $860,000, and Wilson $402,000. Newfane's
reduction would come to $527,000, Roy Hart's
$451,000, and Barker, $326,000.

STATE DOT OPEN HOUSE

The State Department of Transportation's annual
open house will be in the Town of Lockport tomorrow.
The agency rotates the event each year between one of
their maintenace faciltiies in Niagara, Erie, Cattaragus
and Chautauqua counties. This year's is at their
maintenance facility at 5055 Junction Road. There'll
be demonstrations of their heavy equipment, displays
of departmental environmental initiatives, information
about the 511 program, and there'll be a chance for kids
to get their picture taken on Katy the Snowplow.
Several community organizations will be there too
along with exhibits from the State Parks Department.
CSX Railroad, and the State Police. The Sheriff's
Department will have a car safety seat inspection.
Your group can also find out about how to adopt a
highway. The event runs from 9am till 1pm Saturday
at 5055 Junction Road.

NAACP BIRTHDAY

The 100th anniversary of the NAACP will be
celebrated in the Falls at 4pm Sunday at New
Hope Baptist Church. Branch President Bill
Bradberry says it'll run for 100 minutes till
5:40, at which time they will emerge from the
church and release 100 balloons. He's also
asking all other churches in the County to
ring their bells at that time....and for police
and fire departments to blow their horns and
sirens and to make some noise for the
celebration. He says it needs to be a county
wide celebration and points out that a lot of
good things happened here in the 1800's,
saying the area was a hotbed the anti slavery
movement and there's a lot to be joyful about.
The celebration inside the church, located at
1122 Buffalo Avenue, will include music
composed by R. Nathaniel Dett. He lived in the
Falls in the early part of the 19th century. The
pastor of Lockport's AME Church will also
speak.

NORTHVIEW DRIVE BURGLARY

Almost $10,500 worth of items were taken Thursday
morning in the burglary of a home at 7099 Northview
Drive in the Town of Lockport. The victims were only
gone for 4 1/2 hours. A $5,000 platinum gold necklace
with diamonds, a $1200 diamond tennis bracelet, two
lap tops, and an $800 wedding band were listed among
the items missing. Deputies found a rear sliding glass
door was unsecured and the attached screen door was
slid open about two feet. They also found two sets of
footprints in the grass leading to a field at the rear of the
property. The K-9 unit found two tracks. One stopped
at another home on Northview and the other at a
residence on Southview. A neighbor said she saw
four white males with black hoodies walk down the
street several times.

UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS

The State Labor Department reported yesterday
the County's unemployment numbers improved
slightly in September...falling from 9 per cent in
August to 8.8 per cent last month. Erie County saw
a slight increase from 8.2 to 8.3 per cent. Officials
said the entire region only added 1200 jobs from
August thru September, 70% less than a year ago
and just a quarter of what was seen in 2007. The
Statewide numbers held steady at 8.9 per cent.
It was at 5.8 % a year ago.

CRIME PREVENTION DAY

Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert says he, and
members of his department will be at Willow Park
Saturday morning for the Recreation Departments
"Crime Prevention Day." He said they will bring
some equipment and police cars and give the kids
the chance to take a look and check them out. The
Rec Department is promising a lot of free goodies
including crafts, kids police hats and badges, and
coloring books. One Eyed Jacks will be selling
pulled pork sandwiches. The proceeds will go to
buy smoke detectors that'll be given to families
needing them by the Police & Fire Departments.
The event runs from 11:30 till 2.

SWINGERS CONVENTION

One family has cancelled a wedding reception at
Grand Island's Holiday Inn as the controversey
continues over a "swingers convention" going on
at the hotel. The reception was not scheduled till
next October but the family said they wanted to send
a message they could not patronize an estblishment
that goes against their beliefs. The "Entice The Falls"
gathering started Thursday. The hotel's general
manager said it was "business as usual."

ANOTHER DEATH AT THE BUFFALO ZOO

The Buffalo Zoo is dealing with another death. A
13 year old female giraffe passed away Wednesday
night. Akili was found by her keepers on the ground
and unable to stand. Zoo President Donna Fernandes
said it came as a surprise and the cause is unknown.
The 1400 pound animal was born at the Zoo in 1996.
Her death leaves them with one adult male, two adult
females, and a calf that Akili gave birth to in January.
Some of Akili's remains will be donated to academic
institutions.

NEW STATE DEFICIT NUMBERS

The State's in the red so it's not surprising the
Governor has chosen the Red Room in the State
Capitol to unveil his latest plan to balance the
state budget. Paterson is slated to speak at 1pm
today. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli warned
Wednesday the mid year budget shortfall culd reach
$4.1-billion. Paterson said lawmakers would have
to make some very tough choices. He said if they do
not, they risk going down a path New York has not
gone. He noted other states have to pay exboritant
interest rates because their credit ratings are shot
because they can't pay their bills. He said some
have resorted to laying off workers, releasing
prisoners early, and cutting pensions. He said he
would not let the State go into default.

NEW HOTEL PROPOSED IN THE FALLS

An application to the County IDA for help in
opening a new five story hotel in the Falls
ran into some flack yesterday. Mayor Paul Dyster
complained the City was not given any details
about SAI Lodgings plan for the 39 room
structure that would go across the street from the
site of the former Niagara Splash Water Park.
Vice Chairman Mike Tucker voted against it.
He said officials in the Falls had previously
criticized a tax break they granted two months
ago to Merani Hospitality to reopen two hotels
on Buffalo Avenue. Tucker told the Buffalo News
he wanted the City to tell them they want their
help before he will support any more projects
in the Falls. The IDA Board accepted the
application however and set a public hearing
for November 12 at City Hall on a ten year
payment in lieu of taxes agreement. The IDA
plans to vote on it November 18.

ANIMAL CONTROL IN LOCKPORT

Lockport lawmakers heard from the County SPCA
last night as they move toward deciding who will
get the contract to take care of the city's stray animals
in the coming year. The agency's new interim director,
Neil Nolf, told the council they do not euthanize healthy
animals and they make 24 hour veterinary care
available to injured or sick ones brought to the shelter.
The Executive Director of the new Eastern Niagara
Animal Welfare Alliance, Bobbie Mael, made a similiar
pitch to the City last month. She submitted a bid that
is $2,500 lower than what the City paid the SPCA this
year. Council President John Lombardi said they
would make an educated decision next Wednesday.
Alderman Pat Schrader said he had no problems with
staying with the SPCA and the Mayor said they were a
proven entity and had done a good job.

FREEDOM CROSSING MONUMENT

Several hundred people were at Lewiston Landing
at the foot of Center Street last night for the
unveiling of the Freedom Crossing Monument.
The $230,000 bronze structure commerates the
area's role in the Underground Railroad. It shows
slaves being taken across the river to Canada aboard
a rowboat. It was sculpted by Susan Geissler of
Youngstown. The unveiling was perceded by a
performance by re-enactors of just such a crossing.
Volunteers from the Historical Association of Lewiston
worked for three years on the project. The cash to pay
for it came from the Niagara River Greenway funds,
the Margaret Wendt Foundation, and the Key Bank
Foundation.

SECOND MAN ARRESTED

The other man wanted by Lockport police in
connection with last Wednesday's theft of a
breast cancer donation jar from Molinaro's was
arrested yesterday. Twenty-one year old
Joshua Cooney of 131 Gooding is accused of
taking $5 from a tip jar during the incident. He's
charged with petit larceny. The waitress on
duty at the time picked him out of a set of
photos shown to her by police. Logan Gillon
was arrested shortly after the incident and
charged with stealing the donation jar
containing about $15.

DIE

An 18 year old Lockport woman was charged
yesterday with using a key to write the word
"DIE" on the hood of a new 2009 Chevy Cobalt.
Amanda Bernardi of 6735 Minnick Road is also
accused of using the same key to scratch up
the vehicle's passenger side. Repair shops
say it will cost almost $2,400 to repair the damage.
The car is owned by a local woman and was
being used by her daughter when the damage
was done September 27 while it was parked
at 152 Cottage. Bernardi said she did it because
she was angry the woman's daughter was seeing
her ex-boyfriend.

QUARTER POUND OF POT

An 18 year old Lockport man was allegedly
caught with about a quarter pound of marijuana
during a traffic stop just before 1am today on
Lake Avenue at Wicks Road. Raymond Townsend
of 37 North Street said he bought it on Genesee
Street from an unknown male. Deputies also
found three glass smoking pipes in the car.
Townsend was being held on $250 bail at last
report and is due in Town Court next Tuesday.
The driver, 19 year old Derek Jansen of 25 Center
Street was given a ticket for going 57 mph in a 45
mph zone.

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO DRUGS

Lockport police allegedly found cocaine and
marijuana during a traffic stop around 11:30
last night on Niagara Street. Twenty-three
year old Brenton Poole of Ridge Road West
in Albion was charged with possession of a
controlled substance and marijauna. The driver,
23 year old Bethany Payne of East Orchard
Street in Medina with aggravated unlicensed
operation and failing to signal. Police say she
did not do so 100 feet before turning. They say
they found cocaine during a search of the car, and
that seven small plastic bags of pot were found
in the back of patrol car 26 after they transported
Poole to Headquarters. They also confiscated
$860 in cash he was carrying.

HORSE TRAILER AND SADDLE STOLEN

A $5,000 horse trailer and a $2,000 saddle were reported
stolen around 3pm yesterday in Pendleton. The victim
said the red trailer was taken from a field at 6374 Aiken
Road and the saddle was inside. She told deputies she
thought her ex husband may have taken it.

FREEDROM CROSSING MONUMENT

A large monument commerating the Underground
Railroad will be unveiled at 7 tonight at Lewiston
Landing on North Water Street. The "Freedom
Crossing Monument" was designed and created
by Susan Geissler of Lewiston. The unveiling will
be preceeded by a re-enactment showing how slaves
used a rowboat to get to Canada. The bronze
monument cost $220,000. It was paid for with money
from the Niagara River Greenway Commission, the
Village of Lewiston, and with grants from the Wendt
and Key Bank Foundations. The project was three
years in the making.

CAR WASH ROBBED

The owner of a Lockport car wash telling the
Sheriff's department his surveillance camera
showed that somebody broke into his business
around 10pm Monday and stole a bucket of
quarters and dollar bills. It happened at Lincoln
Laser Wash at 6618 Lincoln Avenue. He described
the man as being a white male about 5 foot 9
and weighing between 130 & 150 pounds. He may
have a goatee. He was wearing a dark ball cap
with earflaps and a dark jacket. The video showed
the man pulled up to the building and tried to cut
off a lock on a coin machine with bolt cutters. When
that didn't work, he left and came back with a pry
bar. He took off the back of the coin machine and
stole $575 in quarters and $130 in bills. He also
took a set of keys. The man then tried to open
another machine in a wash bay but was
unsuccessful. The total loss and damage came
to $850.

H-1 N-1 VIRUS

A student at Lockport's Charles Upson Elementary
School has the H-1 N-1 virus. The School District
says they found out yesterday and sent a letter
home with students. They also posted details on
the district web site and made phone calls and text
messages on their automatic response system.
Superintendent Terry Ann Carbone said the student
is home and feeling better and will come back to
class when their family doctor gives the o-k. She
said there have been other cases in the County
and they're just another school on the list. She
added that some other students have been absent
with the seasonal flu. The County received it's
first shipment of the H1 N1 vaccine last week. It
contained 500 nasal spray doses, the injected
version is expected to arrive late this week or
early next week.

RESERVOIR STATE PARK

Plans were announced last night to add an
outdoor skating rink, a lighted softball
diamond, and more parking and restrooms
at Reservoir State Park. The $3.7-million
project is expected to be finished in 2011.
The upgrade was part of the deal that gave
the Power Authority it's 50 year renewal in
2007. Construction is expected to start next
Fall. Playground and basketball courts
will also be enhanced and trails leading up to
the sledding hill and the reservoir will be
resurfaced.

FALLS BUDGET HEARINGS BEGIN

Budget meetings started in the Falls Tuesday
with a request from the Library for more money.
Executive Director Betty Babanoury asked for
an increase of about $66,000 from the city. She's
expecting a drop in aid from Albany. The Mayor's
proposed budget does not contain any increase.
The City provided $1.7-million this year and his
plan calls for keeping the city's contribution at the
same level.

RE-EVULATION OF LOCKPORT PROPERTIES

Four companies want to do the job of
re-evaluating the value of Lockport properties.
Mayor Mike Tucker says three are from the
Buffalo area and one is from Syracuse. The
high bid came from GAR Associates of
Amherst while the low one was submitted
by KLW Municipal of Williamsville. The City
is not obligated to pick the low bidder. The
Council set aside $100,000 in the new budget
for re-evaluation work.

BUDWEYS

Budwey's Supermarket could be adding a new
store in Medina. It would be located in the vacant
Jubilee Plaza. Frank Budwey says he will probably
know by December if he will go through with the
plan.