The County Legislature's Community Services
Committee last night voted not to increase the
county's contribution to NCCC in next year's
budget. The vote was taken after County
Manager Greg Lewis reccommended the
move. It was supported by Legislature Chair
Bill Ross who also sits on the Board of the
College. The school turned in a budget that
called for the County to contriubute $9,071,000
toward it's $46.6-million spending plan...which
would have been a $200,000 increase.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
SHAKE-UP IN ALBANY
Republicans took back control of the State Senate
yesterday with the help of two renegade Democrats
from New York City, It happened when the GOP
introduced a resolution to make one of them,
Pedro Espada of the Bronx, the President of the
Senate and Dean Skelos as Majority Leader. Taken
by surprise, the Democrats huddled and then
eventually walked out of the chamber. State
Senator George Maziarz says the new majority
held a session afterwards with four Democrats
and passed a series of reforms that the Democrats
promised to make in the last election but had not.
There will now be term limits for the Majority
Leader and Committee Chairs. There will be
a way for a member to bring an item to the floor
so it's not bottled up in a committee. The
sponsors of all bills must have their name
attached to them and they plan to institute a
cable channel by January to carry their
proceedings. Senator Malcolm Smith still
continued to insist last night he is the Majority
Leader and Maziarz says he will probably
file a lawsuit. The Senate will operate much like
the County Legislature with a combination of
Republicans and Democrats in control. Tom
Golisano had a lot to do with the change and
worked behind the scenes to make it happen.
The Governor was upset when he talked to
reporters last night and said he still considered
Smith to be the Majority Leader.
yesterday with the help of two renegade Democrats
from New York City, It happened when the GOP
introduced a resolution to make one of them,
Pedro Espada of the Bronx, the President of the
Senate and Dean Skelos as Majority Leader. Taken
by surprise, the Democrats huddled and then
eventually walked out of the chamber. State
Senator George Maziarz says the new majority
held a session afterwards with four Democrats
and passed a series of reforms that the Democrats
promised to make in the last election but had not.
There will now be term limits for the Majority
Leader and Committee Chairs. There will be
a way for a member to bring an item to the floor
so it's not bottled up in a committee. The
sponsors of all bills must have their name
attached to them and they plan to institute a
cable channel by January to carry their
proceedings. Senator Malcolm Smith still
continued to insist last night he is the Majority
Leader and Maziarz says he will probably
file a lawsuit. The Senate will operate much like
the County Legislature with a combination of
Republicans and Democrats in control. Tom
Golisano had a lot to do with the change and
worked behind the scenes to make it happen.
The Governor was upset when he talked to
reporters last night and said he still considered
Smith to be the Majority Leader.
LOCKPORT MURDER
Two teens who lived at a halfway house operated
by Wyndham Lawn are charged with murdering
their 24 year old coounselor around 9:30 last night.
Eighteen year old Anthony Allen and 17 year old
Robert Thousand are charged with second degree
murder, first degree robbery, and second degree
burglary. The victim was Rene Greco of Buffalo.
Lockport Detective Captain Rick Podgers said she
was budgeoned to death while playing cards with
other residents of the home. He said the plan was
hatched by Allenand that they put a blanket over
the womans head and used items found in the
basement of the home at 437 East Avenue to
committ the murder. Podgers says another
resident of the home ran to a nearby friends
house and called 911. He said, "they hit the
lady and took the van." It was found abandoned
a short time later in the parking lot of the Transit
Road Wal Mart. Police called local cab companies
and discovered they were on their way tio Buffalo
to take a bus to Rochester. They were caught by
NFTA Police and returned to Lockport. A third teen
was with them but was not charged and has been
returned to Wyndham Lawn. Podgers said Allen
was worried he would get caught for breaking into
the group home office over the weekend and
stealing $160. He said Allen worked at the YMCA
and during a group meeting yesterday, they told
everyone they would take the fingerprints off
the cash box and find the person responsible.
That's when he decided to go AWOL and
allegedly hatched the plan with Thousand.
Mayor Mike Tucker said Wyndham Lawn has owned
the halfway house since 1967 and it was located
in a quiet residential area. He said he would be
meeting with officials at Wyndham about it's
future. The two were arraigned this morning in
City Court.
by Wyndham Lawn are charged with murdering
their 24 year old coounselor around 9:30 last night.
Eighteen year old Anthony Allen and 17 year old
Robert Thousand are charged with second degree
murder, first degree robbery, and second degree
burglary. The victim was Rene Greco of Buffalo.
Lockport Detective Captain Rick Podgers said she
was budgeoned to death while playing cards with
other residents of the home. He said the plan was
hatched by Allenand that they put a blanket over
the womans head and used items found in the
basement of the home at 437 East Avenue to
committ the murder. Podgers says another
resident of the home ran to a nearby friends
house and called 911. He said, "they hit the
lady and took the van." It was found abandoned
a short time later in the parking lot of the Transit
Road Wal Mart. Police called local cab companies
and discovered they were on their way tio Buffalo
to take a bus to Rochester. They were caught by
NFTA Police and returned to Lockport. A third teen
was with them but was not charged and has been
returned to Wyndham Lawn. Podgers said Allen
was worried he would get caught for breaking into
the group home office over the weekend and
stealing $160. He said Allen worked at the YMCA
and during a group meeting yesterday, they told
everyone they would take the fingerprints off
the cash box and find the person responsible.
That's when he decided to go AWOL and
allegedly hatched the plan with Thousand.
Mayor Mike Tucker said Wyndham Lawn has owned
the halfway house since 1967 and it was located
in a quiet residential area. He said he would be
meeting with officials at Wyndham about it's
future. The two were arraigned this morning in
City Court.
Monday, June 8, 2009
PIESZALA RUNNING FOR BOARD SEAT
Donna Pieszala has announced her run for a
seat on the Town of Lockport Board this Fall.
She's currently a member of the Newfane School
Board where she served as President for a time.
She also co-founded the Eastern Niagara Power
Project Alliance that has been negotating with
NYPA for a share of power and its profits produced
in Niagara County. Pieszala says she's running
to give residents a choice. She'd like to see the
terms for members of the board reduced from
four to two years and thinks the pay for the Board
Members, the Supervisor and the Deputy
Supervisor should be cut. The Deputy
Supervisor makes over $18,000 a year and
The Supervisor's compenstation can come
to about $50,000. She thinks everyone should
get a ten percent cut to start with but would like
to see salaries reduced by as much as 20 percent.
Her website is "Vote for Donna P dot com."
seat on the Town of Lockport Board this Fall.
She's currently a member of the Newfane School
Board where she served as President for a time.
She also co-founded the Eastern Niagara Power
Project Alliance that has been negotating with
NYPA for a share of power and its profits produced
in Niagara County. Pieszala says she's running
to give residents a choice. She'd like to see the
terms for members of the board reduced from
four to two years and thinks the pay for the Board
Members, the Supervisor and the Deputy
Supervisor should be cut. The Deputy
Supervisor makes over $18,000 a year and
The Supervisor's compenstation can come
to about $50,000. She thinks everyone should
get a ten percent cut to start with but would like
to see salaries reduced by as much as 20 percent.
Her website is "Vote for Donna P dot com."
SANDONATO
A 23 year old Republican from LaSalle announced
Sunday he is running for the County Legislature
this Fall. Vince Sandonato wants the Fifth District
seat currently held by Sean O'Connor. He had
initially planned to run for the City Council but
thinks he can do more in the Legislature. Even
though he's running for it, he thinks its membership
should be reduced from 19 to 15 members and that
lifetime health benefits for members should end.
Sandonato is a legal assistant and works in
Amherst. In his spare time, he's an umpire for
the Police Athletic League and also coaches
youth football in Buffalo. He's a member of
Saint John DeLa Salle Catholic Church.
Sunday he is running for the County Legislature
this Fall. Vince Sandonato wants the Fifth District
seat currently held by Sean O'Connor. He had
initially planned to run for the City Council but
thinks he can do more in the Legislature. Even
though he's running for it, he thinks its membership
should be reduced from 19 to 15 members and that
lifetime health benefits for members should end.
Sandonato is a legal assistant and works in
Amherst. In his spare time, he's an umpire for
the Police Athletic League and also coaches
youth football in Buffalo. He's a member of
Saint John DeLa Salle Catholic Church.
DEMLER
The Republican Committee in the Town of
Wheatfield Saturday withdrew it's endorsement
of Supervisor Tim Demler and voted to instead back
Town Justice Robert Cliffe. Demler says he's still
running. Cliffe says he was resign as a Judge to
make the run. Board Chairman Jim Heuer says
allegations Demler had an affair with the wife of
a member of the Committee did not enter into the
decision. He said other allegations were discussed
during the hour long closed door meeting and they
would come out over time.
Wheatfield Saturday withdrew it's endorsement
of Supervisor Tim Demler and voted to instead back
Town Justice Robert Cliffe. Demler says he's still
running. Cliffe says he was resign as a Judge to
make the run. Board Chairman Jim Heuer says
allegations Demler had an affair with the wife of
a member of the Committee did not enter into the
decision. He said other allegations were discussed
during the hour long closed door meeting and they
would come out over time.
GREEN LIGHT
The Appelate Division of State Supreme Court
released a unanimous decision Friday rejecting
all the objections to the proposed Wal Mart
Supercenter in the Town of Lockport. The 5-0
decision cannot be appealed. Lockport Smart
Growth had contended the Town's Zonind and
Planning Boards violated the law when they
granted a series of variances and waivers. Town
Attorney Dan Seaman said the sale of the mall
property would have to go through a bankrupcty
court. The owners, General Growth, filed for
bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
released a unanimous decision Friday rejecting
all the objections to the proposed Wal Mart
Supercenter in the Town of Lockport. The 5-0
decision cannot be appealed. Lockport Smart
Growth had contended the Town's Zonind and
Planning Boards violated the law when they
granted a series of variances and waivers. Town
Attorney Dan Seaman said the sale of the mall
property would have to go through a bankrupcty
court. The owners, General Growth, filed for
bankruptcy protection earlier this year.
PROFESSIONAL ACTOR TO APPEAR IN OKLAHOMA
A professional actor from Virginia will have
the starring role in the Palace Theatre's
upcoming production of Oklahoma. Twenty-
four year old John Kownacki will play Curly
the cowboy. He won the role after director
Chris Parada went to New York City's Chelsea
Studios where several dozen professional
actors auditioned. Kownacki just finished the
East coast tour of Cinderella and has moved
to Lockport for two months. He will also teach
the annual Theatre School classes which run
from the end of June through July. Oklahoma
opens July 9 and runs through the 19th.
the starring role in the Palace Theatre's
upcoming production of Oklahoma. Twenty-
four year old John Kownacki will play Curly
the cowboy. He won the role after director
Chris Parada went to New York City's Chelsea
Studios where several dozen professional
actors auditioned. Kownacki just finished the
East coast tour of Cinderella and has moved
to Lockport for two months. He will also teach
the annual Theatre School classes which run
from the end of June through July. Oklahoma
opens July 9 and runs through the 19th.
BEILEIN
A tightening of the State's pension policy means
former Sheriff Tom Beilein will not be able to
collect his State salary and County pension at
the same time. Published reports say Beilein
withdrew a request to get both after it was
apparent it would be rejected. He may have to
repay $23,000 he's already received. State law
says someone eligible for a pension cannot
collect it if their salary is over $30,000 a year.
Beilein makes $110,000 a year as Chairman of
the State Commission on Corrections.
former Sheriff Tom Beilein will not be able to
collect his State salary and County pension at
the same time. Published reports say Beilein
withdrew a request to get both after it was
apparent it would be rejected. He may have to
repay $23,000 he's already received. State law
says someone eligible for a pension cannot
collect it if their salary is over $30,000 a year.
Beilein makes $110,000 a year as Chairman of
the State Commission on Corrections.
APOLOGIZE OR RESIGN
The leader of Buffalo's True Bethel Baptist
Church says Lew Port School Board
President Robert Weller should resign or
apologize for sending controversial E-mails
to board members. The Reverand Darius
Pridgen also threatens to bring a large
contingent with him to this month's board
meeting if he can't meet with Weller
beforehand. Pridgen was responding to
a story in Sunday's Buffalo News about
Weller's habit of forwarding what he considers
to be amusing E-mails. They often depict
the President, Hillary Clinton, and other
political leaders. Critics say they are
racist and sexist. Pridgen told the paper
he was very surprised that in 2009 anyone
would believe they are acceptable. He
asked members of his congregation
yesterday to E-mail Weller and tell him
to either say he's sorry or step down.
Weller's term as President ends at the
end of the month.
Church says Lew Port School Board
President Robert Weller should resign or
apologize for sending controversial E-mails
to board members. The Reverand Darius
Pridgen also threatens to bring a large
contingent with him to this month's board
meeting if he can't meet with Weller
beforehand. Pridgen was responding to
a story in Sunday's Buffalo News about
Weller's habit of forwarding what he considers
to be amusing E-mails. They often depict
the President, Hillary Clinton, and other
political leaders. Critics say they are
racist and sexist. Pridgen told the paper
he was very surprised that in 2009 anyone
would believe they are acceptable. He
asked members of his congregation
yesterday to E-mail Weller and tell him
to either say he's sorry or step down.
Weller's term as President ends at the
end of the month.
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