Workers at Niagara Falls City Hall were evacuated
for about 20 minutes this morning due to a fire
in the mechanical room for the main elevator . The
problem was discovered around 10:45 and
Fire Chief Bill McKay was convienently in the
building at the time attending an event for the
YWCA Stand Against Racism. There is no
estimate of damage or cause yet.
Friday, April 3, 2009
DELPHI
President Obama's Auto Task Force will meet
with officials from Delphi and General Motors
Monday for talks that could finally lead to
Delphi's emergence from bankruptcy. Delphi's
lenders and creditors are also expected at the
table. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain
o-k'd a timetable yesterday for the parties to
reach a deal. He set a final deadline of April
24 for the plan to be submitted. He also o-k'd
a deal whereby the auto parts supplier will
provide $8.75-million to help salaried retirees
offset their medical costs. The Delphi Salaried
Retirees Association agreed to drop their
lawsuit as part of the agreement. It sets up
a hardship fund to subsidize medical costs
for retirees and survivors suffering special
hardships from their loss of coverage for
medical and prescription drugs. It also lets
the Retirees Association set up a voluntary
benefit association where tax free funds
could be used to pay for health care expenses.
About 250 salaried retirees live in Western
New York.
with officials from Delphi and General Motors
Monday for talks that could finally lead to
Delphi's emergence from bankruptcy. Delphi's
lenders and creditors are also expected at the
table. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain
o-k'd a timetable yesterday for the parties to
reach a deal. He set a final deadline of April
24 for the plan to be submitted. He also o-k'd
a deal whereby the auto parts supplier will
provide $8.75-million to help salaried retirees
offset their medical costs. The Delphi Salaried
Retirees Association agreed to drop their
lawsuit as part of the agreement. It sets up
a hardship fund to subsidize medical costs
for retirees and survivors suffering special
hardships from their loss of coverage for
medical and prescription drugs. It also lets
the Retirees Association set up a voluntary
benefit association where tax free funds
could be used to pay for health care expenses.
About 250 salaried retirees live in Western
New York.
POSTPONED!
The Newfane Lions Club has postponed their
Easter Egg hunt till next Saturday. It'll start
at 10am...April 11th... at the Newfane Middle School.
Easter Egg hunt till next Saturday. It'll start
at 10am...April 11th... at the Newfane Middle School.
EASTER ACTIVITIES
The City of Lockport has postponed it's
Easter Egg Hunt till 1:30 pm Sunday. Mayor
Mike Tucker says the forecast for Saturday
isn't conducive to outdoor activities. It'll
still be at Outwater Park. The children will be
divided into three age groups, 2 to 4, 5 to 7, and 8-10.
Falls DPW Director Dave Kinney saidthey
are still planning to hold their activities
starting at 9:30 at Sal Maglie Stadium. Kids
should confirm their advance registartions
starting at 9:30. Three bikes will be among the prizes.
The Power Authority will have it's annual Eggs-travaganza
Saturday morning as well. It runs from 10-4
with face painting, crafts, games and prizes.
Photos with the Easter Bunny can be taken
until 2. The 4-H Teen Council in Lockport
has an all you can eat brunch, egg hunt,
and basket auction Sunday at Cornell
Co-operative Extension at the Fairgrounds.
It runs from 9:30 till 1:30pm and admisison
is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12.
The meal is being catered by Donna Eick.
The basket auction drawing starts at 1. You
don't have to be present to win but you must
buy a brunch ticket to particpate in the egg
hunt and Chinese auction.
Easter Egg Hunt till 1:30 pm Sunday. Mayor
Mike Tucker says the forecast for Saturday
isn't conducive to outdoor activities. It'll
still be at Outwater Park. The children will be
divided into three age groups, 2 to 4, 5 to 7, and 8-10.
Falls DPW Director Dave Kinney saidthey
are still planning to hold their activities
starting at 9:30 at Sal Maglie Stadium. Kids
should confirm their advance registartions
starting at 9:30. Three bikes will be among the prizes.
The Power Authority will have it's annual Eggs-travaganza
Saturday morning as well. It runs from 10-4
with face painting, crafts, games and prizes.
Photos with the Easter Bunny can be taken
until 2. The 4-H Teen Council in Lockport
has an all you can eat brunch, egg hunt,
and basket auction Sunday at Cornell
Co-operative Extension at the Fairgrounds.
It runs from 9:30 till 1:30pm and admisison
is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12.
The meal is being catered by Donna Eick.
The basket auction drawing starts at 1. You
don't have to be present to win but you must
buy a brunch ticket to particpate in the egg
hunt and Chinese auction.
STATE BUDGET
The State Senate passed two of it's nine
budget bills yesterday and is expected to
wrap up work on the $131.8-billion spending
plan today. One of the two approved bills
contained the touted revision to the Rockefeller
drug laws. Action was able to resume after
Senators o-k'd a measure allowing a Bronx
lawmaker to cast all of her votes at one time
so she could return to her hospital bed. The
Democrats needed her votes because they
have a slim 32-30 margin in the Senate. The
Assembly passed the 9 bills Tuesday. After
all the votes were tallied it turns out local
Democrats Sam Hoyt and Robin Schimminger
were among seven members of the party that
voted against all of them. Francine del Monte
and Cheektowaga representative Dennis
Gabryzak voted against eight. Hoyt told the
Buffalo News the spending plan pays no
real attention to the needs of Western New
York and Upstate. The Democrats have a massive
majority in the Assembly and the negative votes
had no affect on the outcome, but Hoyt told the
paper he would still have voted no if his had been
the deciding vote.
budget bills yesterday and is expected to
wrap up work on the $131.8-billion spending
plan today. One of the two approved bills
contained the touted revision to the Rockefeller
drug laws. Action was able to resume after
Senators o-k'd a measure allowing a Bronx
lawmaker to cast all of her votes at one time
so she could return to her hospital bed. The
Democrats needed her votes because they
have a slim 32-30 margin in the Senate. The
Assembly passed the 9 bills Tuesday. After
all the votes were tallied it turns out local
Democrats Sam Hoyt and Robin Schimminger
were among seven members of the party that
voted against all of them. Francine del Monte
and Cheektowaga representative Dennis
Gabryzak voted against eight. Hoyt told the
Buffalo News the spending plan pays no
real attention to the needs of Western New
York and Upstate. The Democrats have a massive
majority in the Assembly and the negative votes
had no affect on the outcome, but Hoyt told the
paper he would still have voted no if his had been
the deciding vote.
SMART GROWTH
The Appelate division of State Supreme Court in
Rochester set to listen to arguments today allowing
the Wal Mart SuperCenter to be built in the Town of
Lockport. Smart Growth Lockport is appealing
last year's decision by State Supreme Court judge
Richard Klock that upheld variances granted by
the Town's Zoning and Planning Boards. A written
decision will be issued sometime after today's
session.
Rochester set to listen to arguments today allowing
the Wal Mart SuperCenter to be built in the Town of
Lockport. Smart Growth Lockport is appealing
last year's decision by State Supreme Court judge
Richard Klock that upheld variances granted by
the Town's Zoning and Planning Boards. A written
decision will be issued sometime after today's
session.
LEGAL ACTION
County lawmakers expected to take legal action
next week to stop the State from giving it's
portion of the casino money to the City of
Niagara Falls. Assemblywoman Francine del
Monte and State Senator Antoinne Thompson
sponsored the bill which says the cash should
be given to the city to fix up it's streets. Both
say the County never adopted a formal policy
for using the money. County officials say a
variety of community groups have been given
cash for festivals and events that stimulate
the economy. Tuesday's resolution is
sponsored by Majority Leader Rick Updegrove.
It directs the County Attorney to revisit a
never used legal argument that claims the
County deserves a portion as one of the
host communities. The County was preparing
for a lawsuit back in 2005 but it didn't happen
because State Senator George Maziarz and
Del Monte agreed on a plan that gave the County
it's current share.
next week to stop the State from giving it's
portion of the casino money to the City of
Niagara Falls. Assemblywoman Francine del
Monte and State Senator Antoinne Thompson
sponsored the bill which says the cash should
be given to the city to fix up it's streets. Both
say the County never adopted a formal policy
for using the money. County officials say a
variety of community groups have been given
cash for festivals and events that stimulate
the economy. Tuesday's resolution is
sponsored by Majority Leader Rick Updegrove.
It directs the County Attorney to revisit a
never used legal argument that claims the
County deserves a portion as one of the
host communities. The County was preparing
for a lawsuit back in 2005 but it didn't happen
because State Senator George Maziarz and
Del Monte agreed on a plan that gave the County
it's current share.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
The big push is on at Catholic Charities. The annual
appeal has collected more than $7-million, 158,000
dollars in pledges so far and the "appeal week"
wraps up Sunday. This year's target is $11-million.
Officials say the falering economy has caused 127
more families to register for help at the four food
pantries they operate and there's been a 10%
increase in those using their mental health service
programs and 50% of the clients are children.
appeal has collected more than $7-million, 158,000
dollars in pledges so far and the "appeal week"
wraps up Sunday. This year's target is $11-million.
Officials say the falering economy has caused 127
more families to register for help at the four food
pantries they operate and there's been a 10%
increase in those using their mental health service
programs and 50% of the clients are children.
ROYALTON BURGLARY
A 47 year old Royalton man got home from work
late last night to find his home had been burglarized.
The resident of Orangeport Road said a Toshiba
32 inch flat screen TV had been removed from the
wall in the master bedroom, a VCR/DVD combo
from his daughters room, and 25 bottles of liquor
from a basement recreation room. A variety of
watches and other jewelery were also taken, the
loss amounting to over $4,000. Deputies said a
rear window was broken to gain entry. The victim
also owns a four unit apartment house on the
property which was said to be isolated with
limited access. The break in happened between
3:30 and 11:30 pm.
late last night to find his home had been burglarized.
The resident of Orangeport Road said a Toshiba
32 inch flat screen TV had been removed from the
wall in the master bedroom, a VCR/DVD combo
from his daughters room, and 25 bottles of liquor
from a basement recreation room. A variety of
watches and other jewelery were also taken, the
loss amounting to over $4,000. Deputies said a
rear window was broken to gain entry. The victim
also owns a four unit apartment house on the
property which was said to be isolated with
limited access. The break in happened between
3:30 and 11:30 pm.
NIAGARA STREET ELEMENTARY
An official with the Niagara Street Business
Association asked the Falls School Board
last night to push for laws that could reduce
the number of registered sex offenders living
near the Niagara Street Elementary School.
Ron Anderluh said eight offenders live in a
housing complex about 1500 feet from the
school and 33 within a mile of the building.
Most of the students walk to class. The
School Board will install two security
cameras outside the building Monday and
said a security officer will watch over the
area from 1 till 9 p.m.
Association asked the Falls School Board
last night to push for laws that could reduce
the number of registered sex offenders living
near the Niagara Street Elementary School.
Ron Anderluh said eight offenders live in a
housing complex about 1500 feet from the
school and 33 within a mile of the building.
Most of the students walk to class. The
School Board will install two security
cameras outside the building Monday and
said a security officer will watch over the
area from 1 till 9 p.m.
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