For over 15 years, Niagara County has asked the State of New York to increase the sales tax from 7% to 8% in order to deal with the excessive financial burden of the Medicaid program. The extra 1% amounts to over $20 million dollars. Without the extra 1%, our property taxes would go up $20 million dollars. As a Niagara County Legislator, John Ceretto voted twice to ask the state to allow for the extension of the additional 1 %. He did that because he knew without it he and his colleagues would have had to raise taxes significantly or they would have to cut the Sheriff's Department, the Parks Department & Highway Departments.
As our state assemblyman, Ceretto now has twice voted against the county's request, despite knowing that it would raise our county property tax or reduce essential county services. During this last legislative session, Assemblywoman Jane Corwin sponsored a bill to grant Niagara County's request to extend the additional 1% sales tax. Senator George Maziarz, Assemblyman Robin Schimminger and Corwin all supported the bill which was passed by both houses and signed by the Governor. The lone representative who voted against the request was John Ceretto. The same John Ceretto who last year said in an article in the Niagara Falls Reporter that he wanted to lower property taxes in Niagara County. The same John Ceretto who on the Vince Anello Show didn't know that the State's Safety Net Welfare program was shifting the cost onto county taxpayers which he voted to do in 2011.
Have you read about this in any local newspaper? Have you heard about this on any radio show? The answer to these questions is no. Could you imagine if Robin Schimminger voted against the County's request? Boy, I'm sure that the County Legislature led by Rick Updegrove would have a resolution blasting Schimminger for not supporting their request. Of course, Schimminger is a Democrat and the Legislature is controlled by the Republicans. Do you think Updegrove will go after Ceretto? Don't hold your breath.
When will someone ask Ceretto why he wants to increase the tax burden on county taxpayers when Canadian shoppers and the 7 million people who visit Niagara Falls could help pay for the oppressive state mandates that Ceretto has continued to shift onto county taxpayers? When will people look beyond the glad handing, pancake eating politician and see one of the most incompetent elected officials to come around in years.
Showing posts with label ceretto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ceretto. Show all posts
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Ceretto & The Sales Tax: Take 4
Assemblyman John Ceretto has stated over and over again that he wants to reduce property taxes. He beams over how he helped pass the 2% property tax cap (even though at the same time he shifted costs away from the State onto local governments). As a County Legislator, Ceretto voted twice to extend the additional one percent sales tax. You see, the additional 1% generates about $20 million dollars. Without the extension, County property taxpayers would see their County Tax go up by $20 million dollars.
In 2011, Assemblyman Ceretto voted against Niagara County's request for the extension. Fortunately for us, the request was approved. I guess Ceretto would rather I pay more taxes as opposed to shoppers from Canada and the rest of the world. Well, at its last meeting, the Niagara County Legislature once again is asking for an extension of the 1 % sales tax. In looking at the state websites, Senator Maziarz is sponsoring the bill for the extension in the Senate and Assemblywoman Corwin is sponsoring it in the Assembly. Where is Ceretto???
People need to wake up and start connecting the dots. If history repeats itself, Ceretto will once again vote against the extension so he can say he never voted to increase taxes. Yet, he wants to reduce property taxes. As I have stated over and over again, this guy is a political opportunist who is nothing more than an affable fraud. So while some, like the Niagara Falls Reporter, praise this guy for being a big time Conservative his actions are no different than many politicians: a self-promoting, out for himself self-dealer. If it wasn't for being in the Assembly, John Ceretto would be collecting tickets at the State park. A job by the way he got by playing politics.
In 2011, Assemblyman Ceretto voted against Niagara County's request for the extension. Fortunately for us, the request was approved. I guess Ceretto would rather I pay more taxes as opposed to shoppers from Canada and the rest of the world. Well, at its last meeting, the Niagara County Legislature once again is asking for an extension of the 1 % sales tax. In looking at the state websites, Senator Maziarz is sponsoring the bill for the extension in the Senate and Assemblywoman Corwin is sponsoring it in the Assembly. Where is Ceretto???
People need to wake up and start connecting the dots. If history repeats itself, Ceretto will once again vote against the extension so he can say he never voted to increase taxes. Yet, he wants to reduce property taxes. As I have stated over and over again, this guy is a political opportunist who is nothing more than an affable fraud. So while some, like the Niagara Falls Reporter, praise this guy for being a big time Conservative his actions are no different than many politicians: a self-promoting, out for himself self-dealer. If it wasn't for being in the Assembly, John Ceretto would be collecting tickets at the State park. A job by the way he got by playing politics.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Democrats In Assembly Will Sponsor MMA Bill
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/181468/ufc-praises-cuomos-pro-mma-comments/
The above article sheds more light on the Ceretto Charade machine that has characterized John Ceretto's time as our State Assemblyman. In the article, Assembly Majority Leader Assemblyman Joseph Morelle D-Irondequoit is sponsoring a bill similar to the one that just passed the State Senate. With the Majority Leader sponsoring the bill and the Governor behind it, the bill will probably fly, no thanks to John Ceretto. Please, please remember this because you know damn well that next year Ceretto will say he brought MMA to Western New York when in fact he did not.
The above article sheds more light on the Ceretto Charade machine that has characterized John Ceretto's time as our State Assemblyman. In the article, Assembly Majority Leader Assemblyman Joseph Morelle D-Irondequoit is sponsoring a bill similar to the one that just passed the State Senate. With the Majority Leader sponsoring the bill and the Governor behind it, the bill will probably fly, no thanks to John Ceretto. Please, please remember this because you know damn well that next year Ceretto will say he brought MMA to Western New York when in fact he did not.
It's All About Jobs!!!
While our elected officials continue to trade barbs and tout how great they are, their constituents continue to struggle and the county they reside in continues to fall deeper and deeper into a black hole of despair. Last weekend, there was an article in the Lockport Union Sun & Journal about the Social Services department directly paying landlords rent for people on welfare. Senator George Maziarz said he would advance the bill in the State Senate but that in checking with his colleagues this isn't an issue anywhere in the state. Moreover, Maziarz indicated that the mayors of Lockport and North Tonawanda have not heard any problems for landlords with welfare clients paying their rent.
Well, maybe Mr. Senator the reason why none of your colleagues have to deal with this issue is because your County and particularly Niagara Falls have never seen any boost in the economy. In Governor Cuomo's incessant commercials, the narrator brags that there have been 220,000 new jobs created in New York State. My guess is that not many of those have been created here in Niagara County.
With respect to the mayors of Lockport and North Tonawanda not having this problem, isn't it funny that both of them are Republicans and the mayor of Niagara Falls is a Democrat. The fact of the matter is that if there were job opportunities you wouldn't be talking about welfare clients paying rents. In fact, you would probably have less people on welfare. When was the last time we have had a business come in and create hundreds of good paying jobs. I'm not talking about cleaning hotels and working at a restaurant. I'm talking about jobs that people can raise a family, buy a home and be a productive member of the community.
On Saturday, people came to Main Street in Niagara Falls to talk about revitalizing this once busy business area. While I applaud the enthusiasm, the fact is that unless the neighborhoods around Main Street become rejuvenated any attempt to bring business to Main Street will fail. Neighborhoods will be re-born when people are working.
Until our politicians stop touting useless things like bringing MMA to New York State, sponsoring robo calls to bring down political opponents and refusing to work together to bring good paying jobs to Niagara County then we will continue to be stuck in the malaise that grips this community. If our elected officials spent as much time and effort in creating jobs here in Niagara County as they do in getting themselves re-elected maybe we could once again be a vibrant growing community. It hasn't happened in 40 years and with the current cast of characters I don't see it changing anytime soon.
Well, maybe Mr. Senator the reason why none of your colleagues have to deal with this issue is because your County and particularly Niagara Falls have never seen any boost in the economy. In Governor Cuomo's incessant commercials, the narrator brags that there have been 220,000 new jobs created in New York State. My guess is that not many of those have been created here in Niagara County.
With respect to the mayors of Lockport and North Tonawanda not having this problem, isn't it funny that both of them are Republicans and the mayor of Niagara Falls is a Democrat. The fact of the matter is that if there were job opportunities you wouldn't be talking about welfare clients paying rents. In fact, you would probably have less people on welfare. When was the last time we have had a business come in and create hundreds of good paying jobs. I'm not talking about cleaning hotels and working at a restaurant. I'm talking about jobs that people can raise a family, buy a home and be a productive member of the community.
On Saturday, people came to Main Street in Niagara Falls to talk about revitalizing this once busy business area. While I applaud the enthusiasm, the fact is that unless the neighborhoods around Main Street become rejuvenated any attempt to bring business to Main Street will fail. Neighborhoods will be re-born when people are working.
Until our politicians stop touting useless things like bringing MMA to New York State, sponsoring robo calls to bring down political opponents and refusing to work together to bring good paying jobs to Niagara County then we will continue to be stuck in the malaise that grips this community. If our elected officials spent as much time and effort in creating jobs here in Niagara County as they do in getting themselves re-elected maybe we could once again be a vibrant growing community. It hasn't happened in 40 years and with the current cast of characters I don't see it changing anytime soon.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Ceretto Charade Continues
John Ceretto is in his third year as NYS Assemblyman and his record has been one big charade. He boasts about voting for the 2% property tax cap yet that same year he voted to shift additional costs to the County. He bragged all summer long about how he brought Nik Wallenda to Niagara Falls, yet the truth be told is that George Maziarz had to get a Democratic Assemblyman from Buffalo to sponsor the bill that allowed Wallenda to perform in Niagara Falls. Last year Ceretto and his buddies, Sam Fruscione and Glenn Choolokian, touted on cable TV how they went to Albany and spoke to the Governor about getting Niagara Falls the casino money that the City is rightfully owed. Well, the City is still waiting and come to find out the Terrible Trio never met the Governor but dealt with one of his aides. And in October, Ceretto said that the State was going to give the City an advance on the casino money to avert a financial crisis. Instead, the State gave the cock and bull offer of advancing NYPA money that was owed to the City which the City Council wisely turned down.
The old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks applies to Ceretto's claim to be the sponsor of a bill to bring MMA to Western New York. Having done some research, Ceretto is not the sponsor of the bill but he is a co-sponsor. The sponsor of the bill is Assemblyman Clifford Crouch. Crouch is a Republican representing Chenango, Broome, Delaware, and Ulster County. The co-sponsors of the bill are Ceretto and Assemblyman Joseph Borelli from Staten Island. Borelli is a first year Republican from Staten Island. So let me see if I got this right, the sponsor of the bill is a Republican and both co-sponsors of the bill are Republicans and the Assembly is controlled by the Democrats. Hmmm. What do you think the chances are of this bill seeing the light of day??
It gets better. Ceretto, in his ridiculous YouTube video, announced that this bill would bring MMA to Western New York and be a $5 million boost to the local economy. What Ceretto doesn't know is that there have been five MMA events in Western New York going back to 2009. Four of them were held at the Seneca Niagara Casino and one was held at the Seneca Allegany Casino. The truth of the matter is that if this bill was passed in the Assembly (it already has passed the Senate) it would have no impact on Western New York but would provide the opportunity to have MMA in Madison Square Garden. MSG is the prize that MMA promoters are looking at not the Niagara Falls Conference Center or First Niagara Arena. From there perspective they are already in Western New York.
Shouldn't our Assemblyman know that?? But then again he doesn't know what the Safety Net program is and he thinks that only people on welfare can be on Medicaid. This from a guy who also was a county legislator for five years. With an elected representative like Ceretto, do you honestly think we have a chance to pull this County out of the doldrums?? Fahgettaboutit!!!!!
The old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks applies to Ceretto's claim to be the sponsor of a bill to bring MMA to Western New York. Having done some research, Ceretto is not the sponsor of the bill but he is a co-sponsor. The sponsor of the bill is Assemblyman Clifford Crouch. Crouch is a Republican representing Chenango, Broome, Delaware, and Ulster County. The co-sponsors of the bill are Ceretto and Assemblyman Joseph Borelli from Staten Island. Borelli is a first year Republican from Staten Island. So let me see if I got this right, the sponsor of the bill is a Republican and both co-sponsors of the bill are Republicans and the Assembly is controlled by the Democrats. Hmmm. What do you think the chances are of this bill seeing the light of day??
It gets better. Ceretto, in his ridiculous YouTube video, announced that this bill would bring MMA to Western New York and be a $5 million boost to the local economy. What Ceretto doesn't know is that there have been five MMA events in Western New York going back to 2009. Four of them were held at the Seneca Niagara Casino and one was held at the Seneca Allegany Casino. The truth of the matter is that if this bill was passed in the Assembly (it already has passed the Senate) it would have no impact on Western New York but would provide the opportunity to have MMA in Madison Square Garden. MSG is the prize that MMA promoters are looking at not the Niagara Falls Conference Center or First Niagara Arena. From there perspective they are already in Western New York.
Shouldn't our Assemblyman know that?? But then again he doesn't know what the Safety Net program is and he thinks that only people on welfare can be on Medicaid. This from a guy who also was a county legislator for five years. With an elected representative like Ceretto, do you honestly think we have a chance to pull this County out of the doldrums?? Fahgettaboutit!!!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
NYS Says No To Niagara Falls
http://niagara-gazette.com/local/x1503758131/State-to-forward-2-5M-to-Salamanca-until-Seneca-dispute-ends-no-similar-deal-for-Falls
An article in today's Niagara Gazette (see above) gives a pretty clear indication of what New York State thinks of Niagara Falls. While the State once again found it within its heart of hearts to front $2.5 million to Salamanca, Niagara Falls is left to sit and wait while volunteer agencies get cut and more reductions of services are on the horizon. As Governor Cuomo continues to let Niagara Falls hang by a thread, our elected officials standby hoping for a miracle.
On the one hand you have Mayor Dyster who is telling everyone who cares to listen that the Governor is doing all he can to help the city. He keeps on pointing to the ridiculous offer to accept an advance on the money due the city from the NYPA. This offer is typical NY State. You see by taking the advance the city actually loses money in the long run because as a penalty for receiving this advance what is actually due the city would be reduced. How the Mayor can continue to advance this is simply the act of a politician looking to save his own skin because he certainly does not want to propose service and staffing reductions.
Then of course we have our esteemed State Assemblyman John Ceretto. If you recall Ceretto, along with Councilmen Choolokian and Fruscione, went to Albany last April to discuss with the Governor the prospects for an advance from the State. Of course, despite Ceretto's claim that he speaks with the Governor regularly, when the Terrific Trio went to Albany they ended up meeting with an aide to the Governor. There was plenty of huffing and puffing from the Terrific Trio about how they really got the point across and how they were confident that the Governor would come through. Well, that didn't happen and then in June Johnny Boy wrote a letter to the Governor about an advance.
In today's article, Ceretto touts that he sponsored a bill to have payments be made directly to the city and not have to come through the State. However, what Johnny Boy forgets to tell everyone is that his bill never made it out of committee. Now, once again, he says that if the arbitration isn't settled soon that he will re-introduce legislation to have the city get direct payments from the Senecas. With the Democrats having an even larger majority in the Assembly, what makes you think that a new bill from Ceretto will ever see the light of day.
Finally, we have Council Chairman Glenn Choolokian saying that the State doesn't seem to care about the city's financial problems. My question to Glenn is: why aren't you asking your friend John Ceretto what he is doing about it?? It was you, Fruscione and Ceretto who were on local cable television talking about your efforts to bring these payments to the city. Of the three of you, Ceretto is the state official. He claims every time he sees the Governor he brings up the city's financial woes. Really??? If we are to believe that, then its obvious that Cuomo doesn't give a damn about what Ceretto has to say or about Niagara Falls. It would seem like these 2 political wizards, Choolokian and Fruscione, were taken in by old Johnny Boy.
In the end, all of these local officials posture like they are fighting the good fight for Niagara Falls but in reality they don't have the ability to do anything to break this stalemate. In truth, if this bunch were for sale, I'd like to sell them for what they think their worth and buy them for their real value
An article in today's Niagara Gazette (see above) gives a pretty clear indication of what New York State thinks of Niagara Falls. While the State once again found it within its heart of hearts to front $2.5 million to Salamanca, Niagara Falls is left to sit and wait while volunteer agencies get cut and more reductions of services are on the horizon. As Governor Cuomo continues to let Niagara Falls hang by a thread, our elected officials standby hoping for a miracle.
On the one hand you have Mayor Dyster who is telling everyone who cares to listen that the Governor is doing all he can to help the city. He keeps on pointing to the ridiculous offer to accept an advance on the money due the city from the NYPA. This offer is typical NY State. You see by taking the advance the city actually loses money in the long run because as a penalty for receiving this advance what is actually due the city would be reduced. How the Mayor can continue to advance this is simply the act of a politician looking to save his own skin because he certainly does not want to propose service and staffing reductions.
Then of course we have our esteemed State Assemblyman John Ceretto. If you recall Ceretto, along with Councilmen Choolokian and Fruscione, went to Albany last April to discuss with the Governor the prospects for an advance from the State. Of course, despite Ceretto's claim that he speaks with the Governor regularly, when the Terrific Trio went to Albany they ended up meeting with an aide to the Governor. There was plenty of huffing and puffing from the Terrific Trio about how they really got the point across and how they were confident that the Governor would come through. Well, that didn't happen and then in June Johnny Boy wrote a letter to the Governor about an advance.
In today's article, Ceretto touts that he sponsored a bill to have payments be made directly to the city and not have to come through the State. However, what Johnny Boy forgets to tell everyone is that his bill never made it out of committee. Now, once again, he says that if the arbitration isn't settled soon that he will re-introduce legislation to have the city get direct payments from the Senecas. With the Democrats having an even larger majority in the Assembly, what makes you think that a new bill from Ceretto will ever see the light of day.
Finally, we have Council Chairman Glenn Choolokian saying that the State doesn't seem to care about the city's financial problems. My question to Glenn is: why aren't you asking your friend John Ceretto what he is doing about it?? It was you, Fruscione and Ceretto who were on local cable television talking about your efforts to bring these payments to the city. Of the three of you, Ceretto is the state official. He claims every time he sees the Governor he brings up the city's financial woes. Really??? If we are to believe that, then its obvious that Cuomo doesn't give a damn about what Ceretto has to say or about Niagara Falls. It would seem like these 2 political wizards, Choolokian and Fruscione, were taken in by old Johnny Boy.
In the end, all of these local officials posture like they are fighting the good fight for Niagara Falls but in reality they don't have the ability to do anything to break this stalemate. In truth, if this bunch were for sale, I'd like to sell them for what they think their worth and buy them for their real value
Monday, February 18, 2013
More Flip-flops from John Ceretto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eodf2zQyWmI&feature=youtu.be
As you can see Assemblyman John Ceretto is at it again. More platitudes and cliches but no substance. This time our esteemed Assemblyman is talking about the Robert Moses Parkway. As many of you know, whether to remove the parkway from Lewiston to Niagara Falls has been a constant debate for many years now. Two lanes of it have been closed to be used by bikers, dog walkers and joggers. There are two lanes that still are opened and this is where the focus has been.
Former Mayor Dick Soluri, a Ceretto ally, has led the charge to keep the parkway open. The Niagara Heritage group wants that stretched of the parkway from Niagara Falls to Lewiston to be completely closed to traffic. In typical Ceretto fashion, the Master Flip-Flopper has been on both sides of the issue. As a town councilman and county legislator, Ceretto wanted the parkway to remain open. Last year, involved in a highly contested re-election campaign, Ceretto changed his tune and said he wanted to have the parkway closed from the Falls to Findlay Drive.
Now with the Draft Scoping Review due out on Wednesday, Ceretto has taken to You Tube to say we have been waiting too long and that the parkway has hindered economic development in Niagara Falls. So let me ask you Mr. Ceretto: what is your plan??? What side of the fence are you on now??
People really need to focus on the changing positions of John Ceretto. He flips more that a pancake. In 2000, he wanted to develop a bike path along the parkway running the entire length of the north parkway. In 2008, he wanted a trolley that would move people from downtown Niagara Falls to Lewiston using the parkway. In 2012, he wants the parkway to be closed from the Falls to Findlay Drive. Funny how his position changes based upon the elected position he holds. You see in 2000 he was a Town of Lewiston Councilman and in 2008 he was a Niagara County Legislator representing Lewiston. In both instances, Lewiston business leaders and the Village of Lewiston Mayor Dick Soluri wanted the parkway to remain opened. But in 2012, involved in a race for Assembly that included the City of Niagara Falls, Ceretto changes his position and advocates a compromise in response to residents in the Deveaux area and the hope that traffic could be diverted to Main Street via Whirlpool Street.
This is just one example of how this guy operates. Check out his voting record on extending the county's 1% sales tax when he was a county legislator and as a NYS Assemblyman. Check out how he voted for the property tax cap but voted in favor of a budget that pushed costs on to local government. Be informed!!!
As you can see Assemblyman John Ceretto is at it again. More platitudes and cliches but no substance. This time our esteemed Assemblyman is talking about the Robert Moses Parkway. As many of you know, whether to remove the parkway from Lewiston to Niagara Falls has been a constant debate for many years now. Two lanes of it have been closed to be used by bikers, dog walkers and joggers. There are two lanes that still are opened and this is where the focus has been.
Former Mayor Dick Soluri, a Ceretto ally, has led the charge to keep the parkway open. The Niagara Heritage group wants that stretched of the parkway from Niagara Falls to Lewiston to be completely closed to traffic. In typical Ceretto fashion, the Master Flip-Flopper has been on both sides of the issue. As a town councilman and county legislator, Ceretto wanted the parkway to remain open. Last year, involved in a highly contested re-election campaign, Ceretto changed his tune and said he wanted to have the parkway closed from the Falls to Findlay Drive.
Now with the Draft Scoping Review due out on Wednesday, Ceretto has taken to You Tube to say we have been waiting too long and that the parkway has hindered economic development in Niagara Falls. So let me ask you Mr. Ceretto: what is your plan??? What side of the fence are you on now??
People really need to focus on the changing positions of John Ceretto. He flips more that a pancake. In 2000, he wanted to develop a bike path along the parkway running the entire length of the north parkway. In 2008, he wanted a trolley that would move people from downtown Niagara Falls to Lewiston using the parkway. In 2012, he wants the parkway to be closed from the Falls to Findlay Drive. Funny how his position changes based upon the elected position he holds. You see in 2000 he was a Town of Lewiston Councilman and in 2008 he was a Niagara County Legislator representing Lewiston. In both instances, Lewiston business leaders and the Village of Lewiston Mayor Dick Soluri wanted the parkway to remain opened. But in 2012, involved in a race for Assembly that included the City of Niagara Falls, Ceretto changes his position and advocates a compromise in response to residents in the Deveaux area and the hope that traffic could be diverted to Main Street via Whirlpool Street.
This is just one example of how this guy operates. Check out his voting record on extending the county's 1% sales tax when he was a county legislator and as a NYS Assemblyman. Check out how he voted for the property tax cap but voted in favor of a budget that pushed costs on to local government. Be informed!!!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Ceretto: Gun Rights or MMA?
Assemblyman John Ceretto's proposal to legalize Mixed Martial Arts or Ultimate Fighting is filled with pitfalls. Not only would it not benefit Niagara County but it also is a business which treats the participants like pieces of meat. By the way, a similar bill last year never passed the Assembly and I 'm not sure why it will pass this year with Minority member Ceretto proposing it.
But the big concern for me is it's exactly the type of entertainment that creates this culture of violence which has endangered our rights to bear arms. MMA is no different than the violent lyrics in music, violent video games, movies and TV shows. The NRA, which Ceretto proudly states that he is a member, wants a closer look at these sources of violence. The gun organization advocates that there should be some limitations or controls placed on them.
So I ask the question: why Mr. Ceretto are you pushing to legalize a "sport" that is built on nothing more than street violence which is a cause for the gun violence that leads politicians like Cuomo to take away our gun rights?? Once again, this is another issue that Ceretto wants to take both sides but what would you expect from a self-serving career politician.
But the big concern for me is it's exactly the type of entertainment that creates this culture of violence which has endangered our rights to bear arms. MMA is no different than the violent lyrics in music, violent video games, movies and TV shows. The NRA, which Ceretto proudly states that he is a member, wants a closer look at these sources of violence. The gun organization advocates that there should be some limitations or controls placed on them.
So I ask the question: why Mr. Ceretto are you pushing to legalize a "sport" that is built on nothing more than street violence which is a cause for the gun violence that leads politicians like Cuomo to take away our gun rights?? Once again, this is another issue that Ceretto wants to take both sides but what would you expect from a self-serving career politician.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ceretto's Fetish For MMA
Went on Assemblyman John Ceretto's Facebook page and found the following clip on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWaK1FquRhQ
Hmmm....So good old Ceretto believes that his standing as the ranking minority member on the Assembly's Tourism Committee gives him the ability to legalize Mixed Martial Arts or Ultimate Fighting here in New York State. Really?? Do you think Shelley Silver cares what Ceretto thinks??
Ceretto claims that it will bring $5 million dollars to Western New York. What Johnny Boy fails to realize is that Niagara County wouldn't see any of that money. Why?? Because there isn't a venue in Niagara County big enough that would be a draw to bring Ultimate Fighting fans from all over the country. If it were legalized, the venue would be in Buffalo.
What a dope!! This guy doesn't have a clue. With unemployment still high in his district, no casino money coming to Niagara Falls, the Governor talking about a state-run casino and fracking, this guy is talking about MMA. Glad Ceretto has his priorities straight. Once again, we here in Niagara County are screwed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWaK1FquRhQ
Hmmm....So good old Ceretto believes that his standing as the ranking minority member on the Assembly's Tourism Committee gives him the ability to legalize Mixed Martial Arts or Ultimate Fighting here in New York State. Really?? Do you think Shelley Silver cares what Ceretto thinks??
Ceretto claims that it will bring $5 million dollars to Western New York. What Johnny Boy fails to realize is that Niagara County wouldn't see any of that money. Why?? Because there isn't a venue in Niagara County big enough that would be a draw to bring Ultimate Fighting fans from all over the country. If it were legalized, the venue would be in Buffalo.
What a dope!! This guy doesn't have a clue. With unemployment still high in his district, no casino money coming to Niagara Falls, the Governor talking about a state-run casino and fracking, this guy is talking about MMA. Glad Ceretto has his priorities straight. Once again, we here in Niagara County are screwed.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Falls Bond Rating Goes Down & Blame Goes All Around
Last week or so, Moody's announced that the City of Niagara Falls' bond rating was lowered as a result of the casino revenue being withheld because of the stalemate between the State of New York and the Seneca Nation. The significance of this is that it will cost the City more money if they want to borrow for capital projects. It's no different than if a person has a bad credit rating: it is going to cost them more in interest if they want to borrow money.
The blame for this situation goes up and down the food chain. The fact that Governor Cuomo has not had the decency to address this issue publicly is a slap in the face to the residents of Niagara Falls. His lone visit to the City since becoming Governor was to give a sweetheart deal to Jimmy Glynn. He never addressed the dire financial situation the City is in and of course none of the "hard-hitting" media in Western New York pushed Cuomo on it.
Then of course we have our local state representatives. Neither Senator Maziarz or Assemblyman Ceretto has done anything to ratchet up the heat on the Governor to provide relief to the City. The hair-brained scheme to advance NYPA money was a terrible deal for the City but it appears that it was the best that could be done by these two powers of state government.
Our city government has created this mess by spending casino money like drunken sailors. Mayor Dyster is clueless. He has lived off the casino revenue thinking that it was an endless source of revenue. As a result, he never took measures to actually try to make government more efficient. Tell me one initiative that Dyster has put forth that would reduce the cost of city government. I don't think you can find one.
As far as the City Council goes, they are complicit with the Mayor in the fiscal mismanagement of this city. They have gone along for the ride, holding the Mayor hostage by getting jobs for their friends. The image that Glenn Choolokian and Sam Fruscione are protecting the taxpayers is bogus. Particularly when you consider their actions in the formulation of the 2013 budget. While the Mayor wimped out in dealing with the loss of casino revenue by making hard choices, Fruscione and Company did the same thing by cutting the funding to USA Niagara. That reduction is simply a one-time fix. They, like the Mayor, are banking on getting casino money to save them for 2014. But there is no guarantee that will happen when you have a Governor who is more concerned about being President, 2 state representatives who have absolutely no ability or desire to place enough pressure on the Governor to get something done and a Mayor & City Council who are viewed as being backwater buffoons.
Of the whole group, there are 3 council people who will be running for re-election this fall: Fruscione, Kristen Grandinetti and Charles Walker. Unless we send a message that we have had enough of the grandstanding and lack of courage to address this issue, we will be facing more of the same ineffective leadership and the City will continue on its downward cycle.
The blame for this situation goes up and down the food chain. The fact that Governor Cuomo has not had the decency to address this issue publicly is a slap in the face to the residents of Niagara Falls. His lone visit to the City since becoming Governor was to give a sweetheart deal to Jimmy Glynn. He never addressed the dire financial situation the City is in and of course none of the "hard-hitting" media in Western New York pushed Cuomo on it.
Then of course we have our local state representatives. Neither Senator Maziarz or Assemblyman Ceretto has done anything to ratchet up the heat on the Governor to provide relief to the City. The hair-brained scheme to advance NYPA money was a terrible deal for the City but it appears that it was the best that could be done by these two powers of state government.
Our city government has created this mess by spending casino money like drunken sailors. Mayor Dyster is clueless. He has lived off the casino revenue thinking that it was an endless source of revenue. As a result, he never took measures to actually try to make government more efficient. Tell me one initiative that Dyster has put forth that would reduce the cost of city government. I don't think you can find one.
As far as the City Council goes, they are complicit with the Mayor in the fiscal mismanagement of this city. They have gone along for the ride, holding the Mayor hostage by getting jobs for their friends. The image that Glenn Choolokian and Sam Fruscione are protecting the taxpayers is bogus. Particularly when you consider their actions in the formulation of the 2013 budget. While the Mayor wimped out in dealing with the loss of casino revenue by making hard choices, Fruscione and Company did the same thing by cutting the funding to USA Niagara. That reduction is simply a one-time fix. They, like the Mayor, are banking on getting casino money to save them for 2014. But there is no guarantee that will happen when you have a Governor who is more concerned about being President, 2 state representatives who have absolutely no ability or desire to place enough pressure on the Governor to get something done and a Mayor & City Council who are viewed as being backwater buffoons.
Of the whole group, there are 3 council people who will be running for re-election this fall: Fruscione, Kristen Grandinetti and Charles Walker. Unless we send a message that we have had enough of the grandstanding and lack of courage to address this issue, we will be facing more of the same ineffective leadership and the City will continue on its downward cycle.
Niagara County: Home Of The Cowards
Yesterday, the State of New York passed the most comprehensive gun control bill in the country and of course all of our brave state representatives voted against the bill. Our distinguished State Senator George Maziarz said that while there were some good points to the bill, he had to vote no because he heard from over 1,000 constituents who were opposed to it. Assemblywoman Jane Corwin said that the bill was spawned as a result of the Newtown, Connecticut incident and that the bill didn't address what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. And then there is good old Assemblyman John Ceretto who was troubled by the closed-door process involved with the passage of the bill. Aren't you glad to be representative by these three??
Did you read anything that exhibited any leadership?? Maziarz said that in spite of some good points in the bill he had to vote no because he received over a 1,000 calls from constituents that were opposed to the bill. Senator, do you take a poll of your constituents every time you take a vote?? Weren't you sent to Albany to lead as opposed to follow??
None of these three so-called elected leaders have said a thing since Sandy Hook. We have not heard what their plan would be to deal with the increasing gun violence, particularly here in Niagara County. But why would you hear anything. You see they were all endorsed by the NRA, SCOPE and the Conservative Party and they wouldn't dare cross any of them. In the end, these three made sure that their interests were protected first as opposed to the interests of our children.
If these three were so concerned about this issue, why didn't they hold town hall meetings to get input from all of their constituents. I'm sure that none of the calls that Maziarz received came from the inner cities of Niagara Falls and Lockport. I'm sure Ceretto didn't reach out to anyone inside Niagara Falls. He complained about the rushed closed door process. But John, throughout your re-election campaign you talked about how close you were with the Governor. You mean to tell me that you weren't aware that the Governor was going to push this in early January??
I'm sure that all three are very happy with themselves as they can go back to their benefactors and pound their chests with pride. It's a sad state of affairs here in Niagara County where our elected leaders are more concerned with protecting their own interests as opposed to our interests. But what do you expect from our so-called elected leaders. The next time they tell you they are strong supporters of public safety, ask them why they want Bushmasters and semi-automatic machine guns out on the street. Ask them why they want people to have the ability to amass arsenals of ammunition, including cop-killer bullets that explode upon contact with their target. The fact of the matter is all three are hypocrites and cowards.
Did you read anything that exhibited any leadership?? Maziarz said that in spite of some good points in the bill he had to vote no because he received over a 1,000 calls from constituents that were opposed to the bill. Senator, do you take a poll of your constituents every time you take a vote?? Weren't you sent to Albany to lead as opposed to follow??
None of these three so-called elected leaders have said a thing since Sandy Hook. We have not heard what their plan would be to deal with the increasing gun violence, particularly here in Niagara County. But why would you hear anything. You see they were all endorsed by the NRA, SCOPE and the Conservative Party and they wouldn't dare cross any of them. In the end, these three made sure that their interests were protected first as opposed to the interests of our children.
If these three were so concerned about this issue, why didn't they hold town hall meetings to get input from all of their constituents. I'm sure that none of the calls that Maziarz received came from the inner cities of Niagara Falls and Lockport. I'm sure Ceretto didn't reach out to anyone inside Niagara Falls. He complained about the rushed closed door process. But John, throughout your re-election campaign you talked about how close you were with the Governor. You mean to tell me that you weren't aware that the Governor was going to push this in early January??
I'm sure that all three are very happy with themselves as they can go back to their benefactors and pound their chests with pride. It's a sad state of affairs here in Niagara County where our elected leaders are more concerned with protecting their own interests as opposed to our interests. But what do you expect from our so-called elected leaders. The next time they tell you they are strong supporters of public safety, ask them why they want Bushmasters and semi-automatic machine guns out on the street. Ask them why they want people to have the ability to amass arsenals of ammunition, including cop-killer bullets that explode upon contact with their target. The fact of the matter is all three are hypocrites and cowards.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Cuomo Do You Know Where WNY Is??
Yesterday our magnificent Governor gave his State of the State address. With all of the pomp and circumstance that would you expect from a man who seems bent on higher office, the item that really stuck out to me was his comments on casino gambling. In his own declaratory fashion, Cuomo said that he is committed to three state-run casinos in Upstate New York. There would be none in New York City. They will be in high destination areas that will bring people from the City to these three locales.
The benefit for the three chosen sites are that 10% of the take will go to the localities and 90% will go to the state to be used for education. (Wasn't the lottery money suppose to go toward education?) A number of people in these parts got all a flutter because the Governor said that the 3 casinos will be in upstate. But what people don't realize is that for Cuomo upstate means anything above New York City. That's mean we are talking the Catskills, Saratoga, Thousand Islands, Lake Placid, etc. He is not talking about Western New York.
The reason he is not talking about Western New York is that the Seneca Nation has exclusive rights for gaming from the Niagara River to Rochester and from the Pennsylvania state line to Lake Ontario. From Governor High and Mighty's perspective we have our gaming, even though the City of Niagara Falls hasn't seen a dime for 3 years.
Cuomo's first 2 years in office has been a facade. He has tried to come across as a fiscal conservative while passing costs on to local governments as opposed to bringing about real reform which means mandate relief. 90% of the 3 state-run casinos is to go toward education yet where has the lottery money gone?? Obviously not toward education as Cuomo through his property tax cap is crippling school districts all across this state.
Cuomo reminds me of the Wizard of Oz. A lot a talk but don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain. He could careless about Western New York and especially Niagara County. He views us as a bunch of backwater hayseeds and why wouldn't he. The mayor of the largest city in the County (Dyster) has the persona of an absent-minded professor. One assembly person is an empty-headed blonde (Corwin) who's next idea will be her first and the other assembly person is a cross between the Pillsbury Doughboy and Zalinsky (Ceretto) from Tommy Boy. And then you have our esteemed long reining Senator ( Maziarz) who is nothing more than a big fish in a small pond. Throw in the bomb throwing majority caucus of the County Legislature and you want to know why Cuomo could careless about Niagara County.
In a nutshell: we're screwed
The benefit for the three chosen sites are that 10% of the take will go to the localities and 90% will go to the state to be used for education. (Wasn't the lottery money suppose to go toward education?) A number of people in these parts got all a flutter because the Governor said that the 3 casinos will be in upstate. But what people don't realize is that for Cuomo upstate means anything above New York City. That's mean we are talking the Catskills, Saratoga, Thousand Islands, Lake Placid, etc. He is not talking about Western New York.
The reason he is not talking about Western New York is that the Seneca Nation has exclusive rights for gaming from the Niagara River to Rochester and from the Pennsylvania state line to Lake Ontario. From Governor High and Mighty's perspective we have our gaming, even though the City of Niagara Falls hasn't seen a dime for 3 years.
Cuomo's first 2 years in office has been a facade. He has tried to come across as a fiscal conservative while passing costs on to local governments as opposed to bringing about real reform which means mandate relief. 90% of the 3 state-run casinos is to go toward education yet where has the lottery money gone?? Obviously not toward education as Cuomo through his property tax cap is crippling school districts all across this state.
Cuomo reminds me of the Wizard of Oz. A lot a talk but don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain. He could careless about Western New York and especially Niagara County. He views us as a bunch of backwater hayseeds and why wouldn't he. The mayor of the largest city in the County (Dyster) has the persona of an absent-minded professor. One assembly person is an empty-headed blonde (Corwin) who's next idea will be her first and the other assembly person is a cross between the Pillsbury Doughboy and Zalinsky (Ceretto) from Tommy Boy. And then you have our esteemed long reining Senator ( Maziarz) who is nothing more than a big fish in a small pond. Throw in the bomb throwing majority caucus of the County Legislature and you want to know why Cuomo could careless about Niagara County.
In a nutshell: we're screwed
Saturday, December 29, 2012
So Much For $1 Billion Of Development
This past week, our esteemed Assemblyman John Ceretto touted the $1 billion of development that Governor Cuomo promised Western New York and the sizeable commitment to tourism. Well, except for the deal with the Maid of the Mist, haven't seen much coming our way. In fact, Cuomo was touting $53 million that was awarded to Western New York in the latest round of competition for the $1 billion. Guess how much Niagara County received? $450,000 that was for the Live Niagara Falls Program which provides incentives for students to live in Niagara Falls.
While I don't have a problem with this initiative, I do have a problem with the fact that Niagara County received 0.008% of the $53 million awarded. Less than 1% is a joke. So much for Ceretto's clout with Cuomo. Ceretto wants us to believe that he has an inside pipeline to the Governor. Up to this point, one must come to the conclusion that Ceretto's pipeline is nothing more than a pipe dream. But then again, what would you expect from a career politician.
While I don't have a problem with this initiative, I do have a problem with the fact that Niagara County received 0.008% of the $53 million awarded. Less than 1% is a joke. So much for Ceretto's clout with Cuomo. Ceretto wants us to believe that he has an inside pipeline to the Governor. Up to this point, one must come to the conclusion that Ceretto's pipeline is nothing more than a pipe dream. But then again, what would you expect from a career politician.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Intro to Niagara Shenanigans & Ceretto's Momentum
I decided to start this blog because I am sick and tired of politicians bending the truth to fit their own personal gains. This blog will hopefully bring to light issues that the political bigwigs don't want to see come to light. Mind you I'm an equal opportunity truth seeker. It doesn't matter whether you are a Democrat or Republican. If your bending the truth, you will be exposed. Please tell your friends about Niagara Shenanigans.
Today's Niagara Gazette had an article entitled: "Ceretto earns committee post". In the article, our esteemed Assemblyman crows about being the ranking member of the Assembly's Committee on Tourism, Parks and Sports Development. Sounds impressive. But in typical Ceretto fashion, its more smoke and mirrors. You see there are only 43 Republicans in the State Assembly out of 150 members. It's kind of like the Niagara County Legislature with there being only 3 Democrats out of 15 members and Jason Zona saying he's the ranking Democrat on the Refuse Disposal District Board. Who cares???
Ceretto must think that we are as stupid as he is. With the Democrats having such an overwhelming majority in the State Assembly, Ceretto's ranking on the committee is meaningless. You think the Democratic majority really cares about what John Ceretto thinks? Hardly.
What's also remarkable is that Ceretto continues to tout the great momentum he has created since being in office for two years. In the two years that Ceretto has been in office there are more people unemployed and more people on some form of public assistance. In the article, Ceretto talks about the Maid of the Mist's future being secured. What about the future of the hundreds of Niagara County residents who are out of work or are working 2 jobs and collecting food stamps to survive? This guy just doesn't get it.
But what do you expect from a career politician who has never held a real job. I mean think about it. He was a teacher who left the school system to go work at Tulip Corporation where he was summarily let go. Hmmm....and this is the guy who will be representing us when the Seneca compact comes up in a couple of years.
Today's Niagara Gazette had an article entitled: "Ceretto earns committee post". In the article, our esteemed Assemblyman crows about being the ranking member of the Assembly's Committee on Tourism, Parks and Sports Development. Sounds impressive. But in typical Ceretto fashion, its more smoke and mirrors. You see there are only 43 Republicans in the State Assembly out of 150 members. It's kind of like the Niagara County Legislature with there being only 3 Democrats out of 15 members and Jason Zona saying he's the ranking Democrat on the Refuse Disposal District Board. Who cares???
Ceretto must think that we are as stupid as he is. With the Democrats having such an overwhelming majority in the State Assembly, Ceretto's ranking on the committee is meaningless. You think the Democratic majority really cares about what John Ceretto thinks? Hardly.
What's also remarkable is that Ceretto continues to tout the great momentum he has created since being in office for two years. In the two years that Ceretto has been in office there are more people unemployed and more people on some form of public assistance. In the article, Ceretto talks about the Maid of the Mist's future being secured. What about the future of the hundreds of Niagara County residents who are out of work or are working 2 jobs and collecting food stamps to survive? This guy just doesn't get it.
But what do you expect from a career politician who has never held a real job. I mean think about it. He was a teacher who left the school system to go work at Tulip Corporation where he was summarily let go. Hmmm....and this is the guy who will be representing us when the Seneca compact comes up in a couple of years.
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