Haven't posted in awhile as the responsibilities of being a dad for a newborn has kept me quite busy but the recent controversy over the Hamister hotel proposal has inspired me because the whole episode is a crying shame. A developer wants to spend over $20 million dollars to develop a piece of property that people tell me has sat idle for nearly 20 years and now is being spurned by the Gang of Three. Of course, their opposition is to protect the city's taxpayers. What a bunch of crap!! It's all about the continuing battle that has gripped Niagara Falls: the Gang of Three vs Dyster.
The Gang of Three, Glenn Choolokian, Sam Fruscione and Bob Anderson, last year criticized the Mayor for not being supportive of the Wallenda Walk. They said that Dyster was sending a terrible message to developers. Of course, there were many who said that Dyster wasn't happy with the Walk because Senator Maziarz was behind it. Now, we have Mark Hamister saying that if the City wants to hold him up for more money he will pull out. In an editorial this week, the Buffalo News blasted the Gang of Three saying that their actions send a terrible message to developers. Now, Maziarz says that the Gang is not opposed to the project just have questions. Really??
When will these politicians put their petty personal differences aside for the benefit of the people they represent?? I am so sick and tired of the negative nonsense that is spewed by our politicians and the likes of the Niagara Falls Reporter and the internet TV show by some guy by the name of Sal Paonessa. Niagara Falls will never pull itself up if people don't start being positive and willing to put their political crap and small-minded thinking aside. I don't live in Niagara Falls but I realize that it should be a jewel that fuels the entire County. This will never happen as long as we keep on electing the same people who are more concerned with their own agendas than those of the people they represent.
Saturday, July 27, 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.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Inept County Leadership - Yahoo Incentive Package
http://www.niagaracounty.com/home/tabid/41/ctl/detail/mid/394/itemid/109/updegrove-questions-funding-of-buffalo-non-profit-as-part-of-yahoo-package.aspx
Niagara County Legislator Rick Updegrove is questioning the incentive package that was given to Yahoo in 2009 to locate a facility in the Town of Lockport. What has Updegrove concerned is a provision that requires Yahoo to donate $500,000 for the next 7 years to a Buffalo non-profit agency in exchange for Yahoo to receive Excelsior Tax Credits and an allocation of hydropower.
While Updegrove is correct in questioning the package my question is: who is questioning Updegrove?? You see in 2009 Updegrove was the chairman of the County's Economic Development Committee. You can bet your bottom dollar that he was front and center when the announcement was made that Yahoo was coming to Niagara County and specifically in his hometown. I would say it is fair to think that Rick had some campaign material go out touting his leadership in bringing the internet giant to Niagara County.
So let me see, he was the chairman of the Economic Development Committee for the County and he didn't know the incentive package?? Did the IDA know about the incentive package?? And how about Senator George Maziarz. You mean to tell me that a state agency was giving an incentive package and Maziarz didn't know what was in it? Seems hard to believe. If neither Updegrove or Maziarz knew about the $500,000 donation for the next seven years, then what about their respective staffs?? No one in the Senator's office was aware of the incentive package? The IDA? The County's Economic Development Department??
For Updegrove to be asking questions now is like crying over spilled milk. Somebody was asleep at the switch here and in the mean time a county with so many non-profits struggling to survive have to wonder why their elected officials weren't asking for a share of this donation. Niagara County gives them tax incentives and they donate $3.5 million over 7 years to an Erie County non-profit. People need to connect the dots here because if Updegrove wants to ask anyone questions he needs to look in the mirror and ask himself why he didn't prevent this. Why didn't our esteemed Senator prevent this??
People need to wake up!!!!
Niagara County Legislator Rick Updegrove is questioning the incentive package that was given to Yahoo in 2009 to locate a facility in the Town of Lockport. What has Updegrove concerned is a provision that requires Yahoo to donate $500,000 for the next 7 years to a Buffalo non-profit agency in exchange for Yahoo to receive Excelsior Tax Credits and an allocation of hydropower.
While Updegrove is correct in questioning the package my question is: who is questioning Updegrove?? You see in 2009 Updegrove was the chairman of the County's Economic Development Committee. You can bet your bottom dollar that he was front and center when the announcement was made that Yahoo was coming to Niagara County and specifically in his hometown. I would say it is fair to think that Rick had some campaign material go out touting his leadership in bringing the internet giant to Niagara County.
So let me see, he was the chairman of the Economic Development Committee for the County and he didn't know the incentive package?? Did the IDA know about the incentive package?? And how about Senator George Maziarz. You mean to tell me that a state agency was giving an incentive package and Maziarz didn't know what was in it? Seems hard to believe. If neither Updegrove or Maziarz knew about the $500,000 donation for the next seven years, then what about their respective staffs?? No one in the Senator's office was aware of the incentive package? The IDA? The County's Economic Development Department??
For Updegrove to be asking questions now is like crying over spilled milk. Somebody was asleep at the switch here and in the mean time a county with so many non-profits struggling to survive have to wonder why their elected officials weren't asking for a share of this donation. Niagara County gives them tax incentives and they donate $3.5 million over 7 years to an Erie County non-profit. People need to connect the dots here because if Updegrove wants to ask anyone questions he needs to look in the mirror and ask himself why he didn't prevent this. Why didn't our esteemed Senator prevent this??
People need to wake up!!!!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Niagara Falls: A City Lost
Today in both the Niagara Gazette and the Buffalo News, the City of Niagara Falls suffered another black-eye as the City Council Majority, otherwise known as the Gang of Three, made complete morons of themselves as they called into question a grant provided to the City to pay for Mayor Dyster's participation in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. According to City Council Chair Glenn Choolokian, the $4,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo was an attempt to "buy favors from your administration." Choolokian went one step further calling into question whether it was necessary to call the FBI in to investigate the matter.
Let me ask a question: what do you think a developer from another part of the country or an overseas investor must think of Niagara Falls when they see the leader of the legislative branch call into question a $4,000 grant to participate in a bi-national initiative that could impact a major industry in this County: Sportfishing. If I had to bet they would probably be saying: if these people represent the City then the whole place must be inhabited by knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.
As I have stated over and over again, there are plenty of things to criticize Dyster about, particularly his fiscal mismanagement. But the fact that the Mayor has the wherewithal to enlist outside sources to fund quality of life programs (the NACC) and initiatives is a credit to him and should be applauded not questioned as being illegal or unethical. Say what you want about Dyster, I don't believe he is unethical or has done anything illegal. Has he mismanaged the City's finances?? Yes. Does he need to get a backbone?? Yes. But is he a crook?? No.
Choolokian and Company are a disgrace. If I was a resident of Niagara Falls I would be totally embarrassed. How can this City survive when you have leaders such as Choolokian and Fruscione and a Mayor like Dyster. Two thugs and an absent-minded professor. Good luck Niagara Falls, I think you will need it.
Let me ask a question: what do you think a developer from another part of the country or an overseas investor must think of Niagara Falls when they see the leader of the legislative branch call into question a $4,000 grant to participate in a bi-national initiative that could impact a major industry in this County: Sportfishing. If I had to bet they would probably be saying: if these people represent the City then the whole place must be inhabited by knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.
As I have stated over and over again, there are plenty of things to criticize Dyster about, particularly his fiscal mismanagement. But the fact that the Mayor has the wherewithal to enlist outside sources to fund quality of life programs (the NACC) and initiatives is a credit to him and should be applauded not questioned as being illegal or unethical. Say what you want about Dyster, I don't believe he is unethical or has done anything illegal. Has he mismanaged the City's finances?? Yes. Does he need to get a backbone?? Yes. But is he a crook?? No.
Choolokian and Company are a disgrace. If I was a resident of Niagara Falls I would be totally embarrassed. How can this City survive when you have leaders such as Choolokian and Fruscione and a Mayor like Dyster. Two thugs and an absent-minded professor. Good luck Niagara Falls, I think you will need it.
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!!!!!
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