Area political and transportation leaders are expected to endorse a plan Thursday that could open some doors to federal funds for long-delayed projects in Niagara Falls.
A Policy Committee meeting of the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council will be asked to approve a collaboration with the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, the area’s largest business organization.
The session is being billed as a breakthrough — the first time the two groups have agreed on such an agenda — by principals in both groups.
Details have not been released but one item on the 2008 regional agenda is likely to be the proposed Niagara Experience Center, which could use a boost from the federal government. Mayor Paul Dyster, a strong supporter of the Experience Center, is expected to attend the meeting at the Niagara Falls Conference Center.
Some other items expected on today’s agenda: The planned train station in the city’s North End and the next phase in the ambitious expansion scheme at the Niagara Falls International Airport.
Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, urged the Federal Highway Administration to expedite its environmental review of the stalled-plan to convert the landmark U.S. Customs House near the Whirlpool Bridge into a new passenger train station.
Until that review is completed, the final design work cannot proceed. If the federal agency takes action soon, the Customs House renovations could be under way this year.
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PAYBACK TIME: The Niagara Falls School District mistakenly overpays 274 salary employees by one week, resulting in nearly $500,000 in accidental payments.
The employees have several options for repaying the money including a gradual payback over 16 months.
Why should it take so long for the district to get its money back? Oh well, it’s only the taxpayers’ funds.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Super 8 Motel, Niagara Falls Boulevard, is a finalist for the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association’s 2008 Stars of the Industry Gala March 10 at the Crowne Plaza, Albany.
The award recognizes the lodging property that demonstrates to residents that it is responsive to the local community.
Joseph Scrivani is general manager of the Super 8 here.
“The tourism and hospitality industry has never been more critical to the well-being of the state’s economy,” said Daniel Murphy, president of the statewide association.
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THE INSIDE STORY: Author Tina Brown, who is writing a book about Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton, will be at the Center for the Arts on the University of Buffalo Amherst Campus March 5 as part of the UB Distinguished Speakers Series.
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A FAMILIAR LINE: Make no mistake about it, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson can be funny at times.
Wilson, 89, was in a sit-down comic role during the news conference where he talked about the agreement to bring eight Bills’ games to Rogers Centre (the former SkyDome) in Toronto over the next five years.
“I don’t know as much about Canada as I should,” Wilson said. “In my younger days, though, I was particularly familiar with Canada, especially Canadian Club.”
Contact reporter Don Glynn at (716) 282-2311, Ext. 2246.
Columns
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GLYNN: Federal funds eyed for Falls’ projects
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GLYNN: VFW post keeps spirit alive
At one time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 313 would march down Main Street in Youngstown on Memorial Day to the 1812 Cemetery near Old Fort Niagara. That same scenario out of the past occurred for decades in cities, towns and villages across the U.S.
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HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
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GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
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BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
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CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
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CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
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GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
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HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
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