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
GLYNN: Federal funds eyed for Falls’ projects
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HAMILTON: The SPCA and the pineapple upside-down pie
It is said that, as free Americans, we often get the things for which we ask; we also often get exactly what we deserve. Sometimes it works out to our good, and sometimes it doesn’t.
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GLYNN: Slim chance now for a real thick ice bridge
If you’re not convinced about the unpredictability of Western New York weather, consider that this area was experiencing temperatures in the mid-40s on the 100th anniversary of the ice bridge tragedy in the gorge.
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BRADBERRY: Is Black History Month Still Relevant?
I am uncomfortably recovering and slowly recuperating from a relatively minor, but medically necessary procedure which has kept me out of circulation, out of touch and essentially on my back for a lot longer than I have personally believed was justifiable; however, in this case my opinion matters not; the doctor’s diagnosis and promising prognosis trumped mine, so here I lay almost completely befuddled, nearly unable to pen a clear sentence.
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CONFER: Time to end the NFL’s blackout rule
Long ago, in a much simpler time, ticket sales accounted for the majority of revenues for professional football teams.
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CITY BEAT: Stuck on traffic
Sometimes I feel like the traffic signal reporter in Niagara Falls.
Traffic signals have been making a lot of news around here lately. There’s the whole flap about what to do to improve public safety near the Como Restaurant in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue. -
HIGGS: Discussing crime and punishment in the Falls
Have to take a detour off Pine Avenue in 1956 this week to report on an event held by the Niagara Falls Block Club Council for its member clubs and other interested citizens.
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GLYNN: Hotel Niagara plan exciting for the Falls
It all sounds like a re-run of a TV program you’ve seen a dozen times. This time, however, there is every reason to believe that the landmark Hotel Niagara on Rainbow Boulevard will be restored to the splendid atmosphere that guests enjoyed for decades.
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HAMILTON: BOE and kids, or the SPCA dogs?
There is example after example of otherwise qualified Niagara Falls’ board of education members and staffers lending their time and efforts to organizations outside of the school district’s core business.
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GLYNN: Trust in SPCA shelter must be restored
Stories about the operations at the Niagara SPCA shelter shape the image of sickening and disgusting treatment of animals.
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BRADBERRY: Old medicine and new challenges
Having suffered and recovered from my fair share of illnesses and injuries over the years, I have come to believe that sometimes the treatment and the cure of my condition can seem to be far worse than whatever I may think is ailing me at the moment.
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