As expected, representatives from the county’s new lobbying firm paid a visit to the area last week.
Sam Ferraro, commissioner of the county’s Economic Development, and County Manager Gregory Lewis met with officials from Capitol Public Strategies of Albany to discuss ways the firm can assist the county in the coming months.
Both men said they stressed the need for the lobbyists to work as quickly and as aggressively as possible in winning approval for federal stimulus dollars in support of projects contained on a wishlist submitted months ago to state and federal officials.
“It was an excellent meeting,” Ferraro said. “We reviewed all of the stimulus projects the county has submitted to both the state and federal government. They, obviously, will review those lists and get back to us very quickly on avenues and ways in which we can access funding and whatever opportunities we have available to us.”
“We emphasized that we wanted action,” Lewis added.
Capitol Public Strategies has been hired by the county under a six-month contract worth $30,000. Under the terms of the agreement, the county will pay CPS in monthly installments of $5,000.
Following the update, members of the county Legislature’s Economic Development Committee authorized payment for the cost of the lunch visit.
The bill was $93.
Lewiston democratic endorsements
The Lewiston Democratic Committee endorsed several candidates in local races last week.
The committee’s list of preferred candidates included: Fred Newlin for Town Supervisor; David V. Sanchez for Town Council and Daniel Antonucci for County Legislator, 12th Legislative District.
Also, in consideration of their bi-partisan efforts to work on behalf of all the citizens of Lewiston, the committee has recommended to the Niagara County Democratic Committee cross-endorsements of Alphonso Marra Bax for Town Council and Joan Stephens as Receiver of Taxes.
Web slip up
A list of endorsed candidates appearing on the Niagara County GOP’s Web site eary last week listed Timothy Demler as the committee’s preferred candidate for the Town of Wheatfield supervisor’s race. The site was later updated to reflect the committee’s actual endorsed candidate, former Town of Wheatfield Justice Robert Cliff. Demler lost his endorsement earlier this month amid controversy over his alleged affair with a town employee and undisclosed concerns about his on-the-job performance that were raised by members of the town’s GOP committee.
Demler has said that he intends to stay in the race without the party’s support. Members of the town’s GOP Committee have now asked the county district attorney and state attorney general to investigate “illegal acts and improprieties” it claims Demler has committed while in office.
NT visit for Lee
A member of Congressman Chris Lee’s staff will be available for one-on-one meetings with North Tonawanda residents from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday at the public library.
“These office hours provide NT residents with a unique opportunity to meet with a member of my staff one-on-one, whether it be to troubleshoot interactions with federal agencies or discuss the issues of the day,” Lee said.
Constituents can also visit Lee’s district offices in Williamsville and Greece, which are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Columns
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Lobbyist told to get cracking
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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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