Robert Miller is the first to admit he faces a big challenge as new president of the Niagara Falls Block Club Council.
The D Street resident was appointed Tuesday to fill the vacancy caused by longtime President Roger Spurback, who resigned last week. Miller will take over the top position for the remainder of the year.
“We’re going to try our best to fill the void,” Miller said during a meeting at the 18th Street Resource Center. “We’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill, but we can do it if we all work together. The Block Club Council will persevere.”
Spurback, who used to live on Forest Avenue before moving out of the city this past summer, became block club president in 1997 and held the post until 1999 before stepping down to run for City Council. He returned as president in 2003 and also served as president of the Niagara Street Business Association from 2000 to 2002.
Miller praised Spurback’s commitment to block clubs, pointing out he was always “running around the city trying to put out fires.” Spurback sent the council his resignation last week, saying the time was right for other neighborhood leaders to step forward and show that concerns he has expressed about the inner-workings of city government are not his alone.
Miller said the council is up to that challenge if everyone gets involved.
“Block club leaders, we need your support more than ever now,” he told close to 15 members in attendance. “Our job will never be done.”
Miller has been serving as president of the Echota Block Club, which covers the south end of Hyde Park Boulevard. The club has been fighting to preserve dozens of properties in the old Echota area and has been promised federal support from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer. He had been first vice president of the block club council prior to Spurback’s resignation.
“I will do my best,” Miller said. “I want to see this city survive and I want to see this city improve.”
Spurback has taken a public stand against what he called a lack of “accountability and responsibility” in the city’s Inspections Department. He called for the removal of Inspections Commissioner Guy Bax during a recent City Council meeting. Council members have since voiced their support of Bax and his staff.
On Tuesday, Block Club Council Second Vice President Joe Paonessa told members he could arrange for Bax to attend a future meeting to open a dialogue and address any concerns they have. He said Spurback’s public criticism wasn’t the best way to resolve matters.
“We’re barking up the wrong tree when we mention someone personally,” Paonessa said.
Communities
Related Photos
-
Echota Block Club President Robert Miller speaks with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer during a press conference this past summer. On Tuesday, Miller was named president of the Niagara Falls Block Club Council in place of Roger Spurback, who resigned last week.
NIAGARA FALLS: It's Miller time for block club council
Echota president fills position of Roger Spurback
- Communities
-
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Lewiston's welcome center honored as project of the year for historic restoration
A piece of Lewiston’s history is about to be honored as a preservation project of the year.
-
SLIDESHOW: Volunteers Search for Judith
Volunteers gathered on 102nd Street in Niagara Falls to search for the missing Judith Burr, 67. Shortly after the search began, the body of Judith was found in the dense brush just east of 102nd Street.
-
Niagara woman is fooled by ‘phisher’
Beverley Porter was taking a nap one day last week when her phone rang.
The scammer at the other end of the line had gotten lucky. After most likely making random calls to numbers in the 716 area code, he was able to catch the Town of Niagara woman when she was groggy, and slightly medicated from a minor surgical procedure earlier in the day. -
On the hunt for blue jeans at Niagara Falls High School
Students at Niagara Falls High School are ready for one final push in its campaign to win a national contest.
-
Lewiston Relay holding kickoff party
The kickoff to the 15th annual Relay For Life Lewiston will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, at the Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St.
-
Teacher likes this Apple at Lew-Port
Keeping up with technology is a problem almost everywhere. But in the classroom, a deficiency can cripple children as they move through their formative years into post-high school.
-
Basket Factory closes its doors in Middleport
The Basket Factory is no longer open for business.
The owners, Julie Thompson Riegle and Dawn Thompson, made the difficult decision last Monday and put the sign on the door Tuesday. -
Black History Month celebrated at Mount St. Mary's
February is Black History Month, and the administration at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital took time Thursday to honor some of its employees of color and their contributions.
-
Lockport man scratches his way to $1 million
Paul Schneider had just gotten off the phone with his girlfriend when he called her back with some amazing news.
- More Communities Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
