Staff Reports
CHEERS
• HARRIET TUBMAN PARK: Kevin Cottrell has a plan for a vacant patch of land along Main Street. The site of a former bar would become a park named after Harriet Tubman if the project coordinator of the North Star initiative has his way. The centerpiece of the park would be a statue of Tubman, who according to historians guided about 300 slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Like Cottrell says, the park would help spruce up the North End, install a community gateway from Main to Whirlpool streets and create a synergy with other initiatives aimed at cultural heritage. What are we waiting for?
• LEGISLATURE DOWNSIZING: County lawmakers are considering a proposal to reduce the size of the Legislature from 19 to 15 representatives. We only have one thing to say about this: About time.
• BOUNDARY TREATY EVENT: Saturday’s event marking the 100-year anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty signing between the United States and Canada will be quite the extrazaganza. Being held on the Rainbow Bridge, the event will feature a litany of dignataries including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It’s just the start of festivities being held throughout the day Saturday including a concert at the Hard Rock. As an added bonus, Seneca Niagara Casino is hosting a free outdoor concert featuring Blues Traveler.
JEERS
• GAS PRICES: Here we go. Summer’s almost here and gas prices are rising with the temperatures. AAA said the average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in the area is up another 5 cents to $2.68. As usual, the national average retail price for a gallon of regular gasoline is less, about $2.61. At least we’re not paying $3.50 a gallon — yet.
