A New York City reporter recently showed sympathy toward Niagara County for the disparity in stimulus spending statewide.
The Village Voice reported that of $18 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds New York state received from the federal government, $8.16 billion was going to New York City.
“Poor Niagara County, one of the hardest-hit counties in this recession, gets a mere $632 million,” reporter Roy Edroso wrote. “Of course, when you think of it as $2,947 per Niagara County resident, it seems more cheerful.”
Not exactly a farming hotbed, New York City somehow received more money for that purpose (theoretically, at least) than Niagara County, another oddity pointed out by Edroso.
“It’s amazing that New York City actually gets more ‘agriculture’ spending money than Niagara — $850 million versus $12 million — until you realize almost all of that is for the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program, aka food stamps,” he wrote. “We don’t usually associate Chef Boyardee with agriculture, but that’s how it shakes out.”
Statewide, the biggest items on the list were unemployment ($3.94 billion), Medicaid ($2.69 billion) and food stamps ($1.26 billion).
•••
Fans of dusty old books — REALLY old books — may soon have a sort of mecca in Erie County.
County Executive Chris Collins recently formed a Rare Books Commission that will market the rare texts housed in this region to bookworms worldwide, Americana Exchange reported.
Among the rarities on hand here are a handwritten manuscript of “Huckleberry Finn,” Thomas Jefferson’s annotated copy of “The Federalist” and a Shakespeare “First Folio,” the publication reported.
“We have a wealth of incredibly rare treasures right here in Western New York that we should be sharing with the world,” Collins said. “I think these historic materials will attract visitors from far and wide. It’s time to market this collection to enhance our tourism industry in Erie County.”
The publication went on to praise the decision, saying that Buffalo is ahead of the curve in terms of sharing rare books with the public.
“This is really something of a counterintuitive idea for rare book libraries. So steeped in the desire to protect and preserve, they have made rare books virtually inaccessible, and thereby of no practical benefit to the public which pays for their preservation,” the report said. “What the folks in Buffalo are trying to do is convert those resources into a practical asset, one that can pay for their own preservation and more, rather than be a draw on tight budgets. If they succeed, they may do as much to preserve the books and manuscripts of our history as all of the squirreling away in dark, climate-controlled vaults has accomplished.”
Contact Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.
Features
Related Photos
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: NYC takes pity on Niagara
- Features
-
-
PROFILE: Jonathan's Magdalene
An artist's rendering of the companion of Jesus comes forth, he says, from a higher power
-
FORGIONE: Fitness successes inspire lots of 'D' words
There are a lot of "D" words associated with working out at a gym and getting healthier. Determination is a big one. There's also gems such as dream, dedication, develop, duty and desire. And of course, ones that elicit fear like deadlifs and dumbells.
-
DELUCA: The Leadership Chronicles
Leadership Niagara 'newbie' has surprising change of heart
-
RIVERKEEPERS: Tending the waterways
Environmental group seeks the help of Niagara volunteers
-
SCIENCE MUSEUM: Special Valentine-themed event coincides with CSI exhibit.
BUFFALO — For the romantically inclined, Valentine’s Day might conjure images of red roses, heart-shaped boxes of candy and candle-lit dinners. For those at the Buffalo Museum of Science, however, they’re hoping some blood, guts and a little bit of disaster might set the mood for some couples.
OK, so maybe not that much blood and guts — it’s a family-friendly environment after all. -
NATURAL HEALTH: Is HPV worse than vaccine?
For many young girls, and now boys, the American Medical Association and other medical organizations are recommending vaccination with the Gardisil (or similar) vaccine.
Gardasil is a vaccine that supposedly helps prevent 4 types of HPV (human papillomavirus), 2 of which have been linked to cervical cancer and 2 types that are associated with genital warts.
What most people do not know is that there are more than 100 various strains of HPV. -
IRON CHEFS: Cooking competition will help fight ALS
Daniel Tracy's second annual Iron Event gathers top chefs from region
-
NIAGARA BUSINESS: Developing young minds
Two area dayscares have opened in the region, offering advantages for children
-
TIM CHIPP: Figuring out the changes on Facebook
The website that is almost solely responsible for a complete change in social behavior since its wide release in 2006 is about to completely redefine the Internet again for 2012.
-
DIRT FREE GARDENING: Owners of a new hydroponic store say it's not what you'd expect
Say the word “hydroponics” and images of incense, peace signs and tie-dye might come to mind, but for Justin and Claire Holler, the husband/wife owners of Big Bloom Hydroponics, it’s more about science, healthy eating and year-round gardening.
- More Features Headlines
-
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
