Niagara Gazette

Local News

November 1, 2009

NORTH TONAWANDA: GOP probe sought over Walmart flap

Mayor wants state, county officials to look into allegations

North Tonawanda mayor Larry Soos has requested state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Niagara County District Attorney to investigate alleged action on the part of the Republican Party to delay construction of the Walmart superstore in the city.

Soos, the Democratic incumbent running for re-election on Tuesday, wants the attorneys to determine if the GOP violated any criminal or civil statutes.

The allegation stems from an accusation made by Democratic common council candidate Dennis Barberio. At the Oct. 20 North Tonawanda common council meeting, Barberio said council member Brett Sommer indicated to him that he had been asked by party leaders to delay plans for the superstore at the Melody Fair site.

Sommer, who is not running for re-election, indicated some sort of meeting took place in 2008.

GOP leaders deny any conversation ever took place, and party chairman Henry Wojtaszek suggested in an Oct. 22 News story that Sommer is “bitter” that he wasn’t endorsed by the local committee to run as alderman.

Sommer disputes that statement, and added in the same Oct. 22 article that he fully supports North Tonawanda’s Republican candidates.

Local News

Featured Ads

Section Teases

AP Video

Night & Day

Opinion

House Ads

Twitter News

Follow me on Twitter

Seasonal Content

Hyperlocal Search

Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Front page

Poll

Do you think local and county officials will have a Niagara Falls to Lewiston tourist trolley up and running for the summer?

Yes. It’s too good of an idea to pass up, they’ll find a way.
No. They haven’t even figured out how to pay for it yet, there’s not enough time before summer starts.
Ready with my token. It’s kind of a longshot but I have hope.
     View Results