NORTH TONAWANDA: GOP probe sought over Walmart flap

Local News

November 1, 2009

Mayor wants state, county officials to look into allegations

Staff Reports The Niagara Gazette Sun Nov 01, 2009, 10:58 PM EST

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.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.

February 9, 2012 2 Photos
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately.

February 9, 2012
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
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.

February 9, 2012 5 Photos
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.

February 9, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?