It’s a stretch but the axiom still carries some weight, when you’re financially strapped and happen to live close to a landfill.

As they often say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Area residents especially in Porter, Lewiston and the City of Niagara Falls — not necessarily in that order — are thoroughly familiar with relentless efforts of companies handling tons of trash daily to project a good corporate image.

As a recent New York Times report revealed, it’s mind-boggling how the giant Waste Management firm provides hefty handouts to three small municipalities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania., that put up with the odor, the crumbling roads and hundreds of trucks rumbling daily through the quaint towns and villages.

Here’s the trade-off: Residents in Falls Township, Pa., get their trash picked up for free.

• Nearly 800 people in Tullytown, Pa., have been getting $1,500 checks in the mail, what’s listed as an annual gift to property owners in the borough from the proceeds of Waste Management fees.

• This past year, the landfill business was so brisk that each Tullytown property owner was due to receive a $5,000 check.

According to the records, the borough itself ended up with a $50 million surplus. With that kind of five-star report, the Tullytown folks can undoubtedly count on a little more in their next check, too.

It may seem a little crass to even broach the subject, but you must admit that sometimes it does pay to live near a dump.

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IN THE PARK: If you have visitors during the upcoming holidays, and you’d like to show them around the area, you might consider the off-season Discovery Pass available at the Niagara Falls State Park offices (278-1796).

The discounted pass ($13 adult; $10.50 children) provides admission to the Cave of the Winds, below the falls, the Niagara Adventure Theater and the Aquarium of Niagara. In addition, the Niagara Scenic Trolley is free all day.

It’s an inexpensive way to entertain your guests.

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SPECIAL NOTE: Most people on Niagara Street knew her only as “Margie,” a hard-working and conscientious barmaid and waitress with a knack for making people feel better about themselves.

For months, Margaret D. Blazing, 67, battled cancer. She never complained, however, as she took each day as a blessing.

She knew all about living on a fixed income.

While she generally appeared lonely, she always showed a genuine interest in others.

One of her prize possessions was a simple wrist band she often wore for a U.S. Air Force pilot shot down in Vietnam and reported as missing in action.

She never gave up hope that he would be found. That didn’t happen. Still Margie kept the faith.

She died Wednesday at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS: The Polish Nook, 2242 Cudabeck Ave., is drawing a steady stream of customers, since the once-popular East Side restaurant was recently revived by John Kajfasz and John Prozeralik, former owner of John’s Flaming Hearth, Military Road.

In the South End, Steve Masic’s Player’s Sport Bar, 328 Niagara St., has added a kitchen service operated by Deezdogs Inc., offering menu items ranging from chicken wings and fingers to nachos, burritos, Polish sausage and Chicago-style hot dogs. A Subway franchise is planned next door, the former site of the Tops Luncheonette.

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CRUNCH TIME: If you’ve been following those earth-shaking stories (on a slow news day), you probably already know that journalist Lawrence Joseph predicts the end of the world in his new book, “Apocalypse 2012.”

Less that three years away, that deadline obviously leaves a narrow window of opportunity for developers of the proposed Wizard of Oz theme park in Wheatfield.

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.