Local News
MINER: Revving up the RAB
Coming soon to a Town Hall near you: A couple of crusading chemists and a plea for support.
Members of the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works are hitting the road armed with a power point presentation and the support of state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
And they’re fighting for their existence.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who formed the RAB to act as a liaison for the community, has recently decided the RAB doesn’t meet federal regulations and therefore is merely a “citizen-based volunteer group.” Among the objections of the Corps: RAB isn’t properly structured and that it acts as an advocacy group.
The determination comes at a critical time in the federal government’s investigation of the Ordnance Works site, a 191-acre property which was once a TNT manufacturing plant for the nation’s armed forces during and after World War II.
That’s because the Corps recently issued its massive and highly technical Remedial Investigation Report — the result of years of chemical analysis and studies. They’ve determined there are no imminent health risks at the site.
For now, the RAB’s Chemical Committee agrees. But according to a presentation at Thursday’s Village of Youngstown Board of Trustees meeting, that doesn’t mean it’s time for Lewiston and Porter residents to breathe a sigh of relief and get on with their lives.
Bill Boeck detailed the foundation of a silo at the site which currently acts as host for mounds of radioactive sludge and a healthy chunk of the world’s mined Radium-226. According to tests, the structure is secure. But uncertainty about the structure’s foundation, high groundwater levels and a nearby ditch which feeds indirectly into Lake Ontario means that more tests must be done, Boeck said.
“Today we are OK,” he told the board. “I can’t guarantee tomorrow and beyond that.”
At the close of the meeting, Walt Garrow, the group’s recent former Steering Committee Chairperson, explained the group needs support in its fight to continue being recognized by the Corps. They’ve had some success: A written opinion by Cuomo saying the Corps actions are “not only inadvisable, they also violate federal law.”
But Garrow said a wideranging response is the only thing that will change the Corps’ mind.
They got off to a good start: a sympathetic audience in Youngstown. Residents asked how they can get involved. Village board members said they would support the group.
And they’re certainly not done. They’re coming to Monday’s Town of Lewiston meeting. The Corps is holding an information session from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The RAB’s bi-annual information session will be held at 7 p.m. May 21. Both will be held at the Lewiston Senior Center on Lower River Road.
- Local News
-
-
AFTERNOON UPDATE for March 18
Niagara Falls police detectives are investigating another shooting in the city — this time in the 3200 block of Highland Avenue.
-
NIAGARA FALLS: St. Patrick’s Day tradition kicks off with World’s Shortest Parade
In Niagara Falls, nothing is bigger on St. Patrick’s Day than the World’s Shortest Parade, and this year the record-breaking parade was shorter than ever.
-
NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD: Technology budget to take a big hit
Niagara-Wheatfield officials came one step closer to arriving at a proposed 2010-11 district budget Wednesday as Technology Director Mary Ann Buch proposed lopping $475,940 from her department budget next year in an effort to help the district deal with a tight fiscal situation.
-
COURTS: New lawyer for DelRio
A former Falls pastor has a new, publicly paid lawyer and his alleged violation of probation will be handled by a veteran Erie County prosecutor.
-
CITY DPW: Request made for ‘modest’ wage increases for director, staff
The head of the city’s Public Works Department has asked lawmakers to approve a re-organization plan that would result in pay increases for him, his deputy and several other staffers.
-
ALBANY: Schimminger, Thompson rank high on expense list
Albany may be having trouble with its finances, but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from spending big dollars on staff and office supplies.
-
AFTERNOON UPDATE for March 17
A look at the news in today's — and tomorrow's Gazette
-
NIAGARA FALLS: Police, ATF pick up gang members
Two gang members being sought in connection with the recent rash of violence in the city were picked up Monday and Tuesday by Falls police.
-
HOUSING AUTHORITY: Bringing in the garbage
The Niagara Falls Housing Authority will spend $94,000 on a garbage collection system upgrade at Packard Court and Jordan Gardens.
-
LEW-PORT: Students, teachers defend programs
A parent defending Advanced Placement classes, young musicians telling the school board of their love for the trumpet and a high school principal recognizing hard-working students and the best graduation rate in Niagara County, all brought resounding applause to the crowd of more than 95 teachers, parents and taxpayers at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Lewiston-Porter school board.
- More Local News Headlines
-
