NIAGARA FALLS —
A recent fundraising letter from state Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, is another example of the blame game that always surfaces in an election year.
Much of the blame, as you would expect, has been placed squarely on the shoulders of the Democrats, the party that controls the Executive Mansion, the Senate and Assembly.
If the Democrats aren’t responsible for the current Capitol Hill mess, maybe a few Republicans should step forward and admit they’ve done virtually nothing to help resolve the gridlock.
Every move that Gov. Paterson makes these days — at least it seems that way — he offends a significant number of residents increasingly fed up with the dysfunction in Albany.
For example, Paterson wants to delay the countless road and bridge repair projects unless they’re financed directly from the federal stimulus money.
That has to incur the wrath of the idle construction workers across the Empire State hoping to return to their jobs soon.
Assemblyman James D. Conte, R-Long Island, was livid when he heard about Paterson’s latest plan to curtail spending. Conte noted this state has two seasons: winter and construction. “And we’re losing the construction season all over the state,” the lawmaker added.
Herman (Denny) Farrell Jr., chairman of the Assembly Ways & Means Committee, didn’t offer much support to his colleague from Long Island. “Our hands are tied. We can’t change the governor’s bills. We really don’t know what he’s going to do,” Farrell said, “I agree that the construction funds should be available. We should not be stopping jobs, we should be creating them.”
People caught up in the blame game tend to always be quick with simple solutions.
•••
‘FOR THE PEOPLE’: That’s the slogan Carl Paladino is using on current press releases in his campaign for governor this year.
Paladino, a Buffalo developer who also owns the Giacomo, an upscale hotel and apartment complex in the former United Office Building in Niagara Falls, came under a barrage of criticism in the past couple of weeks for racy e-mails that he decided to forward to friends and associates. Subsequently, he refused to apologize for his actions.
As evidenced by letters to the editor and talk radio calls, Paladino seems to turn on a lot of voters with his ideas to limit state lawmakers to a total of eight years in Albany and to require a minimum one-year residency in the state before someone is eligible for Medicaid benefits.
•••
NEW DIRECTOR: Sister Mary McCarrick, OSF, who had been serving as interim director of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, is now the director.
Bishop Edward Kimec announced the appointment earlier this week, citing the nun’s “exemplary service and leadership” during her interim appointment since January.
McCarrick, a native of Niagara Falls, has been associated with Catholic Charities since the 1980s.
A former teacher at St. Bonaventure University. Bishop McMahon High School and the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, she also had been closely involved with the Heart & Soul, the dining room and food pantry on Ontario Avenue, this city.
•••
A VITAL ROLE: Paul E. Lehman, who is retiring after nearly four decades with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Lockport, has provided valuable advice to many county farmers over the years.
He also was an excellent source for the media with questions about agriculture, small farm operations and energy conservation, among other concerns.
•••
ROAD TRIP: The History Center at the Niagara County Historical Society, Lockport, is sponsoring its spring bus tour May 8 to East Aurora.
Doug Farley, development director at the center, said the itinerary includes the Millard Fillmore House, Roycroft Inn and Vidler’s, the old-fashioned five-and-ten store. Other information available by calling 434-7433.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
Don Glynn mug
GLYNN: Construction workers hurt by budget delay
- Opinion
-
-
GLYNN: VFW post keeps spirit alive
At one time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 313 would march down Main Street in Youngstown on Memorial Day to the 1812 Cemetery near Old Fort Niagara. That same scenario out of the past occurred for decades in cities, towns and villages across the U.S.
-
HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
-
GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
-
BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
-
CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
-
CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
-
GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
-
HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
-
GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
