Local News
GREENWAY: Coalition concerns take center stage
Group again urges change to draft document
Calls for minor and major changes to the draft plan for the Niagara River Greenway were aired during a public hearing held at Conference Center Niagara Falls on Tuesday evening.
A crowd of about 100 elected officials, government and agency employees and concerned residents expressed varying levels of support as well as opposition for the plan.
Comments from government representatives from Niagara County — some of whom have the power to prevent the planning process from moving forward — took center stage among the evening’s critics.
A leading dispute focused on the controversial issue of the greenway’s eastern boundary, the determination of which many believe will affect funding of the planned system of greenspaces, parks, waterfront access points, interpretive centers and other projects.
A state law signed in 2004 calls for the creation of an interconnected system of sites along the Niagara River from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
Representatives of the Niagara Power Coalition, who were already on record rejecting the current plan, reiterated their requests for the plan to permit flexibility in spending.
“As recommended throughout our critique, the greenway needs to recommend principles consistent with the legislation,” said Sam Ferraro, Niagara County commissioner of economic development and power coalition staff member. “This will allow the Niagara Power Coalition to be flexible, yet prudent when it decides to spend its funding.”
The coalition includes Niagara County, Niagara Falls, the towns of Lewiston and Niagara and the school districts of Niagara Falls, Lewiston-Porter and Niagara-Wheatfield.
The base of the funding from the greenway is set to arrive from the New York Power Authority through settlement agreements with various stakeholders, including the coalition.
Lisa Vitello of Niagara Falls said the controversy is occurring partly because Western New York is forced to be “fighting over scraps” of state funding.
David Colligan of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy called on the power authority to fix the “structural flaw” in its settlement agreements by creating a separate fund for school districts.
Historian Paul Gromosiak said the disputes are distracting attention from a bigger issue — on whether the plan will provide for the general good.
“The funding must provide for the greatest benefit,” he said.
A second public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, 25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo.
Written comments on the plan will be accepted until Jan 17.
- Local News
-
-
Teens accused of harassing mosque parishioners
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Dad gets 6 months in child's death
An Orleans County man who pleaded guilty in June to criminally negligent homicide in his daughter’s death was sentenced Monday to serve six months in jail.
-
Teens accused of harassing Carlton mosque
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Community Action helps children prepare for school
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee completed its annual back to school drive Thursday, helping more than 200 children get supplies.
-
Remembering 9/11
Each year a group gathers in Albion to remember those who lost their lives that September day nine years ago. Holding tributes and candlelight vigils, the Orleans County American Legion has hosted the event to pay tribute to those involved in 9/11.
-
Special gift pushes trust campaign over the top
The Sandstone Trust of Medina has exceeded its 2010 summer campaign goal on the strength of a very special memorial gift which was made public this week. The immediate family of the late Fern J. Blackburn (widow of Paul R. Blackburn) presented a major contribution to the Trust committee in an amount equaling 20 percent of the entire summer campaign goal of $25,000. With this support, the total of summer gifts stands today at approx. $27,000, leaders said.
-
District confirms leave of absence
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department issued an appearance ticket Aug. 21, requiring a district administrator to appear in Batavia Town Court next month to answer a charge of driving while intoxicated. The Holley Central School District can confirm that the administrator has been on leave since Aug. 3, which includes the alleged time of the incident.
-
Village improves skateboard agreement
The Village of Albion board had good news for skateboarders and Santa Clauses on Wednesday, approving the Town of Albion’s offer to help pay for skate park equipment and offering to assist with the upcoming celebration of legendary Santa Claus Charles Howard.
-
Fifty-six years strong for Camp Rainbow Fund
The Camp Rainbow Fund, which inherited its new name six months ago from the former Journal-Register Camp Fund, continued this summer to do good work on behalf of children in Orleans County. A total of $5,074 was raised from the public to send boys and girls “into the sunshine of Camp Rainbow,” located on Town Line Road in the northern part of Ridgeway.
-
Natale introduces book about spirituality, sexuality
Maintaining a relationship with God can be difficult for anyone who is tempted by the distractions of everyday life — money, sex, addictions. But faith goes deeper than the labels affixed to these indulgences and the churches people go to seeking guidance.
- More Local News Headlines
-
