Year in Review: A look back at an eventful 2004

by Ralph Schwarz
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, Dec. 29, 2004

The year 2004 turned out to be another busy and exciting time for western Niagara County, in particular for the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield as local politicians, families, businesses, schools and organizations alike made their impact on the community.

And as in the past, this year's Tribune photo review revisits some of the highlights of the many memorable community happenings of the past 12 months.

January

More than 250 Lions Club members from Western New York and Southern Ontario gathered at the Friendship Arc in downtown Niagara Falls on Jan. 19 to celebrate “Hands Across The Border.” The theme did not only encompass the club’s mission but also stressed the camaraderie between the Lions from the United States and Canada. The celebrations featured the re-dedication of the arc, which symbolizes open borders and the friendship between the two countries.

In other news:

•The Wheatfield Town Board unanimously approved a local law requiring the sellers of real estates and their agents to disclose the drainage conditions of properties to prospective sellers.

•Basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy returned to Niagara University for “Calvin Murphy Night” on Jan. 9. Despite the uplifting spirit of his presence, the Purple Eagles fell to the Manhattan Jaspers 90-81.

•The Niagara Falls International Airport received a $1 million federal grant for infrastructure improvements. The grant was secured by U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY 28th District).

February

With the statewide smoking ban having a negative impact on area bars and restaurants, the Wheatfield Business Association called on state politicians to repeal its 2003 anti-smoking law. In addition to local businesses, the WBA received immediate support from the Wheatfield Town Board, which voted in a special session to aide the associations in its effort to have the jurisdiction changed.

In other news:

•The Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center received a healthy $800,000 injection for its new Heart Center of Niagara. State Sen. George Maziarz and state Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte each secured $400,000 in state funds for the new center, which will specialize on the prevention and reversal of heart disease.

•U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Federspiel shared some of his experiences from Operation Iraqi Freedom with students from Holy Ghost Lutheran School in Bergholz. The Wheatfield resident was part of the unit that captured Iraqi leader former Saddam Hussein in December 2003.

•The Town of Niagara Town Board unanimously approved a $45,826 settlement with Adelphia Cable for fees owed by the company for the use of the town’s right-of-ways.

March

After a lengthy renovation, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge reopened on March 1 for NEXUS cardholders. U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY 28th District) was on location to perform the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Using advanced computer technology, the NEXUS program allows cardholders to travel between Canada and the United States without the routine custom and immigration questioning.

In other news:

•After two post-season victories, the Niagara Wheatfield Lady Falcons Basketball team fell in the Section VI Class AA semi-finals to Lockport, 71-41. The team finished the season with an 11-12 overall record.

•The Niagara Wheatfield High School Social Problems Class received the WHLD/Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Good Neighbor award for participating in the Adopt-A-Family program.

•After being crowned the 2004 Miss Niagara County, Jennifer Veronica Mis of North Tonawanda made her first public appearance a special guest on the Iney Wallens Show.

April

Niagara County Historian David Dickinson received Germany’s highest civil award, the Knight’s Cross of Merit from Consul General Uwe-Karsten Heye of the German Consulate in New York City during a special ceremony inside the Fort Niagara Officers’ Club. The award recognized Dickinson’s efforts to preserve a mural painted by a German prisoner of war 60 years ago inside the club, which is now a museum.

In other news:

•Heavy storms with winds close to 90 mph hit western Niagara County on April 18, leaving behind uprooted trees, blown-off rooftops, broken powerlines and damage billboards.

•Town of Niagara Supervisor Steven Richards accepted the prestigious 2004 Gold Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies for outstanding site development for the new Town of Niagara Community Center.

May

Eligible voters in the Niagara Wheatfield school district defeated the proposed 2004-05 school budget on May 18. In a close decision, 51.2 percent of the voters rejected the proposed $52.04 million budget, making it the first time in nearly 10 years that Niagara Wheatfield residents have voted against a proposed school budget. After much consideration, the school board decided to return the proposed budget for a second vote in June.

In other news:

•Federal, state and local dignitaries joined representatives from the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center on May 17 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new emergency department and Heart Center of Niagara.

•Jennifer Plummer was crowned 2004 Miss Wheafield on May 1.

•On Memorial Day, nine of the 16 founding members of the Wheatfield American Legion Post 1451 who are still alive gathered in Wheatfield to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking of their current building.

June

•Upset by the lack of public information released by the Niagara Wheatfield school district after a convicted Level 3 sex offender moved into a residential neighborhood in Wheatfield, Town Supervisor Timothy Demler took matters in his own hands. In a press conference on June 18, Demler announced that he will submit a resolution to the Town Board requiring a written notice mailed to all town residents who live within a 1.5-mile radius of a registered offenders. The town would notify all affected residents as soon as it receives notification from government authorities. The Town Board unanimously approved the resolution during a special session on June 21.

In other news:

•Niagara Wheatfield residents approved the proposed 2004-05 school budget in the June 17 re-vote. This time, 54.5 percent of the voters cast their ballots in favor of the budget proposal.

•St. Paul’s United Church of Christ celebrated the congregation’s 125th anniversary with a special service in German and English on June 6.

•Officials at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center honored Dominick Tolfa for 45 years of service.

July

During a visit to Niagara Falls, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton reiterated her support for Western New York and Niagara County by outlining strategies to revive the local economy. In an address given to members of Niagara USA Chamber on July 12, Clinton reminded her audience that tourism is Niagara County’s biggest asset.

In other news:

•The Niagara Town Board unanimously appointed acting Police Chief James Suitor to permanent police chief during a special session on July 8. The promotion came after Suitor passed the Civil Service Exam.

•The Niagara Wheatfield High School Lady Falcons JV Softball team finished the 2004 season on top of the Niagara Frontier League with a 12-2 league and 13-4 overall record.

August

More than 300 Wheatfield residents and representatives of local builders and contractors attended a highly-anticipated public hearing on Aug. 11 in Wheatfield to explore options for a possible cap on residential building permits, proposed by the Wheatfield Town Board in June. The three-hour meeting, however, was less about a building cap but rather to give residents a forum to present their concerns to local developers.

In other news:

•Jeff Richmond, 6, and April Lynn Jasper, 5, were crowned Strawberry Prince and Princess at the 2004 Niagara Strawberry Festival.

•The Bravo Platoon of the Western New York Young Marines honored 22 members at its graduation ceremony on Aug. 21.

•The Bergholz Volunteer Fire Company received a $100,390 federal grant to upgrade its fire-safety equipment. The grant was secured by U.S. Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-NY 28th District).

September

Wheatfield Town Supervisor Demler delivered his ninth consecutive tax cut as he proposed the tentative town budget for the 2005 fiscal year on Sept. 24.

Although the tax cut amounted to only about $2.50 per home, it still reflects the town government’s hard work and early understanding of the ongoing economic difficulties in Western New York.

Demler said that the tax cut sent a message that governments, especially local governments, need to do more to insulate their residents from tax increases.

In other news:

•After lying dormant for almost 10 years, Dad’s Restaurant in Wheatfield opened under new management on Sept. 13. The family restaurant offers breakfast and lunch.

•The Niagara Wheatfield Falcons football team opened its season with a 29-26 loss to the Lewiston Porter Lancers on Sept. 4 at Terry Harvey Field.

•Carley Guariglia, 17, of Wheatfield was crowned 2004 Peach Queen at the 47th annual Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival on Sept. 12. The title comes with a $2,500 scholarship and the opportunity to represent the Kiwanis Club in its charitable endeavors for the 2004-05 year.

October

Niagara County Legislator Danny Sklarski became the first local politician to receive the Public Official of the Year award from the New York State Rehabilitation Association.

The award recognized the legislator’s two-year effort, dedication and leadership in securing the funds necessary for the paving and the consecution of sidewalks along Factory Outlet Boulevard, a road connecting Niagara Falls Boulevard and Military Road.

The renovation of the road not only improved the traffic conditions but also enhanced the safety, especially for the consumers of Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, whose headquarters lie on Factory Outlet Boulevard in the Town of Niagara.

In other news:

•Federal, state, county and local public officials gathered next to the Town Hall in Wheatfield on Oct. 9 for the groundbreaking of the new site of the former District No. 3 school building. Built on land that now belongs to the Pallottine Fathers Infant Jesus Shrine on Niagara Falls Boulevard, the 117-year-old one-room building will be relocated to its new site in the spring of 2005.

•On Sept. 23, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center launched its EmStar Emergency Department to offer more effective and quicker treatment for patients with less serious injuries.

November

Despite the troubled economy throughout Western New York, homeowners and businesses in the Town of Niagara will see a reduction on their 2005 property taxes after all. Following a public hearing on Nov. 4, the Town Board unanimously approved an average tax cut of 6.5 percent on residential properties as part of the 2005 budget submitted by Town Supervisor Richards.

In his tentative budget submitted last month, Richards proposed a zero-dollar tax increase.

“We did not have all our figures in from the sewer districts,” he said. “Once the right figures came in -- we are working with tentative figures -- we were able to reduce the tax.”

In other news:

•Residents in the Niagara Wheatfield School District approved a $37.75 million capital project in a special vote on Nov. 17. By a clear majority, 63.3 percent of the voters supported the multi-million project, which includes the expansion and renovations to school buildings throughout the districts.

According to the spending plan devised by the school district, New York state will cover 76 percent, or $27.93 million, of the project’s expenses, leaving the district with only a $9.81 million expense.

•Hundreds of area residents showed their support for Army Spc. John Pirinelli at a Nov. 5 benefit at the Wheatfield American Legion. Pirinelli was critically wounded during a firefight with Iraqi insurgents outside Tikrit on July 28. After suffering life-threatening injuries to his kidneys, colon and abdomen, the Wheatfield resident has made significant progress in his recovery.

December

Christmas came early for 73 area organizations as they received their share of pre-holiday gifts from a $100,000 payment by Prime Outlets of Niagara USA on Dec. 15.

The money was part of a 1999 court settlement between the retail mall and the Town of Niagara over a $250 million tax assessment. The settlement, which was proposed by Town Supervisor Richards, included $500,000 to be given away to area organizations over a 10-year period. Due to an ownership change last year, the mall did not pay out the annual $50,000 for 2003.

Overall the individual organizations received grants ranging from $250 to $25,000. The largest share went to the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, which received $25,000 for its new Emergency Department/Heart of Niagara Center.

In other news:

•Thirty-one students from Starpoint Central High School were taken to area hospitals as a precaution after feeling ill during a concert rehearsal on Dec. 14. An investigation conducted by the Niagara County Health Department determined on Dec. 21 that the students suffered from the excessive heat caused by the screen lights on stage. Wheatfield Town Supervisor Demler called for still more testing of the Starpoint campus property soon after.

•The Niagara Wheatfield Board of Education welcomed Donald Moyer as a new board member at its Dec. 1 meeting. The life-long Sanborn resident fills the vacant seat left by the departure of former board member Carol Scholl, who resigned from the board in August due to a move outside the district.

•Area residents and their pets showed up at the annual Christmas Party for the Animals, hosted by the Niagara County SPCA on Dec. 11 at the Rainbow Animal Shelter in Wheatfield. All donations received from the party will benefit the many homeless animals in Niagara County that come to the SPCA’s shelter each year.