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10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5... Before the ball drops, a look back at 2007 The good, the not so good by
Terry Duffy The year 2007 could best be described as an eventful one for residents of the Niagara Frontier and Lewiston and Porter areas – one of pronounced change and bright promise, but also one of continuum, perhaps tedium or even frustration. Newsmakers were many, and included an exciting, new Seneca Nation golf course in the works on Creek Road; an ultra generous New York Power Authority Relicensing package for Lewiston and the school district; progress and an actual opening at the Barton Hill Hotel; an entertaining year at Artpark; disruptions on the Lewiston-Porter School Board, including the removal of two members, and the continuing environmentally-related dissensions in the community. Let’s take a look at a select few: Concept Becomes Reality •The Hickory Stick Golf Course.
“Today, Lewiston is the big winner,” proclaimed Town Supervisor Fred Newlin last June as the first shovels went into the ground for the $20 million, 18-hole championship level golf course and club house facility being built on Creek Road by the Seneca Nation of Indians. A years-long project of interest, the concept of a golf course in Lewiston dates to the late 1980s and early 1990s when ideas were discussed for a town course, first on Joseph Davis State Park lands, then on areas now occupied by the Riverwalk housing development on Pletcher Road. Discussions for a publicly funded course followed in recent years, centering on a Creek Road farm property from Mike Dowd of Old Creek Development Corp., whose proposal also included housing. But talk also engaged in the community over such environmental concerns as wetlands, federally protected areas and the impact of new housing, not to mention the cost to town residents. As those took place, behind-the-scenes discussions ensued between Seneca Gaming interests and the town for a first-rate, privately run course occupying some 280-plus acres, whose plans would include a five-star golf course and clubhouse. Wetlands and environmental issues would come to be addressed – much to the community’s liking – and the project, first pegged in the $5 to $7 million range and publicly funded, would go to become one of being privately funded, in the $20 million-plus range, and with no extended development, save for a first-rate clubhouse facility on the property by the Senecas. “We were able to address each of those areas,” commented Seneca Nation environmental attorney Ian Shavitz last February at a Town of Lewiston public hearing of the Seneca’s interest in the golf course. “With respect to wetlands, there will be no buildings, no paving and no structures, other than a raised boardwalk that goes through the wetlands. As far as the adjacent area, which is regulated by the state, there will be park paths, and that’s it. There will be no structures built in those areas, either.” “Today we take a giant step forward – developing a wonderful project with our neighbors in the Town of Lewiston,” declared Seneca Nation President Maurice A. John at the ground-breaking. Now under construction and pegged to open by 2009, the Hickory Stick Golf Course, which will be on the tax rolls, is expected to generate millions for the town and Niagara County in the form of taxes and economic impact in coming years. NYPA Benefits Lewiston •The Power Authority Relicensing agreement. Culminating nearly two decades of discussion among a number of entities, including the Town of Lewiston and the Lew-Port School District, the New York Power Authority and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finalized a new 50-year Relicensing Agreement for continued operation of the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston. The pact brings many benefits, from annual funding allocations, bonus monies and Greenway Plan funding, to low-cost power allocations to both entities. Lewiston, for example, has been allocated 6.5 megawatts of low-cost power to be used in any fashion as town government sees fit. At the decision of Newlin and the Town Board, Lewiston residents this year were afforded discounts off their power bills. All total it amounts to $2.345 million in electrical discounts, provided by means of lower electrical bills on a monthly basis to the town’s 6,000-plus households. “It’s a success story – we’re the only ones in the state that can claim this,” said Newlin, adding it amounts to a roughly $25-$30 decline in the average monthly cost. For Lewiston residents, the low cost power package is in place as long as the current administration sees fit. Lilly, Stepien Removed •Dissensions on the Lewiston-Porter School Board. While good tidings seemed to abound in Lewiston, the same couldn’t be said with the Lewiston-Porter School Board, as outgoing and remaining board members filed grievances with the state Education Department, that led to the removal last summer of members Ed Lilly and Scott Stepien over questions of a state-mandated, but missed fiscal responsibility training session by the two. “The law is the law is the law,” argued outgoing Board President Dave Schaubert, who along with outgoing Vice President Lou Palmeri, spurred the filing of the grievance with the state with other board members in concurrence. The matter led to a heated June 30 hearing, which in turn saw the removal, for now, of both Lilly and Stepien by the board. They went on to be replaced by board-appointed members Robert Weller and Bonnie Gifford at a later session “The people ironically who have approved millions of dollars of no-bid contracts are seeking my removal for not attending a training seminar about finances,” said an exasperated Lilly last summer. “For 10 years, I have always done what’s proper for the citizens and the students,” he said, adding that Schaubert’s and Palmeri’s “personal vendetta” against him would ultimately cost taxpayers millions in unnecessary spending. As of this writing, the matter remains under appeal by both Lilly and Stepien with the state Education Department. Frustrations Continue •Environmental concerns. Frustrations were again evident this year among the area’s many environmental interests in Lewiston and Porter over state inaction on the legislative front, and from ongoing operations of CWM Chemical Services on Balmer Road. Despite staunch support, the Great Lakes Water Quality Bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte and Sen. George Maziarz, and backed by numerous governmental and environmental interests, including residents, again went down to defeat, this time by means of a veto from Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The measure was viewed as an attempt to get the Albany officials, namely the Department of Environmental Conservation, to formulate an overdue plan towards establishing equitable future siting of hazardous waste landfills in the state, taking consideration its impact on the Great Lakes. It didn’t happen. In his remarks, Spitzer said the bill in its wording, extended prohibitions to include not only local operations such as CWM, but also any location in the state with potential to discharge into Great Lakes waters. “I share the sponsors’ desire to protect … the Great Lakes from contamination that comes from hazardous waste facilities,” said Spitzer. “I am constrained to veto this bill because … it is overly broad and may actually have a negative impact on the environment.” Spitzer in turn called on DEC to complete its long-waited statewide Siting Plan “as soon as possible.” “The environmental injustice continues,” summarized Dr. R. Nils Olsen Jr., a legal environmental advocate who echoed the sentiments of many who were disappointed with the outcome. And it didn’t end there. During the course of ’07, community angst towards CWM was seen in many forms. Included were continuing protests by the citizens group Residents for Responsible Government over truck transport hours, Creek Road traffic and the safety concerns to Lew-Port students; news of radioactive rocks found at CWM, of foam found in the Niagara River from CWM’s 20 million-gallon treated water discharges; of continued concerns over radioactivity on CWM lands; of an uncooperative atmosphere seen between citizens groups and the company; and of CWM’s ongoing operations, the PCB issues, and its plans for new permits towards expanded land filling operations in the future. Yes, for many 2007 was truly one to remember with its vast turn of good tidings and fortunes. For others, frustrations and not one to celebrate. How 2008 transpires remains to be seen along the Niagara.
by Joshua Maloni The creation of a hotel, the renovation of a historic building, the expansion of a major business and the resignation of a trustee highlighted the past year in Lewiston. The Frontier House
In November, the Village of Lewiston Planning Board received a proposal from developer and Frontier House owner Richard Hastings. He plans to turn the dormant building and its parking lot into a combination of retail stores, housing units and a play area. There is no timetable for the project. The Planning Board is expected to receive a second sketch in early 2008. From the Sentinel:
The sketch, created by the EI Team of architects and engineers, shows a four-story, U-shaped complex erected above the parking lot and former McDonald’s Restaurant drive-through, facing both Center and Ridge streets. In the abstract model, the ground floor serves as a parking lot. The second floor houses a retail store or stores. The third and fourth floors are condominium-style residential units. The Frontier House, which has deteriorated since McDonald’s left in 2004, would be shored up and operate as a guesthouse. The Barton Hill Hotel Having overcome an ill-advised pre-opening snafu, the Barton Hill Hotel received a certificate of occupancy in September. Since officially opening, the inn has become a popular walk-through for residents and lodging spot for guests. As part of the “Christmas in the Village” event earlier this month, the hotel welcomed actress Karolyn Grimes, best known for her role as Zuzu Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Kenney and Winkley Longtime Village of Lewiston Trustee Ken Kenney resigned at the end of August citing his discontent with the board’s handling of the Barton Hill Hotel. Namely, he wasn’t satisfied with the level of communication received from the developers – Ed and Diane Finkbeiner – or with the level of inspection employed by village department heads. From the Sentinel: “I think they want a hotel so bad … if they just go ahead and do whatever they want, I’m not going to be a part of it,” Kenny said. “I don’t want to be part of that type of thing.” Former Lewiston Police Chief Ron Winkley, who nearly upset incumbent Town of Lewiston Supervisor Fred Newlin in the election, was selected to replace Kenney. He was sworn-in at the end of November. Artpark
Even without a super-gigantic “Tuesday in the Park” crowd night (think Blood, Sweat and Tears in ’04, Foreigner in ’05 and Styx in ’06), Artpark’s season attendance this year surpassed 220,000 people, setting a new park record. The outdoor concert series, which featured Pat Benatar, Kenny Loggins and Hootie and the Blowfish, continued to draw rave reviews from music lovers. That said, it was overshadowed, albeit temporarily, by the venue’s indoor mainstage, which featured The Tragically Hip, Rebecca St. James, the Barenaked Ladies and “Aida.” The Broadway version of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” was an overwhelming success. The production’s turnout far surpassed previous shows as ticket holders (and reviewers) lauded its cast and set design. Tops Remodel In July, DiMino’s Lewiston Tops completed a two-month renovation, which was highlighted by an ancillary bottle recycling room and the accumulation of many new products. From the Sentinel: In the end, (Anthony) DiMino says his 48,000 square-foot facility will be “as modern a grocery store as anywhere in the United States.” With the addition of 1,000 new items, he says, “We’ll have everything that a modern grocery store has.” First Niagara Robbery On a quiet Tuesday afternoon in late November, in broad daylight, First Niagara Bank was robbed at gunpoint. The perpetrator, described by police as a white or Hispanic male in his early 20s, roughly 6 foot, 5 inches tall, is believed to have left the bank on foot en route to a vehicle located nearby. Lewiston Police, State Troopers and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department all responded immediately to the 911 call. Their investigation is ongoing. Aktion Club The Lewiston Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with Rivershore Inc., chartered an Aktion Club in October. The group had begun operating in August and, with 44 members by the time it became official, ranked as the third largest club in New York. From the Sentinel: “This is a proud night for the Lewiston Kiwanis Club, and for Rivershore, and for the Niagara County Aktion Club,” said Jeff Sanderson, Rivershore executive director and club moderator. By definition, a Kiwanis Aktion Club is a community-service group for adult citizens living with disabilities. The organization exists to provide its members with opportunities to lead and serve within their community. |
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