LaSalle wants out and in

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, April 24, 2008

Dana Tweed wants to be adopted by the Town of Niagara.

Tweed, a resident of Shantz Avenue in the LaSalle section of Niagara Falls, told the Town of Niagara Town Board on Monday that she and many of her neighbors are tired of being ignored by the city. They’d like to find out if LaSalle could be incorporated into the town.

Tweed cited poor roads, schools and services in LaSalle.

“They took away a high school and two elementary schools, but they’re building brand-new schools downtown,” she said. “We basically get nothing.”

LaSalle became a part of the city in 1923. Both the city and LaSalle originally were part of the town, according to Supervisor Steve Richards. In fact, the Masonic Lodge on South Military Road in LaSalle used to be Town Hall.

“Speaking for myself, I would love to have LaSalle residents back,” Richards said. “We’re not perfect up here, but I tell you we give you a good quality of life and do it for a small dollar.”

He added that he doesn’t know of one town that is in financial trouble.

“That is not the first time we’ve heard this from businesses and the residents themselves,” said Deputy Supervisor Marc Carpenter, who grew up in LaSalle. “I certainly understand the concerns.”

Town Attorney Michael Risman said there is a provision in state law, rarely invoked, that would allow annexation of property in LaSalle. There would have to be a petition drive by residents and a referendum to show that community support exists.

Tweed plans to start a petition drive and set up a Web site. She expects her only opposition will come from residents who have to live in the city to keep their jobs.

She’d like to stay in her home (Shantz is between 91st and 93rd streets), but may have to consider moving if things don’t change.

“If we don’t stand up for ourselves, we’re not going to see anything change,” she said.

In other matters:

•Board member Robert E. Herman announced that the first public information meeting on the town’s new recycling program will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6. The town previously had its waste burned for energy, but is now required by the state to begin recycling. Herman also noted that the town’s second annual fishing derby will be July 19.

•Former Town Board member Wallace Blake, noting that the board was approving renewal of scrap licenses for five junk yards that had cleaned up their premises, asked if something could be done to bypass the courts and allow the building inspector or code enforcement officer to institute fines.

“Two weeks from now probably three-quarters of these guys will be out of compliance again,” he said.

Richards said the board already starting discussing the possibility at its last work session.

•The board approved purchasing a $300,000 bond, to be paid over five years, to be used for road improvements.

•The board passed a resolution to declare June as Bulk Cleanup Month in coordination with Allied Waste Services. Previously, Bulk Cleanup Month was in May.

•The board approved $5,062 for the purchase of new girls’ softball uniforms and $2,400 to purchase an Ecoliner Paint Sprayer from Lesco for lining the baseball and soccer fields.

•The board authorized payment of $1,500 for three surplus U.S. Army diesel generators. Richards said each of the generators was valued at $44,673.