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Oscar Vizcarra and Erik Gustafson pose with the official declaration of April as "Wine Month" following the Tuesday meeting of the Niagara County Legislature. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

April is officially something to "wine" about -- as the Niagara County Legislature declared April to be "Wine Month" at its Tuesday meeting.

Legislator John Syracuse spoke on the importance of the wineries to the county. In accepting
the proclamation, Niagara Wine Trail President Oscar Vizcarra thanked the elected officials for their support.

Wine Trail Vice President Erik Gustafson explained why we have a burgeoning wine industry in Niagara County. Explaining the importance of both the escarpment and Lake Ontario, he describe the ideal conditions here.  He buttressed his discussion by mentioned the various gold medals and other
awards our wineries have received.  He concluded by sharing his journey to owning a winery in New York. After attending Purdue University, he and his wife Shane explored various areas.  After looking at California and other locales, they decided that the opportunities in Western New York outweighed
all others.

Proposing a toast to the industry, Event Committee Chair Margo Sue Bittner recognized the farmers and the organizations that support the wineries. She encouraged everyone to buy local, including using the Uncork NY restaurant cards when dining out. Thanking the legislators for their support, she asked that they sign a pledge to serve only New York State wines at any of their functions, as state Sen. Rob Ortt and Assembly members Jane Corwin and John Ceretto have. In concluding her toast, she reminded everyone to find local wines at the wineries, in liquor stores and at local farmers markets.

Syracuse concluded the presentation by presenting the proclamation to Vizcarra and Gustafson.  For more information about the wineries, to get copies of the UnCork NY wine card or wine pledge or learn about the wine trail events, go to www.NiagaraWineTrail.org or email Contact@NiagaraWineTrail.org.

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Keith McNall

Keith McNall, who became chairman of the Niagara County Legislature in January, recently a new title: law library trustee.

The news of McNall’s appointment came in a letter from the chief administrative judge of the New York State Unified Court System, naming the long-time public fixture to the board overseeing Niagara County’s Supreme Court Law Library.

Under state law, each county maintains a public law library, allowing citizens access to information on the laws of New York state. McNall served 18 years on the Lockport City School District’s Board of Education before becoming a county legislator nearly a decade ago.

“Ensuring our citizens and attorneys have full access to the law and the tools for fair representation before the courts is a vital, Constitutional obligation of our government,” McNall said Wednesday morning, after being informed of his appointment. “With New York’s huge number of laws, it’s critical that everyone has access—free access—to the most up-to-date copies of our laws and law books for every purpose, from school research to defending themselves against criminal charges.

The Niagara County Supreme Court Library is overseen by the board of trustees and 8th Judicial District Chief Administrative Judge Paula L. Feroleto.

McNall’s appointed term is through October 2, 2017. The Niagara County law library is housed in the Niagara County Courthouse, 175 Hawley St.

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Niagara County Legislature Chairman Keith McNall delivers his first State of the County address Tuesday night, calling for continued fiscal restraint. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

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Niagara County Legislature Chairman Keith McNall called Niagara County 'prosperous' during his inaugural State of the County address delivered Tuesday at the Niagara County Legislature meeting.

McNall, R-Lockport, told his fellow legislators that they were on the right track: “Our county government has succeeded because our departments have implemented the policies advocated by this body.”
                 
McNall pointed to outgoing County Manager Jeffrey M. Glatz’s record of producing on-time budgets that were always under the New York state tax cap as a significant achievement, and stressed the need for fiscally-prudent measures as county management draws up its 2017 budget plans.

“Niagara County must continue to use the same austere guideposts that have gotten us to this point if we are to remain prosperous,” McNall told the attentive audience during his 26-minute policy speech.  “We should continue our year-long budget review process, which is the backbone of our cost containment efforts and the efficient delivery of services.”

McNall directly challenged the county’s budget office to produce a 2017 budget that was both under the state tax cap and below the rate of inflation. He also urged fellow lawmakers to move swiftly in replacing Glatz, whose resignation from office becomes effective at the end of March.

“It is critical that we find an individual that brings the right combination of experience, leadership, and vision to be our partner in administering this county government,” McNall said. “That person must bring several goals to fruition, beginning with delivering yet another budget that is under the New York state tax cap, that cuts frivolous expenditures and waste, that fulfills our promises to our most vulnerable populations, that furthers the goal of private sector economic investment in our county, and that honors our taxpayers’ sacrifices.”

The Lockport lawmaker also urged a review of top appointed government leadership to ensure policymaking continues to garner results, with many department heads having spent more than a decade in office.

“Our next county manager must also have a team committed to this Legislature’s vision for our county’s future, and for that reason, we must initiate a careful examination of the staffing of our top government leadership posts,” he told county lawmakers.  “We must ensure the right people are doing the right work, and have the right vision and the right leadership skills to make that vision a reality.”

McNall, who issued several policy directives to department heads, stated that several key principles had always animated county policymaking, and challenged government leaders with continuing to generate the fiscally-conservative policies voters had demanded at the polls.

“A year ago, my honorable predecessor, Bill Ross, told you all—and this is a direct quote: ‘The County Legislature believes in smaller government, less spending, and lower taxes.’  We still do,” McNall said.  “Of course, that commitment won’t matter if we don’t articulate it and, moreover, act upon it.”

RELATED LINK: 

• Text of Keith McNall's first State of the County address

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Keith McNall

Fellow Legislators, Mr. Jastrzemski, Sheriff Voutour, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Violante, Mr. Glatz, Department Heads, Fellow Taxpayers, good evening.

Let me first wish everyone in this Chamber and watching at home a happy and healthy New Year.  Let me also thank my colleagues for placing their confidence in me to lead this honorable body.

It is my greatest honor to address all of you tonight about the State of the County.

Tonight, Niagara County is prosperous.

We must take appropriate steps, though, as a Government to ensure that remains the case.

I begin this address, tonight, with an eye to the future: one where our County continues to make wise decisions, wise long-term investments that will pay dividends for the next generation, and the kind of leadership choices that have led us to where we are today: with taxes more than one dollar per thousand lower than a decade ago, with a county government that is 16 percent smaller than in 2003, with a superior bond rating that enables us to borrow money for long-term investments in our county infrastructure at some of the lowest possible rates.

The policies that have led to this Government being able to declare our County not only solvent, but again, prosperous, were a dozen years in the making, and yet we can gain insights into Niagara County’s continued success by just examining the record of the past year.  Let us consider the major accomplishments of this Government in the 12 months that have just passed.

Colleagues, as you all know, this Government has moved forward with three premises guiding policy.  We are committed to holding the line on taxation and cutting taxes whenever possible, reducing the size of government through wise initiatives like shared services with neighboring communities, and fostering an environment where businesses are willing to invest private capital and create jobs in Niagara County.  Those are our guideposts.

Those guideposts animate our achievements—success stories that say a lot about this Government and its commitment to living up to its values.

First off, I want to applaud our County Manager for securing, so far, one labor contract, and, it appears, a second, which would mean this County has succeeded in achieving fair and mutually agreeable terms with its two largest labor unions.  The County Manager worked to secure labor agreements that were also fair to the most important group of all: our taxpayers.  This is the end product of five years of negotiations.  He deserves our applause for remaining adamant about lowering the long-term impact of health insurance costs by requiring employee contributions from our labor unions and for imposing even more stringent health insurance contribution requirements on our appointed employees.

What kind of savings are we realizing? Mr. Glatz tells me that in 2015, we realized $164,000 in savings by requiring our non-bargaining employees to contribute to their healthcare costs, while the contract that was approved with AFSCME is anticipated to generate $115,000 in savings this year alone.

Mr. Glatz and our Human Resources Staff are also to be applauded for their efforts in support of the significant work we undertook last year to redesign the structure of County Government.  By reevaluating accepted norms in Public Works and realigning those priorities in a new Infrastructure and Facilities mindset that changed reporting relationships, we began the work of making our government more flexible and responsive.

Mr. Glatz and our Budget staff also deserve a great deal of credit for producing a budget that succeeded in yet again coming in below the New York State tax cap.

This week, Commissioner Ferraro shared with me that this past year, our Vantage Industrial Park sold land to three companies for development.  This brings three new employers to Niagara County and created 151 new private sector jobs.  And, it also brought our county-owned industrial park to a status of being, essentially, fully-developed. We welcome these new employers, and are grateful they, and so many others, have chosen to build enterprises here. Job-creating businesses—small and large—are critical to our county’s future.

Commissioner Ferraro also tells me that half a million dollars in grant funding was secured through Senator Ortt’s office to begin redeveloping the former U.S. Army Reserve site into the Western New York First Response and Preparedness Center.  From a practical standpoint, this will increase our area’s preparedness during natural disasters.  But this also will generate economic activity at the former Army Reserve station. And, I will note, leaders of this body, like Majority Leader Bradt, worked closely with the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership to have the First Response Center identified as a Regional Agenda priority.

Our Center for Economic Development is doing its job, fostering an environment that generates economic activity.

Commissioner Restaino, meanwhile, tells me that his office took the initiative to generate savings for our taxpayers by turning to technology.  Thanks to upgrades in video conferencing equipment used by our Department of Social Services, as well as a good-faith effort to boost interdepartmental usage of the same, Commissioner Restaino has set about lowering the costs borne by our taxpayers for reimbursing county employees for mileage.  That’s the kind of forward-thinking action that makes it possible for us keep our budget growth below the rate of inflation—an achievement Jeff Glatz has always been proud of during his tenure.

I had a particularly impressive conversation with Mr. Genewick at the Office for the Aging. As a smaller department serving a segment of the population that certainly has earned access to government services, few of us ever contemplate the costs borne by that agency.  I’m happy to tell you, though, that Mr. Genewick is what you might call a “fiscal hawk.”

Mr. Genewick took significant cost-containment steps this year:  he hired a Fiscal Administrator to increase fiscal oversight in his office.  We often speak—myself included—of reducing the size of government, but adding employees who can contain costs and save far more than their own salaries is never money wasted.

Mr. Genewick also re-directed funding to partner with several community based organizations to introduce and enhance in-home, legal, and caregiver services. These agreements have led to more than 150 new clients being provided legal services, a significant increase in volunteer in-home services, an increase in memory care programming to benefit older adults and caregivers, and enhanced diabetes health and wellness programming.

In a similar vein, Mr. Stapleton tells me that our Health Department was one of only 10 local health departments nationwide to receive a $35,000 grant to increase HPV vaccination rates.  I also know that Mr. Stapleton and his team have aggressively worked to secure funding and resources to protect our community from potential pandemic outbreaks due to our close proximity to four border crossing points.  These are important achievements—as is the Public Health Department’s strong, but nurturing, advocacy to increase breastfeeding rates.

I understand, too, that some departments will increase costs in measurable ways while being unable to effectively account for the real savings they generate.  I asked our Sheriff, Jim Voutour, what steps his office was taking to contain costs. After all, running a jail, keeping cars on the road, keeping trained deputies—these are all cost-drivers.  However, Sheriff Voutour had an answer for me that included real dollar figures brought about via enforcement.

The Sheriff tells me that in 2015, his Office saved county taxpayers an estimated $621,785 through successfully investigating welfare fraud cases.  That is a worthwhile effort.

Our Risk Management and Insurance Office reports that in 2015, favorable performance by our Health Plan led to a 7.5 percent rate decrease we realized in our 2016 budget.

My friends, our County Government has succeeded because our departments have implemented the policies advocated by this body.  You should feel pride in knowing that this Government’s policies are working.

That, however, leaves the future.

Niagara County must continue to use the same austere guideposts that have gotten us to this point if we are to remain prosperous.  We should continue our year-long budget review process, which is the backbone of our cost containment efforts and the efficient delivery of services.

For that reason, I must urge you to make the selection of a new County Manager a priority.  At our last meeting, I accepted, with regrets, the resignation of County Manager Glatz.  I again wish to thank him for his leadership and the successes he has generated for us, and for our taxpayers.

It is critical that we find an individual that brings the right combination of experience, leadership, and vision to be our partner in administering this County Government.  Our next County Manager must also have a team committed to this Legislature’s vision for our county’s future, and for that reason, we must initiate a careful examination of the staffing of our top Government leadership posts.  We must ensure the right people are doing the right work, and have the right vision and the right leadership skills to make that vision a reality.

Let me also take a moment and commend my colleague and friend Legislator Syracuse.  Legislator Syracuse has taken on the task of chairing the County Manager search committee.  He is joined by Legislator Virtuoso, Legislator Hill, Legislator Zona, Legislator Nemi, Legislator Steed, Mr. Michael Capizzi, and Mr. Kevin Clark.  These community leaders are all playing a critical role in identifying the person that will work with us to continue delivering on our promises to our taxpayers, and to ensure that our county workforce has fair, effective leadership committed to results and a quality work environment.

What, though, awaits our next County Manager?

That person must bring several goals to fruition, beginning with delivering yet another budget that is under the New York State Tax Cap, that cuts frivolous expenditures and waste, that fulfills our promises to our most vulnerable populations, that furthers the goal of private sector economic investment in our county, and that honors our taxpayers’ sacrifices.

This includes realizing the benefits of negotiation and compromise and enacting and implementing labor contracts that are fair to our employees.  Our workforce deserves the security of understanding where wages and benefits will stand over the next few years; so do we, who are charged with enacting responsible annual budgets.

Our employees deserve to work in a fair environment with quality leadership.  I am charging our department heads, and specifically our County Manager and HR leadership, with working to mitigate unnecessary grievances and litigation by educating Managers and Supervisors on policies and contract requirements through increased communications, awareness and training efforts.

Our County’s effective performance in the area of workers’ compensation should be able to generate an expense reduction in excess of 2 percent.  That is an achievable goal, and one we should endeavor to meet.

I am directing the Office of Management and Budget to prepare a 2017 budget that takes into account both current and anticipated 2016 contract settlements, and to do so in a manner that keeps our costs below inflation levels.

I urge Mr. Glatz and his successor to develop a long-range capital spending plan.  Wise investments like the purchase of buildings where the county was paying on long-term leases are already bearing a dividend for our taxpayers.  We must consider further smart investments—not to spend for spending’s sake, but expenditures designed to realize greater savings.

I urge Mr. Glatz and his successor to evaluate our county’s internal infrastructure: telephone and data lines and equipment, building stock, etc.—to ensure we have the right physical resources to meet the public’s demand for services effectively.  Where necessary, I urge that plans be developed for phased upgrades that utilize cost-effective solutions.

I am directing Commissioner Restaino to continue the good work of using technology to contain costs.  Implementing the Human Resources Building Cabling Project has the potential to lower 2016 information technology costs by $25,000.  We should seize that initiative, and I urge the Commissioner and the IT Department to both treat that as a priority.

On the Economic Development front, Commissioner Ferraro tells me that our successful Canadian outreach efforts will remain a top priority in 2016, with the utilization of new venues to attract more Canadian companies to economic development sites in Niagara County.  Ms. Klyczek from the IDA has described these efforts for all of us—as well as the very real payoffs we are experiencing from those relatively modest investments on our county’s part.  We must continue that progress.

Commissioner Ferraro must also interface with our 12 towns, five villages, and three cities more directly to identify vacant land and buildings that have real potential for future development, and to continue the good work of brownfields redevelopment.

Lastly, Sam, the ongoing development and expansion of our airport and its service offerings must always remain a priority for your office.

I urge our law enforcement and emergency services leaders—Sheriff Voutour, Mr. Cicchetti, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Violante—to do the hard work of educating first responders; to meet expected milestones for public safety in our Alternatives to Jail and other programs; to maintain and repair existing infrastructure at the jail, such as the leaking Building 1 façade, so we can continue effective use of our existing facility, and to work to mitigate threats such as an “active shooter” scenario.  Ultimately, I am charging you with doing your jobs in a cost-effective manner, but doing them well to meet the all-important goal of public safety.

I also challenge our state representatives to continue to push for fundamental reforms in New York State:  preserving the new cap on Medicaid, restoring the historic 50/50 state-county cost distribution for the Safety Net program, reducing unfunded mandates and cost shifting to local governments, and perhaps most importantly, to honor our Home Rule requests.  We are fortunate to have good partners like Senator Ortt, Assemblywoman Corwin, and Assemblyman Walter: they, and their other Western New York colleagues, should be expected to work toward effective policy that respects Niagara County’s taxpayers.

In line with that goal, I would also urge this Legislature to continue to fund our partnerships with the New York State Association of Counties and the New York State Association of County Clerks.  Both groups are advocating for state policies in line with our values here in Niagara County.

Those are the key goals that this Government must commit to in 2016.  With the addition of a new County Manager working in tandem with this Legislature, and an anticipated review of department performance, as well as ensuring we have the best possible team of department heads leading our government agencies, we can attain those goals.  Overall, I am directing our Government to take the steps necessary to maintain spending at a stable level below the rate of inflation.

A year ago, my honorable predecessor, Bill Ross, told you all—and this is a direct quote: “The County Legislature believes in smaller government, less spending, and lower taxes.”  We still do.

Of course, that commitment won’t matter if we don’t articulate it and, moreover, act upon it.  I urge all of my colleagues to talk with your communities, to explain our philosophy, our achievements, and our goals.  We are giving them the Government they asked for at the polls, when they cast their ballots.  We should make sure they understand we are committed to working for them, and to giving them real results.

Again, this has been my great honor tonight to speak with you, and I remain humbled that you have chosen to allow me to lead this Chamber.  As surely as we work for the public, I work for all of you, and will strive to never let you down.  You know my door is always open, I will always take your calls, I will always hear you out, I will always take the opportunity to work with you to improve policy.

We are all privileged—not just to serve here, but, I believe, to live here, in a truly great place.  I ask for God’s continued blessings on Niagara County, but I also urge all of you to do the hard work of making those blessings real.

Thank you, and good night.

-- Keith McNall
-- Niagara County Legislature chairman

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Six Niagara County Legislators and two county residents  tasked with finding a new Niagara County manager have been chosen, Niagara County Legislature Chairman Keith McNall has announced.

The addition of Lockport teacher Kevin Clark, who has been a high school instructor for 35 years, rounds out the eight-member committee.

Clark joins Legislators John Syracuse, R-Newfane, who chairs the committee, Tony Nemi, R-Lockport, Michael A. Hill, R-Middleport, Dennis F. Virtuoso, D-Niagara Falls, Jason A. Zona, D-Niagara Falls, Owen T. Steed, D-Niagara Falls, and Niagara Falls restaurateur Michael Capizzi, the other community member advising lawmakers on the search.

“When your community asks you to volunteer and to help improve the lives and experience of county residents, it’s a duty and an obligation,” Clark said. “Our county taxpayers and our county workforce deserve effective leadership, and I know this committee will work to achieve that result.”
                                                     
Clark, who is also Lockport High School’s varsity swimming coach, serves on the boards of directors of the Lockport Family YMCA and the Lockport Schools Federal Credit Union, and the board of trustees of New Directions Youth and Family Services.

Niagara County Manager Jeffrey Glatz announced Jan. 1 that he will be leaving the post he has held for five years in March.

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Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski administers the oath of office to new Niagara County Legislature Chairman Keith McNall, as McNall's wife, Diane, holds the Bible. Looking on are grandson, Jacob, son, Todd, daughter-in-law, Leanne, and granddaughter, Madyson. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

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Niagara County Legislature Chairman Keith McNall took his oath of office Tuesday night surrounded by family in a ceremony at the Niagara County Courthouse, moments after being formally elected to the post by colleagues.

McNall, R-Lockport, who has served in the Legislature since being appointed to a vacated seat in 2006, vowed to lead the Legislature in a fair manner, consistent with the approach of his predecessor, longtime Legislature Chairman William L. Ross, who retired at the end of 2015.

“The opportunity to lead this body and work for our county’s taxpayers is an honor, and most definitely a privilege,” McNall noted at a celebratory bi-partisan dinner at DeFlippo’s Restaurant. “I will work to continually earn the trust of my colleagues, and I will always strive for fair play for all points of view in our Legislature.”

McNall was sworn into office by new County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski, his hand resting on a Bible held by his wife, Diane. They were joined by family, including son, Todd, daughter-in-law, Leanne, grandson, Jacob, and granddaughter Madyson.

After being sworn in, McNall noted that his wife Diane had “been by my side for 44 years, and has always been my biggest supporter and my best advisor” before hugging his visibly emotional spouse.

As chairman, McNall presides over meetings of the Legislature, serves on a number of committees and commissions, and has the authority to execute contractual agreements on behalf of the county government.  

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Lockport's Keith McNall will take over the chairmanship of the Niagara County Legislature.

Keith McNall

That decision was made Tuesday night when the Legislature's Majority Caucus formally elected the Republican to succeed Bill Ross, who is stepping down from his long-tenured position.

Nominating McNall was Legislature Vice Chairman Clyde Burmaster, R-Ransomville, who will continue in that role.

A visibly emotional McNall thanked colleagues at the Majority’s reorganizational dinner, held at Pane’s Restaurant in North Tonawanda.

“The role I now assume places me in a position of great responsibility in overseeing the accomplishment of our goals for our community,” McNall told his fellow lawmakers.  “The challenges county government faces today are unending, and I will try to lead our Legislature in the proper direction.”

McNall, who currently chairs the Community Services Committee, entered the Legislature in December 2006. He is perhaps best known for his tenure as president of the Lockport City School District’s Board of Education. His six years as president were the capstone of an 18-year run making education policy in the Lock City.

McNall will helm a leadership team that includes seasoned veterans like Burmaster—who has served as vice chairman for 14 years. The Ransomville lawmaker also served as Legislature chairman three times, and is expected to play a key advisory role as McNall takes on his new responsibilities.

Randy Bradt

Meanwhile, second-term lawmaker Randy R. Bradt of North Tonawanda, was elected majority leader, succeeding outgoing Legislator Rick Updegrove of Lockport, as the Majority Caucus’s floor leader.

The new majority leader told colleagues his goal was to ensure the majority remained aligned to its governing principles.

“Every policy decision we make, every statement we utter, must be judged by one metric: does it further our governing principles?  Is it in line with our repeatedly expressed values?” Bradt plans to say. “This caucus has succeeded because it stands for something.”

Bradt, an accountant, also emphasized the importance of containing both the size and cost of government through smart fiscal management.
                                             
“We know that government competes with both the private sector and the family for resources, and so its size and scope must be limited, and even cut back whenever possible,” Bradt will tell his colleagues.  “The best future for our neighbors and our own children comes from fostering an environment that welcomes and promotes private sector expansion and investment, and the creation of jobs.”

Clyde Burmaster

The Majority Caucus also elected a number of other leaders and county officers Tuesday.

Legislators John Syracuse, R-Newfane, and Michael Hill, R-Middleport, will serve as deputy majority leaders.

County Attorney Claude Joerg will continue in that role, as will Clerk of the Legislature Mary Jo Tamburlin.

Public Defender David J. Farrugia will be reappointed to that post, and Gary Billingsley will continue as attorney for the elderly.

After the votes, Burmaster urged his colleagues to stay the course.
                                                   
“We have worked tirelessly to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ resources, to give them a government they could be proud of, to give them the government they asked for,” Burmaster said. “That can’t change. That won’t change.”

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scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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Members of the Niagara County Legislature voted unanimously Tuesday night to send a message to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo that Syrian refugees are not welcome here.

The decision comes during a national fervor that has seen at least 30 U.S. governors declare their states to be a no-refugee zone just days after a terrorist bombing in Paris left 129 people dead.

Those opposing the settlement have done so primarily on the grounds that one of the terrorists from the Paris bombing was carrying a Syrian passport and identified as a refugee that had entered continental Europe via Greece in October.

Niagara County’s opposition comes as the Obama administration seeks to resettle 10,000 refugees from the Syrian civil war in cities across the U.S. and an announcement by top officials in neighboring Erie County that at least 300 refugees are set to be placed there.

The unanimous vote by county lawmakers to demand Cuomo to work to block federal resettlement of refugees in New York puts county lawmakers in line with U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, and Erie County Legislature Majority Leader Joseph Lorigo, R-West Seneca.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our country and Western New Yorkers is my central focus,” Collins stated Monday. “At this point, we cannot guarantee with 100 percent certainty that the refugees we are accepting from Syria don’t pose a threat to our community. Until we have a process in place that achieves that goal, I am calling on Gov. Cuomo to stop plans to accept Syrian refugees.”

Republican legislator John Syracuse of Newfane echoed that sentiment: “We don’t know who these people are. Even the director of the FBI has stated in Congressional testimony that we have no workable database, no background information, on these refugees,” Syracuse said. “While many who want to help these refugees may have the very best of intentions, we can’t let public safety become a secondary consideration to political correctness.”

Middleport Republican Michael Hill concurred: “The lack of verifiable information about these individuals’ backgrounds—about who they are, about who their associates are, about past radical or criminal activity—these are all reasons to suspend any resettlement at least for the foreseeable future."

Cuomo stated Tuesday afternoon that the matter of refugee settlement isn't up to him -- or any other governor. "Where does it say in the state constitution you can refuse a person placed by the federal government," Cuomo asked rhetorically during a Q&A Tuesday afternoon at Harvard University. "What are you going to have your militia fight the federal government at the borders of your state? It's a pure political statement. It's up to the federal government. If the federal government lets refugees in and places them in your state, the Governor has no authority to turn them down."

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County lawmakers agreed tonight to move forward with contract talks with Solar Liberty Energy Systems to install solar panels on vacant county land. (ENP FILE PHOTO / HEATHER N. GRIMMER)

Niagara County lawmakers unanimously backed initiating contract talks with a solar energy producer at a special meeting tonight. The initiative could purportedly produce $4.75 million in savings to taxpayers.

A resolution passed at tonight’s meeting authorizes the county administration to move forward with drafting a contractual agreement with Buffalo-based Solar Liberty Energy Systems, Inc., that will allow construction of solar arrays on vacant county lands. Draft plans suggest the construction of three arrays on properties owned by the county’s Refuse, Water, and Sewer districts.

“Through this agreement we are putting vacant county-owned land to use providing a financial benefit to our special districts and an expected savings to taxpayers of $4.75 million,” said North Tonawanda Rpublican Legislator Randy R. Bradt, the project’s most vocal backer.

Under the arrangement, Solar Liberty will construct the arrays and power generated by the arrays will be sold on the market by Solar Liberty. The county is set to benefit from an anticipated $744,000 in monetary credits over the next 20 years and revenues in excess of $4 million through construction of the solar energy farms at county-owned sites.

Environmental Coordinator Dawn Timm noted the deal, which takes advantage of the county’s grandfathered status under the New York State Public Service Commission’s “Remoted Net Metering Solar Projects” program would allow Solar Liberty to benefit from tax credits to construct the arrays, which she termed “good for the environment.”

“By authorizing construction of these solar arrays and entering into this agreement, we as a county are embracing the generation of green energy—renewable alternative energy that has zero carbon emissions,” Timm said. “Coupled with the financial benefits to our taxpayers, that’s a real positive for our region.”

State Sen. Robert G. Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, praised the initiative as well.

“By offsetting Niagara County's energy costs and expanding solar technology, this exciting project will benefit taxpayers, protect our environment , and grow our economy,” Ortt said. “I’m proud to spearhead clean energy efficiency and incentives at the state level. And I'm thankful that we have such strong partners in local government and business—it’s especially encouraging that this venture will utilize a local small business and the expertise of our Western New York workforce.”

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Rick Updegrove

Earlier this week, Niagara County Legislator Rick Updegrove announced he would not be seeking re-election, despite just days earlier turning in petitions  to seek re-election as the 12th District Niagara County Legislator.

Updegrove, a registered Republican, was to have faced David Mongielo on the Conservative Party line and Bill Nye on the Independence Party line.

Republican Party officials are expected to meet today to find a replacement for Updegrove on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Mongielo and Nye penned a letter to East Niagara Post calling into question the replacement process, specifically what the Independence and Conversative parties will do once the GOP has a new candidate. Their letter follows in its entirety:

Many elected and appointed officials are hastily leaving office after New York State Senator George Maziarz “retired” from office last year amid a federal investigation into his campaign expenditures by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
Bharara, who picked up the corruption case abandoned by the now defunct Moreland Commission established by Governor Cuomo and shuttered in a shady deal with Senate Republicans, is looking into hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign expenditures by Maziarz, including checks made out to cash which he failed to disclose to the board of elections.
Maziarz’s campaign treasurer, Laureen Jacobs, was subpoenaed along with long-time Maziarz chief of staff Lisa Colatarci and office manager Marcus Hall. Hall is a current Newfane town councilman.
The latest to exit the scene, in a long line of interesting “retirements” are legislators William Ross and Richard Updegrove – chairman and majority leader of the GOP majority caucus respectively. Town of Lockport Supervisor Marc Smith is also not seeking election this year. You’ll recall that former mayor Michael Tucker also resigned abruptly early last year.
All of this leaves us questioning if they are leaving because of their close relationship with George Maziarz. Now that George is allegedly singing like a bird to federal and state authorities, how many local politicians that he’s supported and “made” during his reign is he going to take down with him? Every one of George’s candidates should be nervous.
For years, we have been told what “wonderful jobs they have been doing" yet we pay the highest property taxes in the state. Why is it that most of the municipal governments in Niagara County, including the county itself are eligible for comprehensive reviews automatically from the state financial restructuring board because their tax rates are higher than 75 percent of the comparable municipalities in the state?
Is part of the exodus by these politicians caused by the shocking Channel 2 news story about Yahoo’s $450 million in tax abatements and free electricity, at a cost of $2.4 million per job created? Is it fair for the county to give up to 100% tax abatement for residents that can afford to “go green?"
Going green is a wonderful thing, but not when other taxpayers have to pick up the slack for those that will be receiving county services and not have to pay for them. Remember, when someone doesn’t have to pay, you have to make up for the lost revenue because the cost of services goes up every year. Why don't the local business that supply 75% of jobs get a break — or even our older residents on fixed incomes?
If the residents had lower taxes and lower utility bills, wouldn't they have more to spend, thus helping the local economy? The big question then is who are the Independence and Conservative parties going to endorse and choose for their candidates?
Just kidding – we know who the Independence and Conservative parties are going to endorse. Whoever the GOP tells them to.
We just hope the people finally notice the candidate the Republicans choose is miraculously going to show up as the Conservative and Independence party endorsed candidates. David Mongielo, the Conservative candidate, and William Nye, the Independence party member, will be forced to primary the anointed Republican placed on the ballot to replace GOP Majority Leader Rick Updegrove. This is a well-known ballot manipulation game mastered by the county republicans to stop candidates from getting to the general election.  The Republicans believe residents are too stupid to realize the primary election is more important than the general.

— David Mongielo and Bill Nye are Lockport residents

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Bill Ross

Niagara County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross, who is leaving office at the end of his current term, was honored last night as his Legislature colleagues voted unanimously to name a newly-acquired county building after him.

Ross, C-Wheatfield, affectionately known as “the Coach” to everyone from county legislators to his former Niagara-Wheatfield students, leaves office Dec. 31. The next day, the county’s newly-acquired Social Services building, located at 20-40 East Ave. in Lockport, will be renamed The William L. Ross County Office Building.

As a prelude to the unanimous vote, Legislator Kathryn L. Lance, R-Wheatfield, chief sponsor of the resolution renaming the office complex, noted that Ross, the longest serving chairman in Legislature history, “served as a lawmaker when both the Democrats and the Republicans have been in control ... and though he himself, over time, shifted parties, I think all who know him know that he has never shifted his values.”

Lance was one of several lawmakers to praise the outgoing chairman, who despite coming up on his 82nd birthday maintains an extremely full schedule that takes him from one end of the county to the other, as well as conferences around the state to advocate for county government priorities. Several privately noted that they, despite being much younger than Ross, could hardly keep pace with the retiring chairman’s schedule.

Lance’s resolution also sets aside the first week in January 2016 as “William L. Ross Week” in Niagara County and schedules a formal dedication of the Ross Building for Jan. 4.

Lance praised Ross for his leadership in the county, advocating not only for the successful policies of the county government, but also for both ongoing efforts to protect the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station from closure and to grow the Niagara County Community College, where he serves as a trustee.

As seeming proof of Ross’s role as an advocate for the college, lawmakers Tuesday also advanced a key measure supporting the college’s Learning Commons project, a $25 million joint state/county construction initiative at NCCC that will include upgrades and renovation of the college library, a child development center, and a faculty resource center.

“Bill has been a fierce advocate for the college on its board,” Lance said, noting that, in addition to the Learning Commons, Ross had also been instrumental in the decision to locate the NCCC Culinary Institute in downtown Niagara Falls, where it replaced a deserted shopping mall.

Majority Leader Rick Updegrove, R-Lockport, praised Ross for being a leader and a friend to so many of his colleagues, before focusing on Ross’s record of accomplishments.

“In 2004, county taxes were 12 percent higher,” Updegrove said, praising Ross for helping advance fiscally conservative reductions in the local share of government spending. “We also reduced the size of this government by 16 percent. You have been a leader in that effort, all while being a strong voice to preserve vital services.”

Updegrove also lamented the coming shift in county government’s leadership.

“Honestly, I have a hard time imagining the first meeting in January, because you have been such a leader, such a mainstay, that I can’t even imagine what a post-Bill Ross era will be like,” Updegrove said.

Both lawmakers also pointed to Ross’s constant willingness to share his knowledge and to entertain friendly argument and debate in what Updegrove called the “rare—exceedingly rare instances when we haven’t been on the same side of an issue.”

Lance noted that, as a county lawmaker representing Wheatfield, Ross had taken her under his wing during her first run for office, and afterwards as a freshman legislator, both showing her the ropes of the legislative process and helping her make critical contacts in county, state, and town government. She then noted her experience was not very different than that of her peers.

“I know that you find it awkward presiding over this discussion about naming a building after yourself,” Lance told Ross, “but I know that every person in this room loves you and wishes you well.”

Updegrove agreed.

“This honor is the least—the very least—this body can do to thank you for all you have done for Niagara,” Updegrove said.

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David Mongielo

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — Businessman and frequent government critic David Mongielo is running for the Niagara County Legislature's 12th district.

Mongielo, notable for his years-long fight with the Town of Lockport over an electric sign in front of his Robinson Road business, has twice run for Town of Lockport supervisor. He said he's changing his focus to the county because of the amount of effect state and county issues affect taxpayers on the local level. He also did a write-in campaign for Legislature two years ago.

"The state more or less affects the town," Mongielo said this evening by phone. "So state issues overwhelm everything else, specifically at the county level."

Mongielo will be seeking the seat currently held by Republican Rick Updegrove.

"It's frustrating," Mongielo said. "There needs to be change."

"There seems to be a little more frustration at the state level and the county level," he said. "I don't like how they meet secretly ... they do their little caucus there in the back room. What they do is wrong."

Mongielo said he's frustrated with the system of doing business in the Legislature, which minimizes any opposition and ignores the minority caucus. He said that Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso "has a lot of good ideas."

"We need to bring accountability back," he said. "We really need to put the power back to the people."

The Ernest Road resident is runnin as a conservative and seeking the GOP and independence lines.

He released a statement announcing his candidacy. It follows below in its entirety.

Hello, my name is David Mongielo and I am announcing my candidacy for the Niagara County Legislature’s 12th district. I am a registered Conservative; I live and own an automotive business in the Town of Lockport. I have decided to run for this position because I believe we need to have more transparency and accountability in county and state government. It would be an honor to be elected to office and that honor and trust should never be taken for granted. Our representatives need to be true public servants, and more responsive to the needs of people in our community. Niagara County is notorious for being one of the highest tax counties in the nation; based on the percentage values of our homes. I want to work to change that. Our present incumbent will tell you what a fine job they are doing. How good can it be when Niagara County is in a financial crisis? Our full value tax rate is extremely high because of the outrageous spending and bad policy making decisions. We in Western NY pay the highest taxes in the state and 55% higher electrical rates than the rest of the nation. Why are our rates so high when we have the largest hydroelectric power plant owned by the people; how can we expect to attract business to our area? We are already notorious for giving huge tax abatements and cheap electricity to companies. Remember, when someone doesn’t have to pay county, school, sales taxes someone else has to pickup the tab. Most of our legislators voted consistently to hire and keep patronage jobs and voted for high pay raises for them.

Our current majority legislators have voted to stop almost all public criticism by passing rules on the public speaking session. This has discouraged the public from attending meetings, this alone is a violation of your right to free speech. My opponent was the petitioner in a frivolous lawsuit that cost the county over $250,000. IN CASINO revenue.

It is refreshing to have a federal prosecutor investigating political corruption in Niagara County, but sad that our own country jury and judicial system could not investigate these crimes, keeping officials in check locally, the fix is long overdue.

On a personal note, I have been privileged to serve on many current and past community organizations that involve political reform, charitable causes, and participation in coaching youth activities. Such activities involving political reform include being designated as a local leader of Primary Challenge, Taxed Enough Already N.Y, The National Liberty Alliance, and a member of S.C.O.P.E. I have conducted numerous presentations on teaching people how to get involved and fix current government issues.

I am actively working to support the N.Y State constitutional convention in 2017, to stop party manipulation of the ballots before elections and to repeal many laws that violate our rights, in particular, laws that prohibit first responders to help people needing medical attention.

Aside from my activism in political reform, I have had the honor of coaching the Kenan Center little league soccer team. I am a former elected trustee of South Lockport volunteer Fire Department and have participated in responding to over 200 emergency calls per year. In addition, I have supported a multitude of charitable causes and organizations. I enjoy interacting with the community about government matters so please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding my candidacy. My name is David Mongielo and I would like to be your next Niagara County legislator.

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Bill Ross

WHEATFIELD — Niagara County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross will relinquish his leadership role at the end of the 2015 calendar year.

Ross has been elected chairman of the Niagara County Legislature a record 11 times. He said he believes it is time to pass his duties and responsibilities as a county legislator to a new person who will bring new ideas, initiatives and energy to Niagara County’s government.

“I have been privileged to lead an excellent county government for many years,” Ross said. “I am especially thankful for the support I have received from my legislative colleagues, especially over the last 12 years when I served in leadership positions.”

Ross, a registered Conservative, has served residents in the Towns of Niagara, Lewiston and Wheatfield. He began his elected career as a councilman in the Town of Niagara 35 years ago, moving to Wheatfield after the completion of his Niagara term. Over the course of his 30-year public service career, he has won elections as a county legislator and a Wheatfield town councilman.

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County legislators unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday backing a Lewiston-based company's bid to produce medical marijuana. (ENP FILE PHOTO)

Niagara County lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night backing a Lewiston-based company's plans to produce medical marijuana.

“The end goal of this legislation is to ensure New Yorkers have access to the treatment they need through a controlled, regulated process,” Legislator Kathryn L. Lance, a breast cancer survivor, told colleagues about the resolution she jointly authored with Legislature Vice Chairman Clyde L. Burmaster, R-Ransomville.

Ahead of the 14-0 vote, the Wheatfield Republican recalled her own experience battling cancer and suffering the ill effects of chemotherapy and neuropathy associated with the disease, and urged colleagues to contemplate the benefit of pharmaceuticals manufactured from cannabinoids extracted from marijuana plants.

“If we can support the pharmaceutical industry as it develops medicinal products that will help cancer patients get through their treatments better than I did, then I’m all for it,” Lance said.

Lance and several Majority Caucus lawmakers with close ties to the law enforcement community took pains to describe the elaborate security—common to the pharmaceutical industry—that Herbal Agriculture LLC, the Lewiston-based company seeking to grow the medicinal plant at a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility, will be putting in place to ensure no product is unaccounted for.

Under state law, smokable marijuana is not allowed as treatment. All medicine derived from the marijuana plants will be derived from liquid cannabinoids that will be extracted.

Additionally, Herbal Agriculture has stressed its efforts will focus on growing “Charlotte’s Web,” a genetically-engineered strain of the marijuana plant with an extremely low Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, concentration.

Lawmakers were also cognizant of both the potential for job creation at the Lewiston H2Gro pharmaceutical greenhouse, which currently grows tomatoes, as well as the financial benefits that will accrue to the county that plays host to each of the five medical marijuana growing sites authorized under state law.

“This is a great opportunity for Lewiston and the county, and we have been assured Herbal Agriculture LLC will meet the qualifications set forth by the New York State Department of Health,” Lance said.

The county’s backing positions Herbal Agriculture to apply for one of five medical marijuana production licenses authorized statewide by the State Department of Health.

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A pair of Niagara County legislators who, last week, won unanimous backing for condemnation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ pursuit of a ban on a popular rifle bullet, have now praised that agency’s decision to back down — but still questioned why federal bureaucrats ever contemplated the move in the first place.

Majority Leader Rick Updegrove, R-Lockport, and Legislator John Syracuse, R-Newfane, issued the following statements Tuesday:

The ATF’s decision to not pursue a ban on various bullets is welcome, but it should never have come to this point. Government bureaucrats circumventing the lawmaking process set forth in the Constitution is a bigger problem than just this one instance. Still, we are glad that the Obama Administration has changed course and backed down from actions that undermined the Second Amendment and Congress’ role in making laws.

— Rick Updegrove

The actions of the Obama ATF were a wake-up call. In New York, we have seen this same dangerous trend play out with the SAFE Act: policies and laws that do nothing to curtail real crime and real criminals, and instead criminalize the conduct of law-abiding citizens. The ATF blinked in this Constitutional fight, but more than half of the U.S. Congress, dozens of notable leaders across the country, and our own County Legislature should never have had to demand our Constitution be respected by the Obama Administration in the first place.

— John Syracuse

RELATED LINK: 

• Legislature unanimous in denouncing 'bullet-ban'

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Niagara County lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday opposing planned “executive actions” that would outlaw one of the most commonly-used rifle bullets.

Republican and Democrat county lawmakers, led by Legislator John Syracuse, R-Newfane, passed the resolution placing Niagara County squarely against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ proposed regulations that would outlaw a popular .223-calibre (5.56 mm) bullet used in what are commonly referred to as “varmint rifles.”

County lawmakers took the rare step of encouraging Niagara County’s Congressional delegation to take any and all necessary steps to prevent the bullet ban from moving forward, ranging from legislation to block the proposed regulations to outright defunding of the ATF. Rarer still, the measure passed 15-0, with every single legislator joining as a sponsor. The resolution makes Niagara County one of the very first local governments in the country to go on the record against the proposed bullet ban.

“It was good to find common ground on this issue on both sides of the aisle,” Syracuse said, noting he had spoken at length with Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso, D-Niagara Falls, Saturday after gaining the backing of his fellow Republicans to proceed with the resolution. “There shouldn’t be disagreement when the issue before us is Constitutional rights, and I’m grateful to my colleagues of both parties for taking this stand.”

The proposed ATF rule change would regulate and ban the M855 bullet, a popular and widely-available rifle round used by everyone from police to hunters. The 5.56mm ammunition is a caliber used on popular bolt-action and auto-loading sport rifles used for target practice and controlling pests that threaten livestock, the aforementioned “varmints” that give the rifles their descriptive name.

“This whole issue is an affront because it is an attempt by the Obama Administration to bypass our elected representatives,” Majority Leader Rick Updegrove, R-Lockport, who drafted the resolution with Syracuse, said.  “Instead, unelected bureaucrats at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sought to change the rule without any real public debate. That’s not what our system is supposed to be about.”

Updegrove noted that Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was leading Congressional pushback on the proposed bullet ban, and had issued a letter to the ATF condemning the move.

“Rep. Goodlatte called this ban ‘preposterous’ today, and he’s right,” Updegrove said.

Syracuse said the new regulations arose out of the failure of President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to gain traction in Congress to pass gun-control legislation that outlawed various firearms, and amounted to an effort to render such rifles useless instead.

“This is nothing more than a backdoor to gun control,” Syracuse said.  “The president and his minions are attempting to reclassify varmint rifle ammunition as armor-piercing handgun bullets.”

“The American people have always been free to buy and sell firearms. They have never been required to provide justification—although, if you asked most, they either do it to protect themselves, their families, and their homes, or they do it to feed themselves and their families,” Legislator Keith McNall, R-Lockport, said. “The people walking into Johnson’s Country Store and buying boxes of M855 ammunition, they’re not hardened criminals. They’re hunters, mostly. And target shooters. They’re people who break clay pigeons at the Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club, not gang members.”

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Niagara County Legislature Chairman William L. Ross, C-Wheatfield, discusses the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership's 2015 Regional Agenda following a Thursday press conference. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

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BUFFALO — The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was announced as a top priority of an influential Western New York government liaison group Thursday night.

The Buffalo-Niagara Partnership said at a press conference in overlooking Coca Cola Field that the air base and the extension of the Brownfield Cleanup Program are among the region's top concerns for 2015.

Niagara County lawmakers heartily agreed.

Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross, said, “The Niagara Falls Air Base has always been a top concern for this County Legislature, and the longstanding and significant financial support we have provided to efforts like the Niagara Military Affairs Commission, or NIMAC, show our commitment."

“We’re glad that the Partnership is working with us to protect the 3,000 jobs — held by citizens of Niagara and Erie counties—at the air base,” Ross said.

The vice chairman of the Legislature’s economic development committee concurred.

“When you consider that economic statistics show the Niagara Falls Air Base has a $200 million impact on the local economy, this must remain a top priority,” Legislator Kathryn L. Lance, R-Wheatfield said. “Every one of the 3,000 men and women that work at the base represents a family that relies on that base for their livelihoods: their homes, their cars, their kids’ college educations. We’re glad the Partnership is joining us in fighting for them.”

Lance noted that, in addition to funding provided to NIMAC, the Legislature had also secured the services of the Arlington, Va.-based Principi Group, a consulting firm headed by former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi.

The Brownfield program has also been a major concern for county lawmakers, particularly since Cuomo vetoed its extension Dec. 29. Partnership officials noted during the Regional Agenda rollout that for every dollar in tax credits provided under the program, $10 in private investment has followed.

Other top priorities identified by the Partnership were support for Liquefied Natural Gas storage, support for a Regional Workforce Advancement Center and Buffalo Manufacturing Works, enhancement of the Peace Bridge Cargo Pre-Inspection program, acquisition and reconstruction of the Bethlehem Steel site, and backing U.S. Department of Labor efforts to transition from the Workforce Investment Act to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Locally, the Partnership also called on federal and state leaders to provide funding to construct a breakwater at Olcott Harbor to allow for future harbor development. Other local priorities identified included obtaining funding to devise a comprehensive marketing strategy for the Niagara Falls International Airport, to restore Lockport’s Flight of Five canal locks, as well as the renovation and improvements at Lockport’s Historic Palace Theatre and North Tonawanda’s Riviera Theater.

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County lawmakers approved a budget on Tuesday with a .79 percent hike in the tax rate. (ENP FILE PHOTO BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER)

The Niagara County Legislature approved a $336 million spending plan Tuesday night that increases the local tax rate by a little less than a percent.

The 2015 budget — approved 11-4 — sets a full value tax rate of $7.66 per $1,000 of assessed value, up 6 cents, or .79 percent, over the 2014 rate. It also restores step increases to unionized county employees in the coming fiscal year.

“This budget accomplished several significant goals, including direct tax relief to residents of the municipalities outside Niagara Falls,” said Legislature Majority Leader Rick Updegrove, R-Lockport, following the budget’s passage.

Updegrove echoed many of the majority caucus' opinions in expressing frustration with Albany during the budget process, upset that state funding levels since 2011 have been altered to shift some of the tax burdens to county taxpayers.

“Gov. Cuomo could lower the costs borne by Niagara County taxpayers by $2.3 million by simply restoring the previous Safety Net funding levels and not passing costs on to county taxpayers for a program that Albany mandates,” Updegrove said.

While the state formerly funded 71 percent of the cost of that program, beginning in 2011 the state formula changed the state funding level to 50 percent—meaning county taxpayers have to make up the difference in the increasingly expensive program.

County lawmakers also approved by an 11-4 vote a plan to provide 75 percent of the county’s share of Seneca Niagara Casino slot machine revenues to the county’s 12 towns and the cities of North Tonawanda and Lockport for tax relief, while devoting the remaining 25 percent to economic development efforts.

2015 County Tax Rates by municipality (2014 rates)

• Cambria -------------- $7.74 ($7.61)
• Hartland -------------- $7.67 ($7.61)
• Lockport (city) ------- $7.68 ($7.62)
• Lockport (town) ------ $7.68 ($7.62)
• Newfane ------------- $8.34 ($8.27)
• Royalton ------------- $7.67 ($8.27)
• Somerset ------------- $7.67 ($7.61)

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