Use of casino revenue to plug Niagara Falls budget holes could spark debate

[From BuffaloNews.com]

City lawmakers want to use casino revenue to cover an additional $1.8 million in expenses next year, including more than $1.1 million in overtime for the police and fire departments.

In a move likely to spur debate over how Niagara Falls should be spending its share of slot machine revenue from Seneca Niagara Casino, the City Council has amended Mayor Paul A. Dyster’s 2015 budget to use casino funds to also cover things like security at the Department of Public Works, maintenance and security at the former Rainbow Centre mall and overtime for city services like snow removal, code enforcement and forestry…

READ THE FULL BUFFALO NEWS STORY HERE: http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/niagara-falls/use-of-casino-revenue-to-plug-niagara-falls-budget-holes-could-spark-debate-20141130

Image of the Day – December 1, 2014

photo

Craig “Paid it Forward” at the Bills game yesterday – giving a beerless man a cold brew!

Cartaract Classic 2014 schedule of games

CATARACT CLASSIC- 2014

BASKETBALL

Friday, December 5

5:00 PM – Timon vs. Williamsville North
6:30 PM  – Liverpool vs. O’Hara
8:00 PM  – Vaughn vs. NFHS

Saturday, December 6
1:30 PM  – East Aurora vs. Liverpool
3:00 PM  – Park vs. Vaughn
4:30 PM  – Wilson vs. NCHS
6:00 PM – Bishop Kearney vs. Nichols
7:30 PM  – St Paul’s vs. NFHS

HOCKEY

Friday, December 26
6:30 PM – Grand Island vs Lew-Port
8:30 PM –  Niagara Falls vs North Tonawanda

Saturday, December 27
5:30 PM – Consolation
7:30 PM- Championship

22 Falls workers taking retirement incentive; could lessen layoffs

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

City officials have hit their goal with a retirement incentive offered in an effort to reduce layoffs in the 2015 budget.

The incentive opportunity, which was not offered to employees of the police and fire departments, will be taken up by 22 city employees, two more than the goal set by Dyster’s administration, he said…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/falls-workers-taking-retirement-incentive-could-lessen-layoffs/article_a0f3e8c6-d1ae-59ee-84aa-dacb2121828c.html

Image of the Day – November 29, 2014

photoSanta Claus arrived at the Park Place Market and made everyone smile – kids of all ages!

‘Cash mobs’ at the ready for Small Business Saturday

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

What flash mobs did for instantaneous dancing, some hope that “cash mobs,” will do for local shopping and dining as a group of business associations get ready for Small Business Saturday.

The day will start Saturday on Pine Avenue with an organized effort to fill Nellie’s Cafe with customers for breakfast. On Main Street there will be 20 vendors selling their wares at the new Park Place Market…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/cash-mobs-at-the-ready-for-small-business-saturday/article_cbb0336d-7e5e-5bb6-aea0-0bbf9ea02459.html

Image of the Day – November 29, 2014

Shop Small 1 copyToday! Spend your dollars with the small Mom & Pops and the little guys!

Image of the Day – November 28, 2014

blackfridayLet the madness commence!

At least 56 vehicles involved in Grand Island bridge chain-reaction crash

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

An accident involving at least 56 vehicles, according to Niagara Falls fire officials, shut down the northbound lanes of the north Grand Island bridge Thursday night.

New York State Police and Niagara Falls firefighters and police were called to the I-190 at the base of the bridge about 6:30 p.m. Thursday for the chain-reaction crash. Snow was falling and road conditions at the time were described as slick…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/crime/falls-fire-officials-at-least-vehicles-involved-in-grand-island/article_5c6648fa-76a2-11e4-b624-338e4b7bc9e1.html

Falls lawmakers OK plan to fund some salaries with casino revenues

[From BuffaloNews.com]

City lawmakers on Tuesday approved a measure to pay for the salaries and benefits of Planning and Economic Development Department employees with casino revenues next year.

The City Council voted 4-0 to fund about $336,000 in employee costs out of the city’s share of slot-machine revenue from Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel rather than with tax revenue…

READ THE FULL BUFFALONEWS STORY HERE: http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/niagara-falls/falls-lawmakers-ok-plan-to-fund-some-salaries-with-casino-revenues-20141125