Niagara Falls Water Board has too much unused cash, state audit says

[From BuffaloNews.com]

The Niagara Falls Water Board borrowed money for a major project when it could have paid cash, a state audit contends.

But the executive director, Paul J. Drof, said the money found in the board’s debt service fund – $6.3 million as of the end of 2015 – was earmarked for a major sewer-repair project and denied the state’s contention that it could have been used to pay for a water and sewer rate reduction…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/niagara-falls/niagara-falls-water-board-has-too-much-unused-cash-state-audit-says-20160327

Image of the Day – March 27, 2016

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Happy Easter!

Image of the Day – March 26, 2016

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David Letterman…enjoyin’ retirement. Happy Weekend and Happy Easter, y’all!

Councilman Ken Tompkins writes letter to Governor requesting changes for Niagara Falls Water Board

[From Kenny Tompkins NF City Council’s Facebook Page ]

“This is the letter I sent yesterday to NYS Gov. Andrew Cuomo requesting his assistance in replacing the current Niagara Falls Water Board with effective, responsible individuals who have a vested interest in seeing our city thrive.”

(Click image for full size)

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Council members call for changes at Falls water board

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

A pair of Niagara Falls City Council members are calling for a change in leadership at the city’s water and sewer division after a state comptroller’s audit released this week suggested the city’s water board and authority had millions of dollars in “excess cash” in various accounts in recent years.

Councilman Ken Tompkins said the financial oversight demonstrated “gross incompetence,” while Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti chose the word “despicable.”  …

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/council-members-call-for-changes-at-falls-water-board/article_eeda1c9b-99da-55ad-b65f-8b115dd1c059.html

Image of the Day – March 25, 2016

WOT April 2016

“bFair2DirectCare” campaign comes to Niagara County

Advocates for people with developmental disabilities came to Empower Children’s Academy in the Town of Niagara from across Niagara County today to urge Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature to #bFair2DirectCare in the drive to raise New York’s minimum wage.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE: FINAL #bfair2directcare Niagara County Rally 3_18_16 press release.docx

#bFair2DirectCare crowd Niagara County Executive Directors #bFair2DirectCare crowd 2 Niagara County #bFair2DirectCare proud Niagara County #bFair2DirectCare crowd 4 Niagara County

Image of the Day – March 24, 2016

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“We don’t need a thinker! We need a doer: someone who’ll act without considering the consequences!” — Homer Simpson

Audit: NF Water Board sat on surplus during frozen water pipe debacle

[From WGRZ.com]

The state comptroller’s office has released an audit on the Niagara Falls Water Board’s financial status from 2013 to 2015, and it reveals that the water board sat on a pot of cash, while the city dealt with frozen water service issues.

“Frustration, it’s just ridiculous what they’re doing here,” said George Vacanti, who lives on 72nd Street in Niagara Falls…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/audit-nf-water-board-sat-on-surplus-during-frozen-water-pipe-debacle/98320848

State buying Hotel Niagara, will seek new developer

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

A state agency overseeing development in downtown Niagara Falls plans to acquire the Hotel Niagara building from its current owner and issue a new request for proposals to complete renovations at the trademark Rainbow Boulevard property.

During a meeting on Wednesday, the board of directors for the state-run USA Niagara Development Corp. agreed to purchase the property from its current owner, JSK International Corp., for what was described as fair market value, which officials said is up to $4.4 million…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/state-buying-hotel-niagara-will-seek-new-developer/article_b44738b3-2e99-5756-8f3e-12c5b211300c.html