Amherst Times

September 25th, 2008 Local News

An Amherst poll has Assemblyman Jim Hayes ahead of his main opponent, Jerry Schad of Amherst, by a mere 7 points.   

“I knew this race was going to be a hard fought battle,” stated Jerry Schad, “but I believe people are tired and need a change from a d-nothing Assemblyman.”

Mesi and Ranzenhofer  are neck and neck in the poll done by the Siena College Research Institute poll. This poll is recognized as one of the most ethical and respected polls in America.  Mesi is offering the people fresh ideas with excellent solutions.

It’s starting to becoming clear .  The old political hangers-on will have very tough fights.  Both Hayes and Ranzenhofer may soon become names of the past.

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(Buffalo, NY) – This afternoon, Frank A. Sedita, III received the endorsement of Ken Case in his campaign for Erie County District Attorney.

Sedita, the Democratic nominee for District Attorney, won the September 9th Democratic Primary election. Case’s endorsement signals the end of his campaign for District Attorney, and increases the momentum for Frank Sedita as the General Election nears.

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) voted with his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve H.R. 758, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act.  The legislation, cosponsored by Congressman Higgins, aims to end the practice commonly known as “drive through mastectomies.”             

“Too often patients who have undergone major invasive procedures are forced by insurance companies to leave the hospital before they and their doctors feel they are ready,” said Congressman Higgins  “This legislation puts cancer treatment and prevention decisions back into the hands of those best able to make those judgments.”            

Under the bill patients are guaranteed a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours for mastectomy or lumpectomy and a 24 hour stay for those undergoing lymph node removal.  The legislation by no means mandates a 48 hour stay or sets 48 hours as the maximum stay.   

In addition, the Act requires health plans to provide full coverage for patients seeking second opinions and distribute information telling patients about their rights related to hospital stays for these treatment

WHO WILL BE OUR SPORTS KID OF THE YEAR? YOU DECIDE!

Vote for your choice for the SI KIDS Sports Kid of the Year. Click on the circle next to your favorite athlete’s name, then hit the “Submit Your Vote” button on the bottom of the page. This week’s top four vote getters will advance to next week’s semifinals. Voting closes at noon ET on September 29, so let your voice be heard!

One of the choices is a WNY boy.  Read on and vote. 

Higgins Announces Approval of New Railroad Safety Standards  

Bill Increases Federal Inspectors & Penalties for Violations            

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27), a member of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted with Congressional leaders to approve the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act.  The bill authorizes $1.575 billion between 2009 and 2013 for new safety standards, replacing the rail safety program that expired a decade ago.            

“Train derailments and accidents pose serious human and environmental risks.   This major national investment in our rail system will hold railroad companies accountable and better protect train riders, operators, first responders and residents living in rail communities,” said Congressman Higgins.              

Congressman Higgins, a cosponsor of the Act, has been a vocal advocate for improved rail safety measures following a number of derailments in the 27^th Congressional District.  According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), over the last 10 years there have been 12 derailments in Chautauqua County and 155 in Erie County.              

The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act contains a number of provisions that heighten existing rail safety standards including:   

§         Increasing civil penalties for certain rail safety violations from $10,000 to $25,000. For grossly negligent violations or a pattern of repeated violations, the maximum civil penalty is increased from $20,000 under current law to not more than $100,000;  

§         Increasing the number of federal rail safety inspectors and supporting staff by 200;

§         Providing signal and train crews with additional time for rest;  

§         Requiring the FRA to complete a study on the safety impact of the use of personal electronic devices by safety-related railroad employees during the performance of their duties;  

§          Requiring the FRA to study track inspection procedures, including time between inspection and repair priorities and methods; and  

§         Comprehensive bridge safety reviews and inspections.  

The bill also reauthorizes Amtrak and provides $13.06 billion over five years to help bring the Northeast Corridor to a state-of-good-repair and encourage the development of new and improved intercity passenger rail service through a federal/state matching grant program. 

Congressman Higgins & Senator Clinton Announce $3 Million in Federal Funding for Project To Open Outer Harbor Coast Guard Land to Public 

New Allocation Brings Federal Commitment to $6.1 Million  

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve a bill which includes $3 million toward a plan to expand public access to waterfront land currently occupied by the Buffalo station for the United States Coast Guard.  This additional funding, paired with $3.1 million secured in a bill approved in January, brings the total federal commitment to this project to $6.1 million.  Senator Hillary Clinton has partnered with Congressman Higgins to lead this effort in the Senate.            

“This new federal commitment sets this project on course for funding to proceed to construction,” said Congressman Higgins.  “We bring Buffalo closer to reaching its waterfront potential through projects like this which expand public access and incorporate Buffalo’s unique history ultimately leading to increased regional economic development and tourism.”                    

Coast Guard Sector Buffalo currently occupies approximately 31 acres on the City of Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.  The present configuration of the base prevents public access to a significant portion of the City’s waterfront, including the historic Buffalo Lighthouse.  The Coast Guard has indicated that Sector Buffalo occupies a site that is too large for its needs.  In 2003 the Coast Guard drew up a preliminary plan to upgrade facilities, some of which are over 70 years old, and consolidate them in a way that would meet its operational needs and allow for future growth.              

“This funding is a wise investment in the continued growth and resurgence of Buffalo’s waterfront,” said Senator Clinton, “In addition to opening up valuable green space to Buffalonians, we are also giving Sector Buffalo the means to evaluate how they can best maintain a strong Coast Guard presence in the area. I thank Congressman Higgins for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to help in passing this legislation when it comes before the Senate.”            

Congressman Higgins noted this is one of several projects currently taking place along Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.  In addition to the recently completed Outer Harbor Greenbelt path, ongoing initiatives include: construction of the Outer Harbor Parkway, a $70 million project transforming Fuhrmann Boulevard into an easy to navigate, attractive, two-way road accompanied by pedestrian paths and boardwalks; and a study, led by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, that will look at construction of a new bridge to connect the inner and outer harbors.             

The funding is included in House legislation passed today authorizing appropriations for defense, veteran and homeland security initiatives.  The measure will now go before the Senate. 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced today that $15.9 million in federal funding will be going to defense projects in and around 27th District of New York. Funding will be divided between the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, NanoDynamics, DRS-Electronic Warfare Network Systems (EWNS), the Calspan-UB Research Center (CUBRC), Moog Inc., Luvata, and Surmet Ceramics Corporation.   

“This funding is great news for our burgeoning defense industry in Western New York,” said Congressman Higgins.  “The crucial contributions that these companies are making to both Western New York and to our Armed Forces are impressive.  They are playing a critical and relevant role in our nation’s defense and military preparedness.  I am proud to represent a district that serves as home to these institutions, employing thousands of Western New Yorkers, and making an impact all over the world.” 

The Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (HWI) is an independent, not-for-profit, biomedical research facility located in downtown at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The facility will receive $2.9 million dollars for a research project aimed helping soldiers who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

NanoDynamics, located on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, will receive $1.6 million for a fuel cell power source that will help small tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly for longer periods of time with greater fuel savings.  An electrically powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (“UAV”) has the advantage of being able to operate quietly at low altitude which has a number of tactical applications such as intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance.  They will also receive $1.4 million for the development of blast resistant nano-crystalline concrete.   

CUBRC, also based in Buffalo, will receive $1.6 million to complete the checkout and calibration of the LENS XX facility in preparation for its use to test new hypervelocity missile and re-entry systems currently under development by the US Defense Department.  With the completion of LENS XX, the United States will possess the only facility in the world capable of full-scale testing of hypersonic missiles and space systems at re-entry velocities from 10,000 mph to 25,000 mph.  Testing in this new facility will provide unique design and performance data a cost of less than 1 percent of an equivalent flight test program with significantly less risk. 

Moog, located in East Aurora New York, is a worldwide designer and manufacturer of motion and fluid controls and control systems for applications in aerospace, defense, industrial and medical device markets. The company employs 8,364 people in Western New York. Moog will receive $2 million for the development of an advanced rotary actuator, a quiet, compact electro-mechanical device that would be an enabling technology for the U.S. Navy.  Moog will also receive $800,000 for its Electronic Motion Actuation Systems.  

DRS-EWNS, a manufacturer and testing simulator producer, supplies high-technology services and equipment used by all the branches of the United States military, international military forces, industrial markets, major aerospace and defense prime contractors, and government intelligence agencies.  The company employs over 300 people in Cheektowaga. The company will receive $4 million for the modernization of the Unmanned Threat Emitters (UMTE) system.  

Luvata is a leading company in metal fabrication, component manufacturing and related engineering and design services with locations throughout the world, including a location in Buffalo, New York. The company will receive $1.6 million for a project demonstrating the effectiveness of copper to eliminate the dangers posed by pathogens in military healthcare settings and other high-risk facilities and the effectiveness of reducing nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections.    

Surmet Ceremics Corporation, based in Buffalo, New York, will receive $4 million to create an integrated domestic manufacturing capability to produce ALON and Spinel Optical Ceramic components, essentially a super-strong transparent bulletproof material, in large quantity and size at an affordable price.