Two car bombs were discovered and disarmed in London on Friday.  Had they exploded there would have been significant loss of life and damage.  The vehicles had been discovered separately hours apart but were clearly linked.  Could that happen here in the US?  We tend to think we're safe from that kind of situation but we are probably just as susceptible. 

"Security experts said that neither the bomb materials nor the cellphone triggering device was particularly sophisticated. Nor, said Sajjan M. Gohel, a counterterrorism expert with the Asia-Pacific Foundation, did the attack “seem to be very well planned.”"

"But the idea of a multiple attack using car bombs — a departure from the backpack suicide attacks of the London bombings of July 2005 — raised concerns among security experts that jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda may have imported tactics more familiar in Iraq."

[read whole story]

Don't you just love it.  So many products imported from China have been tainted that the US government has placed a partial ban on some things.  What do the Chinese government officials do?  They get a little 'porky' in their attitude.

"In tones that were at times defiant, China pressed the United States to act promptly and fairly and cautioned that Chinese seafood products should not be “automatically held and rejected indiscriminately.”"

[read whole story]

Is anyone wondering why individuals like Joseph Giambra, Buffalo’s ex-Public Works Commissioner, isn’t going to jail for accepting ‘gifts’ from companies which the city awarded million dollar contracts to?  The answer is simple and painful.  Until Buffalo can rid itself of corrupt politicians and unethical people who are really in control, thieves like Joe Giambra have no fear of punishment.  He really is a small wart of the face of corruption in Buffalo. 

Giambra should be given jail time for accepting what he says were only 8 gifts of free pleasure trips.  In reality it appears he took more than 20 trips. There were so many other talented people who could have done an excellent job in that position without taking bribes gifts from vendors, but that isn’t the way corruption works.

Mr. Giambra was paid well but he appreciated that in this position he could collect more than his paycheck.  He could collect other pleasurable things from vendors who wanted to do business in Buffalo.  He grasped the concept that if he was caught he could avoid the pain of going to jail because he could bring down the Masiello administration’s house of cards.

Joe is a white collar criminal.  He willingly followed the orders of the Masiello regime leaders, never questioning their decisions about his department.  This was his ticket into the world of fraud.  The criminal element could move about with more confidence knowing they had a slave on their docket.   All they needed to do was to buy Giambra off and it appears they did so by offering trips and whatever else goes along with pleasure trips.

Giambra’s arrest and guilty plea to accepting 8 free trips from contractors indicates possible cracks in the wall of corruption in Buffalo.  His crime should earn him at least two years in lock up.  Most likely Mr. Giambra has made a deal with the DA.  He may have agreed to give the DA information on other thieves in local government.  This action may have afforded him a “Stay Out of Jail” card.

In the near future more members of one the most corrupt administrations in the history of Buffalo may come to light.  We may witness more weasels telling how they tore the guts out of Buffalo.

One of the questions I ask a candidate running for office in Amherst is what they would do if their party boss told them to hire someone who was not qualified for a certain job but had strong party connections. 

One candidate I interviewed recently was Guy Marlette.  His response to this question was clear and sincere.  He said he “wouldn’t hire an employee dictated by the party boss.  Every job opening should be an equal opportunity for existing employees and any new applicant that is qualified, possessing the skill set the job requires.”  Most candidates replied in a similar fashion.   

I asked Marlette about positions that were already filled with political appointees and he responded, “I can’t speak for past practices, but I can speak for how I would govern and how I believe the employees and residents would want me to govern.  In an open and transparent government job openings are posted and/or advertised and I would strive to fill those openings or vacancies with the best, most qualified individuals.”   

When Bob Gilmour was the Amherst Republican boss, probably the most well known example of dumping of an unqualified political lackey into a high paying job, was when Joe Speth was handed the job of Assistant Supertendent of the Highway Department. Instead of promoting one of the many qualified people already in the Highway Department, party boss Gilmour told Bob Anderson to give the assistant’s job to Joe Speth, a man who had never worked one day in the Amherst Highway Department!  Speth’s previous job list consisted of jobs given to him by the party, including working at the Board of Elections. 

This black spot on Anderson’s record should burn deeply into the mind of every working stiff who dreams of working his way up the ladder to a good paying job.  Such workers have to face the fact that good jobs are often simply given to a Joe Speth type.  Individuals such as this are the ones who are plainly handed good jobs because they lack integrity and honesty, something many party bosses love in their lackeys. 

Hiring Joe Speth in this manner was a despicable act and a slap in the face of every decent worker in Amherst, but especially to those in the Highway Department.  Anderson should have said a very loud “No” to this deal but instead he chose to shut his mouth and continued to portray the ‘man in charge’. 

Not a single candidate I interviewed felt Anderson did the right thing.  They all agreed that his hiring of Joe Speth was a blow to the respect his men held for him.    

When Marshall Woods beat Bob Gilmour for the Amherst Republican Chairmanship this unethical practice ceased.  The Amherst Republican Party, with Marshall Woods at the helm, has regained its integrity and creditability.  Woods is a man whose word is his bond which disturbs some political leaders in Amherst.  

In today’s political world it’s rare to find an honest man.  Amherst lucked out with Marshall Woods.

Higgins Amendment to Expand Public Access and Green Space in and Around Historic Buffalo Light House Passes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Amendment a Major Step Toward Consolidation of Coast Guard Land and Facilities at Sector Buffalo to Open 20 Acres of Land for Public Use

Washington, D.C. - Today Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) offered an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act which passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that would pave the way for the consolidation of Buffalo Coast Guard facilities, restoring public access to 20 acres of green space surrounding the Buffalo's historic lighthouse at the outer harbor.  The amendment follows up on communications between Senator Clinton, Congressman Higgins, and U.S. Coast Guard officials regarding the possible return of this land for public use. 

"I want to commend Congressman Higgins for proposing this amendment, which could not have come at a more crucial time. The consolidation of these facilities could help the City of Buffalo realize the full potential of its Outer Harbor without compromising the essential security and safety role played by the Coast Guard. This is a step in the right direction as Buffalo seeks to sustain its economic development. A move to consolidate will only supplement current economic activity by allowing for development on the waterfront. I hope that we will soon have the opportunity to make this idea into a reality," Senator Clinton said.

"This is an important step toward restoring full public access to Buffalo's historic light house and valuable green space at the water's edge, and an exciting opportunity for the Coast Guard to contribute to the new momentum and nascent economic development underway at Buffalo's waterfront, without compromising any of the homeland security, search and rescue, navigational and other services the Coast Guard provides to Buffalo and other Lake Erie communities," Higgins said.

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 one of our community's most historic landmarks, the Buffalo Lighthouse. The Coast Guard has indicated that Sector Buffalo occupies a site that is too large for its needs, and is difficult to maintain and secure.  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.   

"Not only would restoring public access to these 20 acres of land contribute greatly to economic revitalization at the outer harbor, it would improve the efficiency of the Coast Guard facility." Higgins said.  

Higgins' amendment requires the Coast Guard to submit a project proposal report to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee within 12 months. The report would include an evaluation of the most cost-effective method of providing shore facilities at Sector Buffalo, as well as the feasibility of consolidating Coast Guard facilities at Sector Buffalo, a preliminary plan and cost estimate for the design, engineering, and construction of the project, and a description of which excess lands will be turned over to the community. The project proposal study is necessary before the Coast Guard can proceed with construction of a consolidated facility.  

Five girls who graduated 5 days ago from Fairport High School were killed when their sport vehicle collided head on with a tractor-trailer.  As of now, it seems the driver of the the SUV crossed over the center line directly into the path of the tractor-trailer.

Hannah Congdon, Bailey Goodman, Meredith McClure, Sara Monnat and Katherine Shirley are the deceased.

The Amhersttimes.com offers our condolences to the family and friends of these 5 young women.  May they rest in the arms of our Lord.

Many states have begun to require drug companies to disclose payments they make to doctors for lectures and other services.  After studying the information a pattern has emerged.  Psychiatrists earn more money from drug makers than doctors in any other specialty.

"How this money may be influencing psychiatrists and other doctors has become one of the most contentious issues in health care. For instance, the more psychiatrists have earned from drug makers, the more they have prescribed a new class of powerful medicines known as atypical antipsychotics to children, for whom the drugs are especially risky and mostly unapproved."

[read whole story]

If you are ready for a the newest technology out there, June 29th is a red letter day.  The iPod phone is going to be available on that date if you can get near a store selling them.

"Talk about hype. In the last six months, Apple’s iPhone has been the subject of 11,000 print articles, and it turns up about 69 million hits on Google. Cultists are camping out in front of Apple stores; bloggers call it the “Jesus phone.” All of this before a single consumer has even touched the thing."

"So how is it?"

"As it turns out, much of the hype and some of the criticisms are justified. The iPhone is revolutionary; it’s flawed. It’s substance; it’s style. It does things no phone has ever done before; it lacks features found even on the most basic phones."

[read whole story]

Has anyone noticed anything different about Guy Marlette’s appearance lately?  He lost about 8 pounds walking door to door in Amherst.  He’s been doing this in an effort to make himself more well known to the public as he introduces himself as a candidate for the Amherst Town Board in this coming November’s election. 

Guy is listening to what the people have to say about what they want done in Amherst.  He says he has learned a great deal from talking to the people. There are things he never thought of as a problem but now realizes there are some issues which are problems to some people.  He thinks some of these problems can be changed fairly easily.  Marlette also said he wasn’t surprised about how well informed the people of Amherst are about how our Town government works.

Guy is extending an invitation to anyone over the age of 18, who wants to ‘get in shape’ to join him walking the streets of Amherst.  He can be reached at 308-1086.

The following is a resolution to be on the Town Board agenda July 2, 2007.It is from Debbie Bucki to the Town Board and Town Clerk 

Resolution - Saving Trees Responsibly 

WHEREAS, the surprise snowstorm of October 12-13,2006, caused trees throughout Amherst to lose limbs and otherwise suffer damage; and 

WHEREAS, pursuant to current regulations, the Town of Amherst must remove irreparably damaged trees on or before October 12,2007, in order to receive reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and 

WHEREAS, Senator Charles E. Schumer has requested that FEMA extend this deadline for reimbursement, in order to ascertain whether damaged trees may survive; and 

WHEREAS, extension of the deadline would accord with the will ofthe Amherst Town Board; and 

WHEREAS, if the Town of Amherst cannot secure an extension of FEMA' s deadline for reimbursement for removal of damaged trees, the Town must timely pursue such removal in a fashion that is fiscally responsible, but that also provides maximum opportunity for trees to survIve; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Amherst requests that FEMA extend by one year its deadline for reimbursement for removal of Amherst trees damaged by the snowstorm of October 12-13, 2006; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if the Town of Amherst procures such an extension, the Amherst Highway Department shall not remove any such trees until the summer of 2008, at the earliest; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if the Town of Amherst does not procure such an extension on or before July 15, 2007, the Town shall implement a procedure that incorporates the following elements: 

1.  On or before July 20, 2007, the Town shall advertise in the Amherst Beethe opportunity for any person or business entity that owns property in the Town of Amherst to "adopt a tree" slated for removal as a result of damage wrought by the snowstorm of October 12-13, 2006. 

2.  Any person or business entity that wishes to adopt one or more trees shall notify the Town of Amherst of such intent by filing with the Town Clerk on or before August 1, 2007, a written notice, on a form to be drafted by the Town Attorney, that identifies such tree(s) with particularity. 

3.  On or before August 31,.2007, any person or agent of a business entity that has filed requisite notice to adopt a tree shall sign a legally binding document, to be prepared by the Town Attorney, by which the adopting person or business entity agent agrees to be assessed the cost of the tree's removal (including grinding and removal of the remaining stump), (i) if an arborist retained by the Town finds on or before December 31, 2009, that the tree has died; and (ii) if FEMA has not extended on or before August 31, 2007, its October 12, 2007, deadline for reimbursement of tree removal. 

4.  In no event shall the Amherst Highway Department remove any tree damaged by the snowstorm of October 12-13, 2006, on or before August 31, 2007, unless the tree poses an immediate hazard to persons or property. 

5.  If FEMA extends its deadline for reimbursement of tree removal on or before August 31, 2007, in no event shall the Amherst Highway Department remove before the summer of 2008 any tree damaged by the snowstorm of October 12-13, 2006. 

6.  On or before August 31, 2007, a certified arborist retained by the Town shall examine every tree damaged by the snowstorm of October 12-13, 2006, and previously marked for potential removal. On or before October 12, 2007, the Town of Amherst shall remove any tree identified by such arborist as not having any reasonable chance for survival beyond 2007.