AMHERST PLANS 9/11 CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE AT MEMORIAL HILL GROVE
Ceremony Chairperson and Amherst Councilmember Deborah Bruch Bucki announced that the Town of Amherst shall conduct its annual “9/ll Ceremony of Remembrance” on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at the Amherst Memorial Hill Grove, located along the Ellicott Creek Trailway, 7/10 of one mile from the entrance at North Forest Road (between West Klein Road and Maple Road). Assembly will begin at 11:30 AM. for a group walk processing to the Grove for a 12 Noon ceremony.
A living memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, the grove consists of an American flag, a monument, and 120 trees surrounding a memorial bench. Two pathways that traverse the grove form a memorial ribbon. A stone wall offers seating that faces the monument and the trees, and thereby permits visitors an opportunity to stop and reflect upon the lives of those who perished.
Describing the importance of the 9/11 Ceremony of Remembrance, Councilmember Bucki commented, “This year, America marks the sixth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 200l. Americans must not only remember the police officers, firefighters, and civilians who died on that horrific day, but also recall its role in galvanizing the fight that our troops currently wage abroad against the evils of terrorism.”
The Ceremony of Remembrance will include a musical performance by members of the United States Army Band, participation by the Town of Amherst Police Department Honor Guard and members of Amherst’s uniformed services, as well as the reading of names of the 9/11 victims from Western New York.
For those who are in need, the Town of Amherst will provide limited transportation to the grove from the Ellicott Creek Trailway parking lot, located on North Forest Road. Participants may also bring lawn chairs for seating if they wish. The ceremony is open to the public, and will last approximately one hour.
For more information, contact Deborah Bruch Bucki, Amherst Councilmember at
(716) 688-0697 (home) or (716) 631-7013 (work), or via e-mail at dbucki@amherst.ny.us
SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 31, 2007
FYI:
A Special Meeting of the Amherst Town Board will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 31, 2007, in Council Chambers of Amherst Town Hall. The topic of discussion is the Highway contract.
CHINESE SEEK TO BUY A U.S. MAKER OF DISK DRIVES
With so many issues concerning Chinese imports, are we really comfortable with China purchasing one of the two remaining drive makers in the US? William D. Watkins of Seagate Technology was approached by Chinese company officials. The offer has resurrected the issues of economic competitiveness and national security raised three years ago when Lenovo, a Chinese computer maker, bought I.B.M.’s personal computer business.
“Tensions have been increasing lately between the countries over China’s ambitions in developing its military abilities and advanced technologies for industrial and consumer uses.”
“Although disk drives do not fall under a list of export-controlled technologies, the attempted purchase of an American disk drive company would require a security review by the federal government, according to several government officials.”
[read whole story]
COMPANIES AGREE TO PAY TO SETTLE SAT ERROR SUIT
More than four thousand students were scored incorrectly on their SAT back in 2005. Their scores were reported hundreds of points lower than they should have been. The two companies involved in that fiasco have agreed to pay each student about $275.
“Under the proposed settlement, the students would receive $275 each or possibly more, if they can show they had suffered greater damages. The board said last year that for 4,411 students, the reported scores were too low — in a few instances by as many as 450 points out of a possible 2,400. A retired judge will decide the final payments.”
“Edna Johnson, a spokeswoman for the College Board, said yesterday that the board had agreed to the settlement because “we’re eager to put this behind us and focus on the future.””
[read whole story]
TO WOO EUROPEANS, McDONALD’S GOES UPSCALE
McDonald’s has taken a decidedly upscale turn in it’s European market. The company has been remodeling its restaurants and also tailoring its menu options. The results are paying off.
“Taking a respite from an afternoon of shopping, Ita Clift sips a cappuccino at a McDonald’s. Though she rarely sets foot in the fast-food restaurant, Ms. Clift says she dropped in to this one in the Edgware Road section of Northwest London for a quick boost of energy and because the restaurant “looked so nice and sophisticated.”
“”The Golden Arches are going upscale. Aiming to create a more relaxed experience in a sophisticated atmosphere, McDonald’s is replacing bolted-down plastic yellow-and-white furniture with lime-green designer chairs and dark leather upholstery. It is the restaurant chain’s biggest overhaul in more than 20 years and, with its franchisees, it plans to spend more than 600 million euros ($828 million), remodeling 1,280 European restaurants by the end of this year.”
“The changes are more than cosmetic. McDonald’s is introducing healthier foods and items that cater to regional tastes, like caffè lattes. Hoping to attract more young adults and professionals, in addition to its core customer base of children, the chain is also adding amenities like Internet access and rental iPods.”
[read whole story]
WITH SOFTWARE AND SOLDERING, A NON-AT&T iPHONE
The Apple iPod was introduced just a few short weeks ago. If you want one you paid a hefty price and were tied to an AT&T contract. That may change sooner than they would like to see. A 17 year old has unlocked two of the devices and made them accessible to other cell phone companies.
“George Hotz, a resident of Glen Rock, N.J., published detailed instructions online this week that he says will let iPhone owners abandon AT&T’s service and use their phones on some competing cellular networks.”
“Mr. Hotz’s method, which requires a soldering gun, a steady hand and a set of obscure software tools, is one of several techniques that have emerged over the last week to break the technological locks confining the iPhone to AT&T’s network.”
““This was about opening up the device for everyone,” Mr. Hotz said in an interview over his iPhone, which he was using on the network of T-Mobile, a rival to AT&T.”
[read whole story]
AMHERST RESIDENTS INVITED TO GREEN SPACE MEETING
Amherst residents for green space invites you to a meeting on ~
August 28 (Tuesday) at 7:00pm.
Mel’s Crow’s Nest located 315 Campbell Blvd. near Dodge Road.
Council member Bill Kindel will set the facts straight about the 12 million bond for green space.
Then we will have a discussion on how to get the correct facts out to the residents of Amherst.
We saved Nature View Park from development now lets save even more green space in Amherst. Other towns are watching Amherst to see how this turns out. Lets save green space for the future generation.
Any question please call or email me at:
Kim Goodman
564-2885 or
MrG00dy@aol.com (please note the ‘00′ are zeros)
MOHAN’S DECISION IMPACTS YOUR SCHOOL TAX BILL - OUCH!
When your school tax bills come you may be in for a surprise. If you are a Sweet Home or a Williamsville School District resident you are facing a tax issue that reflects directly back on Dr. Mohan’s decision concerning reassessment. The following letters were written to Supervisor Mohan by the Superintendents of both school districts.
This letter is from Sweet Home Superintendent Geoffrey M. Hicks
August 16, 2007
Dr. Satish Mohan, Supervisor Amherst Town Hall
5583 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14221
Dear Dr Mohan:
I have recently read media reports that the Town of Amherst will be unable to reassess properties in order to return to full value assessment for the 2008-2009 school tax year. In correspondence to me dated May 31, 2007, you assured the school district that returning to full value assessment was “my plan and it is doable; we are not late”. The Town of Amherst’s inability to fulfill your promise to return to full value assessment is, in my opinion, both irresponsible and disheartening to the taxpayers of Amherst.
The Sweet Home School District calculates that an additional million dollars of tax levy will be shifted to the Town of Amherst taxpayers this year due to the decision to drop full value assessment, with the potential for a shift of millions more in the future. Taxpayers in each school district in the town will be disadvantaged as a result of the failure to maintain full value assessment. In your previous public comments on the full value issue, you have incorrectly insisted that there would be no increase in taxes as a result of Amherst dropping from full value assessment. The three school districts in the Town have repeatedly advised you of the negative effect of your decision, which is exacerbated by the failure to return to full value assessment in the upcoming school year.
As a result of the Office of Real Property dropping the equalization rate from 100% to 92%, the total tax bill for Amherst residents within the Sweet Home Central School District will increase by slightly more than $ 300,000 for the upcoming school year due. As we predicted in letters sent to you earlier, the lax levy assigned to the Town of Tonawanda property homeowners was shifted to the bills of Amherst taxpayers because of the 8% drop in equalization rate in the Town of Amherst. Homeowners in the Sweet Home section of Amherst will see their tax rate increase by $0.37 per thousand, which translates to a 2.67% increase. Due to the fact that there will be no reassessment in the Town of Amherst during the 2007-08 school year, it is highly unlikely that the equalization rate for the Town of Amherst will continue to drop precipitously, again causing more tax levy to shift from the Town of Tonawanda to the Town of Amherst. The tax shift due to equalization would not have occurred had the Town of Amherst, maintained its full value program, which had been in effect for the past seven years.
Another negative impact of the decision to abandon the full value assessment program is an overall reduction in the STAR exemptions for local Taxpayers. Amherst homeowners in the Sweet Home District will lose at least $1,500 in STAR exemptions, while senior citizens will lose approximately $ 2,800 of STAR exemptions in 2008-09. The lost value translates to an increase of $20 to $60 in taxes on Amherst homes plus reduction in the STAR rebate amount.
A third negative impact of the failure to maintain full value assessment will be a proliferation in assessment challenges by businesses. The challenges will be directly related to the equalization rate set by the Office of Real Property Tax and will result in increased legal fees to litigate the challenges, as well as reduced assessed valuation should business assessments be reduced in court.
The fourth negative impact of the failure to maintain full assessment is the annual loss of a $200,000 grant provided by the Office of Real Property to municipalities as an incentive to continue the full value program. New York State believes so strongly in the concept of full value assessment that it provides a significant financial incentive for municipalities that choose to maintain it. The concept of full value assessment is the most equitable way to ensure that all homeowners pay their fair share of the tax burden. Without a system of full value assessment, the Office of Real Property is forced to estimate full value, which manifests as an equalization rate that spreads the estimated value among all homeowners rather than [hose whose homes truly increased in value.
The most disappointing element of these events is that they were all avoidable. In correspondence sent to you on January 16, 2007, the business officials, superintendents and Board of Education presidents of the three school districts in the Town of Amherst spelled out the consequences of failing to maintain fun value assessment. In your response to that letter, you assured us that the Town would return to full value during this year.
Please be advised that when the Sweet Home Board of Education establishes the tax rate at their August 21, 2007 meeting we will inform the taxpayers that the rate was negatively impacted by decisions in the Town of Amherst regarding full value assessment. Further, it is the intention of the Sweet Home School District to advocate strongly with local politicians to reverse your decision and return to full value assessment as quickly as possible.
As I have stated in previous letters to you, the school district stands ready to work with the Town toward a positive resolution of this issue. I can be reached at 250-1402 should you wish to discuss the full value issue further.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey M. Hicks
Superintendent of Schools
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following letter is from Howard S. Smith, Superintendent of the Williamsville School District:
August 15, 2007
Dr. Satish Mohan, Supervisor
Amherst Town Hall
5583 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Dear Supervisor Mohan:
As you are aware, the final New York State Office of Real Property Services equalization rate for the Town of Amherst has been established et ninety-two percent (92%). Since November 2007, the superintendents, business officials and Board Presidents have exchanged numerous letters and assisted in providing the Town Board and yourself information on the impact that a decrease in the equalization rate will have on school taxes in the Amherst community. In the April letter to you on this topic, it was indicated that when all tax rate information was final, I would provide you with the actual impact of the lower equalization rate on Amherst residents in the Williamsville District. The information for Williamsville is as follows:
Tax Levy Appropriation: Amherst Increase of $872,512
Clarence Decrease of ($865,442)
Cheektowaga Decrease of ($7.070)
Total Net Change $0
Tax Rate: Amherst Increase of $0.20 or 1.03%
Clarence Decrease of ($1.37) or (7.05%)
Cheektowaga Decrease of ($2.23) or (7.05%)
Had the Town of Amherst remained at a one hundred percent (100%) equalization rate the Towns of Amherst, Clarence, and Cheektowaga would have realized the same tax rate as last year. This would have translated into no tax rate increase for each town. Residents in the Towns of Clarence and Cheektowaga living in the Williamsville Central School District will now realize a tax rate decrease due to the shift in the tax levy to the Town of Amherst. This shift is due to the reduction in the Amherst equalization rate.
In your previous correspondence to me you indicated that the Town of Amherst would be returning to a one hundred percent (100%) equalization rate in 2008. Recent news that the Town of Amherst will not return to a full value assessment program for 2008 is disheartening. For the 2008 levy, Amherst residents will see the property tax levy shift continue should the equalization rate continue to fall. The inability to attain full value in 2008 additionally will result in lower STAR exemptions for certain Amherst residents qualifying for this program. I understand that the Town is continuing to review how to plan to return to the full value assessment program. As in my prior communications to you, I encourage you to provide the needed leadership to ensure that this goal is realized for the benefit or our entire community.
Sincerely,
Howard S. Smith
MAYOR BROWN, REMEMBER FDR ~ “THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF”
Who is putting pressure on Buffalo Mayor Brown to say such benign statements concerning a thief who has worked for the city for years? Dan Kreuz, acting public works commissioner, pleaded guilty to accepting trips from firms which do business with the city.
The District Attorney said he would fire Mr. Kreuz in a New York minute. If one of his employees entered such a plea he would history in short order. Clark went further by saying everyone in the city’s Public Works Department knew about trips and other gratuities that were being lavished on some officials by companies but they “turned a blind eye to it”.
Fear of being fired or physically injured usually stops most good workers from talking to authorities. The wall of silence is the biggest obstacle the DA and police must overcome. It is the one thing they have the hardest time cracking through or climbing over.
Mayor Brown isn’t the kind of man to stand up to any group or individual who get what they want from the city with gifts, threats or blackmail. Brown obviously doesn’t have the guts to fire a worker who has confessed to illegally accepting gifts and trips. Brown’s ‘punishment’ for this criminal is to demote him. He will remain on the city payroll making only $72,401.
Byron Brown has demonstrated he doesn’t have the backbone to be Mayor of Buffalo. He has become a figurehead who smiles and answers to those who are really in power; “Yes sir, yes sir, I will do what you say.”
Why can’t Buffalo leadership get out from under the yoke of corruption? That is one nasty monkey on their back.
NEW ORLEANS FLOOD PLAN UPGRADE URGED
We are all painfully aware of the slow progress that has been made in New Orleans since Katrina hit. The Army Corps of Engineers had a plan that Congress has already moved on. They have appropriated $7.1 billion for repairs and upgrades. OUCH! ~ but that’s not the end. Now they have a new plan.
“By spending an additional $7.6 billion, the Army Corps of Engineers could build higher, tougher floodwalls and gates to seal off waterways like the city’s enormous Inner Harbor Navigation Canal from storm surges, officials said. Permanent pumping stations at the mouths of the city’s drainage canals would block surging water from Lake Pontchartrain and effectively pump water out of the city during storms as well.”
[read whole story]
