DATA ABOUT ZETIA RISKS WAS NOT FULLY REVEALED
I love it when I read about a medication that I know people near and dear to me take. When I discover ‘coverup’ or a lack of full disclosure about serious concerns the drug company is fully aware of but hasn’t yet warned the public about it drives me crazy. Zetia is one of those drugs.
“New evidence shows that drug makers Merck and Schering-Plough never published several studies that raised questions about a cholesterol drug’s risks to the liver.”
“Partial results of the studies, alluded to in documents on the Food and Drug Administration’s Web site, raise questions about whether Zetia can cause liver damage when used long term with other cholesterol drugs called statins.”
“Most of the millions of people who use Zetia take it along with a statin like Lipitor, Crestor or Zocor. Or they take it in a single pill, Vytorin, that combines Zetia with Zocor.”
[read whole story]
HIGGINS’ STATEMENT ON THRUWAY TOLL INCREASE
Congressman Brian Higgins released the following statement following the New York State Thruway Authority’s action today to move forward on toll increases in 2009 and 2010:
“Today’s action by the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) to increase tolls clearly demonstrates the board’s callous disregard for the residents they were appointed to serve. Over the last few weeks, commuters and lawmakers across the state unanimously expressed opposition to the plan. Nevertheless, this public authority has used their absolute power to impose an astonishing 45% increase in tolls in just five years. At the same time, the Thruway Authority continues to justify their toll increase with broken promises to Western New York. According to their capital plan they will fall hundreds of millions of dollars short in delivering the infrastructure improvements to Western New York on which they base their need for additional tolls. I will continue to fight for the obvious reforms needed to prevent the continued burden shouldered by local residents.”
JON POWERS COMES AFTER TOM REYNOLDS
Former Army Captain Jon Powers is gaining momentum in his drive to be the Democratic nominee for the House seat now held by Republican Rep. Tom Reynolds.
The Powers campaign has just garnered a second key Democratic endorsement within a week, with the Orleans County Democratic Committee joining the Genesee County Democrats in endorsing the Powers candidacy for Congress in 2008.
“I’m convinced that Jon Powers will bring a new kind of leadership to Washington,” commented Sally Rytlewski, the Orleans chairwoman, n reference to the endorsement. “The career politicians have failed to do the job. The only way for everyday people to bring about change in Washington is by changing who we’re sending to Washington.”
The Powers campaign said securing of these two key countywide endorsements provides further evidence that Western New Yorkers are rallying behind Powers’ message of change, and tired of candidates who put the interests of Big Business and Washington lobbyists ahead of what is right for the voters.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have the support of the Orleans County Democrats” commented Powers. “The people of this area deserve a representative in Washington that they can be proud of. Together we can bring a new kind of leadership to New York’s 26th Congressional District, and this endorsement brings us one step closer to that goal.”
PoliticsNY.net
Editor -Joseph Illuzzi
JANUARY 7TH IS THE DATE FOR THE FIRST TOWN BOARD MONDAY NIGHT MEETING OF 2008
December, 17th was the last Town Meeting of the year. Our present Town Board will not meet the next two Monday afternoons for work sessions.
The next official afternoon Town Board work session and Town Board Monday night meetings will be on January the 7th with the new Town Board members. Best of luck to everyone involved.
SUPERVISOR MOHAN TAKES A VACATION
Supervisor Mohan will be on vacation from noon on Tuesday, December 18th,through the evening of Friday, December 28th. All matters should be referred to Deputy Supervisor Roy Wixson in the Supervisor’s absence.
A SERIOUS REQUEST OF SUPERVISOR MOHAN: KEEP YOUR PROMISES TO ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WORKERS
Frank P. Fanara, Sewer Maintenance Engineer, sent a letter to Supervisor Mohan concerning the failure of the Supervisor to keep his sworn promise concerning the promotions of Engineering Department personnel which were to be effective January 1, 2008.
At two separate budget meetings Supervisor Mohan promised Mr. Fanara the following personnel would be promoted by January 1st, 2008:
AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIVISION –Three Laborers to Maintenance Workers
AT THE SEWER MAINTENANCE DIVISION: Fours Laborers to Motor Equipment Operators (MEO)
One MEO to Labor Crew Chief.
These promotions were included in the 2008 budget. Frank requested the promotions be placed on the December 17, 2008 Town Board Meeting Agenda. Personnel informed Mr. Fanara this would not happen and as a result these individuals will not be promoted on January 1, 2008, as Mohan promised.
In his letter Mr. Fanara wrote:
“I again request that the men in this Department be promoted as “promised” so that we can continue to maintain our efficiency and not pay out-of-class for our day to day operations.”
What does it take for Mohan to keep just one promise?
THE STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS
The “State of Town” address will be delivered on January 25, 2008. More information will follow as soon as it becomes available.
DR. MOHAN APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBER SHELLY SCHRATZ DEPUTY SUPERVISOR AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2007
Dr. Mohan has appointed Council Member Shelly Schratz as the new Deputy Supervisor for one year beginning January 1, 2008.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL SEASONAL RECREATION EMPLOYEES
Anne E. Schiferle, Director of Recreation for Amherst, has recommended expanding the criminal background checks to include all new employees whether full or part-time, and all potential seasonal employees.
If the public has any questions please call 631-7132, ext.14.
WORD ON THE STREET:
Amherst’s Town Attorney, Tom Jones, is a serious contender for the Erie County Attorney position in the new Administration of County Executive Chris Collins. Best of luck, Tom is a class act.
