There has been much written in the Buffalo News about meetings between Town Board members and a developer to discuss the developer’’s project.  As long as a majority of the Board wasn’t present meetings such as this are legal.

Councilmembers Dan Ward, Dr. Barry Weinstein, and Mark Manna never attended any of the meetings.  The only members who met with the developer at the same time were Shelly Schratz, Guy Marlette and Dr. Mohan.  Council member Bucki met earlier in the year by herself with the developer to catch up with what was happening with the project.

These meetings were to inform Councilmembers of changes in the project.  There was nothing underhanded discussed.

“A contaminated blood thinner from China has been found in drug supplies in 11 countries, and federal officials said Monday they had discovered a clear link between the contaminant and severe reactions now associated with 81 deaths in the United States.”

“But a Chinese official disputed the assertion that the contaminant found in the drug, heparin, caused any deaths and insisted that his country’s inspectors be allowed to inspect the American plant where the finished heparin vials were made. He said any future agreement to allow American inspections of Chinese firms should be reciprocal.”
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As we head toward the November elections McCain has pledged to avoid the appearance of dispensing official favors for donars., but Donald R. Diamond is the kind of friend who can pose a test.  McCain has already put himself in a questionable position.

“onald R. Diamond, a wealthy Arizona real estate developer, was racing to snap up a stretch of virgin California coast freed by the closing of an Army base a decade ago when he turned to an old friend, Senator John McCain.”

“hen Mr. Diamond wanted to buy land at the base, Fort Ord, Mr. McCain assigned an aide who set up a meeting at the Pentagon and later stepped in again to help speed up the sale, according to people involved and a deposition Mr. Diamond gave for a related lawsuit. When he appealed to a nearby city for the right to develop other property at the former base, Mr. Diamond submitted Mr. McCain’s endorsement as “a close personal friend.””

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I love reading headlines in the national papers that declare”Gas prices reach $3.50 per gallon!”  Yeah, duh.  We knew that more than a week ago because we’ve been paying that apparently before the rest of the country.  Wouldn’t you love to know why?  Me too.

“Gasoline prices surpassed $3.50 a gallon nationwide for the first time and oil jumped to a record on Monday as the long rise of energy prices showed little evidence of giving way to recession fears.”

“The national average price for regular gasoline is up 22 percent from a year earlier, according to AAA, the automobile club. Some analysts expect it to approach $4 a gallon this summer, when demand is at a peak. Diesel fuel prices reached a record $4.20 a gallon on Monday, on average, compared with $2.93 a gallon a year earlier.”
[read whole story]

Urges Passage of Key Environmental Legislation 

Today, in support of Earth Day, State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), called for New York to take action for the environment. 

“Earth Day has always been a time when all Americans are asked to think about how they can become more environmentally friendly,” said Senator Krueger.  “On this day, it is only fair that we expect the same from our elected representatives.  That is why I am calling on my colleagues in the Senate to step up, and put New York at the front of the environmental movement.  There are a number of legislative proposals, that could have a huge impact on the future.”   

Since arriving in Albany Senator Krueger has made environmental issues a top priority.  To date, Senator Krueger has sponsored legislation calling for an update to New York’s returnable container act (S7126), a bill banning Styrofoam (S6402), a bill that calls for recycling of rechargeable batteries (S6469), and a bill that requires cigarette filters to be biodegradable (S3354).   

By updating the returnable container act, more commonly known as the “Bottle Bill”, New York would be enhancing one of the most effective pieces of environmental legislation to date.  Bill S7126 would increase recycling by expanding the number of bottles covered to include non-carbonated beverages like water and flavored drinks.  The bill would also create more of an incentive to recycle by increasing the deposit to 10 cents.  Finally, a portion of unclaimed deposits, which are currently kept by the beverage industry, would be put in the Environmental Protection Fund.  This would generate millions of dollars annually for many important environmental initiatives across the state. 

Senator Krueger has also introduced the Food Service Waste Reduction Act (S6402).  This bill would phase out the use of polystyrene products, more commonly known as Styrofoam.  Polystyrene is a notorious pollutant because of the difficulty to either reuse or recycle it.  Furthermore, Styrofoam packs our landfills since it takes many years to fully decompose.  Earlier this month, Senator Krueger called for vote of the full Senate on the Styrofoam ban.  Unfortunately for the citizens of New York, this motion was defeated along party lines, with the Senate Republicans unanimously opposed to it. 

New York needs rechargeable batteries to be recycled because they can contain toxic metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury.  When these batteries are not properly disposed of, they can leak toxic pollutants into our lakes, streams and land.  That is why Senator Kruger sponsored bill S6496, which would require rechargeable battery manufacturers to work in partnership with New York retailers to set up a free, easily accessible recycling network for residents. 

Cigarette filters are one of the most common causes of litter on our streets and parks.  S3354 would address this problem by requiring them to be biodegradable.  This would be both a practical and economic solution to this problem. 

Senator Krueger noted, “Each of these bills would reduce the amount of waste filling our landfills and littering the streets of New York.  We must take advantage of such common sense legislation, that exemplifies the policy of reduce, reuse, and recycle.” 

Senator Krueger also highlighted some of the legislative priorities of Environmental Advocates of New York.  “Environmental Advocates of New York have been a voice for all New Yorkers who care about the future of our planet.  I applaud them on their efforts and look forward to continuing to work with them,” said Senator Krueger. 

The three legislative initiatives that Senator Krueger specifically touched on were the Climate Change Solutions Program Act and Fund (S5347, and S5371), Wetlands Protections (S3835), and the State Green Building Construction Act (S5442).   

The Climate Change Solutions Program Act and Fund would require that money generated from the selling of emission allowances would be designated for environmental initiatives, such as energy efficiency programs and the development of clean, renewable energy sources. 

Wetlands Protections is one of Environmental Advocates for New York’s super bills.  The bill would give the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to regulate fresh water wetlands which are important to maintaining the quality of drinking water in New York. 

The State Green Building Construction Act will require the state to follow green building principles for all new construction and major renovations.  Green buildings use resources more efficiently and effectively.  They also reduce their impact on the environment by using recyclable or recycled materials.  Green buildings also take advantage of renewable and energy efficient power generating systems. 

Senator Krueger stressed, “We do not have to wait for others to take action.  The proposed bills for New York will make a difference, and set a precedent, for the whole world.  Being green is all of our responsibility, from the federal, to the state, to the local level.”

Jack Davis is taking his third run for Congress. He will be running for the open seat vacated by Congressman Tom Reynolds. He will investing 3 million of his own money.

Do these names sound familiar to some of our more “mature” Democrats: MUSKIE, McGOVERN, GARY HART,and McCARTHY?  Then you might well recall how these Democratic Candidates for President shot each other down.

The newest installment of Democratic ritual suicide, otherwise known as the 2008 camgaign, is something special: It’s not just the protracted and painful nomination struggle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton which repeats all the classic themes of intra-Democratic conflict - left vs. center, reformer vs. the Establishment, pragmatist vs. idealist.  Call it what you will but this struggle can lead to Democratic ritual suicide.

Democrats have never been asked to choose quite so nakedly which absolutely necessary demographic they would like to do without.  Here is the question, a cynic might suggest, that the Democratic Party must answer this summer: Do we want to lose because we drove away blacks or because we drove away white women? (Recent polling data suggests another cynical question: Do we prefer the candidate Americans believe is a liar or the one they believe is a Muslim?)

Whoever the Democrats nominate will not be facing a popular incumbent but an awkward Republican nominee who has embraced an unpopular war and remains unloved by his own party’s base.  

The party is caught in an excruciating Catch-22.  Whether it chooses the establishment figure or the liberal reformer, history offers many paths to defeat.

Dan Ward’s endorsement by Len Lenihan for the 61st State Senate seat won’t be a surprise to anyone.  Len knows when it comes to the best person there is for this seat Dan Ward stands above the crowd.

By: James Tricoli

Jim Allen, the dictator, I mean director of the Amherst IDA, the only Director the Amherst IDA has ever had since its formation over 20 years ago, doesn’t want change even if it benefits the citizens of Amherst greatly.  Allen wants it his way or no way at all.  He said his job is not to get jobs for the people of Amherst.  “Our policy should be based on the economics of the deal and the benefits to the community.  Our benefits and incentives are to spur economic investment.  The jobs will follow.” 

Allen also admitted he doesn’t know if companies inflate their job commitments to bet better tax breaks, even after the IDA specifically tells them not to.  Now, who would expect them to lie?  Just to get a tax break????  Clawbacks mean the Amherst IDA could recover past tax breaks if a company failed to live up to job commitments it made when it sought aid.  

Mr. Bob Ciesielski’s proposal would formally add this clause on all Amherst IDA contracts allowing tax breaks.  He said this would be a tool which could be activated by the board vote on a case to case basis.Stuart C. Shapiro, a UB Professor, joined with Mr. Ciesielski expressing concern that companies wouldn’t take advantage of the IDA and its incentives if they knew the agency would take back breaks and if they failed to meet how many jobs were created.

The Amherst Town Board passed a resolution calling for such a policy.  Mr. James Allen, the Director of the Amherst IDA, has made it clear he IS the Amherst IDA and in no way will he cooperate with the Town of Amherst.  He knows Amherst wants him to step down from his throne and he won’t do it. This being the case Allen will use all his power to support the builders and dump on his own town.  Amherst must remember they have no power over him so he can do as he pleases.