According to reports on the news the price of gasoline has slipped below $4 a gallon in many areas of our country.  We’re still running about $4.17 at this point.  If the news holds true we may enjoy a bit of a reprieve during the rest of the summer. 

The price of gasoline is dropping fast as Americans drive less. Natural gas prices, which had risen the fastest this year as traders anticipated a hot summer, have fallen 33 percent since the beginning of the month.
[read whole story]

When you, your friends and family want to go out for a meal have you stopped at Bennigan’s recently?  No, well not many others have either.  In this time of belt tightening Bennigan’s and a sister brand, Steak and Ale, have closed their doors.  Only a few franchise restaurants will remain open for now.

“The parent company of Bennigan’s, an Irish-themed bar and grill with about 200 sites across the country, filed for bankruptcy, a move that will put hundreds of employees out of work and leave many landlords with empty retail space during a painful time in the real estate market.”

“The restaurants are the latest casualties in the so-called casual dining sector, considered a cut above fast food. Soaring food costs and a surfeit of locations have hurt the companies’ bottom lines just as Americans are choosing to take more meals at home.”
[read whole story]

Says DOJ Sacrificed Homeland Security in the Name of Partisanship 

Washington, D.C.-    Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) today blasted the Bush Administration for what a Department of Justice report deemed the illegal use of political influence in the hiring process of US Attorneys. The report cites an example of a highly qualified U.S. Attorney from Western New York who Bush appointee Monica Goodling, the report says, passed over based on his and his wife’s political affiliation, giving the position to a far lesser qualified candidate who is a registered Republican.    

“The war on terror has purportedly been the Bush Administration’s first priority - by passing over a highly qualified prosecutor for a prosecutor with lesser credentials and no counter-terrorism experience, they demonstrated that the war on terror is secondary to Republican cronyism on their priority list,” Congressman Higgins said. “The sustained pattern of gross misconduct that was permitted and even encouraged by this Administration and its Department of Justice leadership sacrificed our nation’s homeland security at the altar of partisan loyalty. Make no mistake, as a consequence of this deliberate and partisan misconduct, our nation was made less safe.” 

In a letter to Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, Higgins called on Mukasey to use subpoena power to investigate whether political influence went beyond that of the officials examined in the report  and the role of former Attorney General Gonzales in directing these policies, as well as to investigate whether former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Monica Goodling or other administration officials committed perjury when testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on May 23, 2007.  Higgins has also demanded immediate structural reforms within the Department of Justice to ensure such violations may never occur again.  

To Mukasey, Higgins wrote, “The public’s trust in this Administration and the Department of Justice has been shaken by this appalling report.  As the head of this august agency it is incumbent upon you to take decisive action to restore that trust by aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who are responsible for it, and by acting decisively to institute safeguards to ensure that our homeland security is never again sublimated to such flagrantly partisan considerations.”   

The full text of the letter is below:  

Attorney General Mukasey: 

I am writing to express my serious concern and incredulity about the report issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility and Office of the Inspector General regarding the illegal and improper political influence in hiring and personnel decision-making under this Administration. 

The sustained pattern of gross misconduct that was permitted and even encouraged by this Administration and its Department of Justice leadership sacrificed our nation’s homeland security at the altar of partisan loyalty.  In my own congressional district an Assistant United States Attorney (referenced in the report as “Candidate #1”), an accomplished and experienced terrorism prosecutor who investigated and prosecuted a terrorist cell operating in Western New York in one of the most significant counterterrorism cases in United States history, was denied a counterterrorism position in the Department of Justice.  The report found that he was passed over because of his wife’s political involvement in the Democratic Party, in favor of an applicant who was deemed a sufficiently loyal partisan but who did not even meet the basic requirements for the job.  Make no mistake, as a consequence of this deliberate and partisan misconduct, our nation was made less safe. 

Of further concern are media reports that you find the dilution of our counterterrorism capabilities and the brazen violation of our civil service laws in the furtherance of a conservative movement jobs program to be merely “disturbing”.  I find it to be so much more troubling than that.  That is why I demand that you use your subpoena power to investigate whether the improper and illegal political influence went beyond the officials examined in the report, and to determine the extent to which Attorney General Gonzales and other White House officials were involved in directing these policies. 

Further, I demand that the Department of Justice undertake an immediate investigation into whether Attorney General Gonzales, Monica Goodling, or other Administration officials committed perjury when they testified before the House Judiciary Committee on May 23, 2007 and downplayed the egregiousness of these deplorable policies and practices.   

Lastly, it is imperative that your office take immediate action to institute structural reforms to make sure violations of this magnitude never happen again, under future Republican or Democratic administrations.  I am sure that, in light of this shocking report, my colleagues and I in Congress will initiate legislative measures to ensure such reforms.  However I submit that such reforms can be taken administratively in the interim, and request information on exactly what reforms you propose to take and when they will be implemented.   

The public’s trust in this Administration and the Department of Justice has been shaken by this appalling report.  As the head of this august agency it is incumbent upon you to take decisive action to restore that trust by aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who are responsible for it, and by acting decisively to institute safeguards to ensure that our homeland security is never again sublimated to such flagrantly partisan considerations.   

I look forward to your response and action and proposed response to the actions requested in this letter. 

We would like to explain what is known about the two New York State inquires that we referred to in our previous letter. All documents are public record and can be viewed at Town Hall. 

Both inquires were initiated by AKA Jane Doe (Lucia Almeida), another concerned citizen who is a homeowner in the Foxberry/Campbell Rd area. Jane Doe is representing the four-area residential petitioners that are opposed to rezoning of the Rubino project on Campbell Boulevard (against the Comprehensive Plan). Jane Doe is encountering the same tactics The Fairways Group experienced throughout our REZONING conflict.

Jane Doe personally delivered numerous documents as evidence of wrongdoing at Town Hall to U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton’s office in New York City on June 23, 2008 and N.Y. Senator Mary Lou Rath on June 17, 2008. These documents included recorded hearings supporting the non-compliance and violations of laws, procedures and the rights of homeowners to protect and preserve the existing zoning that affords them their quality of life and protects their home values.

At the July 7th Public Hearing of Rubino versus the residents case, those in attendance heard John Rubino express gratitude to Deputy Councilperson SHELLY SCHRATZ for visiting the property and speaking with residents. We have learned, and is public record, that on July 7th, Deputy Supervisor Shelly Schratz and John Rubino PERSONALLY visited the homes of four targeted, vulnerable, elderly residents that were crucial to getting the proposal passed. These residents had held to the petition for four months, despite calls, letters and visits, but WITHDREW on the SAME DAY of their visit.

“Neither Mr. Rubino or Deputy (Supervisor) Shelly Schratz came to my residence,” states
M.J. Washer and G. Stender of 480 Campbell Blvd.

“Apparently, the perceived influence of the Deputy Supervisor lends credibility and therefore was effective with these seniors,” added Ms. Marando, 10-year Foxberry resident.

This smacks of shameful, unethical behavior from the Deputy Supervisor who is using her position and influence to promote a developer’s project. Furthermore, this abuse comes from a Councilmember who presents herself as someone who is protective and sympathetic to the plight of our elderly residents, yet willingly participated in the exploitation of them. IS DEMOCRACY FOR SALE??

Jane Doe is using her mettle to expose the unscrupulous methods used to pass illegal development in our community. This has resulted in a smear campaign to discredit her by Rubino and others. Jane Doe is a U.S. Air Force Captain (yet to be out processed) who possesses the core values of integrity, excellence and service.

The Fairways Group is just one of the evolving grass-roots constituencies challenging the abuse of power by our duly elected where laws, procedures and the fundamental rights of homeowners to protect their property, a cornerstone of civil society, is being denied.

Our collective voices have been ignored by our local Town officials so we will take them to our State officials to ask for their intervention. Let our State officials know TODAY that all of us, from all neighborhoods are outraged by the political machine that is running out-of-control in Amherst. That this “machine” is destroying the quality of life for many residents and making a mockery out of our democratic principles and process that our founding fathers crafted and fought to preserve, our forefathers fought to preserve and our soldiers are currently fighting to preserve.

We NOW have the momentum to reclaim our Town

“Democracy works when ORDINARY people claim it for THEIR own,” - Bill Moyers.

“WE WILL NOT BE SILENT! WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!” (Democracy Now.org) Will be our
mantra.

Judy Ferraro
The Fairways Group

Call/Write/Fax:

SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON    212-688-6262
           Department of Constituent Affairs
           780 Third Avenue, Suite 2601
           New York, New York  10017-2024
           FAX:  212-688-7444

ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW CUOMO
           Local Office:   Statler Towers       
                                 107 Delaware Ave.
                                 853-8400
           Albany Office
           The Capitol
           Albany, 12224-0341
            518-474-7330
CONGRESSMAN THOMAS REYNOLDS
          Local Office:   500 Essjay Rd. Suite 260
          716-634-2324         FAX 716-631-7610

SENATOR MARY LOU RATH
          Local Office:   5500 Main St. Suite 260
          633-0331

Dr. Mohan’s orders were very clear.  He is in charge of the government of Amherst.  He has informed the Building Department Head, and his staff of 19 home inspectors, that they may not take their scheduled, approved vacations, and if any workers are now on vacation they must return to work or else the entire group will be fired for not obeying this direct order. 

Nick Paolni, the Union President of the CSEA, informed Supervisor Mohan his orders are out of line and the union will fight him every step of the way.  He told the workers to stay on vacation and those scheduled for a vacation that they may go.  

Supervisor Mohan realizes he doesn’t want to go against the union, so I do believe he will rescind his ridiculous order.

Menos- From SpeakupWNYcom- Concerning The Mohan Outburst Against The Workers

A) No wonder the department heads hate Mohan. He penalizes them even when they try to help him out. I understand most of the department heads were there. They must have been really demoralized. And did the Town Board sit there like a bunch of sheep? Or did anyone speak out? I, too, will be interested to see how the media handles this. It is outrageous.

B) c)Satish Cancels all vacations?

Isn’t Satish almost always out of town or out of the country? Is Satish cancelling his own vacations until he delivers on his campaign promises to reduce taxes 15%, fix the sinking homes, end assessment hassles, reduce traffic congestion and cure the common cold? 

C) Will  Satish fired all the employees who take vacations and those who don’t come back from their vacations.

D) to let you know it is worse than what has been posted here. There are “things” said by the TS and his prime TB supporter that are so far from the TRUTH that it is sickening. He has almost totally alienated probably one of the few DH that no matter who was the TS, he tried to do what was best for servicing the town, not ignorance nor political ego nor ambition. I hope some of you show up to the next TB meeting and voice your concerns (maybe even Billie ‘70 for an encore).
My bet is the new TE will not last past Jan. 09.

Dr. Mohan asked Tom Ketchum to take on another job in addition to being the Amherst Building Department Head.  He asked him to be the Assistant Town Engineer for two weeks before Mr. Ketchum prior to his going on a family vacation.  Tom agreed and was assured he would receive $500 a week for each of those two weeks.

Today was the day Mr. Ketchum should have received his final $500 but as so often happens, our Town Supervisor wouldn’t pay him.  He told Mr. Ketchum the Building Department was “far behind” in building permits, which was a gross lie on Mohan‘s part.  This continues Mohan’s well deserved reputation as a liar.  Mohan said he checked the building permits and that there were thousands to be checked.  He said Tom and his department hadn’t done a good job, which was a lie. 

The building Department handles at least 5,000 permits per year and they were only 36 permits left to be acted upon.  Mohan became angry and said Ketchum and everyone in his department could not go on vacation.  He acted like Joseph Stalin; a mad, out of control, nut case.

Mohan wouldn’t even listen to his faithful guide, Shelly Schratz.  He walked out of the meeting muttering, “No one will get a vacation.”

If you listen to him ranting and raving like a mad man it’s easy to see that he needs help.  Most of the Town Board members believe he is ill.  The only member who didn’t say he was ill was Mark Manna, because he wasn’t present.

Mohan often is lost during discussions. He doesn’t remember what he said in as little as 20 minutes after he says something.  He hired two interns at eleven dollars an hour each because he wanted to pay them four more dollars than other seasonal employees, just because he could.

Our Supervisor doesn’t like the American way of governing.  He believes in the socialist form of government.  Democracy is too bothersome for him.  It puts shackles on what he wants to do.  His plan seems to be to put “his” people in power and turn Amherst into a little Moscow.  

It’s Sunday and you go to church to share in a celebration of faith with family and friends.  Suddenly your world is turned upside down.  A stranger comes into the sanctuary and begins firing a shotgun.  WHY?  There is no clear answer forthcoming.

“A man armed with a shotgun entered a church in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday and opened fire as congregants were watching a youth performance, killing two people and leaving at least seven others wounded before he was subdued by church members, witnesses and police officials said.”

“Police officials said they had charged Jim D. Adkisson, 58, of Powell, Tenn., with first-degree murder.”
[read whole story]

BUFFALO, NY – Elmwood Avenue has become the first commercial district in Western New York to embrace on-street recycling thanks to an $18,480 grant awarded to the Elmwood Village Association by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo!   A press event will be held on Tuesday, July 29^th at 10am in front of the Lexington Coop located at 807 Elmwood Avenue to celebrate the installation of seven new recycling stations. 

“This program supports the Foundation’s focus area of leveraging and enhancing our region’s natural resources by making the Elmwood Village a cleaner, greener place. These recycling stations are an example of how a seemingly small effort can make a significant impact on a community. Having a public on-street recycling program demonstrates our commitment to better the environment for current and future generations”, said Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, Executive Director for the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. 

Elmwood Village Association staff worked with local steel artist, Mark Griffis, to design and install seven (7), unique and artistic, on-street recycling stations on Elmwood Avenue.  The recycling stations have separate ports for paper, glass, plastic, aluminum cans, and trash. 

“We’re thrilled to bring on-street recycling to the Elmwood Village.  The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s grant funding enabled the Association to create a unique, locally crafted recycling station that supports responsible stewardship of our environment”, said Elmwood Village Association Executive Director Justin Azzarella.  

The Elmwood Village Association works with businesses, residents, and institutions to enhance the unique urban character of our community; foster an economically healthy commercial district that is vibrant, walkable, clean, safe, and sustainable; and create a sense of community and belonging amongst all of its diverse residents, businesses, institutions and visitors.