Niagara Falls Reporter

DEC 03 - DEC 11, 2013

(Click here to read the Niagara Falls Reporter, SEP 10th edition, exactly as it appears in the print edition.)

Phantom Hamister Agreement Still Shrouded in Secrecy
By Tony Farina
The contract to build the $25.3 million Hamister hotel project in Niagara Falls that was a life-or-death issue for the Dyster Administration before last September’s primary that silenced his chief critic on the City Council, is still a phantom agreement that has not seen the light of day.

Choolokian Lone Voice of Reason In Fetid Snake Pit of Warshaw Contract
By Mike Hudson
The Niagara Falls City Council voted 3-1 last week to continue for two more years the lucrative contract with police department monitor Robert S. Warshaw, whose business it is to force cops here to jump through hoops based on unsubstantiated accusations made primarily on the gripes of criminals who have been arrested.

Choolokian Stops South Junior PILOT; At Least Temporarily, or So It Seems
By Mike Hudson
Publicly subsidized, low income housing projects are particularly beloved by city officials in Niagara Falls. A big part of the money for such projects often comes from the state and federal governments, and the officials get to dot the city with little monuments to themselves.

"I'll Eat My Head" if South Junior Really Costs $26 Million to Build
The absurd proposal - because of the shocking price - to convert the old South Junior High School into 65 small apartments - at $400,000 per apartment, paid for by federal, state and local taxpayers (i.e. you) totaling $26 million, sounds so outrageous it looks fishy.

Toohey Gets 33-Month Federal Term To Think About Lewiston Land Grab
Disbarred attorney Timothy Toohey, 66, of Lewiston, has been sentenced to spend 33 months in federal prison. He was sentenced last week by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara for a guilty plea of embezzling proceeds from a sale of 251 acres of Lewiston farmland to the Seneca Gaming Corp.

Firefighters Toy Fund in 85th Year
Now in its 85th year, the Niagara Falls Firefighters Christmas Toy Fund is mobilizing to try to help bring some holiday joy to those living in poverty and deprivation in our community. As we do every year since 1928, the Toy Fund will spread the Christmas spirit this December.

Dyster's Brewmaster Buddy Now a Convicted Federal Felon, Embezzler
By Frank Parlato
Some years back, the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), awarded a National Beer Judge certificate to Paul A. Dyster of Niagara Falls.

NYPA Aid Nixed by AG Cuomo Reinstated by Governor Cuomo
By James Hufnagel
Six years ago this month, Eliot Spitzer was governor of New York, Paul Dyster had just won a landslide election for mayor of Niagara Falls over Candra Thomason and Barack Obama, not yet a household name, was starting his uphill battle against the Hillary Clinton campaign juggernaut. The future chairman of the New York Power Authority, a gentleman by the name of Richard "Richie" Kessel, was in charge at the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). And an ambitious young rising political star by the name of Andrew Cuomo was New York's attorney general.

M&T Bank Halts Banking With Cuba
The potential for huge fines from the federal government has reportedly prompted Buffalo-based M&T Bank, the 30th largest bank in America, to close its bank account with the consulate of Cuba in Washington, DC.

Cuba Not a Nation but a Prison Surrounded by Water
In Cuba, employment is controlled by the government. Workers make $10 per month. The right to start a business or a workers union does not exist. Emigration is illegal. Freedom of the press, religion or the right of peaceful assembly does not exist.

Elizabeth Leigh Garner, Innocent or Guilty? Despite accepting 'light' sentence, ex-NFL Cheerleader denies Sex Assault of 12-Year-old Boy
By Frank Parlato
It was reported last month that former NFL cheerleader Elizabeth Leigh Garner, 42, of Nashville, Ten., was sentenced to 18 months probation on a charge of reckless endangerment.

Dutchmen Give Rummies Beer in Return for Work
New Social Program May be Pathway for Progress
Frank Parlato
In the Alpha city of Amsterdam, the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the great European financial centers, lies Oosterpark. Used mainly by locals, the park has an elongated lake, trees and grasslands, bridges, statutes, bike paths, and sedges of grey herons, companies of wild parrots, flocks of wild ducks, and a gaggle of louts who beg, bum cigarettes, drink beer, get rowdy, fight, make bawdy comments to women, urinate publicly, and sleep it off in the park.

Letter to the Editor
Once again this year, Schoellkopf Park has come alive with a beautiful display of holiday lights that brightens the entire neighborhood and brings smiles to the faces of people of all ages especially the residents of our Schoellkopf Health Center, whose rooms and dining areas overlook the park.

This Week in Stupid Crime
By Mike Hudson
A smash and grab burglary last week is looking more and more like an inside job, city police said. The heist occurred at Niagara Power Wash, 1926 New Jersey Ave., and was discovered by an employee reporting for work at 8:30 a.m. He called the business owner who, in turn, called the cops. A window on the front door of the bottle return business had been smashed, which allowed burglars to reach in and unlock the deadbolt the owner had secured himself when he closed up at 7:30 the previous evening.

Your Weekly Horoscope: It's in the Stars...
By Jean Topascani
Aries: Health and love life grow bleak when fiancee hurls tomahawk into your chest. Finances improve for coworker who takes your job. Increase your medication. Meddling leads to loss of limbs, suicide and a windfall. Use the $50 bucks for a new tattoo.

Desperate and Dateless
People definitely notice me and say I have a healthy smile.

Need a coat, gloves or hat? Go to Capitol Cleaners this Saturday, Dec 7th, 1227 Main st., Niagara Falls, NY, between 10am and 2pm. There'll be distribution of coats for kids as well as adults.
Read related story: 'Coats for Kids' has coat giveaway for needy

If the whole world stands against you sword in hand, would you still dare to do what you think is right?

A book by Mike Hudson

Local 91

Strength is one thing needfull...

"The earth is enjoyed by heroes"—

this is the unfailing truth.

Contact Info
©2012 The Niagara Falls Reporter Inc. POB 3083, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14304 E-mail: info@niagarafallsreporter.com Phone: (716) 284-5595	Publisher and Editor in Chief: Frank Parlato Founding Editor: Mike Hudson Managing Editor: Dr. Chitra Selvaraj Senior Editor: Tony Farina Contributors: Lori Lane, Moose Jr., James Hufnagel