The Buffalo Chronicle
Niagara County
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Many Niagara Falls residents want the City to benefit directly from State Park operations
Niagara Falls State Park is certainly a lucrative and, some would argue, it is an underperforming asset. Presently, the State Parks system does a very poor job programing the parks during the…
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With highway removal, Niagara Falls can leverage traffic to expand its tax base
For decades, the Robert Moses Parkway has strangled the City of Niagara Falls to near death when New York State began redirecting traffic directly into the State Park rather than through the…
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Critics say that Niagara Falls State Park could easily relocate its visitor center
The management of the Niagara Falls State Park has been criticized in recent years for the over-built, asphalt-intensive, and commercial nature of the scenic landscape — which some say desecrates a natural…
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African-American family’s dream of homeownership crushed by Piccirillo’s haphazard management of Community Development
Bridget Myles had dreamed of homeownership. She lived in Niagara Falls all her life and experienced the economic hardship and struggles that are common in the City’s Black community, which has always…
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Piccirillo admits “60 to 80” illegal Airbnbs operate in the Falls, despite risk of tragedy
In 2016, the City of Niagara Falls issued 30 cease and desist letters to various operators of Airbnb venues, which the City claimed were operating illegally, outside of the City’s short term…
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Piccirillo may have improperly influenced two foreclosures to benefit a political backer
Court documents allege that Niagara Falls Mayoral candidate Seth Piccirillo, with other City officials, overstepped their authority and improperly foreclosed on two properties owned by Sean Wilczak, and then sold them both…
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A convention center was stolen from Niagara Falls in 2002 — and it was never replaced
In 2002 the State of New York struck a deal with the Seneca Nation of Indians as part of a Compact with the sovereign Indian Nation to bring a ‘Vegas-style’ gaming venue that…
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As water infrastructure crumbles, what do Niagara Falls’ mayoral candidates plan to do with Sewer Plant?
In recent years, the City of Niagara Falls’ water treatment plant has become an international embarrassment. In 2017, the unsightly and confounding stenches of untimely sewage discharges — merely a few hundred…
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Planning a Niagara revival for years, it’s time for Cuomo to help Milstein, Trevino
No area businessman has been more dogged in his pursuit of Niagara Falls’ economic revival than Roger Trevino, the former NFL sports agent from Texas who now manages Manhattan billionaire Howard Milstein‘s…
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Jesse Gooch wants to bring Chick-fil-a to Wheatfield
Niagara County Legislator Jesse Gooch (R-Wheatfield) is voicing his support for Chick-fil-a following their removal from Delaware North’s planned remodeling of its venues at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Assemblyman Sean Ryan (D-Buffalo) publicly…
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Gooch slams Cuomo bag ban
Today, Niagara County Legislator Jesse Gooch (R-7thDistrict) voiced his opposition to implementing a new tax in Niagara County. As part of the FY2019-2020 New York State Budget, plastic bags will be outlawed…
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Joe Marranca announces NT school board bid
Today, Joe Marranca announced he will run for North Tonawanda School Board. Mr. Marranca was a student in the North Tonawanda School District his entire life and now he wants to give…
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Cuomo, Dyster want Toronto commuter trains to serve New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s administration, at the urging of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, is planning to lobby Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the coming weeks. The two men want badly to extend…
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Lisa Vitello misses key FOIL deadline, raising eyebrows
The Chronicle filed three separate requests for information with the Niagara Falls City Clerk’s Office on Wednesday, January 2nd, largely related to Mayoral candidate and Community Development Director Seth Piccarillo — a…
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Dyster likely to sell city parking lots to State to raise needed cash
Sources say that Mayor Paul Dyster is looking to sell the lucrative City-owned parking lots that operate in downtown Niagara Falls. The Dyster administration is desperate to secure cash — hoping to avoid…
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Restaino declares candidacy for Falls Mayor, as challenger throws jabs
Former City Court Judge Robert Restaino, announced his candidacy for Mayor last week, as Mayor Paul Dyster’s final term in office winds down ahead of elections next fall. Restaino is a popular…
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Dyster may levy a new tax on surface parking lots, including state park
In order to close an annual operating deficit that still exceeds $12 million, the administration of Mayor Paul Dyster is considering a new tax on commercial parking lots that operate within the city’s…
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Would regionalization solve Niagara Falls’ budget problem?
The City of Niagara Falls has squandered millions in windfall cash from the Seneca Nation of Indians’ gaming compact with the State of New York — with nothing to show for it…
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Still immensely popular, Maziarz return could mean big gains for Niagara County
It looks increasingly likely that Republican leaders are planning to tap State Senator Rob Ortt to succeed Rep. Chris Collins in New York’s 27th Congressional District — creating a ballot vacancy in…
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Dyster should press Cuomo to remove parking lots from Niagara Falls State Park
Urban design activists, tourism industry advocates, and Niagara Falls residents have been clamoring to remove the two vast surface parking lots located atop Goat Island and another located only a few hundred…
