Chilton Avenue Residents Want to Know

FREE JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 VOL. 17, NO. 03 FREE Chilton Avenue Residents Want To Know 2 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 Sensible Business Or Sweetheart Deal? Chilton Avenue Residents Want To Know Mike Hudson

Niagara Falls – A city-owned Chilton Avenue apartment house set to be sold to a volunteer member of the Dyster administration for $500 was never advertised as being for sale, and no sign was ever posted on the front lawn describing it was such. Instead, Community Development Di- rector Seth Piccirillo placed a small legal notice in the classified section of the Niagara Gazette asking for a Request For Proposals (RFP) to develop the property. Why? The move all but ensured that the building would be purchased by a developer rather than a private individual, who may have lived in it while doing renovations. The RFP notice contained no minimum bid amount, and may have been seen by just The Chilton Ave. small apartment house has been in disrepair for some time. one person, Karen Mock of Keller Williams Karen Mock Realty in North Buffalo and a member of values ranging from a low of $21,000 to a borhood better and making this city better be- Dyster’s Healthy Community Committee. high of $60,000. cause I live here,” Mock said. She submitted the lone bid of $500. The city Planning Board approved the Buffalo developer Mark Hamister made Mock’s partners in Develop Niagara The 3,160 square foot brick building, at deal last week similar statements back in 2013 about those have not been publicly identified, nor have 631 Chilton Ave., has an assessed value of City resident Diane Tattersall told the questioning his proposal to build a downtown the addresses of the other properties owned $37,261, according to records at City Hall. Niagara Gazette that news of the sale is circu- hotel here. He has yet to back out of the deal, by the firm, which would give a better- un And it comes with a $40,000 reimbursable lating in the neighborhood. Criticism for the but there has been no sign that any hotel will derstanding of what sort of development the grant for renovations. The property was gifted highly unusual marketing strategy are arising be built. company does. to the city by Wells Fargo bank. too as well. The Chilton property was gifted to the Mock said she was asked by Piccirillo This isn’t Mock’s first experience with “I encourage the planning board to ex- city by Wells Fargo bank. Included in the and city Councilman Charles Walker to sit buying property from the city. In 2013, mem- amine all aspects, start to finish, of the partic- donation was a $40,000 reimbursable grant on the housing subcommittee of the Healthy bers of the Niagara Falls City Council unan- ulars of this transaction,” Tattersall said. for renovations. It sits in the middle of a Community Committee, and added that she imously approved the sale of a city-owned Ron Anderluh of the Niagara Street Area two-street Historic District created by Dyster was a surprised as anyone she was able to get property at 435 Memorial Parkway to Mock Business Association, characterized the price in 2009, which also included Dyster’s own the Chilton Avenue building at such a bargain for $500. as “very, very low” while addressing mem- street, neighboring Orchard Parkway. basement price. That seven-bedroom, two-and-a-half bers of the planning board during last week’s Additional funding is available through “I didn’t think it would still be available, bath brick structure has an assessed value of meeting. And former Niagara Falls City various government agencies to property I’m so surprised there wasn’t other people in- $44,047. In other words, over the past two School Board member Don King, a resident owners there who want to renovate in a his- terested,” Mock said. “We want to renovate it years, Mock has been able to pick up Niag- of Chilton Avenue, probed the board over a torically correct fashion. and make it nice. It’s beautiful, on a beautiful ara Falls real estate assessed at more than minimum bid requirement, which the request The formal approval of the sale will be street.” $81,000 for $1,000 and qualify to get an addi- lacked. brought before the Niagara Falls City Council Piccirillo said it was only natural that tional $40,000 grant in the bargain. Mock responding by saying that if she on Jan. 28. someone on Dyster’s committee would want Piccirillo said that Mock plans to spend feels she is being unjustly scrutinized, or “at- Piccirillo said he had confidence in the building. $100,000 on renovations for the Chilton Av- tacked” she will pull aside her interest in the Mock and her company, Develop Niagara, “It doesn’t surprise me that someone enue property, although a survey of homes project and not move forward. which owns 22 properties in Erie County in involved in the group was interested in that currently listed or recently sold at 616, 621, “I have an interest in making the neigh- addition to those in Niagara Falls. He said the vacant property,” he said. “But I don’t think 634 and 666 Chilton shows nearby property company will be bound by contract to submit there’s a headline —member gets a sweet- a rehab plan in two months, and renovations heart deal — that’s really not the case.” would need to be completed within a year. Piccirillo said a meeting will be set up NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER “We are sensitive to the neighbors. We between the developer and members of the want this to be a positive for the street,” he Chilton Avenue Block Club to facilitate a told the Gazette. “We want to work with the relationship between the new owners and neighboring residents. “The Truth is Always Fair” developer on renovations … and enter into an agreement where there would be a clawback “We will not bring it to city Council un- if they don’t do what they said they were go- til that conversation happens,” he said. “And CHAIRMAN & EDITOR IN CHIEF ing to do. We see that as the most responsible if Chilton says they don’t like it, we won’t Frank Parlato role to take.” bring it to Council.”

Managing Editor Senior Editor Dr. Chitra Selvaraj Tony Farina

phone: (716) 284-5595

PO Box 3083, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 email: [email protected] www.niagarafallsreporter.com

Niagara Falls Taxpayers Will Pay To Host Great Lakes Conference Dyster Given $75,000 Blank Check To Spend As He Likes

was ascertained and what percentage of the $96,000 will be spent in the city. It is however reasonable to assume that spending $75,000 of taxpayer money to bring in $96,000 is not a profitable model. Consider: if you sold $96,000 worth of goods and services and had to pay $75,000 in taxes on it. When you subtract the cost of goods and employees you would be losing money. The Gazette reports the “conference will coincide with the Falls’ annual Jazz and Blues Festival.” How these two unrelated events will help each other is unclear. It is possible that the $96,000 in spending assumes that the 118 conference attendees (who are using taxpayer dollars from their own cities to get here) will attend the jazz and Conference to be held in Niagara Falls to discuss the Great Lakes; Mayor blues festival and purchase beer and other Dyster will host. Taxpayers will give him a $75,000 slush fund to spend as he concessions there. pleases. The conference has a mission which is to “integrate the agendas of social, environmental and civic institutions as they attempt to safeguard the economic and ecological integ- The city of Niagara Falls will “official- on the city’s website so that the public is in- rity of the Great Lakes,” according to the Ga- ly play host” to the 2016 Great Lakes-Saint formed in advance. zette. “The cities initiative, as a whole, works Lawrence Cities Initiative annual conference A walk-on is typically used when sud- with officials and lawmakers to help ensure this June. den, urgent business crops up or, in the case that integrity at the global, regional and local City taxpayers will officially foot the bill. of non transparent elected officials, when they levels.” The conference will host 118 U.S. and want to minimize public awareness and dis- Andrea Czopp, a communications man- Canadian representatives, including represen- cussion on a matter. ager at the NTCC, called the event “presti- tatives from Niagara Falls, who will gather Mayor Paul Dyster and representatives gious.” to eat, drink, network and discuss economic of the taxpayer-supported Niagara Tourism “We’re excited about showing off our and ecological matters pertaining to the Great and Convention Corp. presented their sur- city,” she said. Lakes. prise “memorandum of understanding” for It is unknown if taxpayers feel as excited A last minute “walk-on resolution” by the conference – which required approval by as she does. the mayor ensured city taxpayers will help the council since it required taxpayer money fund the gathering. to be spent. The mayor asked the Niagara Falls City Four of the 5 council members approved Council to set aside $75,000 to pay for un- the taxpayer expense. named expenses for the conference. Councilman Ezra Scott opposed spend- A “walked on” item is, when permitted ing taxpayer money for the conference on a by the council chairman, an item to be vot- moment’s notice since there was, he said, no ed on right then and there – which is not an- information provided to the council in ad- nounced in advance. vance of the meeting. All other council votes must be an- According to the Niagara Gazette, “the nounced several days in advance and posted $75,000, which will come with $5,000 of NTCC funding, is something of an ‘insurance policy,’ Dyster said. What this means is that $75,000 of taxpayer money will be placed in the mayor’s “Such was the will of the Father hands to spend on the conference as he deems fit without further confirmation from the that his Son, blessed and glorious, council. whom he gave to us, and who According to the Gazette, “The conference is touted to bring some $96,000 in esti- was born for us, should by his own mated regional economic impact.” An “estimated regional economic im- blood, sacrifice, and oblation, offer pact” analysis is a guess of what the change in himself on the altar of the cross, not economic activity between two scenarios will be: one assumes the economic event occurs, for himself, by whom “all things were and one assuming it does not occur. In this case, Dyster and the NTCC are made,” but for our sins, leaving us estimating that the entire region – which in- an example that we should follow cludes more than Niagara Falls – will get $96,000 more in gross revenue, if the confer- his steps.” ence is held here. The council was provided with little or no details of how that $96,000 number St Francis of Assisi 4 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016

City Tourism Office Won’t Get NTCC Monkey Off Our Backs

Former city councilman Sam Fruscione The proposed essential functions for his staff, so we’re giving him time to do that,” Mike Hudson thinks he knows the answer. the job include acting as a liaison between Council Chairman Andrew Touma said. “At “The (2016) budget and three amend- the city, NTCC, Niagara University’s Global that time we’re going to determine whether At least publicly, Niagara Falls Mayor ments were passed with no public hearing. Tourism Institute, and local chamber of com- this is a priority.” Paul Dyster has sung the praises of the shad- This sounds like someone’s getting a job,” he merces, as well as tourism-related businesses “If all the stars align correctly this would owy and secretive Niagara Tourism and Con- said. “Do the taxpayers a favor and hold the within Niagara Falls. A city-based tourism ad- hopefully happen in 2016, and I think the vention Corp., and its’ CEO John Percy. NTCC accountable. We don’t need another viser would also have input in the Falls’ web sooner the better,” he added. “But ultimately, The NTCC benefits from nearly $2 layer of government.” development, tourism outreach and compile as much as people believe its important, the million a year in city money, with around The proposed job description is very spe- near – and long-term initiatives to enhance timing has to be right.” $900,000 coming from bed tax collections cific and would seem to bolster Fruscione’s visitor experiences in the city. In 2013, Fruscione, along with then coun- and another million in casino revenue. contention that someone has already been Perhaps tellingly, although the qualifica- cilmen Bob Anderson and Glenn Choolokian, Percy, who reportedly pays himself picked to fill the position. It calls for an in- tions for the post and the job description have almost succeeded in cutting off funding to $150,000 a year to promote tourism, has nev- dividual with an undergraduate education in been described in great detail, no mention has Percy’s NTCC, but the contact was renewed er been forthcoming about how all that money marketing, tourism and recreation manage- been made of the salary. a short time later following pressure from the is spent, and his claims about how many tour- ment with two to five years of experience in a But the post has been talked about since mayor’s office. ists his private corporation lure to one of the tourism-related field. 2008, early in the regime of Dyster, who said Many remain baffled about how an agen- most famous tourist destinations on the face Councilwoman Kristen Grandinetti previously that grant funding opportunities cy can spend nearly $2 million in public fund- of the earth have been a source of continuing seemed positively giddy about the prospect of fell through before the job could be formally ing a year and not be at all accountable to the controversy. creating another office and at least two new instituted. public whose money is being spent. So why then is the city moving to create positions at the already top heavy City Hall. Now, nobody is saying anything specif- But is the creation of another patronage its own tourism office, to be funded with tax- “This will be the season this happens,” ic about how a city tourism office would be office at Dyster’s already bloated City Hall a payer collars, when it is already contractually Grandinetti told the Niagara Gazette this funded. proper remedy? obligated to Percy and the NTCC? week. “The mayor right now is restructuring

City Officials Finally Willing To Accept Reporter’s Advice On Casino Cash? The third quarter allocation, a slice of Mike Hudson slot machine profits governed by the state tribal compact, came in Tuesday at $4.3 mil- Over the past eight years, Niagara Falls lion. The payment represents a decrease of Mayor Paul Dyster has burned through more than $500,000 in comparison to last around $200 million in revenue the city re- year’s payment. ceives as the local share of the slot machine A total of $16.8 million is expected this revenue from the Seneca Niagara Casino. year, down from more than $20 million just a And for almost as long, The Niagara few years ago. Falls Reporter has been calling for a casino And now, with the horse long gone, city cash plan. officials are moving to close the barn door. Dyster spent more than $700,000 staging They say a casino revenue spending plan is concerts at the Hard Rock Café, $2.2 million needed. for trash totes, $250,000 for a new roof on the An eerie feeling of déjà vu descended on Hyde Park clubhouse at the golf course, $4 the Reporter newsroom Tuesday, as city Fi- million toward building an unwanted and un- nancial Advisory panel member Frank Soda needed train station and $1.5 million to sub- advised a priority schedule be compiled by sidize USA Niagara to pay Global Spectrum Artist’s conception of ‘Niagara Falls March 1 while City Council Chairman An- to run events and parties on Old Falls Street. drew Touma said he would like to see it be- More than $5 million has gone to the Casino Spending Plan’ during the last eight years. fore the end of February. Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. City Controller Maria Brown called the Hands on Mayor: Paul Dyster found $150,000 was used to bail out Community need immediate. opportunities to spend casino mon- Missions on an IRS tax lien, the Underground city’s bloated budget. “Taxpayers deserve something where ey at events he personally attended Railroad Heritage Commission gets $350,000 This year, $12.5 million will go directly they realize their elected officials are -work and acted as MC. a year and has accomplished exactly noth- into the general fund. ing on a list,” Touma said. “Hopefully by the ing, and the disastrous Holiday Market got There has never been a plan for the end of February we could have something in $225,000, the $500,000 was spent fixing up wasted on would fill this entire newspaper. spending of the casino revenue. Ever. Each of place.” an abandoned fire house to house the failed Most recently, Dyster earmarked $50,000 these deals has been a one-off, and the mon- The sudden concern is laughable and Isaiah 61 organization and another $150,000 out of $435,000 that will be spent to erect ey itself has been treated rather like an off the would seem to have more to do with the Dys- went to the Aquarium of Niagara to build new an odd looking statue on a Rainbow Boule- books slush fund. ter administration’s request for a state bailout habitat for the penguins that live there. vard traffic island to commemorate the 1909 The proliferation of casinos throughout by the Financial Restructuring Board for Lo- The list is far from complete. A full ac- Boundary Waters Treaty (before that Dyster the northeast since the opening of the Sene- cal Governments. counting of all the half baked schemes, pie allotted $18,000 for Boundary Waters Treaty ca Niagara Casino has taken its toll though, Clearly, adult supervision is needed, but in the sky development initiatives and hare celebrations), and huge sums have been allo- and revenue is dropping precipitously, as this the children want to clean things up as much brained ideas that the casino cash has been cated each year to plug gigantic holes in the newspaper has predicted it would for years. as possible before the grown ups get here. NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 5 Smith Charges Politics In Planning Board Ouster

ran for city council and I didn’t back Dyster pursue legal action he might just have a case. Mike Hudson — with my record, what else could it be?” Remarks by Council members about City Council Chairman Andrew Touma wanting “fresh blood” and the importance of It’s politics as usual at the City Hall of – whose cousin, Craig Touma, has served as “turnover” to cover up purely political per- Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. Dyster’s campaign manager, said politics had sonnel decisions benefit no one, particularly a That’s the charge of Rick Smith, who has nothing to do with the decision to oust Smith. dedicated public servant like Smith. served on the city Planning Board for the past “That wasn’t a consideration,” Touma nine years, six as its chairman. Smith ran for said. “The mayor is not involved in the ap- city Council in November on a platform criti- pointment of the committees, it’s purely the cal of the Dyster administration. council members and we came to a consensus He was particularly critical of the way together.” nearly $200 million in casino revenue had After serving in the US Army from been spent here. 1966-1969, Smith returned to Niagara Falls “There are many, many things that need and went to work for Niagara Mohawk. He to be fixed in our town,” Smith wrote ina worked there from 1969 until 1996, when Niagara Falls Reporter op-ed that appeared he had to retire due to back surgeries. Since in August. “The biggest of the issues are the then, he has been involved with the block club way casino funds are spent, the garbage totes movement, the Planning Board and other ar- and the frozen water pipes. I feel we need a eas of community service. separate budget for the casino funds and they Today, he walks with a cane and suffers should be allocated for the most important The council said it wanted some from mesothelioma, an aggressive form of “Remember that when you leave items that need to be fixed in the city.” “fresh blood” and that politics had lung cancer that has been linked to asbestos this earth, you can take with you Last week, his name failed to appear on a nothing to do with replacing Rick exposure. nothing that you have received-- list of Planning Board appointments. Smith as chairman of the Niagara The Dyster administration has gotten only what you have given.” “I believe it’s all political,” Smith said. Falls Planning Board. into trouble before in matters involving age ― Francis of Assisi “I’ve never missed a meeting in nine years. I discrimination, and should Smith decide to

Was City’s Sale Of Chilton Ave House Transparent? Don’t Bid On It! zette and on the city website in August. How- ty going to be flipped for sale, remodeled for committee of the mayor’s healthy community Anna Howard ever, those speaking against the property sale renting, or perhaps developed as a residential committee by Piccirillo. appeared less than convinced as to the city’s treatment/housing facility of some sort? Piccirillo has her as a friend on his Face- There’s a mystery brewing on historic sincerity in seeking bidders. The deal on its very face has the apparent book page. Chilton Avenue and several community activ- This latest brouhaha in a city hall that’s markings of a fast tracked arrangement that So the Chilton Ave. property sale is han- ists have expressed interest in getting to the become a brouhaha breeding ground has gen- flew under the radar and straight to the Plan- dled by Piccirillo and not advertised like a bottom of the puzzle’s particulars at the Janu- erated serious questions in need of answers: is ning Board. City residents Don King, Ron normal property (no sale sign, ads, listings ary 13 Planning Board meeting. there a publicly posted policy for such sales Anderluh and Diane Tattersall are not trouble etc.); only one person bids; she happens to be The city, under the guidance of Seth Pic- and if not, why not?; why wasn’t the property makers, not by a long shot. Their individual a woman asked by Piccirillo to sit on a board cirillo, director of Mayor Paul Dyster’s Com- prominently posted in order to seek the wid- histories in the community reveal them to be for the mayor and is a Facebook friend and munity Development Department, sold 631 est response and largest potential bid?; what involved and sincere. The council should halt she gets the property for $500. Chilton Avenue to Develop Niagara LLC for has been the past practice in similar sale/bid the sale until all questions have been fully and While Mock is not to be blamed for try- $500. The remarkably low selling price has situations?; the city claims the purchaser will transparently answered. ing to make a profitable purchase and appears people questioning the deal. While the Plan- invest $100,000 but why is there nothing but As further proof, let us also consider that to be a successful and honest businesswoman, ning Board signed off on the property transfer the buyer’s promise and the rather glowing the buyer, Karen Mock, a real estate exec- the city did not handle this correctly. the final approval of the council is now need- endorsement of Piccirillo to guard the taxpay- utive with Keller Williams, sits on Mayor This one should be re offered for sale ed to close the purchase. er? who is Develop Niagara LLC and what is Dyster’s healthy community committee. She openly, transparently and whoever pays the Piccirillo said the city published a public their track record?; and, finally, is this proper- says she was asked to sit on the housing sub- highest price should get the chance to own it. call for bids on 631 Chilton Avenue in the Ga-

Rickey’s — Where The Good Times Roll…. Hello Everyone, ner, come have a drink in our lounge and feel Welcome to this week’s edition of like a rock star and sing some karaoke on our Ricky’s Corner. Our restaurant’s new name is lighted stage. Ricky’s Pub & Pizzeria located at the old Nif- On Saturday we will have the amazing ty Fifty 7710 Buffalo Ave. Niagara Falls, NY Nerds Gone Wild. For the occasion we will be 14304. Our number is 716-283-7710. opening our back bar and have extra staff on The wonderful staff and unique 1950’s to insure that you keep your favorite drink full atmosphere that made The Nifty great is stay- while you listen to your favorite 80’s songs ing 110% intact. played by this very talented band. Ricky’s will be offering an enhanced & If going out is not your thing we can bring expanded dinner menu to make your dine-in the food to you. Our whole menu is available experience one to remember. for delivery & take out with * FREE DELIV- We have a lot exciting things lined up for ERY * our special, The Ricky Special is a 1/2 this weekend. For Friday we will feature an tray of pizza 1 topping and 20 wings for the all-you-can-eat-fantail shrimp special served low price $25.99. Again our number is 716- “It takes a lot of rehearsing for a Rick Gibas of Ricky’s Pizza and Pub with an 8oz mouth-watering strip steak, 283-7700 and we are at 7710 Buffalo Ave in man to be himself.” choice of potato & salad for the very reason- The Falls. Come to Ricky’s Pub & Pizzeria ” ― William Saroyan able price of $16.95 (dine-in only.) After din- 6 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 Shocking Cuomo Press Release Reveals Real Rationale For Robert Moses Parkway Upgrade

James Hufnagel

It couldn’t have been made any clearer had it been posted on billboards, shouted from rooftops or written in skywriting. If there was ever the shadow of a doubt in your mind that the south Robert Moses Parkway reconstruction was intended to do anything other than convey tourists past the city’s business district and directly into Niag- ara Falls State Park, we recently came across stark evidence, consisting of a press release from Governor Cuomo’s office which was largely overlooked when it was issued a little over a year ago, that spells out the true purpose of the so-called “Riverway” project. To summarize, the vaunted $19 million “Riverway”, promoted by State Parks and The south Robert Moses Parkway is a terrible waste of one of the most A newly-constructed, dedicated sec- local politicians like Mayor Paul Dyster as spectacular and scenic waterfronts in the world. tion of the Moses Parkway snakes its “removal”, supposedly to reclaim waterfront, way along the river rapids, bypassing until it became obvious to all that nothing was the downtown of the city of Niagara being removed (at which point they started to as it approaches a newly-installed Europe- STATE PARK”, stated right at the top of Gov. Falls, conveying motorists – at the rate call it “reconfiguration”), converted a small an-style traffic circle. An overpass and large Cuomo’s press release. of two or three a minute – directly into section of the parkway from four to two lanes, berm were removed, so now drivers can enjoy Notwithstanding the awkward grammar, Niagara Falls State Park. The Niag- lowering the speed limit on that brief stretch a brief glance at the river as they zip along. can the Governor’s deliberate intent to con- ara Falls City Council remains silent Huge signs from the Grand Island bridge to struct an upgraded driveway into Albany’s in the face of the lasting damage that the city limits practically beg drivers to avoid flagship attraction, the falls of Niagara, where Governor Cuomo and Mayor Dyster the city and drive directly into the state park. every year eight million tourists park on one have brought about by means of this All this, of course, after local citizens of over 1400 parking spaces, ride Glynn’s detestable parkway. turned up in large numbers at scoping hear- Maid of the Mist and hike Cave of the Winds, ings to demand removal (see the April 1, 2014 eat at Delaware North food stands and Top have arrived somewhere special.” And avoid issue of the Reporter, “New One-Way Robert of the Falls restaurant, purchase gifts and the dump next door, the good commission- Moses South Parkway Plan Directs Motorists souvenirs and then leave on the same Moses er appears to be implying. to State Park, Avoiding City and its Business- Parkway, without having any need or reason Only three local outlets – the Buffalo es” and “Final ‘Riverway’ Plan Released, En- to enter or spend money in the city of Niagara News, WIVB-TV and Congressman Higgins hances Albany Tourism Monopoly”). Falls, one of the poorest cities in the state, be – referenced Cuomo’s press release. “Governor Cuomo Announces Robert any more obvious? WIVB-TV led off its 139-word website Moses Parkway Reconfiguration Underway” Maybe they should have renamed it the piece with a headline that more accurately re- the November 12, 2014 press release starts “Robert Moses Driveway” flected reality,”Robert Moses Parkway South out, but the damnable truth of the matter is to receive spruce up”, while Rep. Higgins revealed by the subheadline, “Buffalo Billion “Niagara Falls is one of the most visited simply reproduced the press release on his Investments Are Funding Construction of attractions in the nation, and this project will own congressional website. New Riverway to Better Access to Niagara make it easier than ever for visitors to expe- The Buffalo News headline, on the other Falls State Park”. rience this natural wonder for themselves,” hand, was in noticeable contrast to Cuomo’s We’re going to put that out there twice, continued Gov. Cuomo. Thanks to his new “Better Access to Niagara Falls State Park”: so that it sinks in. driveway that runs parallel to the upper river, “Project to improve pedestrian access to river “Buffalo Billion Investments Are Fund- completely cutting the city off from the pic- begins in Niagara Falls – Workers today being Construction of New Riverway TO turesque rapids, it will do just that. gin to remove a one-mile section of the Rob- BETTER ACCESS TO NIAGARA FALLS Here’s what State Parks Commissioner ert Moses Parkway, a project that many hope Rose Harvey had to say in the press release: will open new opportunities for the city”. “Creating an entrance to the nation’s oldest It appears that there are two narratives state park that is befitting of Frederick Law being advanced by our political leaders, one Olmsted’s vision is one of the goals of this promoting Albany’s Niagara Falls tourism as- project. When this project is complete visitors sets to the world, and the other a steady diet of will enter Niagara Falls State Park from the bs for local consumption. Robert Moses Parkway South and know they NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 7 More Low Income Housing Key To Falls’ Future? Dyster Says Yes!

Mike Hudson

Since when is $12 million “affordable? That’s the price tag on the new Walnut Avenue Homes project – located on Walnut Avenue and Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets. The development consists of seven new buildings and the renovation of the former Niagara Falls Board of Education Building. Applications are already being accepted for some apartments and most are expected to be completed by March. The 41 units include 12 one-bed- These multi-units are big money makers for the poverty industry. At room units, 11 three-bedroom units and 18 $220,000 per unit, one of these building costs more than $800,000 to two-bedroom units. Five of these units have build – about three times what a non-poverty apartment building would been adapted for people who are mobility-im- cost. It is one of the dirty little secrets of the affordable housing ‘racket’ that paired and three are adapted for those who are it costs so much more to build poverty [affordable] housing, than luxury hearing- or vision-impaired. housing. Wonder where the money goes? The answer may lie in the fact In addition there are another 13 units that that these kind of projects are always developer driven and never supply are specifically designated as long-term hous- and demand driven. That is because developers make a fortune on these ing for women who are victims of domestic projects while talking about ‘helping’ the poor. The reason that they cost violence and their families. Support services so much to build is that the price is artificially inflated to get more taxpayer will be provided in a partnership with the subsidies so that the developers may not have to put in a nickel of their YWCA of Niagara. own money. Then they rent the apartments to tenants who are subsidized Niagara Falls Community Development by the government at inflated rents. Since the election of Mayor Paul Dys- Director Seth Piccarillo calls the apartment ter in an unprecedented way, the city has been increasingly turned over to complex “affordable housing,” the term that the poverty industry and developers have reaped fortunes, while commit- replaced “low to moderate income housing” ting the city to attracting more and more poverty at taxpayers’ expense. in the mouths of bureaucrats. Previously, in less politically correct times, such develop- ments were known simply as “the projects.” “This is a neighborhood that’s only seen area was envisioned as a place where casino given to the developer – In reality, each of the units will cost more construction over the last two generations workers would eagerly purchase homes in or- Housing Solutions, a Syracuse not for than $222,000, about the price of an old line when excavators and bulldozers came in to der to be close to their jobs. profit — means that just $16,119 will be col- DeVeaux mansion. The median value of a do demolitions of abandoned housing so this That dream failed to come true and in the lected annually, rather than the $398,000 that home in the city is $62,300 is something that’s been a big morale booster time since the neighborhood has crumbled, would normally be paid on a $12 million de- Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, a big for the neighborhood,” Niagara Falls Mayor marked by numerous abandoned homes and velopment. believer in the idea that putting low income Paul Dyster said. vacant lots left from where the city demol- Whether that amount will cover the ad- housing into marginalized neighborhoods to The neighborhood where the housing is ished others. ditional police and fire protection that history serve as warehouses for disenfranchised peo- being developed is just a stone’s throw from Although both Dyster and Piccarillo shows housing projects need is uncertain. ple is the key to prosperity, has been enthusi- the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel. When have praised the project for putting the prop- astic about the development. it opened more than a dozen years ago, the erty back on the tax rolls, a PILOT agreement 8 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016

Dyster’s Crown Jewel: A $435,000 Traffic Circle Sculpture!

Frank Parlato

Niagara Falls - It was our own resident genius, James Hufnagel, who wrote us this week, to say, “You know what would be really funny? A picture of Mayor Paul A. Dyster wearing the new traffic circle sculpture like a crown.” We agreed. Mr. Hufnagel was referring to the $435,000 work of “art” that Mayor Dyster is having installed downtown at the small Cen- tennial Circle across from the closed Hotel Niagara. The sculpture is meant as a commemoration of the obscure 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the US, governing how the Niagara River and the Great Lakes are to be shared and treated. The Artist: While we should celebrate promote public awareness of the Greenway Art this project raises enough questions to and its resources. Not really. make celebration difficult. The cost is extraor- One has to wonder if Mayor Dyster un- dinary; the artist selection is insulting; the use derstands the purpose of the Greenway Proj- of designated Greenway money is abusive; ect. We seriously doubt hiring an ad agency The Artist, Jeff Laramore’s Photoshop of his art in place at Centennial and finally, what is being commemorated from Indianapolis to create a $435,000 sculp- Circle. hardly deserves commemoration. ture in front of a closed hotel was what they Public Art Curator Aaron Ott of the Al- had in mind. bright-Knox Art Gallery headed the search for are any number of more important matters Ontario – which is causing significant proper- The Treaty We’re Commemorating: the artist. That was a plan that all but insured to commemorate than a treaty that basically ty loss in Niagara County, while we get none The sculpture is to commemorate the 100th that an expensive, out-of-state artist would be opened the door to hijacking the local hydro- of the advantages of local hydropower. anniversary of the 1909 Boundary Water’s selected. If Dyster wanted to collaborate with power and changing the water level of Lake Except of course a statue…. Treaty between the U.S. and Canada which an art institute he might have worked with the was signed to govern the shared use of the Burchfield Penney Art Center whose mission Niagara River. While Mayor Paul Dyster said is “dedicated to artists of Buffalo, Niagara the Boundary Waters Treaty was one of the and Western New York.” first environmental accords in history, the re- Not only did Niagara Falls select an ex- sult has been the environmental degradation pensive sculpture from someone in Indiana, of the Niagara River and the siphoning of the it’s from a man who owns an ad agency that hydro power generated there away from local incorporated public sculpture as an ad agency residents to users downstate or in other states. service. Talk about a slap in the face to area This historic treaty is not one to emulate or artists. commemorate. The Money: Niagara Falls is spending Many wanted to see the more relevant $435,000 on the sculpture. $335,000 is com- statue of Nikola Tesla (which the Niagara ing from its share of the New York Power Falls State Park desired to relocate from its Authority Greenway money. Forgetting the longstanding Goat Island location) installed bloated cost of the sculpture, the Greenway at the same traffic circle, but Mayor Dyster money was allocated with very specific goals turned down talks with State Parks to obtain in mind which were put in writing in order of the statue as a gift, which is valued at nearly prioritize spending. Let’s see if the Centennial a half million dollars. State Parks publicly of- Circle project meets the criteria. fered to discuss the possibility with local offi- #1. Public access to the waterfront. NO. cials after the Niagara Falls City Council, the #2. Improving and sustaining existing Niagara County Legislature and the Niagara resources - parks, park facilities or natural Falls National Heritage Area board all passed features of the Niagara River Greenway area. resolutions asking for it, but Dyster refused to NO. act on the proposal. # 3. Maximization of Impact–projects And so it is Mayor Dyster has earned his that bring grants, private philanthropy or cor- crown. Mr. Hufnagel offered choices for cap- porate partnerships. NO. tions for a photo of Dyster with crown: #4. Consistent with Master Plan. NO. 1. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” wrote Shakespeare in his classic Hen- ry IV, how-ever, it’s the taxpayers of Niagara Falls who should be “uneasy” with the May- or’s comely $435,000 tiara, don’t you think? 2. “Tell the truth, does this make my head look pointy?” Perhaps we are indeed a hateful tabloid for criticizing the expenditure of $435,000 in public money for an irrelevant and over- priced sculpture in an undersized traffic cir- And lastly,If the whole world stands cle – when the city is dead broke and there #5.against Capital you improvements–projects sword in hand, to would you still dare to do what you think is right? NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 9 New Council Members Are Encouraged To Take Path Toward Transparency, Efficiency, Accountability

and bidding information live online: Anna Howard beginning with the call(s) for any particular bid up to the bid opening We have little doubt that as you read up to the bid award up to the step- this column forces within the ad- by-step of the job as it progresses ministration of Niagara Falls Mayor including all invoices and change Paul Dyster are working to influ- orders up to the closeout of the con- ence and enlist the full cooperation tract, job, or project. of new council members, Ezra Scott 11. Post live on line all and Kenny Tompkins. contracts/agreements with any and As political newcomers the two men all consultants. Consulting work is are potential allies for those in the understood to include legal, engi- administration who wish to convert neering, Human Resources and any the council into fully supporting all Ezra Scott Kenny Thompkins and all other consulting services. the initiatives of the mayor and to 12. End the perpetual forces that will work to frustrate 5. Study the NYS preserving a city hall status quo. riddle of the city charter once and their attempts to repair the way- Comptroller’s June 2013 audit of A status quo that has, arguably, done for all. It’s an un-agreed upon, virtu- ward spending habits of the present city finances. Don’t hesitate to con- damage to the taxpayer through the: ally toothless document that the city administration. tact the NYS Comptroller’s office to casino revenue spending, consul- administration has ignored when Here are our recommendations: ask questions. Don’t rely entirely on tant gravy train, project change convenient and with no legal reper- 1. Post the city budget city hall for answers to your ques- orders, repeating deficit, expanding cussions. online in real time. Many govern- tions. debt, and steadfast non transparen- The entire purpose of a city council ments have done this and we’ve 6. Make the online city cy. is not to be an ally of the mayor, but repeatedly called for this measure to budget more user friendly. Its pres- We have no reason to doubt that an independent body which assesses be taken. ent form defies navigation. Scott and Tompkins have nothing each and every step a mayor takes. 2. Thoroughly review 7. Request a detailed but the best of intentions for the A council must never be the lackey the city debt with an eye to how it report as to the condition (and city and we’re writing this column of a mayor but rather a watchdog of was accumulated and how it has estimated cost for repairs) of Sal in good faith. Good faith that the the executive branch of city govern- been restructured across the past Maglie Stadium. Make no moves gentlemen are truly as sincere and ment. eight years. on RFP’s until the information is straightforward as they showed This may require getting answers 3. Pull back the curtain provided. themselves to be during the recent independently and perchance oppos- on the FOIL process by posting 8. Request a detailed council election. ing the mayor, or setting him aright online: the individuals controlling audit/report of the Isaiah 61 pro- To that end we’re presenting a list if he goes afield and even if it seem the FOIL process, the blank FOIL gram including all expenditures, fire of steps that should be taken in unpopular. Sometimes the council form, summary of state FOIL law, a hall renovation, salaries, structures order to improve the transparen- must delay an initiative in order to pledge to fast track all FOILs. rehabilitated, reuse store etc. cy, accountability and efficiency study it properly. They must not 4. Immediately write 9. Demand answers to of city government. We sincerely succumb to an artificial sense of ur- a casino revenue Spending Policy two budgetary questions: why was recommend that the new council gency. This is taxpayers’ money you and Annual Spending Plan. The two the 2016 budget passed in secrecy members save this column and have been entrusted to steward. documents are different but insepa- and what were those seven budget refer to it throughout their four-year It is your legal duty – and not the rable. amendments to the 2016 budget? term. We also humbly recommend mayor’s – to spend public money 10. Post all contractual that they steer clear of any city hall wisely. Anello Questions The Dyster Administration; Is He Getting Stonewalled For His Efforts? The facts, if not clear to Vince Anello, are administration from 2008 to 2015. How is Anna Howard clear to us. Anello knows too much and asks it possible to run a deficit in the face of an too many questions. To quote from the film, annual casino revenue cushion of around $20 Vince Anello is a former Niagara Falls Jerry McGuire, he’s “been to the puppet show million? mayor and a current radio talk show host. He and seen the strings.” Anello knows budgets, Anello has sought information from the is also, by the nature of his time as mayor and he built roads, he worked with casino money, Dyster administration in any number of areas councilman, a consummate student of munic- and he handled his share of personnel chal- including the budget, casino revenue spend- ipal government. And for that reason he has lenges while calling the shots at city hall for ing, road construction, personnel issues, and become persona non grata with the Dyster four years. Vince Anello is an inconvenient the 72nd Street water line drama. And he administration. political fact of life for city hall. hasn’t been bashful in filing FOILs in order to On his December 31 show the former Perhaps most important of all is that the learn more about city hall. mayor explained in a frustrated tone how the former mayor left office in 2007 with a bud- Vince Anello has questioned the opera- current mayor has apparently decided that get surplus. A city surplus is something that tion and management of the city administra- he’s someone to be ignored. Mr. Anello ex- hasn’t been seen since 2007. And that’s in tion, and for that he has been labeled a trouble plained that Mayor Dyster, “continues to take Vince Anello has questioned the spite of the fact that Paul Dyster has had close maker. The Reporter knows exactly how the shots at me…I’ve been out of office for eight current administration. to $100 million casino dollars to support his former mayor feels. years now…none of my calls are returned.” 10 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 Shmueli To Be Arrested? The Power Of The Press And The Police May Topple The King Con

Frank Parlato

This publication has been running an ongoing series on the notorious conman and serial defrauder, Shmuel Shmueli, who we have dubbed King Con. We have repeatedly laid out a number of Shmueli schemes – including fraud that he has committed against this writer and several area attorneys. Artvoice has learned that there is now an “active investigation” into Shmueli being conducted by the Niagara Falls Police De- partment based on the complaint of a Niagara Falls landlord victim of Shmueli, which we reported on in our January 7, 2016 edition (artvoice.com/issues/v15n01/shmueli). As you read this, an ace team of Niaga- Shmuel Shmueli Niagara Falls Police Supt. Bryan Artist’s conception: the fall of ra Falls detectives is actively working on the DalPorto confirmed there is an Shmueli case. Shmueli is being investi-gated as hav- ‘active investigation’, into al- Police say they are considering several ing swindled money from the landlord at the leged criminal conduct of Shmuel charges. Shmueli, who is reportedly in Isra- penalty of up to seven years in prison. criminal felony level. Shmueli. el, may be extradited to stand charges in the “That target may move,” DalPorto said. Niagara Falls Supt. Bryan DalPorto told USA. “If there are other charges, the judge can sen- this publication, “There is an active investi- case. “It will be up to the DA’s office [extra- tence him concurrently or consecutively.” gation of filing false instru-ments. The dollar “But there could be several counts dition],” said DalPorto, “it is an extraditable Stay tuned as we continue next week our amount rises to a felony level and we’re in- against Mr. Shmueli; there could be other offense.” series on conman, Shmuel Shmueli. vestigating it fully. If we find there was crim- charges,” DalPorto said. DalPorto said that a D-felony for a inal activ-ity, he will be charged.” A non-violent D felony charge carries a scheme to defraud is the likely charge in this

It Makes Sense To Advertise

and remembered – for its reasonable have not yet got around to buying it. needs to sell to the ‘whole consum- and compelling truth. – Stephen King, former JWT Exec- er’ – head, heart… and hands. – Fairfax Cone, Foote, Cone & utive – Charles Young, Founder/CEO, Belding, Chicago *** Ameritest *** Nobody counts the number of ads *** Advertising [is] one of the most you run; they just remember the Never write an advertisement which fundamental ways to sort out in- impression you make. you wouldn’t want your family to formation. And that’s the gift of – Bill Bernbach read. You wouldn’t tell lies to your advertising – to connect with people *** own wife. Don’t tell them to mine. in a human way – to make the kind Nobody reads ads. People read what – David Ogilvy of emotional connections that are at interests them, and sometimes it’s *** the core of storytelling. an ad. Advertising, to be successful, must – Eric Schmidt, CEO, Google -Howard Luck Gossage be truthful or it ceases to be read or *** *** believed, and at that point it ceases Doing business without advertising So what’s our short answer to why to be advertising. is like winking at a girl in the dark. some advertising imagery lasts a – William A Marsteller, Chairman, Henry Ford You know what you are doing, but long time? It goes something like Marsteller Inc nobody else does. this – the unconscious mind says: *** We think there are some pretty good – Steuart Henderson Britt “Look at this!” And the conscious For advertisers, what’s important reasons to advertise in our publica- *** mind responds: “Wow, that was about emotion is the motion in tions, Artvoice, The Niagara Falls Stopping advertising to save money something!” emotion. Reporter, the Front Page and the is like stopping your watch to save – Charles Young, Ameritest – Charles Young, Founder and South Buffalo News both in print time. *** CEO, Ameritest and online editions: – Henry Ford Make it simple. Make it memorable. *** *** Make it inviting to look at Creativity without strategy is called Our job – if I can see straight and Advertising tends to be most effec- – Leo Burnett art, creative with strategy is called hear clearly and understand – is to tive in jogging finally into action *** advertising. make advertising and run advertis- those people who are well-enough The most effective advertising – Prof. Jef L. Richards ing that is seen and read and heard – disposed towards a product, but embodies the understanding that it NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 11 12 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 Cult Of NXIVM Part 9:

Frank Parlato

Some of our readers probably feel that over the last few months they’ve read all they need to read about Keith Raniere, the Bron- fman sisters and the many bizarre characters and victims flowing in and out of NXIVM Village. Others tell us they can’t get enough of The frankrpeort details how Keith the NXIVM saga. Clare (l) and Sara Bronfman, Raniere told his followers that his One reader compared the stories of Keith heiresses of the Seagram’s liquor own son was adopted and that he Raniere’s sexual debauchery and pedophilia, fortune, have given close to $200 did not know who the father was. the intrigue among NXIVM members, the ob- million to Raniere schemes and scene wealth and the ruthless vengeance prac- funding his relentless litigation. CLAIMS ABOUT CONSUMERS’ BUY ticed by Raniere and the Bronfman sisters to More than $100 million disap- LINE the palace life of a depraved Roman emperor peared without a trace, and ex-NX- CONDENSED EXCERPT: According living with a conclave of witches. For those IVM members claim there was The frankreport investigated Keith to keithraniere.com his company Consumers’ readers I’ve created the websitefrankreport. “massive tax evasion” by both the Raniere’s published bio and uncov- Buyline, Inc., begun in 1990, had an estimated com, a home where they can find Cult of NX- Bronfmans and Raniere. ered blatant lies and exaggerations IVM stories that go beyond the weekly news- billion dollars in sales in its second full year from the man who boasts he is the paper articles. Here you’ll find a mixed stew and Keith was worth $50 million. However most ethical and smartest man in of NXIVM dark tales. Multi Level Marketing. Then he copied it. Be- the Chief Operating Officer of the company the world. This photo has been While we will continue publishing the fore Keith Raniere became a self-proclaimed at the time reported sales of only $30 million. dubbed ‘Ranierocchio.’ Cult of NXIVM articles, this week we’d like divine spiritual guru seducing women with The bio also fails to mention that the compa- to publish an introductory sampling of what the promise he’d give them a child that would ny went bankrupt. Consumers Buyline was you’ll find on the frankreport.com site. Com- change the world, he was a pudgy, baby-faced facing lawsuits from attorneys generals in 25 ments are included on the site and are always infomercial guy hustling a multi-level pyra- states and in New York the attorney general welcomed. mid scheme called Consumers Buyline. The shut the Consumers Buyline “scheme” down In the beginning Keith Raniere was only thing Consumers Buyline and NXIVM and levied a fine against Raniere. Details are a product of Amway. He took the Amway have in common is the lie that they exist to on thefrankreport.com. sales training in the 1980s and watched them help people. manipulate people into the cult of Amway’s DEBUNKING RANIERE: BIO LITTLE LIES MAKE BIG MONEY It’s interesting how anyone can build a truly impressive list of unverifiable lies about them-selves. Saying I graduated from Har- FROM THE FRANKREPORT.COM vard is quite different from saying I could Keith Raniere pitching Consumers read by the age of two. Anyone would be Buyline in an infomercial. impressed with either statement but only one can be proved. Keith Raniere made an art out Keith Raniere had been searching for the of impressing wealthy women with dubious golden goose his whole life. In 2001 he found facts about himself. two golden geese in Clare and Sara Bron- FROM THE FRANKREPORT.COM fman. Gaining total control over the daugh- Raniere makes 21 “fact” claims in his ters of billionaire Edgar Bronfman and their bio; what would snopes.com find out? Seagram’s fortune inheritance meant Raniere (Read the frankreport.com to see all could say goodbye to the low life get-rich- these claims deconstructed in a very enter- quick money schemes of his past. Much to the taining way.) chagrin of patriarch Edgar Bronfman, Clare He claims: and Sara’s fortune basically became Raniere’s 1. By the age of one, he could construct fortune. The sisters are so enamored of Ra- full sentences and questions niere and NXIVM that they do his bidding no 2. He was able to read by the age of two. matter how costly or how illegal it may be. 3. He was an East Coast Judo Champion To dig into the depths of just how evil and at age eleven important the Bronfman money is to the Cult 4. By age twelve, he taught himself to of NXIVM you need to spend a good deal of play piano at the concert level time exploring frankreport.com. 5. He taught himself high school mathe- THE WOMEN matics in nineteen hours at the age of twelve Where to begin? Let’s look at the names 6. At age 13 he was proficient in third- of the main players in the NXIVM saga: year college mathematics Keith Rani-ere; Nancy Salzman; Clare Bron- 7. At age 13 he was a professional com- fman; Sara Bronfman; Toni Natalie; Barbara puter programmer Bouchey; Kristin Keeffe; Marianne Fernan- 8. He is “noted as one of the world’s top dez; Pamela Cafritz; Lauren Salzman; Karen three problem solvers,” Unterreiner; Susan Dones; Kim Woolhouse; 9. He was honored in 1989 by the Guin- Kristin Kreuk; Allison Mack; Nicki Clyne, ness Book of World Records for highest IQ. Loretta Garza; Kathy Russell, etc. There are 10. He has an estimated problem-solving many more women to be named, but very few rarity of one in 425,000,000. men. Other than lawyers, men have no place 11. He transformed a five-person organi- in the world of Keith Raniere. And the many zation into a corporation of nearly 400,000 in women he has sex with are for-bidden to be two years. with anyone other than him. There are ten more “facts” about the Kristin Keeffe, former girlfriend and the amazing Keith Raniere, almost all of which mother of Keith’s son wrote “In the 24 years are de-bunked at frankreport.com. I have known Keith, 11 of which I lived with THE BRONFMAN SISTERS him, I have not seen him develop one working NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 13 A Boiling Pot Of Poison Stew written by investigative journalists in Forbes, Vanity Fair, Albany Times Union, and many other outlets NXIVM has never been investigated by the FBI or the NY Attorney General. Keith Raniere has never had to answer for the statutory rapes, the suicides or the relentless persecution of former NXIVM members. And in spite of all the shady money that has been used for bribes, coercion, frivolous lawsuits and the millions of Bronfman dollars in Raniere’s control that simply disappeared, the IRS has never investigated any of these people or the NXIVM corporation. You can help stop the cult by calling or The frankreport features interviews with Raniere ex-ha- In a 2009 video, available for viewing at the frank- writing to the FBI, the NY Attorney General rem members who describe the deception, cruelty and report, Keith Raniere claims to have had people or the IRS and tell them that based on all the illegal activities Raniere - a so-called teacher of ethics killed, which, like many of the things he claims, may articles you’ve read about Keith Raniere and and compassion - has committed. have been a lie. NXIVM you believe these people need to be investigated. You don’t need to explain why they should be investigated, just refer them to profession-al relationship with an executive Barbara Bouchey to Mexico to be arrested would be happy to let some 4 year old come the frankreport.com. level male that was not on the payroll before and hopefully raped in a Mexican jail as pun- in and play with their mainframe computer. The frankreport.com is compiling a one- meeting him. Not one. The only professional ishment for leaving NXIVM. 5. You write how Keith (statutorily) stop clearinghouse for all the criminal and noncriminal atrocities committed by Keith male relationship Keith has ever had was with OUR READERS raped three or four females from 12 – 15. In Yuri Plyam. A total crook.” Snippets from frankreport.com reader Mexico the age of consent is 12 and in most Raniere. SOMETIMES HIS WOMEN COM- comments: of South America the age of consent is 13-15. Why would you do that? Because the MIT SUICIDE. SOMETIMES HIS 1. Shame to Clare and Sara Bronfman. You are imposing your cultural imperialism next Raniere victim of rape or mental abuse WOMEN TURN ON HIM: They were born and given the trust of dirty on Keith who may be above these standards may be your daughter, your niece or your sis- Excerpt from FRANKREPORT.COM. money extracted through the blood of scores of common people ... ter. Kristin Keeffe: of people and the intoxication of millions. A SUMMARY CONTACT: “I left because Keith abused me horri- They stated that they would try to do some- It’s important to remember that the Cult Andrew Vale bly in every way, orchestrated crimes at ev- thing noble with this ugly money. Instead they of NXIVM series is not a news story like Special Agent in Charge ery level of NXIVM operations, and horribly enabled a criminal. the report-ing of a house that burned to the F.B.I. Albany Division lied…. I had to endure the most vile physical 2. If you have enough money you can ground or a liquor store robbery. Sad events 200 McCarty Avenue abuse by Keith, and attempted psychological bribe your way to anything: malicious litiga- like that hap-pen and are done. By contrast, Albany, NY 12209 abuse and disparagement by his closest syco- tion, prosecution offices, state police investi- the Cult of NXIVM is a crime against vulner- Phone: (518) 465-7551 phants, all directed by Keith. I took the abuse gations, FBI investigations, etc. able people, mostly women, that continues I had to take, and I acted the way I had to act, 3. How selfish the women are – all of devastating lives every day. At this very min- IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for the Criminal to keep them all in the dark about what I knew them demanding sex from Vanguard (Ra- ute someone is being injured, either spiritual- Investigation Hotline was happening. I had to for the protection of niere); he never had a chance to be celibate. ly, financially, mentally or sexually by Keith my son. It worked, and now my son and I are 4. Raniere claims he mastered comput- Raniere and NXIVM. They need to be shut Eric T. Schneiderman free and Keith can’t touch us.” ers at the age of four? When he was a 4 year down and stopped! Or arrested! Office of the Attorney General You will find more eye popping testimo- old they were all mainframe computers of I’d like you to know that you can do The Capitol ny from other women who escaped Raniere enormous size and residing in huge corpora- more than read the Cult of NXIVM articles or Albany, NY 12224-0341 and NXIVM at the frankreport.com, includ- tions like Xerox, IBM, AT&T, companies that browse frankreport.com. You can act! It’s dif- 1-800-771-7755 ing Raniere’s plot to lure Toni Natalie and could afford them. I’m sure any corporation ficult to believe but in spite of all that’s been 14 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 Road Rage Case Leads To Loss Of $100,000 A Year Job For NFPD Cop er than face the possibility of dismissal from eye witnesses at the scene Conte then kicked Mike Hudson the force following a hearing, Conte chose to Kalita several times in the upper body and retire after 25 years of service. head while the victim lie motionless on the Former Niagara Falls City Police officer The difference in his pension by retiring ground. James J. Conte, 48, was sentenced by Wheat- after 25 years instead of 30 years will amount Conte then fled the scene on his motorcy- field Town Justice Erin P. DeLabio to a six to about $5,000 annually, sources said. He cle but witnesses were able to get his license month conditional release on a third-degree will get approximately $55,000 per year when number and he was later arrested by sheriff’s assault chargeTuesday. his pension kicks in, a source told the Report- deputies. Niagara County District Attorney Mi- er. This was not the first case filed against chael Violante said by pleading guilty to a It was an unusually warm afternoon Conte over the years. In 1997, he was sus- crime, even a misdemeanor, Conte would in early September, according to reports by pended for three days for using his service have to surrender his pistol permit. A hear- sheriff’s deputies, when Conte was tailgating revolver to shoot a dog that he said was at- ing would need to be conducted to determine a vehicle driven by Jeff Kalita, 45, of Niagara tacking him. He was removed from his patrol whether his permit could be reinstated. Falls, on Interstate 190 in the Town of Niag- assignment and counseled on proper proce- Conte was also ordered to perform 50 What a difference a day makes. ara. Riding his motorcycle, Conte followed dure. hours of community service and pay a fine James Conte was a respected Kalita down the LaSalle Expressway and then The city also settled a police brutality of $250 for what law enforcement authorities officer earning $100,000 plus per confronted him in the parking lot outside San- case involving Conte out of court in 2002 for said was a classic road rage incident. year. He had an incident of road di’s restaurant at Williams and River roads. $22,500. Conte had been accused of hand- The former policeman had faced the pos- rage and wound up being removed Kalita said he had no idea Conte was an cuffing and beating a woman who reported sibility of a year in jail on the misdemeanor from the police force. officer of the law or even who he was since her wallet stolen. charge. He was originally charged with felony Conte was off duty and not wearing his police A Niagara County grand jury found that second-degree assault with a weapon, which Ironically, Conte was one of approxi- uniform. there was insufficient evidence in the case to carries a maximum sentence of two years, but mately 65 Niagara Falls police and fire offi- Words were exchanged and Conte swung bring criminal charges, and an internal NFPD pleaded guilty to the reduced misdemeanor cers earning more than $100,000 a year. Rath- his motorcycle helmet at the man and hit him investigation at that time found no wrongdo- assault charge in November. in the left side of the face. According to three ing. NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 15

Flaherty, Flynn Set To Square Off In Democratic Primary For DA

Chairman Jeremy Zellner is expected to meet Tony Farina next week and the district attorney’s race is likely to be among the issues up for discus- A spirited Democratic primary fight for sion. the office of Erie County district attorney is Flaherty originally had been expected to now taking shape although it won’t be act- go with Sedita to Supreme Court as his legal ing DA Mike Flaherty against headquarters’ clerk, sources say, but decided to stay behind favorite Tim Franczyk who shocked political and make a run for the office himself. He has observers last month when he announced he done well in two early fundraisers with plenty wouldn’t leave the County Court bench to of support from the office, but the challenge run for DA, a move that had been expected will now be to get the party endorsement that for some time although never officially - an had been earmarked for Franczyk before he nounced. decided not to run. Instead, Tonawanda Town Attorney John Another Democrat, Mark Sacha, who Flynn confirmed there will be a contest when made headlines criticizing Sedita and his pre- he told me last Saturday at Ralph Lorigo’s po- decessor Frank Clark for not pursuing Steve litical breakfast in Lackawanna that “I’m in Pigeon in election law cases, has also ex- it,” meaning he is at work to try to win the Mike Flaherty John Flynn pressed interest in running but insiders say he Democratic Party endorsement that was ex- has virtually no chance to be a factor. pected to go to Franczyk before he dropped fice in January to become a State Supreme ficult to criminally prosecute. So it could likely boil down to Flynn, out. Court judge, has already taken over as acting No Republican has surfaced as yet and the popular Tonawanda Democrat and for- Flynn is a well-known figure in Tonawa- DA and has announced a series of changes in observers say a serious GOP candidate, like mer town judge, against Flaherty, the acting nda where he has served as a councilman and the office in what appears to be an attempt to former Attorney General Dennis Vacco, is a DA who hopes his early moves will win him town judge and he even worked for two years distance himself from Sedita who came in for long shot given that this is a presidential year support in party circles although he could be as an acting Buffalo City Court judge from sharp criticism in some quarters for not be- and would likely mean a strong Democratic hurt by his ties to Sedita who was not a party 2008 – 2010. The UB Law School graduate ing aggressive enough in pursuing difficult turnout, especially in Buffalo. That is espe- insider. Both men are well respected in legal also served two years as an assistant district cases. Justified or not, Flaherty must now try cially true in a Democratic primary where the circles and both will certainly be courting the attorney and has served as a reservist in the to establish himself as his own man and has endorsement could be the difference in the important support of the Erie County Con- Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps already said he would reopen the probe into city and carry the day. servative Party under Chairman Lorigo who since 2001. a hit-run case in Evans that Sedita declined Political observers see Flynn as the early is scheduled to meet with Zellner in the near Flaherty, the longtime first assistant to to pursue. Sources say unless Flaherty can favorite for the endorsement and the Demo- future. former DA Frank Sedita, III, who left the of- come up with something new, it will be a dif- cratic Party’s Executive Committee under 16 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016

Letter To The Editor

To whom it may concern: but because of the increased competition from from the hotels and restaurants for the amount I am the operator of the Hyde Park Pa- Niagara University (2 rinks), Lockport (2 of business we bring in, and from the users as vilion Ice Rinks having entered into an agree- rinks), Harbor Center (2 rinks) and plans for to the quality and cleanliness of the facility . ment with the City in 2012. other municipalities to add more rinks. I might add that this all brought in with our I am writing to correct recent articles in Thus the improvements were needed to own monies , web-pages , and without any your newspaper. keep the property useable and competitive. help from an outside agency . We employ in First, there was an article which indicat- We have daily skating by various agen- excess of 20 people . ed that the operator of the rinks, my company, cies, individuals, teams and leagues. The Thus , the rinks provide an economic was paying $200.00 per year rent, clearly a number of people skating and using the rinks stimulus for the City, especially in the slow typographical error. In fact, we pay almost are in the thousands. Unlike Sal Maglie , the time , the winter , and as well a service to $250,000 for rent and fees to the City, and rinks provide everyday use by the citizens many citizens of the City. As I was present for as well as make substantial investments into new locker rooms, new stands, new lobby, of Niagara Falls. In addition, ten (10) major most of the meeting with builders, contrac- equipment and operations out of our own new bathrooms and an update of the stone tournaments are conducted at the facility and tors and subcontractors ; and was on the job pocket. room. These improvements have been done a number of minor tournaments. As a result of site daily I can assure you the City’s actions The second article dealt with transparen- over a period of time and in phases; and we these tournaments , there is an infusion in ex- were up front and transparent. cy which I do not believe is an issue. now have a facility where the rinks are on par cess of $7,000,000.00 into the community for I hope this sets the record straight. Thank The rinks were clearly in need of an up- or better then the Harbor Center recently built hotel rooms (in excess of 23,000 room nights you. date and renovation for continued use, having by the Pegulas. are booked) , food , wages , goods, expens- been built in the early ‘70’s. All that has been The rinks and facilities needed improve- es , etc. generating over $800,000.00 a year Gene Carella President of done are the basics: new rinks and boards, ment not only because of their deterioration, in taxes : We receive numerous compliments Niagara Sports Tournament , Inc. NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 17

Smoking Costs The Average New York Smoker $2.4 Million Over A Lifetime – Wallethub Study

Frank Parlato cost-of-smoking-by-state/9520/ smoking. Diana Popa, Communications Manager Smoking rates among adults and teens for WalletHub, said that their study is intend- is estimated to be less than half what it was The personal finance website, -Wal ed “to encourage the more than 66 million to- in 1964. However, US population has almost letHub, has released a report this week called bacco users in the U.S. to kick the dangerous doubled, jumping from 191 million in 1964 to The True Cost of Smoking by State. habit.” 322 million in 2016, which has kept the num- WalletHub’s analysts calculated poten- The US government estimates that 42 ber of smokers relatively constant. tial monetary losses — including the cumu- million adults and 3 million middle and high While the WalletHub study paints a bleak lative cost of a cigarette pack per day over school students smoke. picture of tobacco use costing smokers more several decades, health care expenditures, in- According to the American Cancer So- than a million dollars apiece (and in NY more come losses and other costs — brought on by ciety, Tobacco use remains the single largest than $2.4 million), the $320 billion estimated smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. preventable cause of disease and premature cost to society figure has been debated. New York ranks tops on the list for total death in the U.S.. A study in Europe published in Forbes cost per smoker compared to other states. It is estimated by the New York State magazine shows the lifetime cost of health The WalletHub analysis is based on a Department of Health that there are 443,000 care for smokers and non-smokers were vir- number of assumptions (like any study) in- Studies which purport the high deaths each year in the U.S., including 25,400 tually identical since smokers routinely die cluding what constitutes the criterion for the cost to society of smoking routinely deaths in New York State, caused by tobacco younger. largest monetary category: lost financial op- neglect to factor in the reality that use. When tobacco excise taxes and savings portunity due to smoking. smokers die at younger ages and The most common causes of death are on social security payments are included, the Their summary is as follows: save society significantly in health heart disease and stroke, and many forms of numbers suggest that smoking may actually The Financial Cost of Smoking in New care and pension costs. cancer, including lung cancer. save society money. York (1=Lowest, 25=Avg.): In 1964, the Surgeon General published Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker – its first report on smoking and health. Over $187,379 (Rank: 51st) the next 50 years, more than 20 million Amer- Financial Opportunity Cost per Smoker Other Costs per Smoker – $13,883 icans have died because of smoking, accord- – $1,771,868 (Rank: 51st) (Rank: 48th) ing to subsequent Surgeon General estimates. Health-Care Cost per Smoker – $240,162 Total Cost Over a Lifetime per Smoker: According to the US Surgeon General’s (Rank: 49th) $2,452,735 report, about 16 million Americans suffer Income Loss per Smoker – $239,443 For the full report, please visit: from a disease caused by smoking and that (Rank: 36th) https://wallethub.com/edu/the-financial- one out of three cancer deaths is caused by

This is the great fact: strength is life, weakness is death. Strength is felicity, life eter- nal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery: weakness is death. Know that all sins and all evils can be summed up in that one word, weakness. It is weakness that is the motive power in all evil doing; it is weakness that is the source of all selfishness; it is weakness that makes men injure others; it is weakness that makes them manifest what they are not in reality. All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that; do not be-lieve that you are weak; do not believe that you are half-crazy lunatics as most of us be-lieve now-a-days. You can do anything and everything, without even the guidance of any one.

Swami Vivekananda 18 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 Second Amendment Watch: Obama and Gun “Control”

jail time (added-on time), that may NOT why in the hell would you pass more laws be served concurrently with the substantive (with a pen and a phone, besides)? charge the individual is convicted of. Also, in general, when I was an FBI In other words, if a person commits a Agent, a Federal Agent could not intention- violent felony with a gun and is convicted ally violate the law to make a case, period, of that crime, and if that gun has been trans- no exception! For example, we could not sell ported in interstate commerce at ANY time a gun undercover to a bad guy who wanted in its “life”, that felon can also charged with to commit a crime but needed a gun! I guess a violation of the National Firearms Act and Barack and Eric Holder didn’t know that receive non-discretionary, add-on time that when Eric was AG. Had either one spent must be served AFTER the time for the sub- some time in Federal Criminal Court instead stantive crime and can NOT be served con- ing a dog when he’s down, will load up the of Civil Rights, trying to put Cops and Fed- current. How do you prove the interstate prisons and on and on! Or, in Holder’s case, eral Agents in jail, they would have learned transporting element? If the gun was manu- if the bad guy was black, he would probably some Federal Criminal Law and Fast and Fu- Let’s talk about the gun control laws that factured in Connecticut, for example, and the claim racial prejudice, forgetting that some 80 rious would never happened and who knows are CURRENTLY on the books that Depart- bad guy has the gun in an armed robbery in or 90 percent of the violent crimes are black how many people would still be alive! ment of Justice does not use. Iowa, there’s a judicial assumption that it was males, it still would be “racial”. America; created by geniuses and run by There are Federal Guns laws on the transported across state lines! When I worked as an Agent with the idiots! books right now that cover every and any ille- So what’s the problem? Why aren’t these FBI, ATF had primary responsibility for gun gal act you could possibly think of involving violent felons receiving serious sentences violations unless the gun was used in a viola- guns! You think of an illegal act with a gun with no parole? tion we were investigating. Then we became from ownership to transfer to transport to use The answer is simple, the Department of primary and could charge, say a Bank Rob- in a violent crime to ANYTHING you can Justice won’t authorize the charges and pros- ber who used a gun during the robbery with a possibly think of and it is covered by some ecution! That is, “none” of the AGs during my Federal Gun charge, BUT the US Attorney’s section of Title 18 USC, including The Gun 28 years nor any that I have ever heard. office would NEVER allow us to “add on”, Control Act of 1968, The National Firearms Let’s ask Barack how many ADD ON, EVER! It didn’t matter who was President or Act of 1934 or some other Federal Law! Federal gun charges Eric Holder authorized who was AG! Not only that, there are severe add-on during his seven year tenure. He was soooo It’s too excessive! So we make more Federal Gun charges, all part of Title 18, that into gun control he must have authorized hun- laws! How freaking stupid can you get? If MANDATE, non-discretional, consecutive dreds! They claim it’s “piling on” time, kick- you won’t prosecute for laws on the books NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 19 Only In NT: City Of North Tonawanda Website Could Use A Facelift

Mayor’s, and Klimek Veter-an’s parks. Somehow Gratwick-Riverside Park and the Botanical Gardens aren’t listed. If you have time to spend wandering around the disorganized website, you might find them elsewhere. Putting them all together, with shelter rental information, boat docking and launching, Deerwood Golf Course, and information on nearby dining and venues people might Sweeney Payne wish to visit while using each park would seem logi-cal and useful. A visit to the City of North Tonawanda’s Why not list City playgrounds, Memorial website, www.northtonawanda.org reveals Pool and senior activities information on the there are some things on it that shouldn’t be website? Current and new residents would no on it and some that should be on the website doubt appreciate it. that aren’t. Why is the Police Department listed on Perhaps City Clerk-Treasurer Daniel This screen shot from the NT website presents info that is outdated. the main menu but not the Fire Department? Quinn should check out everything that is Under local news, the “Metro WNY News” is currently posted on the website and see if listed. It changed its name a couple of years what I am saying isn’t true. munity Pride, which hasn’t existed in nearly pressions on the faces of Mayor Ortt, the five ago to the “North Tonawanda Sun.” There are very stale things on it, like the ten years, as the or-ganization presenting the Council members, City Attorney and City Why is the Downtown Historic District “Ponies on Parade” page. Visitors to the site pony project. Clerk-Treasurer as appearing baffled. - Per which was designated in 2006 by the Histor- are given to believe the pro-ject is still ongo- In 2011, during Mayor Rob Ortt’s tenure, haps they’d never seen the “ponies” along Ol- ic Preservation Commission not listed on the ing, although it never got finished and died a contingent from St. Peter’s United Church iver Street that did get mounted on their poles. City’s website? away after about five years. of Christ on Oliver came to a Common Coun- They told the St. Peter’s group they’d “look Somehow, notifying all property owners The last sentence asks anyone interested cil meeting to complain about their “missing into it.” Certainly, they’d never visited www. in the area bounded by Sweeney from Man- in volunteering to “paint a pony” to call Lin- horse”. northtonawanda.org. hattan to Oliver, Manhattan from Sweeney da Jufer or Kay Learned. Jufer hasn’t been They said they’d paid for it years ago. St. Peter’s finally got a pony up, with lit- to Goundry, Webster from Sweeney to Main, at the number listed since Soos’ Oliver Street They never got the “horse”. Although the tle fanfare. Main from Sweeney to River Road, Tremont Café turned into Witter’s. Learned moved page is still onwww.northtonawanda.org, an If there hasn’t been a “Ponies on Parade” from Manhattan to Oliver, Goundry from out of state. It credits Oliver Street Com- attendee at the 2011 meeting described ex- program since its first couple of years, why is Manhattan to Oliver, that their property was it still given a lot of space on the city’s web- included in a historic district was never done. site? Until a current or potential property own- There is also a page on the site about the er attempts to get a building permit to do work North Tonawanda History Museum’s cam- on the outside of their buildings, they don’t paign to raise funds to move from 314 Oliver know the restrictions. to 54 Webster. The Museum moved to Web- Why isn’t the Historic Preservation Or- ster in 2009. Why is that page still on www. dinance on the website where current and northtonawanda.org? prospective owners can become aware of its Instead of outdated information, how existence and what it means to them? about showing NT’s parks, fees for shelter In any event, a professional looking rentals, use of the gazebo, boat launching, website with routine maintenance which is etc.—with phone numbers. Include the Bo- user friendly is not what we have in North tanical Gardens, which, even in its neglected Tonawanda. state, appears to still be popular for wedding And in today’s world, a website is often photos. the first thing a prospective visitor or future Under Youth, Recreation & Parks, the resident will see. only shelter locations listed are at Pinewoods, Judge for yourself it we are putting out best foot forward. Box Scores

Avner Benyamin

A number of hard fought games were played this weekend. Here are the results: Washington Redskins* 31 Cleveland Indians 18 Atlanta Braves 21 Boston Celtics 11 Houston Texans 33 Edmonton Eskimos 18 Spokane Chiefs 3 Vancouver Canucks 2 Detroit Blackskins 21 New York Knicks 3 Seattle Caucasians (The Jumping White Men) 18 San Francisco Yellowskins 18 Washington Presidents 11 Kansas City Chiefs 2 Buffalo Brownskins 94 New England Chiefs of State 23 San Diego Vikings 43 Minnesota Italians (The ‘murdering Guidos’) 25 Cleveland Jihadists 41 Carolina Privates 23 Chicago European-Americans 32 Montreal Frenchies 22 Omaha Whiteskins 26 Wichita Orientals 19 Philadelphia Hindus 26 Kansas City Krauts (the Galloping Germans) 12 New Orleans Creoles 20 Cincinnati Gangstas 9 New York Yankees 4 Honolulu Pakis 1 Greece Tomahawks 34 Ithaca Snub Noses 0 Houston Gringos 78 Orlando Rednecks (The Barreling Crackers) 77 Phoenix Pale Faces 54 v Boston Blue Bloods 2 Burlington Swedes 145 Roanoke Roman Prelates 23 Wisconsin African Americans 2 Syracuse White Men (The Creeping Crackers) 1 Walla Walla Hispanics (The Shimmering Shivs) 43 The Peoria Fighting Irish 23 Cleveland Sikhs 34 The Washington Lobbyists 2 The Montana Muslims (the Mecca Mountaineers) 2 Denver Mormons (The Pulverizing Polygamists) 1

Note: The New Jersey Witnesses (The Jumping Jehovah’s) and the Idaho Orientals were on bye this week. The Toledo Jews were dropped from the semi finals having missed too many games on account of the Sabbath. More sports scores later

*A lot of controversy has erupted over the use of the “Redskin” name.

Stayed tuned. NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 21 NEWS OF THE WEIRD

ing’s home, along with a stash from the Dec. Chuck Shephard 2 burglary). n More Core Failings of Carjackers: (1) HARD TIMES FOR SCIENCE Albert Luna, 19, was arrested in Coachella, n (1) A tractor-trailer driver with a load California, in December and charged with of bottled water tried to make it over a his- swiping the keys while a Federal Express toric bridge in Paoli, Indiana, on Christmas driver was unloading a package. The driver Day, with the obvious outcome when 35 tons reported that Luna later walked away when of water starts across a limit-6-tons span. The he could not figure out how to drive the truck. driver told police she saw the 6-ton sign but (Bonus: The arrest report noted that during did not know how that “translated” to pounds. the entire episode, Luna was naked.) (2) Kyle (2) Among the activists denouncing a pro- Blair, 25, was arrested in Surrey, British Co- posed solar-panel farm at a December Wood- lumbia, in November when he approached a land (North Carolina) Town Council meeting car at an intersection and attempted to pull the were a husband and wife certain that vege- driver out. For one thing, the two men in the tation near the panels would die because the car were later described as “big, burly” guys, panels would (the husband said) “suck up all but more important, they were plainclothes the energy from the sun.” His wife (described police officers on a stakeout. as a “retired science teacher”) explained that n Syrian refugees (mostly, Muslims) the solar panels prevent “photosynthesis” may pose a humanitarian and political crisis (and also, of course, cause cancer). The coun- for Germany, but the Virginia Care company cil voted a moratorium on the panels. of Recklinghausen, Germany, said they are good for its business: sales of fake hymens, RECENT RECURRING THEMES for women to convince Muslim grooms to believe they were wedding-night virgins. n Paul Stenstrom of Tarpon Springs, The non-chaste Virginia Care buyer inserts Florida, is among the most recent Americans a packet of two membranes (about $54) that to have discovered the brightest side of feder- will burst by penetrative sex, releasing blood al bankruptcy law, having lived in his mort- coloring. (The “blood” is available either in gaged home basically free of charge from “original” dark brownish red, which parents 2002 until 2013 by using the law to stave off are said to expect, or “advanced” brighter red, foreclosure. Even though none of his 15 pe- thought to be more satisfying to husbands.) titions was ever approved, he followed each n Mendel Epstein (Lakewood, New Jer- one immediately with another petition, and sey) is not the only rabbi suspected of being it was not until 2013 that one judge finally overaggressive as he helps desperate wives declared Stenstrom a “serially abusive filer,” obtain religiously proper divorces, but he will barring further petitions for two years—at be headed to prison for 10 years after a federal which point his bank was able to conclude the court found that he used beatings, stun guns foreclosure. Upon expiration of the two-year and, once, an electric cattle prod to convince period in September 2015, Stenstrom quick- reluctant husbands they should sign the pa- ly filed another bankruptcy petition—to keep pers. Orthodox Jewish wives cannot remarry from being evicted from the townhouse on properly without obtaining a “get,” and Rabbi whose rent he is four months behind. Epstein was apparently very “convincing.” n Bright Ideas: In October, once again, (According to trial evidence, he used the ser- police (this time in Liyang in eastern China) vices of four thugs.) “Over the years,” Epstein arrested a man whom they accused of stealing confessed in court, “I guess I got caught up in women’s underwear, prolifically, with a - de my tough-guy image.” vice likened to a fishing rod, enabling him to n Another Way to Tell If You’re Really, reach into windows and extract goodies. The Really Drunk: Her passengers had run away, suspect, 32, admitted to a three-year scheme, leaving Elena Bartman-Wallman, 23, behind and in his van police found 285 bras and 185 the wheel but oblivious on a December after- panties. noon in Aleknagik, Alaska, and her car’s tires n In December, Carlos Aguilera, 27, be- had started to smoke. She had lodged her foot came the most recent brain-surgery patient against the accelerator, facing the wrong way to assist doctors by remaining conscious on the road, with her wheels spinning con- during the 12-hour operation—and playing tinuously, and by the time police arrived (to his saxophone to help assure surgeons that discover Bartman-Wallman passed out), the their removal of a tumor was not affecting his front tires had melted down to the rims. speech, hearing or movement. The operation, Read the full News of the Weird daily at at Spain’s Malaga Regional Hospital, was www.weirduniverse.net supposedly Europe’s first, but News of the . or Send items to weirdnews@earthlink. Weird has reported two in the United States, net including on a guitar- strumming man in 2013 at UCLA Medical Center. n Least Competent Criminals: (1) Nurse’s aide Candace McCray, 36, is the most recent theft suspect to have worn some of the purloined jewelry when meeting police detectives investigating the theft. An assisted-living resident in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, had described her missing gems, and McCray was questioned as someone with access to the woman’s room. (2) Joshua Jording, 26, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, became the most re- Is government cent burglary suspect caught on surveillance supposed to entertain the video during the crime wearing a shirt with his name on it (which was later found in Jord- governed? 22 NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016

“What about me? You wasted $400,000 to renovate the park land I gave you and my memo- Answer: Drug users, sex abusers rial stone is still missing a $75 The most popular novel in city and business loan choosers. plaque!” hall: Ernest Hemingway’s “For The spirit of Luther Jayne Question: Name three rhyming Whom the Bell Tolls.” elements of the Dyster economic development plan.

Answer: “It’s a Man’s World.” Political dictionary Question: What is Kristen Economic Development - in Grandinetti’s least favorite the normal world economic James Brown song? development is measured by investment of private dollars in relation to businesses The phrase “The suspense is kill- opened and jobs created. In Niagara Falls subsidized low ing me” was said by: The mayor and three of his de- A) Vladimir Putin as he awaited partment heads walk into a bar. City Hall Handbook of Common income housing, grants to his re-election results. The mayor turns to the bartender Protocol, page 37: When cutting the failing businesses and ribbon B) Everyone in Times Square as and says, “Give these three dis- ribbon on an alcohol abuse treatment cuttings at drug treatment ruptive, disloyal and unproduc- they await the ball drop. facility the mayor or designated tive people all the drinks they mayoral representative shall cut the facilities pass for economic C) Andrew Touma as he antic- want because I’m firing them ribbon and then immediately throw development. ipates the firing of three Dyster tomorrow.” out the first drunk in recognition of department heads. the occasion. D) All of the above NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER JAN 21 - JAN 29, 2016 23

Aries: (March 21 - April Cancer: (June 21 - July 22) Libra: (September 23 - Capricorn: (December 22 - 19) October 22) January 19) You validate people’s in- Time to up the medication. herent mistrust of strangers. People can see your point, People are not being rude. The problem with your Whatever kind of look you but still think you’re full of You’re just insignificant. gene pool is that there’s no lifeguard. You were going for, you missed. There’s only one it.Someone could warm up to you if you were You’re so ugly, when your mom dropped you off at school she got a fine for littering. shouldn’t play hide and seek, no one would problem with your face, people can see it. cremated together. People wish you no harm, Do you still love nature, de-spite what it look for you. Why don’t you shut up and give Just reminding you there is a very fine line but they feel it would have been much better did to you? . The only way you will ever that hole in your face a chance to heal? between hobby and mental ill-ness. if you had never lived. hear any good about yourself is to talk to yourself.

Taurus: (April 20 - May Leo: (July 23 - August 22) Scorpio: (October 23 - Aquarius: (January 20 - 20) November 21) February 18) People will try to be nicer if you’ll try being smarter. Any connection between Set aside special time to your reality and other peo- You’ve got a lot of Karma humiliate yourself in public. You’re so famous every ple is purely coincidental. to burn off. Two wrongs You lack the power of con- policeman knows you. You’re not funny, but Lots of people could love working for you don’t make a right, take your parents as an versation but not the power of speech. You your life, now that’s a joke.Yeah you’re pretty, - if they were graver diggers. People would example. Don’t feel sad, Frankenstein was may not have any enemies, but your friends pretty stupid. People can explain it to you, like to kick you in the teeth, but that would ugly too. . Go apologize to your mother for don’t really like you either. but they can’t under-stand it for you. be an improve-ment! not being a stillborn. You’re a light eater alright. As soon as it gets light, you start eating. Gemini: (May 21 - June Virgo: (August 23 - Sagittarius: (November 22 Pisces: (February 19 - 20) September 22) - December 21) March 20)

People like you. You remind You are really easy to get You look as if you had been along with once people The fact that no one poured into your clothes and them of when they were understands you doesn’t had forgotten to say “when.” young and stupid. People will ask you to get learn to worship you. Check eBay and see if mean you’re an artist. You bring everyone a You’re so ugly, when you popped out the doctor Off their planet! It looks like your face caught they have a life for sale. You have a face only lot of joy, when you leave the room. You’re so a mother could love - and she hates it! You said “Aww what a treasure” and your mom said on fire and someone tried to put it out with a ugly, when you got robbed, the robbers made have a very sympathetic face. It has every- you wear their masks “Yeah, lets bury it.” You do realize makeup isn’t hammer. one’s sympathy. going to fix your stupidity?