The Buffalo News - City of Buffalo

Byron Brown’s $482.5 million budget plan up for a vote today

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:29:07 -0400

By Jill Terreri

Mayor Byron Brown's proposed $482.5 million spending plan is up for a vote by the Common Council during a special meeting at 3 p.m. today in Council Chambers.

Council leadership and the administration are working out the details this morning, and the amendments have not been printed up, I'm told.

The Council's budget hearings involved questions to department heads related to many matters outside of what was contained in the budget, so it's unclear what Council members will do to change the proposal.

Fillmore Council Member David Franczyk had suggested the Council add money for crime surveillance cameras, enough for one in each Council district. Franczyk is in the minority so it's not a sure thing that will happen, but the Buffalo Police Department has about 600 requests for the cameras, and the clerk's office rountinely receives requests for cameras from block clubs.

The Council is not expected to change much in the budget - many of the members praised the document since it was released May 1. They will also likely not give Brown a headache with their changes, as seven of the nine Council members have appeared by Brown's side during his re-election campaign: President Rich Fontana, Majority Leader Demone Smith, President Pro Tempore Bonnie Russell and Council Members Darius Pridgen, David Rivera, Joe Golombek and Chris Scanlon.

In other activity today, the Planning Board met this morning and heard an intense debate about a proposed 90-foot cell phone tower on the property of St. Martin de Porres church on Northampton Street.

On one side was lawyer Adam Walters, representing T-Mobile, and on the other was lawyer Adam Perry, representing the church's neighbor, Community Action Organization of Erie County.

T-Mobile had a cell tower on the former Deconness hospital site nearby, before it was demolished. It now rents a temporary space owned by CAO and thought it could locate a permanent location on CAO property, but a suitable site couldn't be found, Walters said.

Walters tried to paint CAO as upset that they lost the tower lease to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, but CAO said they objected to the proposed location for other reasons, that it is too close to the sidewalk and makes the land around it undevelopable.

Perry said even though he represents CAO, he brought T-Mobile to the church in order to find a suitable site on that property, but that the proposed location they came up with is not appropriate for CAO's planned developments in the area.

CAO and Kaleida have a development agreement for the former Deaconess site, and L. Nathan Hare, executive director of CAO, said the organization will soon control the nine-acre site and could work with T-Mobile to locate it there.

Linden Park resident George Stokes told the board that the neighborhood is improving and that he didn't want the tower - and its 50 foot-by 50 foot base - so close to the street, but he didn't mind if it was set farther back.

The matter was tabled at the request of Ellicott Council Member Darius Pridgen, who urged the sides to work out their differences.

The Council will also have a vote on the tower, as special permission is needed to locate one in a residential district.

The Planning Board approved several projects, including architect Steve Carmina's makeover of a building at 9 Genesee St., that he and his wife, Brenda, are planning to move into. He is planning to return the building to what it looked like in 1930, and is applying for historic tax credits. The first floor would be used by a commercial tenant - as yet unknown - and the residence would be on the second and third floors.

A new music club planned by Savarino Companies at 49 Illinois St. was approved, though Marisa Proietta-Milbrand, co-owner of the nearby Cobblestone Bar objected, saying that Savarino tenants have complained about noise and that in the past complainants have reported her bar to the police department and the state liquor authority.

"There are many people in the Cobblestone district who are opposed to this project," said Proietta-Milbrand, who has been there for 14 years.

Because of complaints about her business, she is confused by Savarino's entry into the entertainment business, she said. She also complained about rodents in the area.

Savarino's director of development, Kevin Hays, explained that a Dumpster for the club will be located at a property that Savarino owns behind the club, and that the renovation of 49 Illinois will help to curb the rodent problem. He said the neighbors Savarino has spoken with - mostly Savarino tenants - support the project.

Other approvals include an outdoor patio with four tables for Manakeesh and More at 1146 Hertel Ave., and a new restaurant in Allentown. Khalid Ammur plans to open Luna Luci, a French and Italian restaurant at the old French Quarter at 220 Allen St., on July 1. A new sign at the Ambassador apartment building at 175 North St. was also approved.

The board waited on approving an additional level on a planned parking structure at Catholic Health System's new headquarters on Genesee Street near Route 33, and said a new public hearing must be held first.

Catholic Health is proposing adding a new level to the parking ramp to make room for 220 additional cars.

School elections are today

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:50:39 -0400

Voters in every Western New York community outside of Buffalo will head to the voting booth next Tuesday (May 21) to consider school budgets, school board candidates and propositions.

The following capsules include the financial information voters can use to see how their money would be spent. All figures related to tax rates and tax bills are estimates, either provided by school officials, or calculated based on information they provided. The taxes on a $100,000 (market value) home do not include the STAR rebate.

ERIE COUNTY

AKRON

Candidates (elect three): Mark Bramley (i), Shannon Cinotti, Phillip Kenline (i) and David Penn (i).
Total budget: $29.14 million, up 2.93 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.21 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $9.32 million, up 3.75 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: Newstead projection is $15.93, up 3.1 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,593.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 32 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 48 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m., 47 Bloomingdale Ave., Gym No. 3 (orange gym).
Web link: akronschools.org

Voters will consider a $29.1 million budget that will increase spending by nearly 3 percent from the current budget. Superintendent Kevin Shanley said the board has faced difficult decisions in recent budget seasons, but has taken a balanced approach using administrative and supervisory staff reductions, cuts in support staff, and faculty cuts. Shanley said negotiated concessions with the district’s employee associations have helped limit the amount of cuts and have helped bring forward a budget that is below the property levy tax cap.

Four candidates are running for three seats on the board; each with a three-year term:

Mark Bramley, 53, an incumbent, is seeking a second term.
Shannon Cinotti.
Phillip Kenline, 56, an incumbent who retired from the Navy and is a substitute teacher and Home Depot employee. He is seeking a second term.
David Penn, 42, an incumbent who is a mathematics teacher at Lancaster Middle School. He is seeking a second term.

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ALDEN

Candidates (Elect 1): James Yoerg (i).
Total budget: $33.23 million, up 3.56 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.68 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $14.55 million, up 3 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $37.74 in Alden, up 2.22 percent; $19.25 in Lancaster, up 2.23 percent; $41.84 in Marilla, up 2.30 percent; $19.25 in Newstead, up 2.23 percent; $21.78 in Darien, up 1.92 percent; and $44.01 in Bennington, up 1.88 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,925
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 43.8 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 39.9 percent.
Proposition 2: Voters will be asked to approve the purchase of four 66-passenger buses at a maximum cost of $460,000. The money would come from a reserve fund and would not impact the 2013-14 budget.
Proposition 3: Voters will be asked to authorize the purchase of a one-ton pickup truck with plow package, a used 14-foot box truck and a snow blower attachment for a lawn machine for the Building and Grounds Department at a maximum cost of $63,000. The money would come from a reserve fund and would not impact the 2013-14 budget.
Polls open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the gym at Alden High School, 13190 Park St.
Web link: aldenschools.org.

Voters will consider a $33.2 million budget that would increase spending by $1.1 million over the current budget.

The rise in spending is driven by a $655,434 increase in spending for benefits and a $361,140 increase in salary obligations.

Incumbent James Yoerg is running unopposed for a five-year term.

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AMHERST
• Candidates (Elect 2): Dominic Vivolo, William Shaflucas.
• Total budget: $49.47 million, up 3.7 percent.
• Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.34 percent.
• Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $32.55 million, up 3.7 percent.
• Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $21.79, up 3.7 percent
• Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,179.
• Percentage of budget from property taxes: 66 percent.
• Percentage of budget from state aid: 21 percent.
• Propositions B: Authorization to transfer $400,000 from the district’s unrestricted fund balance to the district’s Repair Reserve Fund, as established by the board in July.
• Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the south gym at Amherst High School, 4301 Main Street
• Web link: amherstschools.org

Voters will consider a $49.47 million budget that would increase spending by $1.77 million over the current budget.

The rise in spending is driven by rising personnel costs and a decrease in state aid. District officials are attempting to close a $1.7 million budget gap.

Two candidates are running for two three-year terms on the board. They are:

Dominic Vivolo, 47, a financial advisor and bank vice president who is vice chairman of the Amherst Youth Board.
William Shaflucas, 40, who operates a wedding disc jockey service in Buffalo and Rochester.

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CHEEKTOWAGA

Candidates (Elect 1): Heather DuBard and Dennis S. Kusak Jr.
Total budget: $39.9 million, up 2.09 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 3.58 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $22.43 million, up 2.93 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $28.44, up 2.97 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,763.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 56.2 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 30 percent.
Proposition 2: Voters will be asked to approve the establishment of a seat for a non-voting student member of the Board of Education.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the band room of Cheektowaga Central High School, 3600 Union Road.
Web link: cheektowagacentral.org.

Voters will consider a $39.9 million budget that would increase spending by $817,039 over the current budget.

The rise in spending is driven by a $4.4 million increase in employee benefits and an increase of $3.1 million for retirement costs.

Two candidates, Heather DuBard and Dennis S. Kusak Jr., are running for one five-year term on the board.

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CHEEKTOWAGA-SLOAN

Candidates (Elect 1): Claire Ferrucci (i), Sean Kaczmarek, Richard Piontek (i)
Total Budget: $33.4 million, up 1.06 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.1 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $14.8 million, a slight decrease.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $52.87 in Cheektowaga, a 21-cent decrease; $72.87 in West Seneca, a 29-cent decrease.
Taxes on a $100,000 home (market value): $3,278
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 44.5 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 35.1 percent.
Proposition 2: Elimination of all mileage boundaries for transportation to schools.
Proposition 3: Reform Board of Education election policy to reward candidates with highest total votes.
Proposition 4: Allow a student position on the Board of Education with non-voting, non-compensation status.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy High School gym, 305 Cayuga Creek Rd., Cheektowaga.
Web link: sloanschools.org

The Cheektowaga-Sloan School District is offering a slight tax decrease for its proposed $33.4 million budget, which raises spending by 1.06 percent.

The budget plan includes an increase in transportation for regular and handicapped students, benefits and instructional equipment and supplies.

Voters will also decide three propositions: one that would offer all district students transportation to schools; reforming the Board of Education process to reward the top vote getters seats on the board, instead of battling for individual seats; and allowing a student representative on the board that would not have voting power.

As for the Board of Education election, current vice president Claire Ferrucci is running unopposed for another five-year term, while incumbent Richard Piontek faces one challenger for his seat, Sean Kaczmarek, a 2012 co-valedictorian of John F. Kennedy High School and current University at Buffalo student.

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CLARENCE

Candidates (Elect 2): Tricia Andrews, Beth Bivona, Joseph J. DePasquale, Martha Root Dippold, Jason Lahti, Ian Scaduto, and Roger Showalter.
Total budget: $73.3 million, up 1.1 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 3.8 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $43.6 million, up 9.8 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $15.52, up 8.8 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,552.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 60 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 29 percent.
Proposition 2: Borrow to purchase 12 school buses and one pickup truck with plow – not to exceed $995,000
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., High School gymnasium, 9625 Main St.
Web link: clarenceschools.org

Voters will consider a $73.3 million budget that would increase spending by $800,000 over the current budget. The district is attempting to cover a budget gap with a combination of staff and spending cuts, as well as an increase in the property tax levy.

Superintendent Geoffrey Hicks has said the budget being put before voters attempts to keep costs in check without cutting so deeply as to undermine the district’s educational programs. The budget will need at least 60 percent voter support to pass because it would exceed the property tax levy cap.

Seven candidates are running for two three-year terms on the board. (Two incumbents, Elaine Deiderich and Jean Ranney, are not seeking re-election.) The candidates are:

Tricia Andrews, 39, a stay-at-home mom and former physical education teacher.
Beth Bivona, 42, partner at Damon Morey.
Joseph J. DePasquale, 40, senior manager at VMware.
Martha Root Dippold, 55, retired special education teacher.
Jason Lahti, 40, president of iQ Modular Homes and treasurer of Buffalo Tungsten Inc.
Ian Scaduto, 19, a University at Buffalo student.
Roger Showalter, 42, president of Niagara Refining LLC and vice president of Buffalo Tungsten.

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CLEVELAND HILL

Candidates (Elect 2): Paul Kunkel (i); Robert Polino (i).
Total Budget: $30.1 million, up 1.36 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.76 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $12.18 million, up 3.49 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $45.83.
Taxes on a $100,000 home (market value): $2,841.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 40.4 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 40.8 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. in Cleveland Hill High School auditorium, 105 Mapleview Rd.
Web link: clevehill.wnyric.org

With a $30.1 million budget plan that raises spending 1.36 percent and increases the tax rate by 3.49 percent, the Cleveland Hill Union Free School District wants to maintain the current educational programs it offers for students.

Two current Cleveland Hill School Board members are seeking reelection in uncontested races, as Robert Polino and Paul Kunkel are both seeking additional three-year terms.

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DEPEW

Candidates (Elect 3): Nancy Fumerelle (i), Patrick Law, Gabrielle Miller, Nicole Simon and President John Spencer (i).
Total budget: $38.5 million, up 2.85 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.31 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $16.6 million, up 2.97 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $34.31 in Cheektowaga, up 2.97 percent, and $21.27 in Lancaster, up 2.97 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,127.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 42.57 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 40.93 percent.
Proposition 2: Voters will be asked to approve the use of $460,851 from a reserve fund to purchase two large school buses, four 28-seat vans and a plow truck for the Buildings and Grounds Department. The money would be taken from a reserve fund that was established in 2009 and would not affect the 2013-14 budget.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. May 21 in the library at Cayuga Heights Elementary School, 1780 Como Park Blvd.
Web link: depewschools.org.

Voters will consider a $38.9 million budget that would increase spending by $1.1 million over the current budget.

The rise in spending is driven by a $544,208 increase in pension payments and a $579,905 increase in health insurance costs.

Five candidates are running for three seats on the board, and the top vote-getters will each win a three-year term. They are:

Board President John Spencer, a 35-year Depew resident, seven-year member of the Board of Education and firefighter who also is president of the Aetna Hose Co.
Incumbent Trustee Nancy Fumerelle, 49, a resident of Depew for 42 years whose career includes planning, implementing and teaching preschoolers.
Patrick Law, 42, a labor relations officer with the Department of Homeland Security who also is president of Southline Little League/Southline Athletic Association.
Gabrielle Miller, 48, a political newcomer who has volunteered with Depew schools for 20 years and attended board meetings for 15 years as a taxpayer and parent.
Nicole Simon, 36, a political newcomer who has lived in Depew all her life and who is the senior project contract administrator for a local construction company.

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EAST AURORA

Candidates (Elect 2): Judith A. Malys; Clark Martens or Terri Ohlweiler.
Total budget: $29.89 million, up by 2.7 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 3.37 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $17.99 million, up by 3.37 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $37.10 for Aurora; $33.08 for Colden; $313.66 for Elma (not on full valuation). All tax rates reflect a 3.37 percent increase.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,521.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 60.2 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 25.3 percent.
Proposition 2: None
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Middle School cafeteria, 430 Main St.
Web link: eastauroraschools.org.

The district’s $29.89 million budget plan ended up achieving the School Board’s ultimate goal of preserving programs and avoid cutting any teacher positions, given painful cuts that were made last year. The budget raises spending by 2.7 percent and factors in the maximum allowable tax cap of 3.37 percent.

After weeks of haggling about proposed cuts – recommended after some board members asked the administration to pare more - the board and administrators ended up increasing revenues estimates by $23,000 for sales tax and from unspecified miscellaneous sources, as well as trimming about $39,000 from the central administration and buildings and grounds lines, to help restore controversial items that had been on the chopping block. The district also is increasing its appropriated reserves by $225,000 to help balance the budget.

In the end, the seven-member board, which had been divided on the budget, unanimously supported it when it was adopted.

Earlier cuts of boys and girls modified sports, specifically soccer and basketball, have been reinstated in the budget, allowing for modified sports to be restored. A Middle School teacher position that had been a likely cut, also was re-instated.

What has been cut are two part-time clerical positions, one in central administration and another at Parkdale Elementary School; as well as two teacher aides, one at the high school and the other at the Middle School.

“We’re keeping the same programming, plus adding a few electives at the high school,” said Paul Blowers, district business manager.

Class sizes remain unchanged.

Three candidates are running for two, three-year terms on the board. They are:

Judith A. Malys, 64, a retired East Aurora school teacher, who has previously run twice for the board.
Clark Martens, 49, an engineer, who ran for the board 11 years ago.
Terri Ohlweiler, 45, a stay-at-home mother of three children and treasurer of the Parkdale School Parent Teacher Organization.

Board incumbents Kathyann Lorka, currently the vice president; and Eric Sweet are not seeking re-election.

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EDEN

Candidates (Elect 2): Kristen D. Pinker (i), Patricia M. Krouse, Steven P. Cerne (i), Paul R. Shephard.
Total budget: $25.72 million, up 2.1 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 2.9 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $13.05 million, up 1.99 percent
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $19.33 in Boston, up 1.7 percent; $41.60 in Concord, up 2.9 percent; $28.99 in Eden, up 2.2 percent; $19.14 in Evans, up .67 percent; $19.14 in North Collins, up .67 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,914.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 50.7 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 38.8 percent.
Proposition 2: Voters will be asked to spend up to $32,000 from the district’s repair reserve fund to purchase and install a new catalytic converter for the district’s co-generation plant, which is required by Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The purchase will have no impact on the 2013-2014 tax levy.
Polls open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Eden Central Junior/ Senior High School, 3150 Schoolview Road, Eden.
Web link: edencsd.org

Voters will consider a $25.7 million budget that, among other changes, would cut about eight teaching positions as the district changes from block scheduling to a more traditional schedule at the Junior-Senior High School. Superintendent Sandra Anzalone said the changes would be made without affecting programs.

District leaders, who had previously considered a different set of budget cuts, were able to retain an assistant principal at the Junior-Senior High School, but reduced the position to 10 months. Anzalone said several factors, including a lower insurance rate and the retirement of an elementary school principal, contributed to the decision to retain the position.

The budget would also end 5 p.m. bus runs, reduce spending on materials and supplies by 10 percent and reduce spending on non-mandated music, arts and athletic programs by 5 percent.

Anzalone said 13 courses that have 10 or fewer students would be cut next year. That will not affect small upper level classes that are at the end of a sequence of courses.

Four candidates are running for two three-year terms on the board. They are:

Kristen D. Pinker, 45, is an international marketing manager who is seeking her second term on the school board. She is currently the board’s vice president.
Patricia M. Krouse, 44, is a consultant for NutraMetrix who is running for her first term on the board.
Steven P. Cerne, 48, is a management consultant. He has served on the school board for five years and is currently its president.
Paul R. Shephard, 49, is an emergency medical service instructor who spent eight years in the Air Force. He is running for his first term on the board.

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FRONTIER

Candidates (Elect 2): *There is no board race this year, since voters last year approved a referendum downsizing the board from nine to seven members. As of July 1, board seats now held by veteran board member Nancy Wood, who has served for 30 years; and Jeremey Rosen, who has served for 5 years, will be eliminated.
Total budget: $73.21 million, up by 1.28 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 3.51 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $34.96 million, up by 3.5 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $25.20 in Hamburg, up by 3.08 percent; $22.90 in Eden, up by 3.08 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,534.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 47.8 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 38.3 percent.
Proposition 2: Asking voters for approval to purchase $863,739 for a total of eight buses to help supplement a bus fleet that has some buses with high mileage that need to be retired. The purchase would include five, 66-passenger buses; two 30 to 35-passenger buses and one 35-passenger bus with wheelchair accessibility.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at just one polling site this year: The Frontier Community Learning Center at 4540 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.
Web link: frontier.wnyric.org.

Voters will consider approving a $73.2 million budget, which calls for the elimination of 24.8 full-time equivalent teachers and support staff for the next school year. The budget increases spending by 1.28 percent and uses the maximum tax levy cap of 3.51 percent.

The staff cuts would have been more severe, had the School Board last month not decided to apply an additional $500,000 of reserve money to the budget, hoping to restore some positions.
The district originally faced a $3.2 million budget gap in February, but was able to close the gap through revenue adjustments, additional state aid and staff trims. The district also refinanced bonds at lower interest rates in order to lower debt payments.

The district faced the tough choice of whether to dip into its piggybank again to lessen the impact of budget woes, and chose to do so. The administration has said it does not yet know what programs or staff could by restored by cushioning the budget with an additional $500,000 of reserve money.

“We’re just giving ourselves a little leverage to decide what we can restore,” said Board President Janet MacGregor Plarr. “If you think this year is tough, we have another few tough years ahead of us. Those retirement system rates are continuing to climb and we have no control over it. We are very nervous in adding this money. This is not a promise to restore all these positions. We will restore what needs to be restored.”

The administration also expects to freeze expenditures this year, as it has had to do in the past. “We will have to do a hard freeze on expenditures this year,” Plarr said. “Every nickel we can save, we have to.”

There is no board race this year.

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GRAND ISLAND

Candidates (Elect 3): Acting President Paul Krull (i), Donna Tomkins (i) and Lisa Pyc.
Total budget: $54.4 million, up 2.52 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 2.67 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $30 million, up 2.67 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $19.10.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,910 (Grand Island is in the process of shifting assessments to 100 percent valuation.)
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 56 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 29 percent.
Proposition 2: Voters will be asked to consider the purchase of school buses and other vehicles for an amount not to exceed $709,860. The Board of Education would determine the tax levied and the finance terms at a later date if the proposition is approved.
Polls open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 21 at Grand Island High School, 1100 Ransom Road.
Web link: k12.ginet.org.

Voters will consider a $54.4 million budget that would increase spending by $1.3 million over the current budget.

The rise in spending is driven by an $886,033 increase in salary obligations and an increase of $764,250 for pension costs.

Three candidates are running for three seats on the board. The top two vote-getters will receive three-year terms, and the third-place finisher will be appointed immediately to fill out the last two years of the seat left vacant when Board President David Goris resigned in January. They are:

Incumbent Donna Tomkins, 54, a travel manager and 31-year Grand Island resident seeking her second board term.
Lisa Pyc, 40, a political newcomer and a state-licensed mental health counselor who has lived in Grand Island for more than a decade.
Acting President Paul Krull, 48, a foreman at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority.

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HAMBURG

Candidates (Elect 3): Joan Calkins (i), John R. Callahan, Catherine Schrauth Forcucci, Laura Heeter, Gary R. Klumpp, Sheila Ruhland and David Yoviene.
Total budget: $60.25 million, up 6.45 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.4 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $33.51 million, up 5.4 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $33.62 in Hamburg, up 5 percent; $20.48 for Boston, up 5.14 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,048
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 55.6 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 34 percent.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the high school gym, 4111 Legion Dr.
Web link: hamburgschools.org

The proposed budget continues current programming in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities for the 2013-14 school year, unlike the past three years where there were major staff and program reductions.

Two board members, Diane R. Reynolds and Matthew Dils, are not seeking reelection. There are seven candidates running for three School Board seats. They are:

Joan Calkins, 59, the incumbent board president who is a pediatrician.
John R. Callahan, 43, a financial analyst.
Catherine Schrauth Forcucci, 50, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier.
Laura Heeter, 43, a homemaker and former special education teacher.
Gary R. Klumpp, 56, a baseball instructor and clinic director at New Era School of Baseball.
Sheila Ruhland, 50, an Erie County Probation Department supervisor.
David Yoviene, 55, part-owner of Sellmore Industries Inc., a wholesale building products distributor.

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HOLLAND

Candidates (Elect 2): Jenelle Broom Nadler, Brian Jones, Paul Rowe
Total budget: $18 million, up 5.5 percent
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.5 percent
Tax levy: $6.9 million, up 4.5 percent
Property tax rates per $1,000 assessed value: $14.52, up 4.3 percent in Holland.
Taxes on $100,000 home (estimate): $1,457
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 37 percent
Percent of budget from state aid: 49 percent
Proposition 2: Purchase of one 66-passenger bus, one 34-passenger van, and one 10- passenger van for a total cost of $198,000.
Proposition 3: Authorize transfer of up to $150,000 from the unrestricted fund balance to the district’s Repair Reserve Fund
Polls open: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Middle School Cafeteria, 11720 Partridge Rd.
Web link: holland.wnyric.org

Residents in the Holland Central School District will vote on an $18 million spending plan that increases the tax levy by the 4.5 percent allowed under the tax cap formula.

Though the budget is a million dollars higher than last year, it calls for the elimination of varsity girls’ swimming, cheerleading and modified wrestling as well as several teaching positions.

A transportation proposal will also appear on the ballot, as well as, another proposition to add funds to the district’s Repair Reserve.

For the first time voters will elect board members at-large instead of by seat as was done in the past. There are three candidates vying for two seats which carry a five-year term:

Jenelle Broom Nadler, a Holland Central alumni, works in the health care field, is a mother of two, a former PTO president and recipient of Holland’s “triple H” award.
Brian Jones has lived in Holland for 14 years and is involved in the Holland Raiders, wrestling club, and the Boys and Girls Club. The father of five works at a specialty cement and adhesive manufacturer.
Paul Rowe, father of three, moved to Holland in 2002 and is employed in the computer technology field. He is a former president of the Holland Raiders and a NYS certified snowmobile safety instructor.

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IROQUOIS

Candidates (Elect 2): Sharon Szeglowski, Daniel T. Behlmaier
Total budget: $44.1 million, up 1.39 percent
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 2.24 percent
Tax levy: $26.1 million, up 2.24 percent
Property tax rates per $1,000 assessed value: $340.76 for Elma, up 2.2 percent; $35.92 for Marilla, up 2.2 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (estimate): $1,653
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 59.2 percent
Percent of budget from state aid: 27.4 percent
Proposition 2: Purchase 3 (62-passenger) buses and 2 van at a maximum cost of $400,000
Proposition 3: Expend $60,000 from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund known as the “Technology Reserve Fund
Polls open: 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Iroquois Intermediate Gymnasium, Girdle Road
Web link: iroquoiscsd.org

Residents in the Iroquois Central School District will decide on a $44.1 million budget that carries a tax levy increase of 2.24 percent- the lowest in 15 years. The spending plan maintains current academic programs and class sizes as well as all extra-curricular programs offered in 2012-13.

Two candidates are running unopposed for two seats on the Board. They are:

Sharon Szeglowski, a former teacher for 21 years, has a master degree in Social Studies Education, two children, and is active with the Iroquois Ambassador Group.
Daniel T. Behlmaier, whose two daughters attend Iroquois schools, works for Cintas where he has held positions in sales and branch management and been a director for 15 years. He also worked at the Stanley G. Falk School.

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KENMORE-TOWN OF TONAWANDA

Candidates (Elect 2): Bob Dana (i), Richard Harned, Stephen Hart and Todd Potter.
Total budget: $149 million, up .84 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.66 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $75.2 million, up 4.66 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $45.20.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,124.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 50.5 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 32.06 percent.
Proposition 2: purchase up to two diesel 65-passenger school buses; four gasoline 30-passenger school buses; and one gasoline wheelchair bus, at a total cost not to exceed $525,046.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Herbert Hoover School, 249 Thorncliff Road.
Web link: kenton.k12.ny.us

Voters will consider a $149 million budget that would increase spending by $1.23 million over the current budget.

The proposed budget is the first, in four years, that doesn’t directly reduce student programming or increase class sizes. This year’s voting features the return to a single polling place – down from three.

Four candidates are running for two, three-year terms on the board. They are:

Incumbent Bob Dana, 67, a retired business teacher for the Williamsville Central School District, is seeking a second term, having served as president throughout his first.
Richard Harned, 67, taught social studies for more than 30 years at the district’s two high schools, as well as Hoover Middle School.
Stephen Hart, 31, a former employee of Ken-Ton’s Building and Grounds Department, is a teaching assistant at Amherst Middle School and also serves as a coach.
Todd Potter, 22, is a 2009 graduate of Kenmore East High School; 2012 graduate of D’Youville College – earning a bachelor’s degree in history; and is a student at the University at Buffalo’s Law School.

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LACKAWANNA

Candidates (Elect 2): Jennifer R. Grzybowski, Ronald S. Miller (i), Nicholas Sobaszek, and Richard P. Zybert.
Total Budget: $47.5 million, up 4.89 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.3 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $8.59 million, no change.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: Homestead rate of $12.43 per $1,000; Non-homestead rate of $32.02 per $1,000.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,255.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 18.1 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 61.9 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m.
Polling sites: First Ward, Bocce Court, 175 Madison Avenue; Second Ward, Queen of Angels Hall (St. Michael’s), 144 Warsaw Street; Third Ward, McKinley School, 245 South Shore Boulevard; Fourth Ward, Lackawanna Senior High School, 550 Martin Road.
Web link: lackawannaschools.org

Voters will consider a $47.5 million budget that would increase spending by $2.2 million over the current budget. The proposed spending plan, adopted April 22 by the Lackawanna Board of Education, would eliminate the equivalent of 11 of the district’s 154 teaching positions.

The rise in spending is driven primarily by increased pension and health care costs, and will be paid for through increased state aid and surplus spending.

Four candidates are running for two three-year terms on the board. They are:

Jennifer R. Grzybowski, a 2000 graduate of Lackawanna High School, who received a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo and worked in the insurance industry before becoming a stay-at-home mother to three children. She is currently president of the Truman School parent-teacher association.
Board President Ronald S. Miller, a retired Lackawanna police officer, is the only incumbent candidate.
Nicholas Sobaszek, a 2004 graduate of Lackawanna High School, is a student at SUNY Buffalo State and works as a sales manager for Unicorn.
Richard P. Zybert, a retired Lackawanna police officer, ran the D.A.R.E. program in Lackawanna schools for many years

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LAKE SHORE

Candidates (Elect 3): Cynthia Latimore (i), William J. Connors Jr., Jennifer S. Farrell.
Total budget: $53.28 million, up 1.02 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 2.37 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $16.28 million, up 2.34 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $17.13, up 2.3 percent in Evans; $17.31, up 2.3 percent in Brant; $25.58, up 2.3 percent in Eden.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,713.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 30.5 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 49.7 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase of three full-size, 71-passenger school buses for a total cost of $340,639.
Polls open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the lobby of Lake Shore Senior High School, 959 Beach Road.
Web link: lakeshore.wnyric.org.

Voters will consider a $53.28 million budget for the 2013-14 school year, an increase in spending of $535,694. The increase is driven largely by growing retirement costs.

The budget picture was much gloomier, until recently, when the state restored aid in the amount of $902,023. Still, the board made a series of cuts, including chopping five instructional positions and one noninstructional position, to save the district more than $226,000.

Three candidates are running for three, three-year terms on the board. They are:

Cynthia Latimore, 46, an incumbent school board member who graduated from Lake Shore in 1985 and has been employed by Roswell Park Cancer Institute for 20 years.
William J. Connors Jr., 40, a software executive and 1990 graduate of Lake Shore, whose family runs Connors Hot Dog Stand.
Jennifer S. Farrell, 36, a lifelong Evans resident who is an attorney and partner in the firm of Farrell & Farrell in Hamburg.

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LANCASTER

Candidates (Elect 2): William J. Gallagher, Kenneth E. Graber (i), Julie Gies Kaska.
Total budget: $94.72 million, up 3.5 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.99 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $46.21 million, up 3.96 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $16.54, up 3.05 percent in Lancaster; $26.68, up 3.05 percent in Cheektowaga; $341.03, up 3.07 percent in Elma.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,654.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 48.8 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 29.8 percent.
Proposition 2: Spending $906,107 from the bus reserve fund to buy eight, 65-passenger replacement buses, with no tax impact.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Lancaster High School’s Java Gym, One Forton Drive.
Web link: lancasterschools.org

Next year’s $94.72 million budget for the Lancaster School District would increase spending by 3.5 percent over the current budget while raising the tax levy by 3.96 percent.

District officials said the increase in spending is driven by increased costs for employee health insurance and retirement benefits.

The budget plan eliminates three elementary school teaching positions because of declining enrollment, and projects that five employees who are taking an early retirement incentive won’t be replaced.

The property tax rate rises by 3.05 percent and the owner of a home in Lancaster assessed at $100,000 would pay $49 more in school taxes next year. The district also covers a small portion of the towns of Cheektowaga and Elma.

Three candidates are running for two, three-year terms on the School Board. They are:

William J. Gallagher, 36, a math teacher at Frontier Middle School.
Board President Kenneth E. Graber, 62, an administrative law judge with the New York State Board of Parole who is completing his third term on the board.
Julie Gies Kaska , 44, a stay-at-home mother and active volunteer in the district, where she serves as a parent representative on the Advisory Council.

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MARYVALE

Candidates (Elect 1): Julianne Renczkowski.
Total Budget: $36.4 million, up 1.46 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.39 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $19 million, up 2.94 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: Ranging from $30.29 to $30.44, which translates to 2.45 to 2.94 percent.
Taxes on a $100,000 home (market value): Between $1,878 and $1,887.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 52.2 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 37 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. in Robert A. Brinner Educational Center, 1050 Maryvale Dr.
Web link: maryvale.wnyric.org

Maryvale Schools is proposing a $36.4 million budget plan that would raise spending 1.46 percent. The proposed budget would raise the tax rate up to 2.94 percent, but the increase may fall to as low as 2.45 percent when the tax rolls are finalized in August.

After years of staffing and program cuts, the Board of Education directed district administrators to develop a spending plan that maintained the current status quo.

Only one Board of Education seat is up for grabs in an uncontested election. Newcomer Julianne Renczkowski is running for the seat currently held by Board President Margaret Bourdette who is not seeking reelection.

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NORTH COLLINS

Candidates (Elect 1): Tammy Winter.
Total budget: $14.87 million, up 3.2 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 6.2 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $5.02 million, up 2.92 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $21.05, up 2.9 percent in North Collins.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,105.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 33.78 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 47.63 percent.
Proposition 2: To purchase one bus and one vehicle at a cost not to exceed $220,000.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. in North Collins Jr/Sr High School Gym, 2045 School St.
Web link: northcollins.com

North Collins could have raised the tax levy over 6 percent and still stayed within the tax cap, but the School Board wanted to say within the 3 percent increase range, according to Superintendent Benjamin A. Halsey.

The board also tried to strike a balance between the use of state aid, taxes and existing district funds.
“Having a balance of the use of three of those provides for more stability,” he said.

The budget uses more than $800,000 in fund balance and reserves to keep the tax rate down and protect existing programs. Current programming will remain in place, and the budget reduces a laborer’s position through attrition and a part-time high school science teaching position.

Incumbent Richard Foster is not running for reelection, and Tammy Winter is the only candidate for the seat.

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ORCHARD PARK

Candidates (Elect 3): Anthony Agnello, Dwight D. Mateer, Donna M. Omar (i), Natalie A. Schaffer, (i), Christopher T. Shively and Christine Gray Tinnesz.
Total budget: $86.04 million, up 2.87 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 3.29 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $54.81 million, up 3.28 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $32.01 in Orchard Park, up 2.39 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,857.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 63.7 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 25 percent.
Proposition 2: To spend up to $700,000 to buy four buses, three vans and one wheelchair van
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Orchard Park High School Gym, 4040 Baker Road. Use the Freeman Road entrance for ease of parking and entrance to gym.
Web link: opschools.org

Next year’s budget would keep class sizes within current School Board guidelines, with a net reduction in staff of 8.25 full-time equivalent positions. That includes the net addition of a 0.4 teaching position and a reduction of 8.65 support staff positions. The budget also preserves the gifted and talented program in the elementary and middle schools and increases counselor and social worker support on the elementary level.

Voters also will consider buying four buses, three vans and a wheelchair van. The vehicles will be funded through state aid and savings on staff contract concessions.

There are six candidates running for three School Board seats. The two candidates with the highest vote totals will be elected to three-year terms. The candidate coming in third will fill the remainder of the term of former board President Alfred McClymonds, which will start May 21 and end on June 30, 2015.

The candidates are:

Anthony Agnello, 65, a retired biology teacher, a football, track and wrestling coach at Orchard Park High School.
Dwight D. Mateer, 44, a civil engineer.
Donna M. Omar (i), 46, certified fitness specialist and owner of Anytime Fitness.
Natalie A. Schaffer (i), 44, an attorney and project manager for construction of a medical facility in Lancaster.
Christopher T. Shively, 47, an assistant professor of elementary education at SUNY Buffalo State.
Christine Gray Tinnesz, 40, an instructor for the schools of education at SUNY Buffalo State and Medaille College.

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SPRINGVILLE-GRIFFITH

Candidates (Elect 1): William Bursee, Allison Duwe
Total budget: $34.9 million, up 3 percent
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.1 percent
Tax levy: $14.7million, up 1 percent
Property tax rates per $1,000 assessed value: $17.20, up 1 percent
Taxes on $100,000 home (estimate): $1,720
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 42 percent
Percent of budget from state aid: 46 percent
Proposition 2: The purchase of four 66-passenger buses, two 16-passenger buses, and one 24-passenger bus with wheelchair lift at a maximum aggregate cost of $577,127
Polls open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations: High School Library Media Center, 290 North Buffalo St.; Colden Elementary School, 8263 Boston-Colden Rd., Colden and Collins Center Fire Hall, Main St., Collins Center.
Web link: springvillegi.org

Voters in the Springville-Griffith Institute Central School District will decide on a $34.9 million budget, an increase of 3 percent over the current year. The spending plan maintains class sizes, athletic and extracurricular programs, returns team teaching to the Middle School, and allows for the implementation of a Family Support Center.

The one percent tax levy increase is below the 5.1 percent tax cap allowed for the district. A transportation proposal will also appear on the ballot.

The terms of three board members are expiring June 30, but due to a voter-approved Board reduction from seven seats to five, only one seat is vacant. Competing for the seat which carries a three-year term are:

William Bursee, a local business owner with 25 employees, who has lived with his wife and two children in Springville for 14 years
Allison Duwe, a graduate of Springville-Griffith Institute, who is former president of the Springville Center for the Arts. She and her husband will send the first of three children to kindergarten this fall.

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SWEET HOME

Candidate (Elect 1): Scott M. Johnson (i).
Total budget: $68.16 million, up 1.24 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.45 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $38.68 million, up 3.58 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $14.99, up 3.52 percent in Amherst; $31.85 in Tonawanda, up 3.51 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,499.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 57.04 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 28.51 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase four, 65-passenger school buses at a cost of $442,000.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Vergils Community Center at Sweet Home High School, 1901 Sweet Home Road.
Web link: sweethomeschools.com

Voters will consider a $68.16 million budget that would increase spending by $833,386 over the current spending plan.

The rise in spending is driven by increases in health insurance premiums and retirement system contributions. The latter, by itself, increased by more than $1.5 million and would have raised the tax levy by 4.3 percent.

Scott M. Johnson, the School Board’s current vice president, is running unopposed for a five-year term. Initially appointed to fill a vacancy, this would be his second full term on the board.

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CITY OF TONAWANDA

Candidates (Elect 3): Geraldine Angelo, Fred Busch, Elizabeth Olka, Danielle Opalinski (i)
Total Budget: $29.8 million, up 1.07 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.5 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $11.2 million, up 3.2 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $17.84, up 3.2 percent
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,784.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 37.6 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 51 percent.
Proposition 2: Approve the sale of Central School to David Capretto for $220,000.
Polls open: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tonawanda High School Wellness Gym, 600 Fletcher St.
Web link: tonawandacsd.org

After several years of developing budgets that kept the tax rate flat through the use of its reserve fund, the Tonawanda City School District is asking voters to approve a $29.8 million budget that will raise the tax levy rate by 3.2 percent.

Tonawanda’s proposed budget makes some reductions to the BOCES special education program and eliminates three full-time teaching positions. It also allows the district to add about $131,000 back into its reserve fund.

The district is also asking voters to approve the sale of the Central School building to developer David Capretto for $220,000. The building has not been used for instruction for years, and has been mainly used for equipment and student record storage. Capretto reportedly wants to convert the building into apartment spaces, although the district will still lease storage space from the owner if the sale is approved.

Four candidates will vie for three open seats, all three-year terms, on the Board of Education. Danielle Opalinski, an incumbent who was appointed to the board in February, is running for her first full term. Joining her on the ballot are former board member Elizabeth Olka and newcomers Fred Busch and Geraldine Angelo. The top vote getter will assume Opalinski’s seat immediately. The board’s current leadership – Jackie Smilinich and Demelt Shaw – are not seeking re-election.

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WEST SENECA

Candidates (Elect 3): Frank Calieri, Julie Goodwin, Timothy Elling, John C. Oshei, Karl Spencer, Carol Jarczyk (i), Christen Buchholtz and Kate Newton.
Total budget: $106.82 million, down 1.26 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.69 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $54.08 million, up 2.92 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: All are up 2.51 percent. $38.99 in West Seneca; $28.30 in Cheektowaga; $28.81 in Hamburg; and $30.25 in Orchard Park.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,755.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 50.6 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 38.2 percent.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. West Seneca East High School, 4670 Seneca St.
Web link: wscschools.org

Voters will consider a $106.82 million budget in which spending is down by approximately $1.35 million over the current budget.

While there’s a reduction in personnel of more than 100 people, the costs related to dozens of pending retirements is almost $3.27 million.

Eight candidates are running for three seats on the board. The top two vote-getters will serve three- year terms and the person with the third highest total will serve a year.

Frank Calieri, 46.
Julie Goodwin, 28.
Timothy Elling, 52.
John C. Oshei, 18.
Karl Spencer, 49.
Carol Jarczyk, 57.
Christen Buchholtz, 30.
Kate Newton, 45.

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WILLIAMSVILLE

Candidates (Elect 3): Anthony J. Lafornara III, Michael Kane, Thomas J. Navarro Jr., Carrie Kahn (i), Peter U. Bergmann (i), Mohan Devgunn (i).
Total budget: $170 million, up 3.32 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.34 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $110.5 million, up 3.89 percent
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $18.96 in Amherst and Clarence, up 3.29 percent; $29.60 in Cheektowaga, up 3.29 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,896.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 65 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 19.78 percent.
Proposition 2: Voters will be asked to authorize the district to spend up to $920,000 from the transportation capital reserve funds to lease or purchase replacements for eight buses.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in North High School Gymnasium, 1595 Hopkins Road, Williamsville.
Web link: williamsvillek12.org

Voters will consider a $170 million budget that would increase spending by 3.32 percent over the current budget, but remains within the district’s tax cap.

The budget maintains the current level of academic and extracurricular programming, district administrators have said, and includes money to enhance school security, to restore a full-time middle school social worker and to return two BOCES classes to the district. It also reallocates technology funding for a universal iPad program for fifth-graders.

A $3.1 million increase for pension costs makes up more than half of the increased spending in the budget.

Six candidates are running for three three-year terms on the board. They are:

Anthony J. Lafornara III, 47, a teacher in the Buffalo City Schools, who has three children attending school in Williamsville.
Michael Kane, 24, a local attorney and a 2006 graduate of North High School.
Thomas J. Navarro Jr., 50, a local attorney and a parent in the school district.
Carrie Kahn, 59, executive dean of workforce development at Erie Community College and the mother of a South High School graduate. She is currently board president.
Peter U. Bergmann, 42, president and CEO of Sisters of Charity Hospital, who has three children attending school in the district. He was appointed to the board in late August.
Mohan Devgun, 70, a professor at SUNY College at Buffalo and the father of an East High School graduate. He was first elected to the board in 2010.

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NIAGARA COUNTY

BARKER

Candidates (Elect 2): William Smith (i); Mary Jo Clemens-Harris and John McDonald.
Total budget: $19,018,424, down 2.4 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 90 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $3,914,401, up 3.5 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $15.96, up 54 cents
Taxes on a $100,000 home: $1,596
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 20.5 percent
Percentage of budget from state aid: 34.4 percent
Proposition 2: Proposal to convert Barker Free Library into a school district library with a $75,000 budget.
Proposition 3: Candidates for Library Board (Elect 7): Roy Anderson, James Trinder, Pamela Atwater, Terrence Upton, Henry Charache, Marilyn Zaciewski and Seanna Corwin-Bradley.
Polls open: Noon to 8 p.m. in the Barker High School Auditorium, 1628 Quaker Rd.
Web link: barkercsd.net

Voters will consider a $19 million budget that cuts spending nearly $467,000 from its current level, a 2.4 percent reduction.

“While our expenditures have steadily risen, our revenues have decreased, primarily from our PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) with the Somerset coal plant (now Upstate Power Producers) , which will drop $3 million in 2013-14,” said Superintendent Roger Klatt.

To help cut down on costs, Barker and the Royalton-Hartland districts will share a superintendent. Effective July 1, Klatt will oversee both districts.

The district has also taken on other collaborative agreements with Roy-Hart “by sharing our football program and we will share wrestling and some special education programs and a business teacher. We are also eliminating 6 full-time positions and will not fill vacancies created with retirements,” Klatt said.

Voters will choose from a field of three candidates for two school board openings.

Candidates are:

Incumbent William Smith, 73, retired Barker elementary teacher who has served on Barker School Board for 18 years. Was board president for seven years and currently serves as vice-president.
Mary Jo Clemens-Harris, 44, is an optician. This is her second time running for a seat on the board.
John McDonald , 65, retired General Motors toolmaker. Also taught vocational education for BOCES for 10 years. First time running for elected office.

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LEWISTON-PORTER

Candidates (Elect 3): Jodee L. Riordan (i), Anna D. Bouley Wright, Betty VanDenBosch Warrick.
Total budget: $40 million, down 1.16 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $23.6 million, up 5.52 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $24.06 in Lewiston, up 5.22, and $20.69 in Porter, up 4.86 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,966. Percentage of budget from property taxes: 59 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 34.8 percent.
Proposition 2: $26 million capital improvement project for interior and exterior reconstruction and renovation work for code and safety measures and upgrades throughout the district, as well as a number of enhancements and upgrades including the pool and locker room and air conditioning for the computer labs.
Polls open: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Community Resource Center [board room], 4671 Creek Road.
Web link: lew-port.com

Despite an overall decrease from budget to budget, the proposed $40 million dollar Lewiston-Porter budget would affect taxpayers with a 5.5 percent tax increase. The increased tax levy exceeds their district’s tax levy threshold and the proposed budget will need a 60 percent majority to pass.

Superintendent R. Christopher Roser said the increase is caused by the loss of state aid from New York State’s gap elimination adjustment, which for each of the past three years took away $2.4 million in state aid from their district.

“This is the fourth year in a row we are trying to operate with significantly less funds than we had four years ago.” He said they have attempted to avoid increases, staying at the same tax level for three years and at the threshold this past year, but he said this past year they were one of eight districts in the state operating with no fund balance.

The proposed budget also cuts 23 positions – nine teachers, nine support staff and five they are not filling. “There is not a stash of money floating around in our budget. We’ve cut lots of positions, but this year we hit the wall. This [budget] will maintain the programming that our community wants for our students,” said Roser

Three candidates are running for two three-year terms on the board. They are:

Board President Jodee L. Riordan, 44, of Youngstown, the mother of four, just completed her first three term, serving as president for two of those years. She has been active in a number of community organizations and served as president of the Lewiston-Porter Parent Teachers Association, including her first year as president of the Board of Education, serving for one year as president of both boards. She has lived in the district since 1987 and is a graduate of North Tonawanda High School and has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Buffalo. She is employed in sales as a contract administrator at Modern Disposal.
Betty J. VanDenBosch Warrick, 45, of Youngstown is seeking her first term on the board. She has lived in the district for the past 20 years and is the mother of three children. She previously served as treasurer, vice president and president of the Lewiston-Porter Parent Teachers Association. She works as the general manager of U.S. operations for Yorkville Sound and has a strong credit management background .
Anna D. Bouley Wright, 32, of Youngstown has lived in the district for the past seven years. She is the mother of two children and is seeking her first term on the board. She has worked in management for 15 years and is currently employed as a general manager for a retail denim store.

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LOCKPORT

Candidates (Elect 3): Diane Phelps (i); John Williams (i); Randall Parker; Marietta Schrader; Edward Sandell (i); Todd McNall.
Total budget: $83.06 million, up 3.96 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5.04 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $35.2 million, up 2 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: about $25.37, up 2 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,537.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 42.4 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 47.8 percent.
Proposition 2: A $22.2 million capital project package including improvements to the kitchens of four elementary schools, and added security cameras and upgraded Internet connections and fiber optic cable at all schools. If approved, the district intends to borrow $19.2 million on a 15-year bond at 2 3/8 percent interest. The state will reimburse the district’s costs at 92 cents on the dollar, but the district must spend the money up front. The remaining $3 million will be appropriated from a reserve fund.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. in Washington Hunt Elementary School, 50 Rogers Ave. (1st Ward); Board of Education, 130 Beattie Ave. (2nd Ward); Anna Merritt Elementary School, 389 Green St. (3rd Ward); Charles Upson Elementary School, 28 Harding Ave. (4th Ward); Roy B. Kelley Elementary School, 610 E. High St. (5th Ward); Lockport High School, 250 Lincoln Ave. (towns).
Web link: lockportschools.org

Spending rises $3.1 million, or nearly 4 percent, in the $83 million budget voters will consider May 21.

The major increases are in state-mandated pension contributions, driving a $3 million increase in employee benefits, according to a district newsletter. The budget also includes $1.2 million to pay debt incurred for the 2008 high school renovation project. On the other hand, retirements and the closure of Washington Hunt Elementary School this June have produced $1.3 million in saings. The board deleted nearly $500,000 it had intended as a contingency fund in case of federal budget cuts, assuming Congress will restore the sequestration of funds for local schools.

Six candidates are running for three three-year terms on the board. They are:

Incumbent Diane Phelps, 49, is seeking her second term. She was elected as a write-in candidate three years ago. She holds a doctorate in English education and has taught education at Niagara University and the University at Buffalo.
Incumbent Jon A. Williams, 66, is running for his third term. He has been a professor of public communication and speech at Niagara County Community College for the past 29 years.
Randall J. Parker, 52, has been a City of Lockport firefighter since 1986, and has served as president of the Lockport Professional Fire Fighters Association.
Marietta G. Schrader, 60, served on the board for 12 years, including four years as president, before stepping down in 2011. She is a retired nurse practitioner.
Incumbent Edward P. Sandell, 55, is running for his third term. He is an engineering manager at the Delphi Thermal technical center in Lockport.
Todd G. McNall, 35, is a former shop chairman of United Auto Workers Local 686 at Delphi. He now works at the GM Powertrain plant in the Town of Tonawanda and is the son of Niagara County Legislator W. Keith McNall, who was a previous School Board president.

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NEWFANE

Candidates (elect 3): Donna Lakes of Charlotteville Road; Michele Malone (i) of Corwin Ave.; James Schmitt of Rounds Road; Margaux Lingle of Chrlotteville Road; Joseph Flagler (i) of Lockport-Olcott Road, Lockport.
Total Budget: $33.69 million, up 2.31 percent.
Tax Levy increase allowed under tax cap: 2 percent.
Tax Levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $12.78 million, up 2 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: Newfane, $28.35; Lockport, $26.08
Taxes on a $100,000 home (market value): $2,608.
Percentage of budget from taxes: 38 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 52 percent.
Polls open: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Newfane Elementary School, Main St.
Web link: newfane.wnyic.org

Voters are being presented with a budget that holds the tax increase to a flat two percent, the amount usually referred to as the tax levy limit.

Instead of seeking a larger increase, the district will cover more than nine percent of its budget from its reserve savings or about $3.2 million, officials said.

Although the state tax levy limit is frequently believed to be two percent, districts are permitted to make adjustments for items such as indebtedness and pension obligation increases. Such adjustments usually allow districts to seek a larger tax hike without needing a super-majority of voters or 60 percent to pass the budget.

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NIAGARA FALLS

Candidates (Elect 2): Ronald J. Barstys, Kevin Dobbs (i), Michael S. Gawel, Don J. King (i), Herbert L. Lewis, Anthony F. Paretto.
Total budget: $124.06 million, up 1.32 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 3.77 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $25.82 million, up 3 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $19.21, up 3 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $1,922.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 21 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 73 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p.m. at eight neighborhood polling sites. Polling places can be found on district’s website.
Web link: nfschools.net/nfschools

Voters will consider a $124.06 million budget that would increase spending by $1.62 million over the current budget.

The budget is the first in 20 years to include a tax levy increase.

District officials say the increase is driven by employee pension contributions and other contractual items.

Six candidates are running for two five-year terms on the board. They are:

Incumbent Don J. King, 80, a more than 30-year veteran of the school board who is a retired retail business owner.
Incumbent Kevin Dobbs, 58, a school board member since 1997 who is a retired supervisor for Occidental Chemical.
Ronald J. Barstys, 40, director of student services for the North Tonawanda City School District.
Michael S. Gawel, 56, an accountant and real estate broker.
Herbert L. Lewis, 41, a former city council candidate and security guard at the Seneca Niagara Casino.
Anthony F. Paretto, 46, an electrician for the City of Niagara Falls.

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NIAGARA WHEATFIELD

Candidates (Elect 2): Lorna Tilley-Peltier, Lori Pittman (i) and Amy Deull.
Total Budget: $62.75,000, up 3.69 percent
Tax Levy Increase allowed under cap: 5.91 percent
Tax Levy: $30.35 million, up 5.91 percent
Property Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value: Town of Niagara, $29.27 (homestead), $39.35 (nonhomestead); Wheatfield, $24.71 (h), $33.78 (n); Lewiston, $20.86 (h), $28.06 (n); Cambria, $17.11 (h), $17.11 (n).
Taxes on a $100,000 home (market value): $1,711.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 49 percent
Percentage of budget from state aid: 46 percent
Proposition 2: Whether to allow a representative from the high school senior class to sit on the school board as a member who would not have voting rights or be allowed to attend executive sessions. Students who apply to be a board member would have to meet specific criteria and would be selected by the board.
Polls Open: 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Adult Learning Center, 2292 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, N.Y.
Web link: nwcsd.k12.ny.us/nwcsd/site

Voters will decide on a budget that had to address a $1 million deficit by eliminating six teaching positions, but not touching kindergarten, as threatened, or sports and the arts programs.

According to school officials, the cuts to cover the budget shortfall total $1,070,296. The instructional cuts come to the equivalent of six teaching positions while other items in the savings are $414,975 in retirements, $40,975 for three school monitors, one cleaner at $29,415, and $115,000 for 18 hours a day in teaching assistants.

School board members had suggested cutting kindergarten back half-time or even entirely until they were approached by dozens of residents who objected.

If the budget goes down, they said kindergarten, a non-mandated program, would be reduced or eliminated for a second budget vote.

This budget represents the third year the district has had to make significant program and personnel cuts and increase taxes since it was pressured into depleting its reserve fund by the State Comptroller’s Office.

Voters will elect two members. The highest vote-getter of the three candidates would begin serving on May 21, immediately after the vote to fill the remaining term of a previous vacancy to June 30. The term would continue to June 30, 2016. The term of the second highest would begin Jul1 for three years.
They are:

Lorna Tilley-Peltier of Ward Road, Wheatfield
Lori Pittman (i) of Lauer Road, Town of Niagara
Amy Deull of Millville Circle, Wheatfield.

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NORTH TONAWANDA

Candidates (Elect 2): Colleen Osborn (i), Arthur Pappas (i), Robert Schmigel, Susanne Williams, Randy Bradt.
Total budget: $65.74 million, up 1.53 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 2.56 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $26.83 million, up 2.56 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 or assessed value: $21.48, up 2.558 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,084.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 41 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 49 percent.
Polls open: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Alumni Center at North Tonawanda High School, 405 Meadow Drive.
Web link: ntschools.org

Voters will consider a $65.74 million budget that would increase spending by $987,861 over the current budget.

The rise in spending is driven by benefit costs, primarily the retirement system and contractual increases in salary, said Alan Getter, assistant superintendent for administrative services.

This year nine retirements helped the district keep costs down. “Last year we had zero,” Getter said.

Five candidates are running for two three-year terms on the board. They are:

Colleen Osborn, 38, an incumbent, is a medical office manager studying for a master’s in nursing, running for a second term. She wants to continue to find ways for the community to use school buildings and to encourage the district to share information in a transparent, accountable way.
Arthur Pappas, 68, an incumbent, served on the board for 15 years, a decade of those as president of board. A retired elementary and middle school teacher with the Starpoint Central School, he is now running for his sixth term. He aims to collaborate with the city to save costs on such things as snow plowing and bring an educator’s perspective to the board. “With education it’s the students that should come first, discussion should revolve around that,” he said.
Robert D. Schmigel, 44, a father of three and store manager at CVS, wants to balance school needs with keeping the budget and taxes down.
Susanne Williams, 46, an office manager in dental and medical practices, would work to maintain sports and art programs and draw on her experience developing an educational program with her son.
Randy Bradt, 42, a father of three and an accountant and owner of Nicastro Accounting Services in Amherst.

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ROYALTON-HARTLAND

Candidates (Elect two): Daniel Bragg (i); Sara Fry.
Total budget: $22.02 million, down slightly.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 6.1 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $9.36 million up 3 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $22.49, up 3 percent.
Taxes on a $100,000 home (market value): $2,249.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 42 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 49 percent.
Polls open: noon to 8 p.m. in Roy-Hart High School gym, 54 State St., Middleport.
Web link: - royhart.org

Voters will take to the polls to consider a $22 million budget, which represents a .17 percent decrease in spending from the current budget, according to Superintendent Kevin MacDonald.

“We made significant cuts in the past four to five years and while the cuts were made in past years, they have had significant benefits that continue,” he said.

One of the cuts included a new agreement with Barker schools to share a superintendent. Barker’s Dr. Roger Klatt will oversee both districts, while MacDonald leaves Roy-Hart to head Genesee Valley Educational Partnerships.

Other cost-saving moves have inclded laying off teachers “and we have had a fair number of retirements that has helped,” MacDonald said. “We’re trying to be understanding of the community’s needs, while still managing the cuts in state aid we suffered years ago and not balance the budget on the backs of the taxpayers. We feel we’re as close to bare bones as we can get.”

There are two candidates running unopposed for two three-year terms. They are:

Daniel Bragg, 58, completing ninth year on board and current vice-president. He is manager of Standish Jones Building Supply.
Sara Fry, 46, office manager for Hypertherm, Lockport. This is her first time running for a seat.

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STARPOINT

Candidates (Elect 4): Susan M. Brooks, Jeffrey D. Duncan (i), Michael D. Zimmerman (i), Eugene E. Stanwich, Andrea L. Wick, Kevin P. Duffy, Dennis P. Toth (i), Sherri Weber.
Total budget: $46.55 million, up 2.6 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 4.86 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $25.81 million, up 3.18 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $22.23, up 1.99 percent in Cambria.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market value): $2,223.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 55.4 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 39 percent.
Polls open: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the middle school gymnasium, 4363 Mapleton Road, Pendleton.
Web link: starpointcsd.org.

Superintendent C. Douglas Whelan said the proposed Starpoint budget of $46.55 million, which shows a spending increase of less than $1.2 million, doesn’t really cover the district’s cost increases.

“The cost of doing business as usual is [an increase of] $3.5 million,” he said. “We have reduced quite a bit, about $950,000 [during the budget process}, plus $300,000 in extra state aid.”

He said the district has had 24 retirees in the last four years that haven’t been replaced.
Eight candidates are running for four seats on the board. The top three finishers receive three-year terms; the fourth-place finisher wins a one-year term.

The candidates are:

Susan M. Brooks, 42 of Pendleton, a director of nursing at Buffalo General Medical Center.
Incumbent Jeffrey D. Duncan, 40, of Pendleton, who is running for his second term. He is a service account engineer at Siemens in Amherst.
Incumbent Michael D. Zimmerman, 47, of Pendleton, is a chief master sergeant in the 914th Airlift Wing at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, working as a load master superintendent on C-130 cargo planes. He is seeking his third term.
Eugene E. Stanwich, 64, of Wheatfield, has a doctorate in education and retired after 32 years as a librarian in Amherst schools.
Andrea L. Wick, 38, of Pendleton, works at a Buffalo accounting firm.
Kevin P. Duffy, 42, of the Town of Lockport, served two terms on the Lockport School Board when he lived in that district. He is a psychologist in the Buffalo public schools and in private practice.
Incumbent Dennis P. Toth, 57, of Pendleton, is a captain in the Niagara Falls Fire Department, where he has worked for 27 years. He is running for his second term.
Sherri Weber, 42, of the Town of Lockport, is a professor of elementary education and reading at SUNY-Buffalo State.

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WILSON

Candidates (Elect two): Timothy F. Kropp (i), Mark Randall (i); and Amy Phillips.
Total budget: $24.29 million, up 3.5 percent.
Tax levy increase allowed under tax cap: 5 percent.
Tax levy (total amount to be raised through property taxes): $11.32 million, up 4 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value: $27.42, up 4 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home: $2,523.
Percentage of budget from property taxes: 47 percent.
Percentage of budget from state aid: 48 percent.
Polls open: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in R. Zipp Gym at Wilson High School, 412 Lake St.
Web link: wilson.wnyric.org.

Voters will consider a budget that increases spending 3.5 percent due to debt service, salaries, BOCES contracts, materials and supplies, according to school officials.

There are three candidates running for two board seats. The candidates for three-year terms are:

Timothy F. Kropp, 63, an incumbent, has served on the board 18 years and is current board president. He is a retired lineman for the New York Power Authority.
Mark Randall, 57, an incumbent, is a truck driver and has served on the board for six years. He also serves as vice president of Niagara-Orleans School Board Association.
Amy Phillips, 36, is executive secretary for the chief of surgery for Kaleida Health Systems and chairman of the department of surgery at SUNY Buffalo. This is her first time running for public office.

Weatherization program offering gift certificates

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:02:36 -0400

Neighborhood Housing Services of South Buffalo is accepting applications for its Weatherization Assistance Program and will provide a $50 gift certificate to Home Depot, Lowe’s or a garden center to 25 block clubs or community centers that sign up for the program.

The program is available throughout the City of Buffalo, and if more than 25 block clubs or community centers apply, a drawing will be held June 1 at the organization’s office to select 25 organizations to receive the gift certificates.

One authorized agent of each block club should contact the group at 823-3630 or the Weatherization office at 837-0071 to reserve a packet on the application process.

Packets also can be obtained by visiting the organization’s offices at 1937 South Park Ave. or 135 Manhattan Ave.

Buffalo AAUW branch holding annual book sale

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:35 -0400

The Buffalo branch of the American Association of University Women will open its 59th used book sale May 29 at 2390 Eggert Road at Sheridan Drive, in the former Office Depot store in the Sheridan Plaza.

The five-day event will offer more than 100,000 books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, games and puzzles.

Most items will be sold for $1, but new books and collectibles will be priced higher.

Opening day admission is $10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and $5 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission will be $1 from May 30 to June 1.

On June 2, the sale will run noon to 5 p.m., and admission will be free.

Proceeds will benefit the branch’s education program, which in 2012 disbursed more than $150,000 in local scholarships, interest-free college loans, and community grants and fellowships for graduate work and research projects offered by the national AAUW.

The book sale also supports Tech Savvy and the Sister to Sister programs serving local high school girls.

A fractured look at the sprawling life and career of Bruce Jackson

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:07:05 -0400

If you ask longtime University at Buffalo professor, photographer and writer Bruce Jackson a question about his life or career, there's a good chance he'll respond with a quote from a beloved film or a famous friend.

“You ask me a question about how I got into this, I tell you a story,” Jackson said in a conversation in the Burchfield Penney Art Center, where his photography exhibition, “Being There,” hangs through June 16. “My friend John Barth used to say, 'The story of your life is not your life; it's your story.' ”

The particular patchwork story of Jackson's life now on view in the center's towering east gallery – captured in photographs of life on death row and on prison farms, landscapes of the Alaskan and Mexican wilderness and the great thinkers whose lives intersected with Jackson's – is a jumble of information that seems destined to confound newcomers to Jackson's life and work. It is a collection of visual quotes from different periods in Jackson's life, held together by mostly invisible threads.

For those already familiar with Jackson's indispensable work in human rights, his innumerable books and articles on issues of local and national import and his far-reaching magnanimity and intelligence, this show is like flipping through a family photo album. For everyone else (which is to say: almost everyone), it is likely to seem scattershot.

The show, organized by Burchfield Penney curator Scott Propeack in collaboration with Jackson, confronts us with the individual beauty of Jackson's photographs, certainly. It lets us feel the vague weight and panoramic breadth of his career. But, by design, it doesn't tell us an awful lot about his individual accomplishments.

The show contains three bodies of work that bleed into one another: Jackson's prison photography, which he began in the '60s as a note-taking device and later developed into a major pillar of his multifarious career; his landscape photographs and studies of Buffalo's abandoned properties and light-drenched grain elevators; and a series of 166 candid or posed portraits of famous and less-than-famous figures.

The show also contains cases filled with objects and honors Jackson has collected, ranging from his nomination for a Grammy Award and his medals from French dignitaries to shanks from prison wardens around the country that give concrete form to the violence implied in many of his pictures.

As beautiful as Jackson's portraiture and landscape photographs can be, they pale in comparison to his phenomenal prison work – perhaps the grand achievement of his career. His panoramic images of the Cummins prison farm in Arkansas from the 1970s, shot on a Widelux F6B camera with a swiveling lens that allows for panoramic images with no distortion, evoke the fresh pain of slavery in a manner few other contemporary photographs have done.

The menace of the guards, whether on horseback or enjoying cool beverages as prisoners in stark white uniforms toil in the sweltering fields, practically bleeds through the frame. The photographs depict the prisoners as tiny figures hunched over cotton plants in the distance or, closer up, directing thousand-yard stares through the lens of Jackson's camera to a place far outside the prison walls.

Equally arresting is Jackson's body of work documenting prisoners' lives on Texas' death row in the late 1970s, a place where time becomes more of an abstraction than a reality.

“Death row is a prison unlike any other in that it's the only prison we have, other than Guantanamo, where time does not count,” Jackson said. “You're not sentenced to time on death row, you're sentenced to be killed. So the time on death row is limbo.”

And that sense of “timeless time,” a phrase Jackson used for the title of one of his excellent recent books – co-authored with his wife, colleague and longtime collaborator Diane Christian – comes across in many of the era's photographs. It's visible in the cold but slightly wistful stare of Excell White, who was killed by the state in 1999 after decades of numb suffering, through the bars of his cell. You can sense it a color portrait of Kerry Max Cook, who was exonerated in 1997 on DNA evidence that proved he didn't commit the rape and murder for which he was convicted, and in an image of a pair of hands reaching through cell bars to play a game of dominoes.

Look at these pictures long enough, and you can almost hear the meaningless ticking of the meaningless clock.

They make the rest of the work seem like frosting.

Panoplies of portraits, arranged without frames in big blocks, communicate a sense of Jackson's ever-expanding social circle of cultural and political figures but not much else. There are sensitive portrayals of figures like philosopher Michel Foucault and comical shots of Jackson's friend and UB colleague Raymond Federman, among dozens and dozens of others.

Elsewhere, we see enormous enlargements of party scenes from Jackson's house, Buffalo's grain elevators and a photograph of a house made out of rocks shot on a 2011 trip to Salt Flat, Texas. None of this, nicely shot as it is, does much more than attempt to convince us that this man has done a great deal of living, thinking, writing and photographing.

Maybe that's as much as any attempt to capture a career as varied and productive as Jackson's is able to achieve. Even Jackson seemed to suggest as much, as he talked about the collection of business cards, awards and prison shanks on view in glass cases.

“You can't make sense of it. It's just a lot of stuff,” he said of the contents of the cases. “But that's really what life is. You can't make sense of it; it is a lot of stuff. I talk to you, and I try to make it coherent. It's not.”

Jackson, like his photographic muse Walker Evans and the author after whom his professorship at UB is named, James Agee, understands this in his bones. He knows that life is messy and confusing and doesn't always make the sort of sense you'd like it to make.

But not every museum exhibition works best as a scrapbook, as a fragmented poem like the Burchfield's recent show “McCallum Tarry: Intersections,” or as a map with no key. “Being There” ends up as a tale, told by a genius, full of disparate memories, signifying too much to comprehend.

email: cdabkowski@buffnews.com

Buffalo School Board fast-tracking budget vote for Wednesday

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:33:09 -0400

The Buffalo Board of Education is expected to approve a $797 million budget Wednesday, less than two weeks after publicly unveiling the preliminary budget to the Common Council.

The financial plan would put into place a new budget process that would give principals more autonomy but generally leave the public without any formal input.

Unlike suburban school districts that tend to embrace a more open process and hold public hearings to gain voter support before the budget comes up for a public vote, the Buffalo Public Schools have no independent taxing authority and no separate budget vote. The only public hearing on the budget was held by the Council on May 9, the same night the preliminary 2013-14 budget was introduced.

“At the end of the day, we are stuck working the numbers that we have,” said Finance Committee Chairwoman Sharon Belton-Cottman. “You can talk about it until you’re green in the face. At the end of the day, you still have to balance the budget and move forward.”

She and other district leaders said the current budget cuts costs while protecting the classroom. The $797 million base budget for the next school year would increase spending by $14 million because of rising employee benefit costs despite the net elimination of more than 30 full-time jobs.

Board members said they have been getting information and providing input on the budget for months as part of their Finance Committee deliberations. Though the budget does not have to be approved until June 30, board members rarely take that long to approve it.

Board member John B. Licata said the district needs to start sending out 30-day layoff notices before the end of the school year, even though it’s not yet clear how many layoffs will be necessary because final retirement and attrition numbers aren’t yet complete.

Outside of Finance Committee meetings, the board doesn’t have open budget work sessions. Instead, the district sets up separate budget meetings, including several over the last week, with a few board members at a time to circumvent the Open Meetings Law.

Belton-Cottman said the small groups “encourage civil conversation.”

“If we didn’t have small group meetings, everything we breathe would be in The News,” she said. “We can’t have a decent conversation without being scrutinized.”

Questions have surfaced regarding the budget’s impact on individual schools because this year’s budget gives school principals much more discretion in the shaping of its own staff through a process known as “school-based budgeting.” This model, common in many school districts, empowers leadership teams at each individual school to determine how they want to staff their schools beyond bare state requirements.

A number of principals said they appreciate having more control over their own building staffing since they know their school population best.

“I think they like choosing. I think they like building their program,” said Dawn M. DiNatale, principal of Makowski Early Childhood Center and president of the Elementary Principals Association. “In the age now where it’s the principal who’s held accountable for the students’ achievement in their building, principals need to have more control.”

The district provided each school with a base level of funding for positions such as administrators, core subject teachers, guidance counselors and staff for state-mandated class offerings for art, music and physical education, principals said.

Staff allocations were made based on projected student enrollment.

This year, the district also assigned staff for special-education students and English language learners. Staff for “flagship” programs such as gifted-and-talented programs was also maintained.

But many other support positions and unmandated staff were stripped out of each school’s base budget. Instead, schools were allocated certain federal and state block grant dollars to spend on staff as each school leadership team sees fit.

At Makowski, for instance, DiNatale opted to “buy” more reading and math teachers, social workers and in-school alternative education staff, while at Olmsted School at Kensington, Principal Michael Gruber chose to have more foreign language and instrumental music teachers and teachers aides.

Monday, the district was unable to share school-by-school breakdowns or provide information about which schools are receiving fewer dollars because of declining enrollment. Even so, some principals say they prefer the autonomy, even though they receive fewer dollars.

The new system is considered more equitable, more flexible and less “mystifying” than past budgeting practices, principals said. But smaller elementary schools are finding it hard to maintain full-time staffing under the new budget model.

In addition, some schools that have been considered overfunded by the district in the past, have also lost many unmandated positions but weren’t given enough dollars to get them back.

Certain school offerings, such as the district’s instrumental music programs, are also apparently taking a backseat to schools that want more staff focused on core academics.

Instrumental music teacher Nick DelBello, for instance, has spent a couple of years building up the band programs at School 81 and Riverside Institute of Technology. He started two bands at School 81 after sifting through a pile of instruments that had sat around unused for years, he said. Now, he’s uncertain whether he’ll have a place at any school.

In response to a News inquiry, district spokeswoman Elena Cala said six music teachers teaching noncredited courses will be cut from the budget. There is no specific mention of music teacher cuts in the district’s budget summary, and a News request to speak with the supervisor of the district’s music program was refused.

email: stan@buffnews.com

Teen thanks paramedics who treated him after gruesome bike accident

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:40:56 -0400

Caide Neff stood Monday morning holding three bouquets of flowers outside the new Rural/Metro Medical Services training center in West Seneca. The 14-year-old and his mother were about to meet the three first responders who were credited with helping to save Caide after he was seriously injured while biking with a friend last May.

Caide recalled the accident – in detail.

“My friend bumped into the back of my bike tire, and I fell,” Caide said. “He flipped over me, and that’s when the right brake handle went into the right side of my stomach, and then my intestines came out.”

Caide’s mother, Jeanelle Martin, said she heard the sirens from the porch of their home about two blocks away from the intersection of Maple Grove and Electric avenues in Lackawanna.

“I never thought it was Caide,” she said. “But then my neighbor came running. His face was white, and I knew something was wrong. I ran with no shoes on, got to the scene and basically collapsed.”

First responders from the City of Lackawanna Fire Division and Rural/Metro treated Caide on the scene for a six-inch tear across his abdomen. They soaked a bandage in saline and covered his wound to try to keep his intenstines in place. Then they rushed him in an ambulance to Women & Children’s Hospital.

The seventh-grader ended up staying in Children’s intensive care unit for one month and underwent two surgeries, his mother said. His recovery continued at home under the supervision of home care nurses while he was being home-schooled. Caide also was nurtured by Honey, his pet Samoyed.

Today Caide is back on a new Mongoose bike, but it wasn’t easy. During the past year he lost 30 pounds.

“Basically he was healing from the inside out,” Martin recalled. She also noted that her son is now considering a career in emergency medicine.

Caide received emergency treatment from Rural/Metro field supervisor Jason Rutecki, paramedic Nicholas Akromas and emergency medical technician Carlina Barbero, who were among those honored Monday by Rural/Metro.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with National Emergency Medical Services Week. It also coincided with the opening of Rural/Metro’s training facility/education center on Clinton Street, where EMT Academy will launch eight-week sessions this fall, according to Sharon Hughes, the lead instructor. “EMT Academy is usually a longer course,” she said. “This is an intensive full-time session that offers hands-on experience in the ambulance as well the emergency room.”

In addition to EMT Academy, the center will offer instruction in CPR and International Trauma Life Support, a two-day standardized course taught worldwide.

email: jkwiatkowski@buffnews.com

Silver offers reforms in wake of Lopez cover-up as Kearns calls for speaker’s ouster

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:17 -0400

ALBANY – Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, looking to keep his job as the State Legislature’s most powerful Democrat, unveiled a series of internal changes designed to prevent what critics have called a cover-up in the way he handled allegations of sexual harassment against a Brooklyn colleague who was forced to resign his seat Monday.

Silver, the powerful Assembly leader since 1994, apologized for his handling of the secret settlement of $103,000 in taxpayer funds to resolve two sexual-harassment cases brought last year by staff members of Vito J. Lopez, who resigned from the Assembly.

“Mistakes were made I deeply regret,” Silver told reporters after a closed-door meeting with Democrats after which the Assembly speaker emerged with his job intact.

While Republicans, outside groups and newspaper editorials have called on Silver to step down, the only Democratic lawmaker to suggest Silver should lose his job was Buffalo Assemblyman Michael P. Kearns, who announced Monday that he was quitting the Democratic conference in protest of what he called Silver’s poor handling of the Lopez case.

Critics, including a special prosecutor, have said Silver cut a secret settlement deal more for damage control than for looking out for the interests of the two female victims.

“The speaker was complicit in that cover-up,” Kearns said, adding that he expects to be punished by his legislative proposals being killed and by possibly being assigned smaller office space and fewer staff members. Kearns ran last year on a platform of opposing Silver’s leadership, and he did not vote for Silver with his colleagues in January for another two-year term for Silver as speaker.

Michael Whyland, a Silver spokesman, said Kearns’ move was not surprising, given his previous opposition to Silver. “Two members left the Democratic conference today, Vito Lopez and Mickey Kearns,” Whyland said. “One was a closet harasser, one a closet Republican. Neither one will be missed.”

Silver said that new policy changes will include never having himself or his top staff handle any sexual-harassment complaints against lawmakers or staff members and that an outside, independent investigator will be given the responsibility of looking into any allegations of sexual harassment.

The Assembly will also make it mandatory for any reports made to staff members or lawmakers by another employee to be directed to the independent counsel; sanctions will be imposed if the complaints or information is not turned over for investigation.

The speaker said he is also proposing legislation to ban all confidential legal settlements, such as was done in two of several instances of alleged sexual harassment involving Lopez. The ban would apply to the Legislature and all state agencies and public authorities if state funds are involved in the settlements.

“I accept the criticism and deeply regret” not turning the Lopez matter immediately over to a legislative ethics panel, Silver said. “For that, I am sorry,” he added, saying the mistake in trying to resolve the cases “rests solely with me.”

Silver said he had “no inkling” of the extent of the sexual-harassment allegations against Lopez until a state ethics report was made public last week. Lopez has denied the accusations, which included telling young female staff members to wear sexy outfits to work and moving his hand up one staffer’s dress.

Silver said that he gave no thought to stepping down as speaker and that he will serve as leader for as long as his constituents in Manhattan elect him and Democratic lawmakers want him as leader.

Four female Assembly Republicans, including Jane L. Corwin of Erie County, on Monday called for Silver to resign. They cited not just the Lopez case, but his controversial handling of a sexual-assault complaint 12 years ago by a female staffer against a former counsel to Silver, J. Michael Boxley, who kept his job after the incident. Two years later, a different female staffer accused Boxley of raping her; Boxley pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct.

But Silver, with a few dozen Democrats standing behind him during his news conference Monday, also found support from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. “People say the speaker should resign. … I don’t,” said Cuomo, who has butted heads with Silver but whose help is needed by Cuomo in the final month of the 2013 legislative session to pass a number of his unresolved policy initiatives.

The mantra from most Assembly Democrats was simple: Silver admitted his mistake and then took action against Lopez, including stripping him last year of his leadership and committee posts, and then last week, after two reports on the case were released by a special prosecutor and a state ethics panel, started an effort to expel him from the Assembly.

Assemblyman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, of Buffalo, the only female Democrat in Western New York’s Assembly delegation, said Silver’s colleagues took notice of his apology and new policy actions. “A lot of people, when they make mistakes, are not going to apologize for it,” she said.

But Kearns said that he was disgusted by the details about Lopez that were released last week and that Silver played a role in making matters worse by secretly settling with Lopez’s accusers – after which Lopez kept on allegedly making inappropriate remarks and groping staff members.

“Someone has to have the courage to say, ‘Enough is enough,’ ” Kearns said in calling on Silver to resign. He urged other lawmakers to join him, but by nightfall, he said, no one had stepped forward.

Kearns won a special election in March 2012 to succeed Assemblyman Mark J.F. Schroeder, now Buffalo city comptroller, who also had his battles with Silver. Schroeder had succeeded current Rep. Brian Higgins, who also had fought with Silver during his Assembly term.

Asked about the lineup of current and former lawmakers from that district who have battled with Silver, Peoples-Stokes said, “There’s something about that district. They just don’t like the speaker.”

As for Kearns, she said, “I think he could have already been gone for how effective he’s been.” She said Kearns “barely” participates in Assembly Democratic conference meetings.

The Silver matter made it into local political circles, with Erie County Republican Party Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy holding court outside Democratic Assemblyman Sean M. Ryan’s Buffalo office Monday to criticize area Democrats for not following the lead of Kearns. But Ryan said that while Silver handled the Lopez matter “poorly,” he applauded the steps he took Monday. As for Silver continuing as leader, Ryan said, “While I think people’s faith is shook up, he still enjoys the support of the conference.”

Silver said he has made training on the issue of sexual harassment required for all lawmakers and staff members. However, the two top staffers involved in the Lopez settlement lead those training sessions.

A special prosecutor last week said that the Assembly sexual-harassment policy is adequate but that it was not followed in the Lopez matter.

“That I allowed this system to be bypassed in the first instance, even though I believed I was acting in good faith, was a failure on my part, and now that we know the atrociousness of the misconduct, it only makes the failure more glaring,” Silver said.

“The responsibility for the mistakes that were made in the handling of the original complaints rests solely with me, and it is my responsibility to ensure that those mistakes are never made again.”

email: tprecious@buffnews.com

Paladino's plans for warehouse win tax break

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:37:39 -0400

Developer Carl Paladino’s $14.7 million plan to convert the decaying Arctic Freezer Building next to the Niagara Thruway is getting $634,000 in tax breaks through the Erie County Industrial Development Agency.

The IDA approved the sales and mortgage tax incentives Monday for Paladino’s Ellicott Development, which plans to convert the eight-story building into a mix of office and commercial space, along with as many as 30 apartments and even a craft brewery in the basement.

IDA officials said the project will convert a building in a highly visible spot that has become an eyesore, best known for its political billboard and a faded Coffee Rich sign, into a mixed-use facility that will complement the development now going on along the inner harbor.

“This is a very important project,” said Christopher Johnson, the IDA’s vice chairman.

“It’s the adaptive reuse of one of the most blighted buildings in Buffalo that everybody sees,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

The plan envisions the top three floors being reserved for office space, with tenants close to signing leases for two of the three floors, IDA officials said. The three floors below that would be used for 27 to 30 apartments that are expected to rent for $1,300 to $1,900 per month, with the second floor eyed for commercial space, including a proposed banquet facility.

The first floor would have retail space, while the brewery would be located in the basement, according to plans.

The project is expected to generate $738,000 in new tax revenue for the county and city during the life of the tax breaks. Ellicott Development is expected to receive property tax breaks through a separate program administered by the City of Buffalo.

The agency also awarded roughly $1.1 million in tax breaks to McGard Inc. for an $8.25 million project that will increase the size of its factory in Orchard Park by almost 30 percent. The company makes a variety of locking wheel lug nuts and other locking nuts for various uses.

McGard plans to build a pair of 35,000-square-foot additions on each side of its existing plant at 3875 California Road, one during each of the next two years. The project is expected to lead to the creation of 23 jobs over the next two years, boosting McGard’s workforce to 480 from the current 457.

The IDA incentives include mortgage tax breaks that could be worth an estimated $70,000 to the company, but McGard may not use that portion of the aid package because it is not expected to take out a mortgage on the new buildings, said Karen Fiala, the IDA’s assistant treasurer.

The project is expected to generate an additional $200,000 in county and local taxes during the seven years the property tax breaks are in effect, IDA officials said.

The IDA also approved $156,250 in tax breaks for Automated Machine Technologies, an Orchard Park company that makes tooling machines and provides contract engineering and design services.

Automated Machine plans to build an 8,000-square-foot factory and office at 3626 California Road in Orchard Park, not far from the smaller facility the company now leases on the same road. The project is expected to create two new jobs over the next two years, boosting the company’s workforce to five people.

The agency also gave unanimous approval to a plan to move its offices to the building at 95 Perry St. that now is home to Empire State Development and the local offices of the New York Power Authority.

By bringing the IDA and, most likely, the Buffalo Urban Development Corp. offices under one roof, officials hope to improve communication and coordination between the various economic development agencies and make it easier for companies to work with them.

email: drobinson@buffnews.com

Fair housing, diversity are topics of state forum Tuesday

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:21:49 -0400

Combatting discrimination and fostering diverse communities will be on the agenda at 9 a.m. Tuesday when the New York State Division of Human Rights and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsor a half-day forum on “Laying a Foundation Today for a Better Tomorrow” in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Galen D. Kirklan, commissioner of the Division for Human Rights, also will unveil an upstate fair-housing advertising campaign.

One panel, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., will focus on the many faces of discrimination. A second panel on building compliance with the Fair Housing Act, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will address accessibility design, construction and reasonable accommodations during a workshop at which architects can earn continuing education credits.

The forum is free and open to the public. For more information, call (888) 392-3644 or RSVP to rsvp@dhr.ny.gov.

Pearce to be keynote speaker at NAACP awards dinner

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:44:32 -0400

Mark Gaston Pearce, the former Buffalo lawyer who was named chairman of the National Labor Relations Board by President Obama in 2011, will be the keynote speaker at the 47th annual awards dinner of the Buffalo Branch NAACP at 6 p.m. June 9 in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Honorees will include the Rev. Eric Johns, who will receive the Medgar Evers/Civil Rights Award; Marilyn Gibson and the Lighthouse, the Daniel Acker Community Service Award; the Rev. Mark E. Blue and Adia C. Jordan, the Rufus Frasier Human Relations Award; and Camille Green and Krysty Tyson, the Youth Award.

Tickets are $50 by advance sale only. Deadline for ticket orders is June 1. For tickets or more information, call Madeline O. Scott at 834-4982.

Villa Maria, GCC hold graduation ceremonies

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:40:16 -0400

Villa Maria College awarded degrees to about 100 students Sunday during the school’s 49th commencement ceremonies in the college auditorium.

Robert D. Gioia, president of John R. Oishei Foundation, was the keynote speaker. He also accepted the Founder’s Medal on behalf of the foundation for outstanding advocacy of the Villa Maria mission and the community.

The Catholic college specializes in applied arts and music but recently expanded its programs to include business administration and photography and graphic design, among other offerings.

Also Sunday, about 950 Genesee Community College students received degrees during the school’s 45th commencement ceremonies in the Anthony T. Zambito Gymnasium.

State Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, gave the keynote address before the college recognized students who completed or will complete programs last August as well as in January, May and August of this year. Graduates included 54-year-old Aggie Robinson of Batavia, who returned to school to earn a degree in human services after postponing her education to raise a family.

The GCC ceremonies were streamed live to monitors across the campus, including in the cafeteria and student union.

West Side bookstore hosts event aimed at keeping kids out of prison

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:47:09 -0400

More than 50 people turned out Sunday at an alternative bookstore on the West Side to launch a grassroots effort aimed at keeping kids out of prison.

Buffalo’s first Day of Action Against Incarcerating Youth began with a screening of “The Jena 6,” a documentary chronicling the arrest and prosecution of six African-American teenaged boys who beat up a white classmate in 2006 outside their high school in Jena, La.

The white district attorney, Reed Walters, charged the youths with attempted murder and promised to seek a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison, stirring outrage in the black community.

The screening inside Burning Books on Connecticut Street was followed by a spirited “community speak out,” in which several speakers discussed a so-called “school-to-prison pipeline” that is ruining the lives of many of the nation’s young people.

“Many of these youth are not criminals,” said one man who identified himself as Malik. “They’re in jail for drugs. They’re stressed and depressed. … To criminalize a child, a 13-, 14-, 15-year-old child, is criminal.”

Statistics discussed at the event told a grim tale: 250,000 young people are prosecuted as adults each year in New York State; nationwide, six times more tax dollars are spent on prisons than are spent on kindergarten through 12th-grade education; and more than three-quarters of the state’s prisoners are black or Hispanic.

Sunday’s event was one of about 25 across the country, said Morgan Dunbar, an organizer.

“The criminalization of our youth, it’s happening all over the place,” said Dunbar. “We should not give up on anyone.”

Locally, Dunbar said she was interested in focusing on the youth detention facility in Buffalo.

“It needs public attention,” she said. “Right now, I’m not sure it’s getting enough.”

Save the Kids, a national grassroots group, started the Global Day of Action Against Incarcerating Youth, choosing May 19 because it is close to the time when students are getting out of school for the summer and because it is the birthday of Malcolm X, the slain civil rights and black liberation leader.

email: jtokasz@buffnews.com

Architect is set to buy, restore 1845 building in Buffalo

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:32:05 -0400

The lead partner of architectural and design firm Carmina Wood Morris is putting his money – and home – where his heart is, moving from his home in Lancaster to a 160-year-old three-story building on the eastern edge of downtown Buffalo, a block from his firm’s headquarters.

Steven Carmina and his wife, Brenda, are buying the 4,071-square-foot masonry building on Roosevelt Plaza, at 9 Genesee St., from Nathaniel Fountain and John Greer. The Carminas have it under contract for $160,000 and plan to close by the end of May after finalizing the financing.

Built in 1845, it’s the oldest building in the Main Street-Genesee Street area, making it a fitting purchase for Carmina, whose firm has been involved in historic preservation projects in downtown Buffalo and elsewhere, including Rocco Termini’s Hotel @ the Lafayette.

The building’s second-floor picture window dates to the late 1920s, when the building housed the Manhattan Shop and King-Robinson Co., and is still intact. “It’s remarkably in good shape,” Carmina said.

Two prior attempts to convert the pre-Civil War building into loft apartments on the upper two floors and retail on the first floor never came to fruition.

Now, the Carminas plan to keep the top two floors as their residence and turn the attic into an office loft for Brenda, who coordinates the Buffalo Public Schools’ adult cosmetology and barbering program.

They also plan to put on an outdoor deck upstairs.

The bottom floor will include 500 square feet of retail space for “something really yummy” that isn’t currently available in downtown Buffalo, he said, declining to be more specific, because he’s still in discussions with possible tenants.

The exterior of the building will be restored, and Carmina is seeking photos that could help document what the original front porch looked like on the West Huron Street side.

The building is eligible for state and federal historic tax credits.

Carmina hopes to start work in June and finish by the fall. Most of that will involve “windows, some TLC and our own interiors,” he said, since the current owners have already done some work.

“My wife is probably five times more excited than I am, and I’m pretty excited,” he said. “It’ll be a labor of love. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

The proposal will come before the Preservation Board on Thursday and the City Planning Board on May 21.

Ironically, he won’t be able to escape construction work by going to his office.

The part of Main Street in front of his firm’s headquarters at 487 Main will be under construction at the same time to return car traffic to the area. Within a year, though, both should be done, he said.

“It’s pretty great to work down here, and it’ll be even more fun to live down here,” he said.

“I’ll be able to walk to work in my bunny slippers.”

email: jepstein@buffnews.com

Reinventing an ancient art form

Sun, 19 May 2013 23:00:03 -0400

The type of historic terra cotta restoration performed by artisans at Boston Valley Terra Cotta is painstaking, time-consuming craftsmanship, and the work has been done largely the same way for decades.

Now, a team of students and faculty from the University at Buffalo is helping the Orchard Park company bring the techniques into the 21st century.

Researchers in UB’s School of Architecture and Planning have introduced the designers and sculptors at Boston Valley to new, high-tech tools that are saving time and helping them work more efficiently.

“We’re extremely lucky to be close to this caliber of facility,” said John Krouse, Boston Valley’s president. “I think it would have been extremely difficult to do it without their help.”

The tools – including a carving tool that works in three dimensions and a program that uses photos to create digital images of terra cotta pieces – aren’t intended to replace the craftsmen at Boston Valley with machines and computers.

Instead, they are meant to free the workers from the most onerous tasks, allowing them to focus on work that requires creativity while giving them training in valuable skills.

And UB students get the practical experience of putting academic concepts to the test in the business world.

“It’s embedded learning,” said Omar Khan, chair of UB’s architecture department.

The owners of Boston Valley Terra Cotta started fabricating architectural terra cotta 32 years ago, after Krouse and several members of his family bought and reconfigured Boston Valley Pottery, a producer of clay pots that began making bricks in 1889.

The new owners sought to recast the pottery company, located near clay deposits in Orchard Park, as a terra cotta manufacturer with a focus on historic restoration.

The company’s first restoration project was the ornate facade of the Guaranty Building in downtown Buffalo, which led to assignments across the United States and Canada.

Their hundreds of restoration projects have included Craigdarroch Castle in British Columbia, Burnham and Root’s Rookery building in Chicago and the Breakers, the Gilded Age mansion in Newport, R.I.

Today, Boston Valley is one of just three companies in the United States that manufacture terra cotta, which is growing in popularity as a building material in new construction, because ceramics are durable, “green” and sustainable.

“We’re hoping that goes for 20 or 30 years,” said Krouse, a ceramic engineer, referring to the terra cotta revival.

Boston Valley, which declined to provide sales figures, employs 130 people at its 180,000-square-foot facility on South Abbott Road. About half of its business is manufacturing terra cotta for new construction and half is for restorations.Khan and UB researcher Mitchell Bring reached out to Boston Valley prior to the 2011 National Preservation Conference, a major annual event that drew more than 2,000 people to Buffalo when it was held here.

UB wanted to demonstrate a more efficient, less invasive approach to restoring terra cotta details on architecturally significant buildings, and it wanted to work with Boston Valley to do this. “How does computing and craft come together?” Khan said.

The traditional process of re-creating terra cotta tiles, statues and other building features requires drafters to create a two-dimensional drawing of the object. They work off photos, measurements taken by hand or a piece of the object or facade in question if it can be removed.

The drafters’ drawing then is sent to the pattern shop, where sculptors produce a model, typically in plaster.

Plaster is poured over the model to produce a hollow mold, before workers press and form terra cotta into the mold. The terra cotta is then finished, dried and fired in a kiln.

UB introduced Boston Valley to digital fabrication tools already used by students in an architecture department lab.

One, a laser scanner, is used to scan an object that remains on the building or that has been removed from the building. Drafters at Boston Valley were trained to use modeling software to take the data generated by the scanner to create a three-dimensional image.

Another high-tech process, known as photogrammetry, uses photographs taken from a number of angles to create a similar 3-D image, and this process is better than a laser scanner for producing images of complex objects. Both approaches make the drafting process and model-making process easier, Khan said.

The 3-D images created by the laser scanner or the photogrammetry process are then used to produce a model, either using a laser cutter or cutting tools known as three-axis or five-axis routers, which UB also demonstrated to Boston Valley.

The routers get their names from the number of directions the router can move while cutting a piece of foam into a model. Three-axis routers cut along an X-Y axis or up and down.

The fourth and fifth axes refer to this newer router’s ability to rotate 180 degrees in a half circle motion around the piece of foam, creating models with undulating peaks and valleys.

A laser cutter creates a tool, made of wood and metal, that is used in turn to produce the plaster model.

Students at UB built their own five-axis router, following online directions, and used the machine to create replicas of the tiles on the Guaranty Building that were handed out to attendees of the 2011 National Preservation Conference in Buffalo.

Boston Valley officials who used the UB router were so impressed they decided to buy an industrial-sized version for themselves, after UB showed employees how to use it.

The region benefits when more workers are trained in how to use cutting-edge tools and software, Khan said. “We need people who know how to do this,” he said.Boston Valley used some of its new fabrication tools on its most recent major restoration project, the replacement of four aging, terra cotta female figures attached to the corners of the top floor of 150 Nassau, a condominium high-rise in Manhattan that dates to the 1890s.

The 19-foot-tall sculptures, known as caryatids, need to be replaced with terra cotta replicas that will be anchored more securely to the building.

A contractor removed one sculpture from the building, piece by piece, and all 54 of them were placed in separate crates and trucked up to Buffalo.

Boston Valley artisans used photogrammetry and a laser scanner to create 3-D images of each piece. The company then produced 54 models, molds and terra cotta pieces for the first of the replica caryatids, which look like angels and were dubbed “Dorothy” by UB.

Boston Valley’s workers are finishing up the project now, and the first of the replacement caryatids is set to be installed at 150 Nassau in August.

For Boston Valley, the new digital tools allow its employees to finish the drafting and modeling process faster, potentially letting the company take on more work as those skilled craftsmen and women focus on tasks that demand creativity.

Boston Valley is using the tools again for their next large restoration undertaking, the replacement of the terra cotta dome atop the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton.

“It’s something that would be almost impossible to do the old way,” Krouse said.

For UB, the partnership offers its students a chance to gain practical experience, and several students, including Linfan Liu and Peter Schmidt, have worked at Boston Valley part-time and shared what they learned in the lab at school.

The architecture department has set up a Material Culture Research Group and also has started introducing these tools to other companies, including Rigidized Metals, bolstering the region’s push into advanced manufacturing.

“We have a lot of really great manufacturers that are going to be retooling, that are going to be moving to far more sophisticated manufacturing processes, and those are all digital, those are all computationally driven,” Khan said.

email: swatson@buffnews.com

Number of homeless in Erie County increased 16%

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:06:08 -0400

An estimated 5,681 people in Erie County were homeless at some point in 2012, an annual survey has found.

That’s about 600 more homeless people than in 2011, although the authors of the report said at least some of the increase was the result of better data collection.

“We counted people we may have missed before,” said Dale Zuchlewski, executive director of the Homeless Alliance of Western New York.

Still, the survey noted a disturbing 16 percent increase in the number of homeless families, estimated at 2,017.

And more than three-quarters of them are single mothers.

“There are just too many single moms living on the edges of homelessness and more are falling in,” Zuchlewski said. “This is a nationwide problem. It’s not unique to Buffalo.”

Family homelessness often has devastating effects on children, and it results in poor school attendance and performance, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, he added.

The survey covered Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012.

It found that 540 people – up from 492 in 2011 – spent some portion of the year living on Buffalo’s streets or in cars and abandoned buildings.

The number of chronically homeless people fell by 20 to 463. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines chronic homelessness as being without a home for one year or longer or four or more times in a three-year period.

The survey noted a bright spot: The number of homeless veterans fell to 207 from 223 in 2011. The number could decrease further thanks to a new Veterans One-Stop Center that opened recently on Main Street and more federal funding to address the issue.

But the area needs more affordable housing for people living in poverty to overcome homelessness in general, Zuchlewski said.

He pointed to the loss of 300 single units of low-income housing when the Lafayette Hotel was renovated into boutique hotel rooms and high-end apartments.

The project was a great success for downtown Buffalo, he said, “but those units were never replaced.”

email:jtokasz@buffnews.com

Uncle Sam invites young steelworker to where the bullets fly

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:50:26 -0400

As a boy growing up in South Buffalo, David M. Sorg discovered he had a flair for writing and often received high marks on his compositions.

“Writing was the only thing I liked to do when I was in school,” he says. “I went to School 72 and graduated from East High School. Then I went to Millard Fillmore College and majored in English to become a writer, but I got tired of it.”

In need of a career, Sorg recalls, he asked his uncle, an executive at an Atlanta steel company, to write a letter on his behalf to the manager of the Republic Steel’s South Buffalo facility.

His uncle’s words did the trick. Sorg was hired as an apprentice “roll turner,” whose job was to turn the rolls that shaped the steel.

But Sorg soon found himself in receipt of a letter from another uncle.

“It was from Uncle Sam,” he recalls, “inducting me into the Army.”

Sorg remembers being amused at how Uncle Sam began the missive: “Greetings,” as if it were an invitation to something joyous, not war.

A member of M Company, 289th Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, Sorg said World War II’s Battle of Bulge in December 1944 provided him with his first bitter taste of combat.

“Infantry soldiers suffered a lot from the cold all that winter,” he says. “We lived outside. We dug holes and sometimes slept in the holes. Sometimes we slept in barns. Whatever was available.”

In a machine-gun platoon, his job was ammo bearer. “I carried two cans containing 22 pounds of ammunition apiece,” he says. “We were on foot, and it was a lot to carry.”

Because the ammunition and weaponry were the priorities, Sorg says, he and fellow soldiers were not burdened with very much personal gear.

“We didn’t have to carry our bedrolls. The ammunition was the important thing,” he says. “Headquarters would bring up our bedrolls at night, but sometimes they weren’t able to because of the enemy, and we had to make do without them. It wasn’t a nice experience.”

When his unit entered the French region of Alsace, Sorg suffered a bullet wound.

“We were attacking a town, and I got wounded in the right leg,” he says. “I think a sniper shot me. It took a nick out of my shinbone, but it wasn’t life-threatening.”

Bandaged by a medic, Sorg continued on, though several days later, his leg flared with infection. “I was sent to a field hospital, where I stayed for about five days,” he says. “Then I returned to my company.”

There was no letup in the battles.

“We went back up north, then through Holland and we walked through Holland into Germany.”

He still remembers the first day on German soil. “We didn’t run into any German soldiers,” he remembers. “The civilians were peeking out of their windows at us. I think they were afraid of what we would do to them. Later on, we became friends with the civilians wherever we went.”

Well, not everywhere.

In the spring of 1945, he says, his unit was stationed in a “beautiful” section of Germany along the Ruhr River and its wooded, rolling hills, but some residents apparently didn’t care for the Americans. “We kept having to zigzag around the woods we were in because mortars kept landing close to us,” Sorg recalls. “We figured it was the civilians who were tipping off the enemy to our locations.”

Surviving the war, “I returned home to my job at Republic Steel, and I worked there altogether 41 years,” he says. “I liked hanging around.”

A widower for the last seven years, Sorg says he takes it easy, keeping in contact with his five children, 10 grandchildren and “my ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.”• Hometown: Buffalo

• Residence: Orchard Park

• Branch: Army

• Rank: Private first class

• War zone: Europe

• Years of service: 1944-46

• Most prominent honors: Purple Heart, Combat

Infantryman Badge

• Specialty: Infantry

Human services agency dogged by fiscal woes

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:15:56 -0400

Problems are mounting at Phoenix Frontier Inc., a Buffalo human services agency that offers day programs for individuals with disabilities.

The agency’s board of directors fired its president and chief executive officer in March after learning the agency owed the Internal Revenue Service about $133,000 in overdue payroll taxes.

Jack K. Manganello, the fired executive, responded with a lawsuit last month saying the agency owes him $132,408, including $72,261 in severance pay, $13,460 in bonuses and $8,000 in consultant fees.

The firing and lawsuit follow a 2011 finding by the state Office of the Medicaid Inspector General that Phoenix Frontier had overcharged the state’s Medicaid program by at least $600,000 in a three-year period.

Key Bank froze the agency’s line of credit.

And Timothy Maggio of Buffalo, the board chairman, died unexpectedly in April.

Despite the turmoil, board members said the agency continues to provide services to its disabled clients while taking steps to improve its finances.

“I can tell you that the board is unquestionably protecting its consumers, which is our obligation. The consumers are well taken care of,” said Timothy G. O’Connell, a Buffalo attorney and Phoenix Frontier board member.

Founded in 1965, Phoenix Frontier assists about 400 people with developmental and physical disabilities, including those who have trouble hearing or seeing or who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. The agency is headquartered on Leroy Avenue and has satellite sites in Amherst and North Tonawanda.

Court filings for Manganello’s State Supreme Court lawsuit revealed the agency’s financial troubles.

Manganello, who headed the agency for 24 years, said the board fired him without cause and that he should be paid the $132,408 under the terms of his contract.

He also wants Phoenix Frontier to defend and indemnify him against any attempt by the IRS to recoup the agency’s taxes from him.

O’Connell submitted an affidavit spelling out how the agency became “mired in serious financial peril under the watch” of Manganello.

The directors, O’Connell said, “lost all confidence in Mr. Manganello, whose relationship with the board became very difficult.”

The agency, with a $4.8 million budget and more than 100 employees, has been forced to cut staff and sell some of its property.

“Unfortunately, plans are under way to cut benefits and trim programs in order to try to save the agency from financial ruin,” O’Connell wrote.

In addition to the IRS debt, the agency owes $164,000 to the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General and $175,000 on its line of credit with Key Bank. It also owes money to vendors.

“Mr. O’Connell alleges that Phoenix became mired in serious financial peril under my watch and that I refused to take personal responsibility,” Manganello said in his affidavit. “What responsibility has the board taken for its actions, or rather, its inaction?”

The agency’s most recent problems with the IRS began in February 2012, when withholding payments were made late, resulting in penalties and interest. Between April and July, no payments at all were made to the IRS.

Manganello said the agency’s chief financial officer never told him about the overdue taxes and late tax payments. He maintained it was the chief financial officer’s responsibility to pay the taxes.

Manganello fired the chief financial officer in August 2012 when the officer told Manganello about the IRS “intent to seize notice” for monies owed.

Manganello said O’Connell blames him for the late tax payments.

“However, my job as CEO was to supervise the employees and to carry out the policies and directions of the board,” Manganello said in his affidavit. “My job was make sure that policies and procedures were in place for the payments of taxes, not to make the payments myself.”

Manganello’s annual salary was $108,392 at the time of his firing.

The IRS informed Manganello earlier this year that it would hold him personally liable for paying the taxes if Phoenix Frontier did not pay.

Manganello said the board received monthly reports last year indicating the agency did not have a surplus. And the board was told of “extraordinary expenses” and cash flow issues caused by delays in state funding that hurt Phoenix’s financial condition, he said.

Board members said Manganello never advised them that payments were not being made to the IRS until the financial officer was fired, nor did he make them aware that the agency did not have enough money to pay its debts.

“Bottom line is Mr. Manganello was the chief executive officer of the organization. If that’s not his responsibility, then whose is it?” asked board member Marty Haumesser. “Mr, Manganello’s departure was unfortunate, but the board felt it was necessary to take action to right the ship.”

The board hired a forensic accountant, who is still investigating the agency’s financial records, said Haumesser.

Taxes are being paid now and the agency is “in the process of correcting those past-due taxes,” he said.

But the other debts remain a huge fiscal challenge, and the board has been in discussions with the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities to help map the agency’s future.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to keep Phoenix going,” said Haumesser. “We’ve got a strong board in place, so that if anyone can turn this around, I’m confident we can.”

email: jtokasz@buffnews.com

Events for people with disabilities

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:21:53 -0400

The 25th annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day, featuring Western New York professionals and businesses that specialize in services for people with developmental disabilities, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday in the Conference & Event Center, 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls. Featured will be speakers, workshops, vendor exhibits and general information about services and emerging trends. For information about the event or tickets, visit: www.ddday.org.

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The Buffalo Agency Special Care Planning Team is hosting “Financial Strategies for Families with Special Needs,” a free educational workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday in 300 Corporate Parkway, Suite 110N, Amherst. Learn how to prepare for the financial well-being of your special needs loved ones. Topics discussed will include housing, employment, special needs trusts and government benefits. For more information or to register, call 276-1120.

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Registration is being accepted for the iCan Shine Bike Camp, formerly Lose the Training Wheels, a program that utilizes adapted bicycles and specialized instruction to teach campers how to ride a two wheel bicycle. The camp will run from June 24 to June 28 at Cheektowaga High School, 3600 Union Road. Campers must be at least eight years old, have a diagnosed disability and be able to walk without assistive devices. For more information, to register a camper or if interested in volunteering, call 817-7204 or email: wnylearntoride@yahoo.com.

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ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter will host a support group meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Dent Neurological Institute, first floor boardroom, 3980 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. Laurie Krupski, former care services coordinator, will facilitate the group discussion. For information, contact Kate Cavan, care services coordinator at (315) 413-0121 or email: kcavan@alsaupstateny.org.

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Parent Network of Western New York is offering a free workshop, “Person Centered Planning,” from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday in its offices located at 1000 Main St. Learn how to develop meaningful life plans for the individuals you support. For more information or to register, call 332-4170 or visit: www.parentnetworkwny.org.

Items of timely events may be submitted by fax, 856-5150 or by mail to City Desk, Events for People with Disabilities, The Buffalo News, P.O. Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240.

City streets are their canvas

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:56:55 -0400

You may have walked the block hundreds of times in your life.

The stretch of sidewalk along Elmwood Avenue between Allen and North streets, about as unremarkable a city block as any in Buffalo, is home to a few liquor stores, salons and art galleries. Pedestrians shuffle quickly past the storefronts on their way to the bus stop or to the bars on Allen Street, rarely taking notice of what surrounds them.

But slow down for a minute, cast your eyes downward, and you'll start to see the evidence of another, slower urban world. In the late afternoon sun, for instance, you'll see a parking meter near North Street that seems to be casting two shadows. One is real, the other painted onto the sidewalk in fading black paint to give off a barely noticeable illusion.

In that same neighborhood, on bike racks and building walls, if you look closely, you'll see the miniaturized tags of the city's graffiti artists on ad-hoc sign-in sheets – the better to decipher their work on larger structures around the city. You'll see peculiar spray-painted stencils of armored buffaloes, strange stickers, lampposts papered with crude crayon drawings of some unknown origin and tiles chiseled into the pavement at crosswalks spelling out cryptic messages.

This is the sometimes-secret language of the city, a system made up of symbols, sanctioned murals and bits of illicit personal expression that together make up Buffalo's quiet and slowly growing street art scene. In larger cities, street art has become an assertive, unavoidable part of urban life. But in Buffalo, where authorities have tended to treat artistic expression anywhere other than gallery walls with suspicion if not outright hostility, it's just beginning to assume a more recognizable role.

For Matthew Grote, the street artist who goes by the name of OGRE and who collaborated with fellow artists Max Collins and Chuck Tingley to produce downtown's most visible piece of recent street art on the side of 515 Main St., there's plenty of art to be found here. You just have to hunt for it.

“For some people, and I guess I'm one of those people, it's a method of communication. It's like a secret language or a secret society almost,” Grote said. “Most people don't even look at the stickers, but I do. I see that person is communicating directly to me in that moment, and because I'm paying attention, I get to experience that, whereas most people just blindly walk past it.”

Evidence of Grote's artistic alter ego can be found all around the city, in places prominent and hidden, sanctioned and unsanctioned. The same goes for a small but growing group of artists whose work aspires to more than the artfully written tags of the city's handful of experienced graffiti writers.

Their art takes strange and often unexpected forms, from wheat-pasted illustrations form-fitted onto concrete pylons to tiles meticulously inserted into the blacktop under cover of night.

Many of these works are temporary: A beautiful tile piece on Porter Avenue near Kleinhans Music Hall that contained an excerpt from a short story by Ray Bradbury, for instance, was recently scratched out by the City of Buffalo. Asked about street art, the Buffalo Department of Public Works emailed that “unauthorized placement of art is subject to removal by the city.”

But some seem to linger for years. Seeking them out makes us see the city from a different angle. Buffalo's bits and pieces of street art – good and bad, grand and minuscule – are lenses through which to view the city anew. They help us see the streetscape not merely as a space to inhabit or pass through, but as a canvas waiting to be filled. Being more attuned to this evolving world, in some small way, helps us appreciate where we are as a city, and what kind of city we might become.

With Grote as a tour guide – with a few self-guided detours – I surveyed a few of the city's more intriguing pieces of street art, legal and, well, less so. Here's a look at a small sliver of them, with exact locations omitted when the art is off the beaten path or may be targeted for removal:
Elmwood Avenue and North Street

On the east side of Elmwood Avenue just south of North Street, one of a row of parking meters is not like the others. Extending from its base is a strip of black paint running across the sidewalk, blooming out into a skewed “shadow” of the part where you drop your quarters. It's devoid of the ego of graffiti, barely calling attention to itself and rewarding the rare viewer who actually notices it.

“One thing that does kind of separate graffiti from street art is that street art seems to be meant to engage the community,” Grote said. “Somebody doing that,” he continued, pointing at the painted shadow, “they're not building a name for themselves. But once you see that, you may not ever look at a parking meter the same way again.”
Various locations

For years, a series of tiles meticulously chiseled into a crosswalk spanning Delaware Avenue where it intersects with Allen Street advertised a person or outfit known only as “House of Hades.” But that tile was recently removed, leaving behind only scratched pavement. Same goes for a particularly good example of the peculiar form – called “Toynbee tiles,” a fixture in many Rust Belt cities – on Porter Avenue that contained a Ray Bradbury quote that seemed to capture the spirit of Buffalo's cultural resurgence: “Oh, future's bright and beauteous spires, arise!”

Fortunately for those seeking out tiles, a series of them can be found at the intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Bidwell Parkway that look at first glance like a ream of paper haphazardly scattered across the road. Also on Elmwood, a series of smaller, abstract pavement interventions are there to be discovered. And many more tiles are sure to appear.

3. Chow Monstro

Various locations

It's tough to miss the work of Chow Monstro, one of Buffalo's more recognizable street artists. His trademark symbol – a skull with Mickey Mouse ears, often dripping black paint – has been popping up on buildings downtown and in Allentown for the past several years. Monstro's wheat-pastes and stickers can be found on gritty stretches of Allen Street, as well as on a wall that's slowly becoming a target for street artists on Exchange Street. One particularly striking example is on the south side of the former Club Diablo at 517 Washington St.
The New Orleans-based street artist Candy Chang created a kind of franchise system, whereby her interactive murals have been exported to cities across the globe. One of those projects, a mural with “Before I die...” printed on it and meant to be filled out in chalk by passers-by, hangs on a vacant property (with the permission of the owner) at the corner of Fillmore Avenue and Paderewski Drive, not far from the Central Terminal and Torn Space Theatre. Recently scrawled bucket list items included “become a unicorn,” “live and let life,” and a wish for the Bills to win the Super Bowl.
No tour of Buffalo street art would be complete without a stop at Main Street Studios, where artists OGRE, Chuck Tingley and Max Collins (who on his own has grown into a sort of street art w�nderkind) collaborated on one of the more striking murals to grace the streetscape in decades. The piece is a fusion of the three artists' styles, with OGRE's illustrative, cartoonish characters melting into Tingley's more realistic portrait work and Collins' wheatpasted photography of joyful neighborhood characters.

The mural, which has grown since its original painting to back of the building facing Washington Street, was meant as a tribute to the neighborhood and has proved to be a consistent draw for the growing arts and business district on the block.
Near Larkinville, this jarring mural in an off-the-beaten-track area is also the work of OGRE and Tingley, whose studios are nearby. Completed over the course of a single day, it's an example of the kind of work that could soon make its way onto the walls of more vacant and disused Buffalo buildings in neighborhoods where vibrant color is hard to come by.
206 Allen St.

Though not necessarily a bona fide piece of street art, this series of miniaturized tags could serve as a kind of Rosetta Stone for Buffalo's much-maligned graffiti community. But you can look at graffiti without endorsing it, and this sign-in sheet of sorts will help you decode what you see, to separate the talented taggers from the total hacks, and to understand which of them deserves your ire and which your respect.
938 Elmwood Ave.

This mural on the side of Jim's Steakout in the Elmwood Village is the work of well-known local artists Bruce Adams and Augustina Droze, and it's about as above-board as Buffalo's street art world gets. It depicts scenes of neighborhood life, from skateboarding to the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer's Market and some brash product placement of a Jim's sub, complete with banana peppers, in the middle of it all. Like the 515 Main St. mural, it may be the signal that edgier and more vibrant legal murals are coming to Buffalo's streets.
300 block of Exchange Street

One man's piece of street art is another man's canvas. That was the case with a strange, looming white head someone painted on a stretch of gray wall along Exchange Street on the way to Larkinville last summer. Since then, the face has been modified, presumably by a different artist with a different style, to resemble Mahatma Gandhi. That artist, or maybe a third one, then spray-painted part of Gandhi's famous quote to go along with the modification: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

The wall also contains work by Chow Monstro and stencils and tags from other street artists. The work there, which is constantly changing and being painted over and repainted, is an example of the collaborative ties beginning to develop in the street art community and the rising social consciousness of some street artists.
Central Terminal

Because of its relative inaccessibility, it's tough to count this masterful tribute to the late comics artist Spain Rodriguez as a piece of viewable street art. But its importance in the gradual shift of Buffalo's street art scene from pure graffiti to socially and culturally conscious work is undeniable.

email: cdabkowski@buffnews.com