The future may hold a fun way to beat the heat for Blasdell residents, as village officials’ discussions over the implementation of a splash pad at the Silver Street playground have continued in a recent, steady manner. Parameters for the splash pad could include eventually accommodating as many as 60 children and persons who would visit the location, which had up to this spring included a basketball court with hoops. However, following a lengthy process, the decision was made by village board members for the basketball court and hoops to be removed, with Blasdell’s Department of Public Works following through with the designated takedown of the structures. The current ensuing plan, Trustee... more

The proposed expenditure budget of $72,285,048 along with three other proposition items offered to Frontier Central School District residents as part of Tuesday’s (May 15) budget vote and board member election will likely be passed by overwhelming voter approval, according to unofficial results following the board’s regular meeting.A glitch in machine operation at one of the district’s polling sites, a similar problem encountered in a pair of other Southtown school districts during voting time, caused a few of the votes to be stated as being skewed in a proposition item. However, judging by the approximate 2-to-1 “yes” ratio distinction in overall proposition item approval, Frontier district... more

The eight Hamburg Central school board candidates that were expecting to know their fates Tuesday night (May 15) had to wait another day to find out the final results as an error message in one of the voting machines caused a delay in getting the final numbers for the school board budget and trustee vote.But the results came in late Wednesday morning and Incumbents Joan Calkins and Patricia Brunner-Collins, along challenger Sally Stephenson, won seats on the Hamburg Board of Education.Stephenson collected 1,295 votes and Collins had 1,136. As a result, they will hold three-year terms on the board. Calkins will hold a one-year term on the board after she garnered 1,103 votes. The reason it is... more

[photo1]For nearly two hours, the eight candidates running for the Hamburg School Board answered several questions presented to them by voters in the district as part the “Meet the Candidates” forum at Charlotte Avenue School Monday evening (May 7).The top three vote getters will earn seats on the board, with the top two earning three-year seats. The third will hold a position for one year after Robert Madden was appointed to the board the fall of 2011, following the resignation of Kelly Harper. Madden, along with current board President Joan Calkins and Vice-President Patricia Brunner-Collins are among the eight candidates running in next Tuesday’s (May 15) budget and trustee vote.They are being... more

In the Eden Central School District, four candidates are seeking to fill three seats on the Eden School Board. Due to the resignations of former school board members Patrick Howard and Brian Burgstahler, and the decision of Andrew Breier not to seek re-election, the term of each newly elected board member will be different.The top vote getter of the May 15 elections will have a three-year and six-week term. The candidate with the second highest total of votes will have a three-year term, while the candidate with the third highest total will have a two-year, six-week term.In alphabetical order, the candidates are:• Michael M. Byrnes, 25, is a lifelong resident of Eden and a graduate of Eden... more

It was standing room only as many Village of Hamburg business owners attended a public hearing May 7 on proposed changes to the sign ordinances.For the past year, the village board, the code enforcement office and the architectural review commission have been working on addressing issues with the existing sign ordinances within the village.Supervising Code Enforcement Officer Kurt Allen gave a brief rundown on the proposed changes to the laws, including the hot topics of digital and A-frame (sandwich) sign definitions and signage in windows.“Most of the amendments to the code are relaxing the standards from what they are now,” Allen said.Kevin Beckwith, owner of Gear for Adventure presented... more

David Burke, a local contractor, wants to boost apartment complex options in the Blasdell and Hamburg areas. That’s why he has proposed a complex on Lake Avenue, east of South Park. The plan was one of the new projects brought before the Hamburg Town Planning Board last Wednesday (May 2).Burke’s biggest obstacle is traffic on that busy roadway. The plan calls for a 16 apartment unit complex utilizing one driveway to enter and exit the property. Hamburg Traffic Safety Coordinator Jerry Giglio recommended that driveways line-up with the plaza across the street. “The more traffic we can control, the better,” Giglio said. That section of Lake Avenue is already quite busy with Jubilee Market, the... more

The two Frontier Central School Board candidates expressed their deep appreciation and commitment to the district at Monday’s (May 7) “Meet the Candidates” night at the Frontier Educational Center.Thomas M. Best Jr. and Patrick Boyle are seeking to fill the two vacant seats on the board, as Board President Michael Comerford and Board Vice President Stanley Figiel are not seeking reelection. The election will take place on Tuesday, May 15.Best introduced himself to the audience as a “life-long resident of the Town of Hamburg and the Frontier School District.” Having graduated from Frontier in 1986 and now the father of two children who attend Frontier schools, Best said his decision to run for... more

On Tuesday, May 15, voters will have the chance to choose who represents them on the Lake Shore School Board as they decide between three candidates running for two vacant seats, both for three year terms.Of the three candidates, two are incumbents, Richard Vogan, who has served on the board for the past nine years, and Jennifer Wackowski, who has logged six years of service. The other candidate is newcomer Kenneth West.  A fourth candidate, David Lopez withdrew his name from the ballot Thursday, May 10.Vogan has served the Lake Shore School Board for the past nine years, during which time he served on the Safety, GPA Policy, Audit and Technology Committees, and held the offices of vice... more

David Lopez, a candidate for the Lake Shore School Board, withdrew his name from the ballot on Thursday, May 10.In a letter to the Lake Shore School District Superintendent James Przepasniak, Lopez said because he has not been able to attend school board meetings in the past and that because he feels that he is not as prepared as the current board members to handle the many critical issues coming from Albany soon, he has officially withdrawn from this election. " I have met nothing but wonderful people through this journey, people that I plan on working with in the future. I will begin my education by attending all board meetings. I am an advocate for volunteers, so I will volunteer my services... more

Energy improvements will be made throughout Town of Hamburg facilities with the help of a matching grant program involving the town, the Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.The Hamburg Town Board held a special meeting Thursday afternoon (April 26) to accept the financial terms of the agreement, because it had to be accepted by May 1 for NYSERDA to be able to begin the project on time. It is expected to be completed by September.“The finance aspect of the project is what the issue is,” said Town Attorney Kenneth Farrell.Hamburg Town Supervisor Steven Walters said the town’s portion of the matching grant funds will come to about $180,000. “Our... more

A whopping 70 years of experience among three district officials, including almost 40 years from the school board’s vice president, will be missing from the Frontier Central School District when the 2012-13 school year begins. That is because Board President Michael Comerford and longtime Board Vice President Stanley Figiel announced at Tuesday’s (April 17) meeting that they will opt to not seek re-election for their board terms that expire at the end of June, each citing family reasons for their respective decisions. Also, Assistant Superintendent of District Business Richard A. Binner, who first joined the district in his duties in 1995, will retire from his position effective Sept. 4.The announcements... more

Savory Mexican shrimp bisque and sumptuous chocolate peanut butter cheesecake will be just two of the dishes Taste of Home cooking show attendees will learn —and if they are lucky — take home with them this weekend.On Saturday, May 5, the Taste of Home Cooking Show will return to the Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center. Participants will tour the trade show, which will feature the latest culinary gadgets, cook books, food and wine samples and more. Culinary Specialist Michael Barna will take the stage at 4 p.m. to give a two-and-one-half hour cooking demonstration, where he will teach the audience valuable tips and tricks of the trade that can be accomplished in a home kitchen. Barna promises a... more

The North Collins School Board approved a $14,398,948.55 budget to submit to taxpayers for approval on May 15. It also revealed that there will be three candidates seeking two, five-year terms on the board that day. Incumbents David Gier and Paulette Renaldo will seek to keep their seats and Lisa Petrus has launched her challenge.The most recent budget submitted by Superintendent Benjamin Halsey showed an additional savings of $75,357 from the proposal submitted only two weeks earlier. Halsey stated he had listened to the concerns of the board and combed the figures for more savings. He found those in cutting one .7 (part time) Social Studies instructor position ($36, 562); Removal of funds... more

[photo1]Savory Mexican shrimp bisque and sumptuous chocolate peanut butter cheesecake will be just two of the dishes Taste of Home cooking show attendees will learn —and if they are lucky — take home with them this weekend.On Saturday, May 5, the Taste of Home Cooking Show will return to the Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center. Participants will tour the trade show, which will feature the latest culinary gadgets, cook books, food and wine samples and more. Culinary Specialist Michael Barna will take the stage at 4 p.m. to give a two-and-one-half hour cooking demonstration, where he will teach the audience valuable tips and tricks of the trade that can be accomplished in a home kitchen. Barna promises... more

[photo1]Since 1966, the Hamburg Public Library has been a destination for many people throughout the community. Other than a new roof and other maintenance items, there has been no major changes to the facility. But if the library and its board get its wish, the library should be in line for a major renovation.“We’re getting really excited,” said Martha Salzman, president of the Hamburg Public Library Board of Directors, adding it is her belief that “it’s gonna happen.”According to Library Director Jack Edson, he believes the estimated cost of the project would be around $2 million to complete.Edson said he has been feeling a lot of excitement in the community over the possible expansion.“There’s... more

Although located in the city of Buffalo, the William Street Post Office and the United States Postal Services’ intentions for the facility have extensive impacts, including in town of Boston. This realization was brought to attention at the Boston town board’s meeting last Wednesday, April 18.The board moved to adopt a resolution that “the decision to close the William Street postal facility be reassessed in light of the negative impact on local governments and business, the loss of jobs and that the postal facility . . . be permanently kept open.” This resolution was passed by the board by a 5-0 vote.Councilman Jay Boardway listed several reasons why closing a post office in Buffalo would have... more

Traditional sights and sounds of summer will be on full display in the near future in Blasdell, thanks largely to the efforts of the village workforce as well as volunteer organizations.Following up on items mentioned at the April 2 meeting, Blasdell Village Board members discussed at last Wednesday’s (April 18) meeting upcoming points of interest, including the formation of the first-ever 12-and-under travel baseball team representing Blasdell, a squad that will play home games at JFK Playground against various teams from across the area. Trustee Rob Hefner credited the village’s Department of Public Works for getting the clay ball diamonds ready for action, as the baseball team opens its home... more

[photo1]The new owners of a used auto parts business on Camp Road have taken a step closer to revitalizing the dilapidated last Wednesday (April 18). The Hamburg Planning Board held a public hearing on Calkins Used Auto Parts’ request to obtain a special use permit to continue the operation of an established junk yard at 5661 Camp Road. Since the last meeting, the Calkins site plan was revised to mandate a no left turn from the property onto Camp Road to ensure the safety of drivers. The planning board reviewed letters from both the Village of Hamburg Planning Commission and the Town Conservation Board. While the Village of Hamburg requested that storm water run-off be addressed, the Town... more

[photo1]After nearly 13 years of service at SS. Peter and Paul Church, the pastor who used his drive, wisdom and sense of humor to better both his parish and school, will retire on Tuesday, May 1.Rev. Mark J. Wolski was appointed pastor to the Catholic church, located on East Main Street in the Village of Hamburg, in 1999. During his tenure, he administered the construction of the handicap-accessible Parish Center, which includes a new school gym, as well as led the renovations of the school’s computer and resource rooms.“They have been wonderful years for me,” said Wolski about his time with SS. Peter and Paul. He said he will miss the hospitality and spirit of volunteerism that the parishioners... more