Fullervision
2006 Archives
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The
Year that was 2006: A Year in Review from Fullervision
The year 2006 was not a particularly good year per se, but there were
some very notable things that happened.
NATIONAL AND WORLD NEWS
In politics, the Democratic Party retook the House of Representatives
and surprisingly took a very slim lead in the Senate, which was
immediately put in jeopardy by a brain hemorrhage suffered by Sen. Tim
Johnson (D-SD)... Lots of rhetoric in the world scene; Mahmoud
Ahmedinejad of Iran continued to insist he had the right to pursue
nuclear power while threatening to obliterate the state of Israel. Kim
Jong-Il reportedly attempted to detonate a nuclear weapon (but failed
miserably), and Venezuela president Hugo Chavez delivered a speech to
the United Nations calling U.S. President Bush "the devil..." hurricane
season was very quiet as an El Niño event developed..
IN MEMORIAM
Gerald R. Ford, 93, 38th President of the United States, only one never
elected to either the post or the Vice Presidency. Most notable for
pardoning Richard Nixon.
Peter Boyle, 71, played the monster in Mel Brooks's "Young
Frankenstein" and Frank Barone from "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Don Knotts, 81. Best known as Deputy Barney Fife from "The Andy
Griffith Show."
Al Lewis, 82. Green Party activist and best known as "Grandpa Munster."
James Brown, 73, Lou Rawls, 72, and Wilson Pickett, 64. Pioneers of
soul music in the 1960's and 70's.
Steve Irwin, 44. Australian "Crocodile Hunter" was killed by a stingray
blow to the chest.
Augusto Pinochet, 90. Totalitarian capitalist dictator of Chile, both
revered and despised.
Kirby Puckett, 44. Baseball Hall of Famer died of a stroke.
Buck Owens, 76. Founder of the "Bakersfield Sound" of country music.
Gene Pitney, 66. Pop and country musician ("The Man who Shot Liberty
Valance," "Only Love can Break a Heart").
Milton Friedman, 94. Economist and libertarian.
Lloyd Bentsen, 85. Conservative Democrat Senator from Texas. "You, sir,
are no
Jack Kennedy."
Mike Douglas, 85. Talk show host.
Ann Richards, 73. Flamboyant Democrat Governor of Texas, defeated by
the current President Bush.
Red Auerbach, 89. Greatest pro basketball coach in history.
Red Buttons, 87. Comedian/actor.
Aaron Spelling, 83. Television guru behind such hits as "Melrose Place."
Ed Bradley, 65. America's most prominent African-American journalist.
Bo Schembecler, 77. Head Coach of University of Michigan football.
Robert Altman, 81. Director likely driven to death after attempting to
direct Lindsay Lohan in Altman's final film, "A Prairie Home Companion:
The Movie."</joke>
Lamar Hunt, 81. Founder of the American Football League and owner of
the Kansas City Chiefs.
Joseph Barbera, 95. Co-member of the "Hanna-Barbera" cartoon team
behind The Flintstones, the Jetsons and Scooby Doo.
GOOD RIDDANCE
Saddam Hussein, 69, former dictator of Iraq. Deposed and captured by US
forces in 2003, executed by hanging.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 39. leader of al-Qaeda's Iraq wing, killed in an
airstrike.
Slobodan Milosevic, 64. President of Serbia, conducted various ethnic
cleansing operations against his own people.
Kenneth Lay, 64. Mastermind of the Enron scandal, died shortly after
conviction of a heart attack.
Coretta Scott King. Widow of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Not
necessarily a knock on Ms. King, but her
funeral was used as a political rally.
Betty Friedan. Radical feminist.
SPORTS NEWS
One word can sum up the year 2006 in sports: embarassment. The NFL was
embarassed during Super Bowl XL when a tremendously horrendous
officiating crew ended up practically handing the NFL championship to
the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10... in world
sports, the United States was embarassed in the World Baseball Classic,
the token baseball tournament conjured by Major League Baseball, and
the World Basketball Championship. In the Tour de France, after Lance
Armstrong won 7 straight, he retired this year, and with several racers
suspended, another American, Floyd Landis, won the Tour. Embarassed,
the French sought revenge and conjured up a positive drug test for
testosterone... the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy saw a
jet-lagged US National Team
finish second in the medal count to Germany... The Miami Heat won the
NBA championship, Carolina Hurricanes the Stanley Cup, and St. Louis
Cardinals the World Series.
ENTERTAINMENT/GOSSIP
In gossip, tabloid magnet Britney Spears divorced her husband of two
years, Kevin Federline, and since joined people like Paris Hilton on a
partying spree... actor Mel Gibson was arrested for DWI and allegedly
threw anti-Semitic insults at a cop... OJ Simpson wrote a book,
entitled "If I Did It," a fictional account of a double murder, that
was cancelled shortly after its plans were announced due to public
outrage... In television, the WB and UPN merged to form a new
television network, "The CW," in the most significant change in the
television landscape since the two predecessors were founded in 1994.
There were no real "smash hits" in the 2006 TV season as there was in
2005. Movies were also lukewarm, with even expected hits like "Superman
Returns" disappointing in theatres... NBC aired a National Football
League game for the first time in 8 years with their debut of Sunday
Night Football, stealing the crew of ABC's Monday Night Football,
which moved to ESPN.
LINDSAY LOHAN WATCH
Lohan continued down a downward spiral into insanity. While she did
gain much of the weight she lost in 2005 and did star in two films (A
Prairie Home Companion: The Movie and Just My Luck) and had a bit role
in another (Bobby), she became increasingly incoherent in her
interviews and was hospitalized at least once.
LOCAL NEWS
In New York, the Blue Wave brought Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo to
state offices in wide margins over their Republican opponents, as did
Hillary Clinton in her re-election to the US Senate. However, the Blue
Wave did little locally as Randy Kuhl won re-election to Congress
(albeit barely) and Joseph Giglio and Catharine Young won re-election
to the state legislature. Ellicottville and West Valley soundly
rejected an annexation straw vote, and voters in the Allegany-Limestone
and Cattaraugus-Little Valley districts successfully defeated measures
that would close elementary schools in Limestone and Little Valley,
respectively... the New York State Police took the county by storm with
an all out manhunt for petty thief and career criminal Ralph "Bucky"
Phillips. Phillips would eventually shoot two state troopers (one
fatally) and would be caught in September... a freak snowstorm hit the
city of Buffalo in early October, leaving several dead and hundreds of
thousands without power... another attempt to collect taxes from Indian
cigarette dealers falls through after the state Department of Taxation
and Finance refuses to comply with the law.
LOCAL SPORTS
The Buffalo Sabres continued their hot play at the beginning of the
2005-06 season and made a run in the NHL Playoffs, coming within one
game of the Stanley Cup Finals when the Carolina Hurricanes defeated an
injury depleted Sabres team in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference
finals... The Buffalo Bills started off very ugly, after a 5-11 season
in 2005, a shuffle that saw the ouster of team President Tom Donahoe,
the resignation of head coach Mike Mularkey, and the additions of Marv
Levy and Dick Jauron to replace the two respectively,
and some questionable draft choices, the team started 2-5, but an
offensive line shuffle at the bye week nearly salvaged the season until
they were eliminated in Week 16; they finished at 7-9...
Cattaraugus-Little Valley won the
"Section 6" small school football championships but were defeated in
the next game afterward by Oakfield-Alabama... minor league sports were
largely unspectacular.
LOCAL DEATHS
Adam Filock, 17. Died in a snowboarding accident.
Jocelyn Wild, 23. Died in an automobile accident.
Peter Tomarken, 56. Olean native and host of the TV show "Press Your
Luck" in the 1980s. Died in a plane crash.
Gerard "Jess" Fitzpatrick, 78. Cattaraugus County legislature chairman
at the time of his death, died suddenly after a legislature meeting.
Crystal Abers succeeded him as chairwoman, the first chairwoman in the
county's history.
Jason Denfrund, 24. Serving in Iraq when a bomb was detonated in his
presence on Christmas Day.
ELECTION 2006 RESULTS
New York Governor
Eliot Spitzer
(D) wins over John Faso (R) 69-29%
Cattaraugus County voters chose
Spitzer over Faso, 50.5-49.5%
New York Comptroller
Alan Hevesi
(D-Inc) leads Christopher Callaghan (R) 56-39%
Cattaraugus County voters chose
Callaghan over Hevesi, 50-43%
New York Attorney General
Andrew Cuomo
(D) wins over Jeanine Pirro (R), 58-40%
Cattaraugus County voters chose
Pirro over Cuomo, 58-42%
US Senate, NY
Hillary Clinton
(D-Inc.) wins over John Spencer (R), 67-31%
Cattaraugus County voters chose
Clinton over Spencer, 55-45%
US House, 29th District NY (Kuhl
vs. Massa)
John "Randy" Kuhl
(R-Inc.) narrowly defeats Eric Massa (D), 51-49%
***MASSA REFUSES TO
CONCEDE, WILL DECLARE PROTEST***
Cattaraugus County voters chose
Kuhl over Massa, 56-44%
US House, 26th District NY
(Reynolds vs. Davis)
Tom Reynolds
(R-Inc.) defeats Jack Davis (D), 52-48%
New York Assembly, 149th
District NY (Giglio vs. Witte)
Joseph Giglio
(R-Inc.) wins over Linda Witte (D), roughly 57-43%
Seneca Nation Presidency
Maurice "Moe" John (Nation) def. Rickey L. Armstrong (Alliance)
Other notable races from across
the country
US House Upstate NY: Jim Walsh (R-Inc.) defeats Dan Maffei (D) 51-49%
Michael Arcuri (D) defeats Ray Meier (R) to gain +1 in House
Kristen Gillibrand (D) defeats John Sweeney (R-Inc.) to gain +1 in House
US Senate VA: Allen (R-Inc) and
Webb (D) tied, recount to take place
PA Governor: Ed Rendell (D-Inc) proj. to def. Lynne Swann (R)
US Senate PA: Bob Casey (D) proj. to def. Rick Santorum (R-Inc.)
US Senate CT: Joe Lieberman (Ind.-Inc.) proj. to def. Ned Lamont (D)
US Senate OH: Brown (D) proj. to def. Dewine (R-Inc.)
CA Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Inc.) stays in power
TOWN AND VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES
Village of Little Valley Board Notes, May 23
Meeting called to order at 6:58 PM. Mayor Norm Marsh, Deputy Mayor Ted
Nichols, Trustees John Bedell and Dawn Nyznyk, Treasurer-Clerk Peggy
Harrison Root, and Public Works Commissioner Robert Milks were present.
Minutes approved.
No old business.
Voted on bond resolution for truck and plow; 5 years, $100,121.34. Vote
was rejected, with Bedell voting nay. Milks attempted to convince
Bedell otherwise, stating that the truck and plow were in poor
condition and that having only one truck would be a high risk. Milks
said that the old truck would be sold by bid or auction. Bedell
rescinds no vote. Revote taken; motion carried.
Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School requests use of pool for June
9, 12, 13, and 14. Audrey Snow discussed issues relating to the village
pool. Pool set for opening June 19. Milks expressed concern over the
filling and inspection of the pool. A recommendation was put forward
for hiring 6 lifeguards as opposed to the 4 plus one part-time, as it
would save on overtime pay. Savings would approximate to about $1,000.
It was noted that the Salamanca pool would be closed this year and to
expect increased turnout. Katherine Hutchinson and Brian Wrona were
among the applicants for those positions. Motion carried to hire the
two.
Organizational meetings. Hope Phillips added to flower planting.
Meeting with state building inspector scheduled for Friday, 11:00 AM.
Motion carried.
Thompson Ave. signs. “No Parking” and “No Standing” from Weekdays
7:00-4:00 signs recommended to be posted on both sides of the road.
Marsh pointed out that local law would have to be changed in order for
such a measure to be taken.
Milks requested a trip for a Western Regional BMA for June 15 with
“Dave.” Motion carried.
Milks reported that the catch basin outside Uni-Mart is indeed owned by
Uni-Mart.
Quote was given for a robotic water tank inspection which is needed for
$1500.
Laborer position. 10 applications were chosen by Milks as unofficial
finalists. It was intended to narrow that list down to five. Milks and
Marsh noted that the position has a 6-month probation period and would
lead into an apprenticeship program. Interviews for six of the
candidates scheduled for Tuesday, May 30 at 6:00 PM. After significant
deliberation, six candidates were chosen for 15-minutes interviews:
Baker, Crowell, Stoll, Imhoff, Capron and Navarre.
Cleaner position. Marsh expressed his interest in having someone with
their own equipment. Root recommended that the position be contracted
to Allied Industrials. Motion tabled so that candidate Todd Shields
could be further investigated.
Letter from Betty Learn attached to minutes. Learn expressed her praise
for ousted clerk and treasurer Tammy Buchhardt. Learn said Buchhardt
"excelled in several ways as treasurer/clerk" and that since the
attorney general wasn't investigating the situation [in which the state
comptroller indicated that Buchhardt misappropriated $72,000 in village
funds], that the village should just accept the money already given and
be done with the issue. Learn wrote in the letter that she wanted to
avoid argument and that is why she wrote the letter instead of speaking
at the previous meeting.
Letter from EPA that was sent out to 137 residents of the village to
sample residential properties for trichloroethylene contamination
attached to minutes.
Letter from Town of Little Valley to school attached to minutes. Text
of said note was not available to Fullervision but other reports state
that the letter condemned the planned closing of the Little Valley
campus.
Temporary signs to be posted from Center St. to just beyond the Sibley
residence on 9th and North 9th Streets.
Bedell noted that Kurt Vosburgh will require an exception to the noise
ordinance to hold his annual mud bogging.
A dispute over a small piece of unknown property was discussed. Issue
will be discussed on Friday morning.
Root noted taxes would be sent out May 31. Motion accepted to accept
budget amendments.
Community yard sale would be June 3 and 4. Names will be taken.
Motion to pay bills and payroll carried.
Executive session not required.
Meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM.
Town of Little Valley Board Notes, June 12
Meeting called to order at 6:58 PM. William Farnham, Supervisor, Pat
Isaman, Clerk, Robert Busekist, Assessor, Walter Fellows, Highway
Superintendent, and Councilmen William Stoll, David Shinners, and Jerry
Titus all were present.
Minutes approved.
Assessor’s Report. One complaint, a shed had been removed from a
property and it had not been taken off the rolls. Norris Pipeline.
Attorneys from Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties involved. Hoping to
meet with Chautauqua County Assessors and Supervisors to get the issue
settled. Request some hours for training, would like to go to Lake
Placid but will settle for one day courses if necessary.
Chautauqua County increases assessments from 700 to 2100 in 3 years.
Cattaraugus County doubled its assessment on the pipeline. A final
assessment would be aimed for school tax time. Report accepted.
Justice Report carried.
Superintendent’s Report. Liebler Hill profiled, surface treated .6
miles in conjunction with Napoli. Mountain View description and survey
in. Superintendent discussed complaint process. Motion carried. Hill
St. excavation and surface treatment to take place in July. On hold
because of Whipple driveway. Whig St. to be chipped in a few weeks.
Mountain Hollow ditch and drainage work to be finished in the summer
months. Truck repair delayed until August 30. Personal injury: “Willie”
had a tendon injury with a cast, may require surgery, but is still
working. Report accepted.
Clerk’s report accepted.
Supervisor’s report. A possible typo in one of the numbers was
investigated and found to be correct. Report accepted.
Old business. Foster property discussed, still moving. Schumacher
appears to be cleaned out. Hall place was inactive.
Notice from state. Susan Koch sent a grant in; status of grant to be
known in Nov.
Koch would like to attend a seminar. $15 fee. Motion carried.
County’s report accepted.
Letter from CLV school board. They claim “basically, there’s nothing we
can do for you.” Titus made jokes regarding Amo Houghton.
Bills accepted.
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.
Village of Little Valley Board Notes, June 13
Board called to session at 6:59 PM. Mayor Marsh, Deputy Mayor Nichols,
Trustees Bedell and Mosher, Clerk Root and Public Works Commissioner
Milks were present.
Minutes approved.
Lenora Leasure of the Cattaraugus County Business Development
Corporation made a presentation. An intern made a drive-through and
took a quick survey of the businesses in this area in Fall 2005. The
purpose was to have the village survey the local businesses and return
that data to the BDC, who would create a barebones business plan for
the village. She left copies of the “blue book,” a guide and kit for
starting a business. Marsh asked whether or not the loans are from the
state small business grants; Leasure clarified that it was a federal
HUD grant, coupled with state small cities funds. She also clarified
that loans were minimum $500 loans and maximum $25,000 at one time;
$75,000 over life, and explained requirements for the loans.
Old business. Letter and certificate of appreciation from Southern Tier
West, thanking Little Valley for a contribution to their membership
drive. Letter from Center for Family Unity thanking them for the use of
the stoplight for their fundraiser; they raised $3000 during said
fundraiser. Reviewed Thompson Avenue local law to be looked over;
public hearing would be set in July.
Motion to hire Scott Navarre as laborer as per the last meeting,
carried. Navarre will start June 22.
Todd Shields was originally selected for the cleaner position but
backed out after the costs were too great. With that, Allied
Industrials was chosen for the position. Motion to hire for one year
carried.
Milks report:
Thompson Ave. was measured; it is 300 feet.
Got a quote from Derrick Askey to seal basketball court, threw in
lining free of charge, total of $300. Motion carried.
Water school. Three from the water department would like to attend the
one in Olean on July 19, one would attend the one in Jamestown on July
20. Milks described what was taught at the school. Fee was reported as
$35. Motion carried.
September 28, Embassy Suites in Syracuse. Independent Energy Efficiency
Program conference. Milks would like to attend. Motion carried.
Pool. Pool is in solid condition. Milks discussed the use of the pool
by large groups. Milks would like to charge for the use of the
facilities because of garbage collection fees. Bedell did not realize
that charges were not being levied. Marsh proposed a $25 fee for large
groups. Milks said there was a breakin at the pool; David Shinners
pulled out the perpetrator, who was unidentified and broke in by
bending the fence. Motion to impose the fee on pool and pavilion rental
for large groups carried, with Marsh opposing on the grounds that
people would complain.
Sidewalk and road work discussed.
Electric utilities systems were discussed.
Bedell requested that a letter be sent to the sheriffs’ department
regarding adolescents in the park and the bridge. It was noted that
there was a 10:00 PM curfew, but because there was no local police, it
was difficult to enforce.
Bedell addressed a meeting with Ron Bridenbaker and Ron Frentz.
Bedell requested executive session.
Marsh will attend a planning board dinner; speaker to discuss
windmills, geothermal service and other alternative energy. Milks said
that wind energy is good for a supplemental service.
Root presented final budget amendments on a sheet.
Personnel discussed in executive session.
Motion to pay bills and approve payroll reports carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.
Revised
Village
of Little Valley Board Notes, June 27
Board called to session at 7:01 PM. Mayor Marsh, Deputy
Mayor Nichols, Trustee Bedell, Clerk Root, and Public Works
Commissioner Milks
present. Trustees Nyznyk and Mosher arrived at 7:03 PM.
Minutes approved.
Old business. Public hearing for Thompson Ave. local law as described
in previous meetings.
Parking and standing shall be prohibited on the east side of Thompson
Ave and southward for approximately 286 feet and on the west side from
Rock City to the Heights during school hours. Public hearing set for
July 11 at 7:00, during the regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Date is to be set for public hearing for adoption of NYS building code.
Public hearing set for July 11 at 7:00, motion carried.
Motion to allow Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds to use fireworks during
July 3 and 4 Freedom Daze celebration. Motion carried.
Letter from Cattaraugus County on shared services contract. Motion to
execute contract carried.
Letter from Sheriff’s Department regarding youth violating curfew.
Robert Bucchardt has been notified and has alerted road patrols on the
situation.
Marsh shared his information he received at the conference regarding
alternative energy sources.
Public works commissioner’s report. Vandalism at pool—volleyball net
was torn (police were notified), garbage can rearrangement. Pool is
otherwise good, noted the pool was up to 84 degrees.
Alice Thompson questioned the new policy regarding the charging of $25
for large groups using the pool and pavilion. She opposed the policy on
account that taxes pay for the pool (but noted that she had no problem
with out of village customers doing so). Milks explained that the
policy has been to haul their own garbage and the users have not been
doing so. The cost was about $17 plus trucking and labor. The board
clarified that those who had previously arranged will not be charged.
The board clarified that the swimming lessons went up from $10 to $20;
the pool uses other organizations as the standard and tries to offer a
significantly lower price. Thompson was very
upset; Bedell noted that the heating was much higher and Thompson
rebutted
that the heat was too high to begin with. Milks stated that the heating
cost $500 per month and also noted that lifeguards were hired for extra
hours.
Marsh noted that if one did not have the money to cover, the swimming
lessons would be offered gratis. Thompson also complained that the
lifeguards were not offering adequate instructions. Marsh noted that
this has changed. Registration is continuing from now until July 3.
Mosher, Nyznyk and Nichols have no business.
Bedell stated that the Park Place apartments will be notified regarding
that cleanup needs to be performed as soon as possible. Bedell
complained about the families who behave in an uncouth manner including
public drinking.
Bedell questioned the status of Audrey Snow’s lifeguard certification.
Marsh said he would ask and that Snow has finished the EMT course.
Bedell posed the question of a village police officer as discussed in
executive session in last session. Marsh said that the cost of running
a police department would be too expensive and that at least four
officers would be needed. Thompson asked about the sheriff’s role in
shared services. Marsh said that the sheriffs do not patrol the village
but act upon request of the village when something needs remedied. Root
is looking into grant money and Marsh noted that there is the
continuation of costs each year. Bedell wonders how Cattaraugus pays
for their police department; Nyznyk noted that the taxes are four times
as high. Mosher noted that our streets and roads are in much better
condition than those of Cattaraugus. Nyznyk and Mosher noted that the
village of Cattaraugus
struggles to pay for their police department. Mosher concurred with
Marsh on the cost. Nyznyk said that the concept could be pursued.
Bedell expressed concern over apparent lawlessness on Mill St. Mosher
and Milks said that a contract with the Sheriff’s Department would be
$20,000
for 20 hours per week, based upon the contract that the sheriffs
provided with the village of Randolph. Concerns were raised over the
effectiveness of a
police department.
Root said that the bank had questioned the village over passbook
accounts. Little Valley is the only municipality that has not moved to
online banking. Root noted that there would be a paper trail and that
only she would be authorized to access the accounts. She also said that
the convenience would be much greater. Mosher says it is a good idea.
Nyznyk had reservations over the issue of online security but said that
those experiences are personal. Motion carried, with Nyznyk opposing.
Root announced that Jeff Miller stopped in and will meet with Milks and
Root regarding
insurance. It was noted that there is little change in the insurance
policy. Mosher recommended a comparison just for assurance. Others
noted that few offered the insurance that the village currently has.
Motion to approve paying bills and payroll carried.
Executive session not needed.
Thompson expressed thanks for the village’s addressing the Thompson
Ave.
parking situation.
Miscellaneous discussion regarding trees that would be offered for free
in the front of the house for those who wanted them.
Meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.
NOTABLE OBITUARIES
JANUARY 27: ADAM FILOCK, 17 Died in snowboarding accident.
Filock, of Cattaraugus, NY, was skiing without a helmet down an expert
slope when he crashed into a tree. (WGRZ)
APRIL 25: JOCELYN WILD, 21 Died
in automobile accident. Wild, formerly of Cattaraugus and
Ellicottville, NY, was driving up Route 60 outside of Fredonia when an
SUV rearended her into a bus. (Jamestown
Post-Journal and other sources)
APRIL 28: GERARD "JESS" FITZPATRICK, 78
Chairman, Cattaraugus County Legislature; died of natural causes.
Crystal Abers succeeded Fitzpatrick as chairperson, the first woman to
hold the position and the first to succeed to the post because of a
death. (Olean
Times-Herald) Fullervision
photo, June 2005
CONTINUING COVERAGE: NEW YORK STATE,
SENECA
INDIANS, AND CIGARETTE TAXES
2/20:
NYS Tax Dept. Won't Enforce Legislature's Edict to Collect Taxes on
Indian Cigs & Gas (Gannett)
2/21:
Barry Snyder responds: "We were sovereign and tax-exempt in 1866, and
we are today" (Salamanca Press)
2/22:
Seneca-Cayugas to build Auburn casino and pay the taxes... P.S. they're
from Oklahoma (AP)
2/23:
Anti-cigarette crusader Spitzer proclaims: NYS Tax Dept. "breaking the
law" (AP)
3/1:
It's March 1, and everyone's in limbo... (Salamanca Press)
3/8:
Senecas having difficulty getting product from wholesalers (Salamanca
Press)
3/10: Feds seize nontaxed cigarettes (Gary Nease, WPIG)
About a quarter million
cigarettes headed for a Seneca Nation business have been seized by
federal authorities. According to court papers, federal agents armed
with a warrant made the seizure last week at a truck stop in
Cheektowaga. According to federal prosecutors, the cigarettes did not
have the legally-required tax stamps on the packages. The Irving-based
company where the cigarettes were headed has the right to contest the
seizure, according to federal officials.
3/10:
Cigarette tax issue still smoldering (Salamanca Press)
3/13: Barry Snyder calls out Spitzer and Schumer (Gary Nease, WPIG)
Seneca Nation President Barry
Snyder is demanding an apology from State Attorney General Eliot
Spitzer and Senator Charles Schumer, concerning their attempts to ban
the shipment of tobacco products through the postal system. Snyder said
Spitzer and Schumer should apologize for calling Seneca’s who sell
cigarettes part of a “massive criminal enterprise.” Schumer plans to
submit legislation to Congress that would ban the shipment of
cigarettes through the mail. Snyder said to do so would deny legitimate
businesses the ability to compete.
3/16: Cigarette supplier to stop serving Senecas (Gary Nease, WPIG)
A lot of Seneca Nation retailers
are scrambling to find cigarette suppliers, as the major supplier of
cigarettes to the smoke shops announced yesterday it is suspending
shipments to reservations. Milhem Attea & Brothers made the
announcement yesterday, saying they cannot risk having to pay state
sales taxes on the cigarettes before they are sent to the reservation
smoke shops. State Attorney General Elliott Spitzer has called for
Governor Pataki to enforce a law that went into effect this month,
requiring the state to enforce the collection of the sales tax, and has
said that cigarette wholesalers face criminal prosecution if they
continue to sell to the reservation shops.
3/16:
Barry Snyder proposes using "protected sources" to keep the cigarettes
coming (Salamanca Press)
3/17:
Spitzer threatens legal action, and Senecas aren't happy (WKBW Buffalo)
3/19:
Tax Dept. instructs wholesalers to ignore state tax law (AP)
3/20: SENECAS START
TO STOCKPILE TIRES (WBEN Buffalo,
Dave
Rowley, WDOE and Josh Hatcher, WESB)
Tobacco suppliers have started
shipping to Seneca Smoke Shops again, despite Attorney General Elliott
Spitzer's promise to enforce a law calling for collection of sales tax
on cigarettes sold to non-Indians by Native Americans. Late last week,
Indians started stockpiling tires and wood pallets like they did the
last time the state tried to collect the tax. Tire fires were started
in protest, and access to parts of the New York State Thruway and I-86,
which run through the reservations, were blocked. Spitzer says he
doesn't want to see a repeat of that. The tax collection law went into
effect March 1. Governor George Pataki says he is against it.
4/28:
State to try and make selling cigarettes to tax-exempt organizations
illegal (Buffalo News)
5/4:
Cigarette distributors sue state over Internet sales, citing interstate
commerce (AP)
6/12:
Big Tobacco joins fight over cigarette taxes-- in favor?? (Buffalo News)
6/22: NYS lawmakers pass bill outlawing sale of cigarettes to
tax-exempt organizations (AP
snippet and Gary Nease, WPIG)
Officials of the Seneca Indian Nation
say they will consider “any and all” options in the light of the New
York State Legislature’s latest efforts to stop the illegal sale of
cigarettes on Native American territory. The Legislature passed a bill
yesterday banning tobacco companies from doing business with
wholesalers who supply tobacco products to Native American retailers.
In a statement released yesterday, Seneca Nation President Barry
Snyder, Sr. said the Seneca Nation and individual retailers cannot be
denied the ability to purchase tobacco products because they are not
subject to state taxes.
12/7: Seneca Scandal: Incoming President Maurice "Moe" John accused of
buying votes, owes $9M in back taxes and child support to LV resident
(Buffalo News)
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