CITY OF LOCKPORT

Better oversight promised in wake of critical audit

LOCKPORT – The Common Council is implementing steps to improve oversight of city financial matters, in the wake of a critical state audit last month.
Alderwoman Anne E. McCaffrey, R-2nd Ward, issued a statement that pledged the Council’s Finance Committee to begin meeting twice a month to review city bills, which for several years have been viewed only by the committee chairman, sometimes not until after they were paid, according to the audit by the State Comptroller’s Office.
An update to the city code of ethics and its purchasing policy also has been submitted to the Council, McCaffrey said. Also, she said upgraded financial software for the city computer system, planned before the audit was released, will be purchased in the next few months.
CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS

Community meeting tonight on new housing incentives

NIAGARA FALLS – A community meeting to discuss the city’s new downtown housing incentive will be held tonight in the offices of Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, 640 Park Place.
Residents are encouraged to attend the 6:30 meeting to learn more about the housing initiative, which garnered national attention when it was announced in June.
Under the plan, the city would help pay the student loans of applicants who move to a targeted downtown just blocks from the falls.
TOWN OF ALEXANDER

Bicentennial celebration features daylong activities

ALEXANDER – The Town of Alexander celebrated its bicentennial Saturday with daylong activities centered around the historic cobblestone town-village offices.
The town was incorporated in June 1812, as were Bethany, Le Roy and Pembroke, and named for its first settler, Alexander Rhea. Its most famous resident was the late Rep. Barber B. Conable Jr., who later headed the World Bank.
Rep. Kathleen C. Hochul, D-Hamburg, was among the guests for a slide show and presentation about of the town’s 200 years.

RED CROSS

Spate of fire emergencies sends volunteers into action

The American Red Cross Serving Erie & Niagara Counties assisted 21 Western New Yorkers following fire emergencies between Sunday and early Monday.
Sunday, Disaster Action Team volunteers provided assistance to residents affected by fires on Wasson Street in Lackawanna and Pennsylvania Street in Buffalo.
And on Monday, a team volunteer aided a family following a fire on Lockport Street in Niagara Falls.
The Red Cross Serving Erie & Niagara Counties on average spends an average of over $1,000 when responding to a single house fire affecting a family of four.
To make a donation, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS. A $10 donation also can be made by texting the words REDCROSS to 90999.
Charges will appear on the cellphone bill of the donor.