Lockport NY

The city has a new website up and running for garbage and refuse collection:

City of Lockport Curbside Recycling & Refuse

 Also both the Buffalo News and LUSJ reported on Modern Disposal being selected as the contractor for the next three years.

More than 20 years after most other communities in Niagara County, the City of Lockport will have curbside recycling service, starting in September.

The Common Council voted Wednesday in favor of a five-year contract with Modern Disposal of Lewiston to pick up the city’s garbage and empty its new recycling bins, ending generations of city-provided garbage service.

The system will be funded by user fees, which won’t be determined until residents respond to a mailing asking which of the three available sizes of garbage cans they want...

I missed this article reported by the Buffalo News comparing the systems and costs of the town and city privatized refuse collection.

And the Buffalo News also reported on the "concerns" of Mayoral Candidate  Pilot and Mayor Candidate and current Alderman Jack Smith. I respect Smith's pointed concern (although I find it hard to nail down initial costs when we all have options plus a $20 swing per year should not be too much to handle) but Pilot's approach came off as fear mongering and staging for the election run in fall.

For those who want answers directly answered, the is a Q&A session tonight with 5th Ward Alderman Genewick Instead of assuming the sky is falling, drop in for some answers.

UPDATE 7/18/11:

The Buffalo News reported on the billing (one this year for the additional 2 months of unplanned city collection and one for the start of the new privatized system) and the fines for not following the system.

I don't like the automatic pick up of "mistakes" and subsequent fine. If anything, leave the trash that was wrong with a standard note with items checked off so the property owner can learn and let the driver note the house. If it is a persistent problem then go ahead an fine the owner.

The law will be up for public comment at an upcoming session. If you want your voice heard on the topic show up and speak out.

The outdoor movies at Altro Park start tonight and go every Wednesday at 9 until August 10th.  The line up for 2011 is:
 

8/10 - Rio

They are always a good time regardless of your age and it is great to see them back for another year.

Buffalo Rising has posted on the increase (walking/biking) police presence in some Buffalo areas.

"There is no comparison when it comes to having a police officer in the community rather than driving through the community."

I've posted on it here before. With the uptick in comments about the Genessee St. area I thought I would throw it out here again. Nothing would have a greater impact in this area then officers taking a portion of their shift to walk a few blocks. Cars are great for being reactionary to an event but nothing will beat walking to really notice what is going on and getting ahead of events. 3mph is much better for taking in details than 30mph.  It is also a much better way to interact with the law abiding demographic than set-ups at the Fashion Outlets in the Falls.

The Buffalo News reported that Mayor Tucker is looking to create a land bank system in the city.

Mayor Michael W. Tucker said Friday he has directed the city’s attorney to investigate the feasibility of starting a land bank program in Lockport as a means of combating housing decay.

A law passed last week in the State Legislature allows cities and counties to create land banks to acquire run-down properties and either demolish them or fix them up .

After that, Tucker said, the city wouldn’t have to sell the land to the highest bidder but to the “best bidder.”...

Demolition does not fight housing decay. It moves the problem to adjoining areas of the city creating a perpetual wave of disinvestment. This program could be successful but it must focus on saving structures and getting money into the area. After over 30 years of the empty south block and other parcels we should have learned that empty fields do nothing to turn things around.

Money and investment coming in shows hope. Structures coming down shows defeat.

The Buffalo News reported that the assessment grievances have been heard and adjustment decisions will be made by this Friday:

The city’s Board of Assessment Review will convene behind closed doors Monday night to begin the process of adjusting assessments, after conducting more than 250 hearings over three days last week.

In all, more than 350 grievances were filed during Lockport’s first citywide reassessment in 10 years. Not all of those who filed requested live hearings, City Assessor Joseph Macaluso said.
Macaluso said the legal deadline for the five-member board to complete its work is Friday. “I’m sure we’re going to have some further litigation [after that],” he added...

A lot of the "pain" and litigation would be removed if the city created a taxation system that charged more for use and rewarded investment. Basing it off of mostly arbitrary valuations causes only frustration and anger from property owners and assures our slow slide downward as any investment is quickly punished for higher taxes.

Sweet Sixteen Cafe is coming before the planning board next week to get approved for outdoor seating in the front of its and Chet's storefronts. They are also looking for the city to relocate the one city owned bench in front to make room for it.

I feel it is a great idea as Main St needs more activity on it during the summer. Connecting the inside and outside realms of an establishment is one way to do that. One of my favorite things about Lewiston is all of the outdoor seating at various businesses. It makes you take note and give pause to consider trying the places out. It also makes it obvious that they are open. It makes it obvious that other people are finding a reason to stop.

These older facades on Main St. make space at a premium on the side walk. One way to increase the space is to use 2-3 of the parking spots as temporary "parklets" for chairs and tables. These temporary structures can me moved when the weather turns cold for plowing etc or in the future if, god forbid, DT becomes a busy, busy place again. I say lets kick it up a notch and do something progressive.