tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378163712011-11-27T18:14:51.846-05:00Trust but Verify Editor: Merrill Bender.Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.comBlogger531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-75894371720754027462010-02-23T13:45:00.005-05:002010-02-24T07:34:28.157-05:00

Common Sense Contract for Change 2010(Common sense change; Practical paradigm shift; Reform that is real; Planning by the people not the politicians.)Is not every American and Armchair Economists? Do we not all have practical knowledge on balancing a checkbook, managing money, dealing with bills and handling debt? As Americans, lets come up with our own Contract from America and elect those that

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-73446039000692177322008-08-05T21:47:00.008-04:002008-08-05T22:14:27.499-04:00

Parking Lot Safety Goes Green with Recycled Rubber Wheel Stops Made in the USA Recycled tire rubber products such as Parking Lot Wheel Stops also called car blocks; car stops; wheel stops or car bumpers are being made in the US to help meet the “Go Green” purchasing mandate demanded by municipalities, environmental conscious corporations and concerned citizens for recycled content products.

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-21756954134699402182008-03-25T01:34:00.005-04:002008-03-25T10:51:04.544-04:00

Hillary Clinton's Campaign is going off the deep end with the latest outrageous comments by James Carville. Carville equates Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barak Obama to Judas's betrayal of Jesus. The Clinton team can not debate on the issues but come up with different ways to denegrate Mr. Obama. The Clinton's whisper campaign to scare blue collar whites away from Obama by playing the race

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-11234657459528161742008-01-29T10:39:00.000-05:002008-01-29T12:00:48.028-05:00

On January 30th from 7 to 9 pm AES will hold the first of many public hearings on their proposed 3200 ft Pier to unload Coal and other materials from 750ft Lake Freighters. The hearing will be held in Lockport at the Holiday Inn. Visit their website for more detailed information at http://www.aesbuildsniagara.com/project_details/index.shtml.The original design of the plant was to ship all coal by

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-11188747972767889692007-09-25T09:44:00.000-04:002007-09-25T10:11:23.450-04:00

2 articles of note in the news on future economic development. Both talking about changing our regions focus to support small business development and not giving huge tax subsidies to Big Business that costs taxpayers more than they get in return for their communities. First is the article with Sue McCartney of the Small Business Development Center. http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-81996732528022224002007-09-19T09:37:00.000-04:002007-09-19T10:32:07.709-04:00

Great wins for Republican Town Supervisors - John Sweeney-Somerset, Wright Ellis -Cambria and Richard Lang in Royalton. All were running against the County Republican machine headed by Henry Wojtaszek. Enough voters in each district realized that voting for a candidate loyal to the voters and not Henry was important.Unfortunately, many voters were still votng for the Wotjtazek candidates not

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-87107995114815850632007-09-14T08:29:00.000-04:002007-09-14T09:26:37.013-04:00

Meyers, Degnan, Engert are supported by Henry Wojtaszek and Henry Sloma and each of them echo and repeat the disproven old lines about the Somerset Town Attorney. They continue to parrot these AES talking points that were being spread last fall by Henry Sloma and Henry Wojtaszek. The issue of Lawyer bills and costs were reviewed by the Town Board last winter and written about before: http://

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-89561778439796599642007-08-22T16:23:00.000-04:002007-08-26T16:33:03.163-04:00

Primary Day September 18thGeneral Election November 6thIt is Time for Change in the County Legislature!It is time to “Vote Out” the Scandalous Majority Caucus!It is Time to Vote for New Legislators !It is Time to end the vindictive and scandalous control by a small group that has political control over the majority caucus of the Niagara County legislature. By all Accounts and simple observation

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-17497849070402493962007-06-11T08:41:00.000-04:002007-06-11T09:17:49.562-04:00

To all my friends who read the Sentinel, I need your help to fight the big political machine in the County and the Corporate money of AES that will be used to fight against me. Your support in signing my peitions to be on the Ballot, allowing Lawn signs on your lawns and if possible donating something to the campaign effort would be greatly appreciated. My Campaign committe is called the "Save

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-14496773241212910862007-05-15T16:19:00.000-04:002007-05-16T09:52:24.875-04:00

Please tell all your friends, family and neighbors to come out for this very important event.IF we stand together their is still time to affect this and prevent AES from coming off the Tax rolls for this year. County Taxes alone will go up 3.5% in the first year of the AES Pilot. Barker school taxes will be close to an 8% jump. And all go up more and more each eyear due to the AES PILOT

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-12113455642281632022007-05-07T07:15:00.000-04:002007-05-07T07:18:42.495-04:00

2 articles over the weekend, I will paste below for your info. Key to share with the public is the fact that this is not just a local or school issue but a county issue, affecting County Taxes. It is an issue of Fair Taxation.1. In Jill Terreri's article in Saturday's US&J, it seems to down play the tax impact of the AES plant at only $30 on a $100,000 home in the first year.http://

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-64402698187667965242007-04-28T10:09:00.000-04:002007-04-28T10:12:08.886-04:00

BARKER: School budgeting riddled with uncertainty RE: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_117221532.htmlSenator George Maziarz, promised to get added aid to offset the lossess from the AES tax cut PILOT. According to this Tasha Kates article, Maziarz has failed to get anywhere close to the aid needed or as he promised the school.The result of Maziarz's continued support of the PILOT

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-85720492665895444262007-04-28T09:11:00.000-04:002007-04-28T09:22:41.504-04:00

RE: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_117031828.htmlMr. Meyers shows his true colors once again, He is anti-Town attorney and continues to undermine the intersts of the Town Residents in fighting the lawsuits filed by AES and he continues to undermine the fight against the "illegal" AES tax cut PILOT.The legal case and why the motion was filed was explained at the last Town

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-31908678383418332972007-04-23T08:55:00.000-04:002007-04-23T10:22:58.557-04:00

In David Staba's article in the Niagara Falls Reporter, he points out another example of corporate greed and large Corporate welfare checks being given to highly profitable Corporations that do not need it. Read the full story ... http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/citycide4.17.07.html.You have to give the Seneca Nation credit. They are building a $19 million dollar high quality Golf course in

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-12988406860969223542007-04-16T10:48:00.000-04:002007-04-16T10:50:28.910-04:00

Town of Somerset Planning Board had their monthly meeting on April 13th, and in attendance was Gary Edwards of AES Somerset. Mr. Edwards was there to give an update on AES activities to the planning board. The first item discussed was the two towers that AES has up to monitor wind activity in the Town for a possible windmill farm that AES Corporation is considering. The permits for the

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-68716010713427297662007-04-10T09:42:00.000-04:002007-04-10T09:52:05.296-04:00

RE: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/gnnlocalnews_story_097233359.htmlIn Jill Terreri article some very interesting information on the intent and conduct of the Majority caucus in the County Legisalture. More proof that it is Time for a Change in the County Legislature. It is time for a change when the Majority caucus circles the wagons and they can not do the right thing and continue to do

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-46324594840365188322007-04-09T11:18:00.000-04:002007-04-09T11:26:27.586-04:00

Open Letter to Niagara County Legislature:There is a point where a county appointed employee or appointed board member can cross one of two lines , the line of Public Trust and the criminal line. The worst being that of crossing the legal line and breaking a civil law or a criminal law. In reference to the Niagara County IDA, there is an investigation underway into the “illegal” Tax cut PILOT

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-90123582183825708432007-03-31T20:39:00.000-04:002007-04-01T12:54:23.607-04:00

EXTRA! EXTRA! The Barker Central School rendition of this musical version of the “Wizard of Oz” was a smash hit for its opening performance on Friday March 30th. The audience was awed by all facets of the production. It was amazing to see the talent pulled together from such a small school district. Barker should be very proud of their students, the staff and the parents that put on this

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-22723471425969970242007-03-23T09:24:00.000-04:002007-03-30T07:32:25.032-04:00

Judge Kloch fails taxpayers- Kloch good Friend of Maziarz - Kloch Good friend to AES Management.Judge Kloch gets a failing grade of 50% on the AES PILOT lawsuit. Throwing out half of the legal causes of action against the IDA over the AES PILOT.AS predicted, Judge Kloch sides with AES and projects his future thinking on the case showing he has already prejudged the next step using faulty

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-38124865568952299512007-03-15T11:00:00.000-04:002007-03-15T11:09:50.976-04:00

Somerset Supervisor MYERS fiddles while Town Burns.Supervisor Myers – AES Republican or Somerset Republican?Myers Fails to Sign Pilot Lawsuit and Fails as Supervisor.When the rubber hits the road Richard Myers comes up short as Town Supervisor. The Number One issue in the Town of Somerset and across the county since last October has been the “illegal” AES /IDA Tax Cut PILOT.A Tax cut PILOT that

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-46188344749869745992007-03-07T10:27:00.000-05:002007-03-07T10:34:06.635-05:00

RE: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_066012607.htmlWhy is the Majority dragging their feet! Fire the IDA !Again Harry Appolito raised the motion to fire and replace Henry Sloma and Thomas Kraus from the IDA. And Again the vote was 6 in favor and 11 opposed.It is very suspect to see a unanimous vote to investigate but no backbone to do the one thing the County legisaltive majority

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-39227583633309904242007-03-01T08:32:00.000-05:002007-03-01T09:38:55.085-05:00

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_060025620.htmlAES PILOT: Plant to drop off tax rolls as judge denies injunctionhttp://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20070301/1011470.aspBuffalo News has an article this morning.Judge Kloch prejudges the case in his comments in the News. Judge Kloch has not heard all the evidence but calls the Town Attroney "arrogant" when he is factual. Judge Kloch

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-53887374452396145212007-02-28T09:12:00.000-05:002007-02-28T10:06:59.139-05:00

The AES Somerset Tax Cut PILOT is before State Supreme Court Judge Richard Kloch and is awaiting a decision on whether to maintain an injunction against the AES PILOT. The injunction would prevent the $1 billion AES Somerset Power Plant from coming off the County Tax Rolls for 2008.News reports state AES has offered a possible settlement to the Barker Central School with some new PILOT numbers.

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-84749884313119689702007-02-20T12:00:00.000-05:002007-02-20T12:38:33.410-05:00

First, In the news, today-RE:http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_051005108.htmlThanks to the US&J for calling me and willing to talk about the AES fiasco. I was on the Barker School Board from 1988 to 1997 and that experience provides me the background to run the numbers and see the Flim flam that AES, the IDA and the County Republican Chairman are trying to pull on the County

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-89965536597534818572007-02-15T13:15:00.000-05:002007-02-15T13:50:32.021-05:00

Sentinels,Please call in to both the 7 and 8PM shows tonight. The LCTV number is 434-1733.AT 7PM tonight is Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso- Please call in and demand that he continue to call for the Resignation of Henry Sloma from the IDA board. Thank him for fighting for what is right.Please call in the 8 pm hour when Margo Bitner will be on to speak to the AES issue from a Former IDA

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-22648894724860814092007-02-08T10:34:00.001-05:002007-02-08T12:07:40.769-05:00

The billboard coming into Niagara county on Transit Road sites a report that says we are the "Highest Taxed" county in the country. The AES Somerset Tax Cut PILOT has just made that even worse for Niagara county Seniors and Small retail business owners across the entire County. According to the report, Homeowners pay an average total property tax bill of 2.81% of their Homes assessed value. On an

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-61918673257789005232007-02-07T14:41:00.000-05:002007-02-07T15:07:43.666-05:00

Scott Leffler's WLVL show had some callers spreading the old AES line that the school spends too much and AES is taxed too much. The Truth is that Barker Central School had less than a 1% increase in the tax levy last year; School Tax rates were lowered for each of the last 3 years while Assessments for AES rose closer to their fair market vallue.AES likes to hide the fact that the IDA tax cut

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-14059853236513055512007-02-01T08:51:00.000-05:002007-02-01T16:34:17.752-05:00

A group of Niagara County Concerned Taxpayers held their second planning session last night at Marjim Manor Winery in Newfane, NY. Planning is well underway to forming a Grassroots Citizen Action League to take on the Niagara County Legislature and the Niagara County IDA for supporting an "illegal Pilot" that gives AES Somerset a $90 Million dollar Tax break($43 million with no tax inflation)

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-57368313902679871612007-01-29T13:42:00.000-05:002007-01-29T14:31:30.547-05:00

To All County Taxpayers:A poliitcal Action Committee is forming to "take back our county government" , rescind the "baseless" AES PILOT , Replace the IDA and lower property taxes for all taxpayers of Niagara County.Several names are being considered and we could use your input on a name that is short and memorable; easy to say and tells what we are about without a long additoinal explanation. ADD

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-26532739804277497122007-01-23T21:20:00.000-05:002007-01-24T09:05:08.430-05:00

Real Men of Genius - George drove the Republican machine and Henry Sloma delivered. The cow pie is a minimum of $43.4 million and more likely with inflation over $90 million in lost tax revenue that Niagara County taxpayers will have to eat. This means higher taxes for all.Read the Reporter article by Dave Staba at:http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/notenough.html

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-43258920963621084432007-01-23T18:34:00.000-05:002007-01-23T18:40:59.415-05:00

From the Buffalo News Editorial section January 23rd 2007http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20070123/1035012.asp?PFVer=StoryA caveman can do it Some folks in Somerset who oppose the tax break recently handed to AES Corp. have come up with one way to express their displeasure with the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.A Web site called www.idataxcut.com has been posted by Merrill

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-30403097858899943242007-01-23T08:57:00.000-05:002007-01-23T09:31:20.009-05:00

The following was in the Buffalo News on the Lawsuit filed against the IDA's Pilot deal for AES Somerset. The full Article is at the following link.http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20070123/1042179.aspThe Tom Prohaska article starts out as follows.(Lawsuit) Gives 25 reasons to scuttle agreement, including alleged unlawful practices.LOCKPORT - A long-awaited lawsuit filed Monday charges that

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-23757226769957528202007-01-18T07:47:00.000-05:002007-01-18T07:50:15.886-05:00

Niagara County Business Get New Website – How to Apply for a Tax Cut PILOTSomerset Sentinel blog publisher Merrill Bender launches a new website to help businesses get the same type of tax cut that the Niagara County IDA granted to the AES Somerset coal fired power plant in January 2007.Somerset, N.Y. – January 18, 2007 – Merrill Bender, publisher of the Somerset Sentinel blog – http://

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-77835133637443957282007-01-17T19:34:00.000-05:002007-01-31T09:37:51.929-05:00

If you feel something stinks with the AES PILOT than you can go to this site and complain to the new Attorney General - Andrew Cuomo.To compalin you can download or print a one page Public Integrity complaint form.http://www.oag.state.ny.us/complaints/pdfs/piu001_complaint_form.pdfMany of you know the facts and can fill in the bottom.Your complaint can be against the Niagara County IDA' Baseless

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-33767551118478127592007-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:002007-01-18T07:46:50.801-05:00

Fireworks! Best describes the meeting last night.Upon arrival, AES had its own Press conference shortly after 6:00 pm. Several speakers from AES President to union leaders to Chamber USA Chairman Jon Benoit spoke at the Press conference in the Rotunda. The same speakers dominated the public forum, leaving room only for Bob Gilsinan and Jeff Dabill, Wilson Teachers Association President and

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-76701770813311357602007-01-16T15:36:00.000-05:002007-01-16T16:15:12.627-05:00

To: NCIDA Board Members & Niagara County LegislatorsSubject: True Facts on AES PILOTTonight's Niagara County Legislative Meeting will have resolutions on the AES PILOT issue. It is now time for the Legislature and the IDA to do the RIGHT thing and Rescind and terminate the AES PILOT on their existing facility. The Legislature both Republican and Democrat will be "TRUE HEROES" for standing

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1168302999734570222007-01-08T19:25:00.000-05:002007-01-08T19:53:08.430-05:00

School and Town release data on AES assessment and Methodology.In the Buffalo News Niagara section on Sunday, the new Niagara County Legislative Chairman was asked about the AES PILOT issue. Burmaster said “I think the real issue is the assessment. Once you establish what (the power plant) is worth, everything flows from that...I don’t know if they are being treated fairly because I don’t know if

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1167883932335283052007-01-03T22:41:00.000-05:002007-01-05T12:21:21.326-05:00

It is time to get the facts straight on the AES PILOT Fiasco. Some Republican County Legislators are still repeating the false AES press releases. The Christmas quote by North Tonawanda Legislator Peter Smolinski is a perfect example of not knowing the true facts in the case. “We had to do what we had to do. They were overtaxed...” Smolinski said. TRUTH – Somerset plant cost over $1

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1167730436766895182007-01-02T04:13:00.000-05:002007-01-02T04:33:56.773-05:00

Barker Board of Education President, Louis Mead sent a letter to all District Residents before the New Year, outlining the effects of the AES Pilot tax cut. Key in that analysis is the fact that the Barker Central school district could lose "upwards of 30 Positions and many sports and academic programs"The Board President is asking voters across the District to call any and all County

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1167493297041961832006-12-30T10:19:00.000-05:002007-01-03T08:19:42.210-05:00

A lot of people were very upset withthe US & J Duvall column that basically said we shouldn't have a school district and mangled the updated facts on the Town Attorney and what the lawyer fees were spent on.To the US & J's credit the have been printing rebuttalls and letters in response to Duvall and the AES Pilot Fiasco. Most response letters are not included in the online version and you must

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1167236704309865672006-12-27T10:54:00.000-05:002006-12-27T11:25:04.400-05:00

Voices are growing across Western New York over the injustice of the Niagara County IDA's pending PILOT to give AES Somerset $95 Million in corporate welfare.Louis T. DiLorenzo of Lyndonville points out a very important fact. Some Orleans county residents are part of the Barker Central School District and are not represented by anyone in this process. In Fact, the legal argument for the School

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1166819844248866032006-12-22T15:16:00.000-05:002006-12-22T15:37:24.266-05:00

Lots of coverage today in the local papers.Buffalo News Reporter Tom Prohaska has this one. Click on the linkTax Breaks for AES may exceed $40 millionIDA Chief says deal will not be rescindedUnion Sun & Journal Reporter Joyce Miles. Click on the Link.BARKER SCHOOLS: Officials call PILOT 'highway robbery'and finally this opinion piece and slam on the Town of Somerset and Barker Centralby Night

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1166726216911588952006-12-21T13:32:00.000-05:002006-12-21T13:36:56.950-05:00

In the Niagara Gazette Dec 21st - Letter to the Editor- Great Job JIM !!http://www.niagara-gazette.com/letters/local_story_354223404.htmlIDA not acting in best interest of county.My exposure over the past several weeks to the detailed workings of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency was deeply troubling as related to the payment In lieu of taxes recently approved for the existing AES

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1166649493015620152006-12-20T15:55:00.000-05:002006-12-21T14:13:24.260-05:00

5 Speakers spoke out against the proposed AES PILOT on the existing Plant in Somerset on Tuesday night. Speakers included Ron Clemens, Linda Duxbury, Merrill Bender, Jim Geigerich, and Joe Dilorenzo. Many opponents to the AES PILOT also attended and some taxpayers that wanted to speak could not due to a 10 speaker limit for the Public forum.Speakers called for the Rescinding of the pending Pilot

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1166448862754671472006-12-18T08:10:00.000-05:002006-12-18T09:31:52.200-05:00

AP Business Briefs reported on Dec. 15th some very interesting news about AES operations in the Dominican Republic. Follow this Link and read for yourself. Dominicans Sue AES Key Quote from AP:"The Dominican government claims AES conspired to dump 82,000 tons of coal ash from its power plant in Puerto Rico on Dominican beaches in 2003 and 2004 by bribing Dominican officials and violating the

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1166230919293442102006-12-15T19:49:00.000-05:002006-12-18T08:06:56.196-05:00

Senator Chuck Schumer's office has leaked to the press the decision by the New York Power Authority for the new Clean Coal Plant. NRG's Huntley facility in Tonawanda is the winner. Governor Pataki had planned to make the announcement officially on Tuesday.AES Somerset will not get the new Plant but all residents should be happy that Western New York still got the Plant and the Construction jobs

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1166230173861866872006-12-15T19:14:00.000-05:002006-12-18T09:16:22.976-05:00

Town of Somerset voters should be very happy with the work of the Town Clerk, the Town Board, and the Town Attorney. A major decision has just been made public over a long battle over proper landfilling of the toxic chemicals included in the ammoniated fly ash buried in the landfill adjacent to the Coal burning AES Somerset Power Plant. At issue has been whether AES is meeting the requirements as

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1165851676831076792006-12-11T10:25:00.000-05:002006-12-13T09:28:33.360-05:00

AES PILOTS -DEAL OR NO DEAL ?PLANT #1 - NO DEAL !PLANT #2 – FAIR DEAL ??PILOT FACT #1: In 2011, AES Plant #1 Pilot pays only $15.8 Million in total tax. PILOT application for AES Plant #2 has AES paying only $5 million in total taxes on a completed new plant for 15 years. The two PILOT totals on TWO $1 billion dollar Plants is $20.8 Million dollars. That is less tax revenue to the County, Town

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1165421591254699812006-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:002006-12-06T14:17:06.290-05:00

Rescind the motion or Replace the IDA Board was the message from the speakers during the public forum at last night's Niagara County Legislative meeting. Speakers called for the County Legislature to put pressure on their appointed Niagara IDA board members to Rescind the Motion on the pending PILOT with AES Somerset or Replace the IDA Board members with people who will rescind the motion and

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1165339026685382152006-12-05T11:31:00.000-05:002006-12-05T12:17:06.866-05:00

Georgie, Georgie what have you done ? Do you think the voters will notice?IT's Time for ACTION. Niagara County taxpayers do not have to accept these tax increases in 2008 when AES Pilot #1 takes affect. NO JOBS- NO CONSTRUCTION - NO DEAL Tell your legislators NO DEAL on Plant #1 PILOT

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1165335992874081322006-12-05T10:25:00.000-05:002006-12-11T11:29:55.163-05:00

AES PILOTS - DEAL OR NO DEAL ??PILOT PLANT #1 - NO DEAL !!PILOT PLANT #2 - FAIR DEAL ?? Pilot on AES Plant #1 is a BAD DEAL for Niagara County and should be terminated by the County and the IDA. If AES Somerset is awarded a new plant #2 than a FAIR DEAL for a discount on Taxes may be worked out. ( no more than a 25% discount)But lets start at the top and negotiate down to a fair number. If you

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1165298303239203852006-12-05T00:05:00.000-05:002006-12-05T00:58:23.266-05:00

Niagara County Taxpayers should be outraged at the illegal PILOTS being given away by the Niagara County IDA, and chaired by Mr. Henry Sloma. Niagara County Taxes will be going much higher than they should because the IDA is giving away the store giving away millions in corporate welfare.Wilson to Wheatfield; Sanborn to Somerset; Lewiston to Lockport; Royhart to Ransomville; In all of these

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37816371.post-1164994195241235992006-12-01T12:18:00.000-05:002006-12-01T12:59:58.146-05:00

Is AES pulling a “Bait & Switch” on the IDA, the Niagara County Legislature and State Senator George Maziarz?? That may be the first question and the second question is what is this AES PILOT really costing the Taxpayers of Niagara County? Are we paying for something we don’t have to pay for or has something very smelly been served up by the Niagara County IDA.Grand promises have been made on a

Merrill Benderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00945021804513153343noreply@blogger.com0