Published: June 22, 2009 12:07 am      

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Lobbyist told to get cracking

As expected, representatives from the county’s new lobbying firm paid a visit to the area last week.

Sam Ferraro, commissioner of the county’s Economic Development, and County Manager Gregory Lewis met with officials from Capitol Public Strategies of Albany to discuss ways the firm can assist the county in the coming months.

Both men said they stressed the need for the lobbyists to work as quickly and as aggressively as possible in winning approval for federal stimulus dollars in support of projects contained on a wishlist submitted months ago to state and federal officials.

“It was an excellent meeting,” Ferraro said. “We reviewed all of the stimulus projects the county has submitted to both the state and federal government. They, obviously, will review those lists and get back to us very quickly on avenues and ways in which we can access funding and whatever opportunities we have available to us.”

“We emphasized that we wanted action,” Lewis added.

Capitol Public Strategies has been hired by the county under a six-month contract worth $30,000. Under the terms of the agreement, the county will pay CPS in monthly installments of $5,000.

Following the update, members of the county Legislature’s Economic Development Committee authorized payment for the cost of the lunch visit.

The bill was $93.

Lewiston democratic endorsements

The Lewiston Democratic Committee endorsed several candidates in local races last week.

The committee’s list of preferred candidates included: Fred Newlin for Town Supervisor; David V. Sanchez for Town Council and Daniel Antonucci for County Legislator, 12th Legislative District.  

Also, in consideration of their bi-partisan efforts to work on behalf of all the citizens of Lewiston, the committee has recommended to the Niagara County Democratic Committee cross-endorsements of Alphonso Marra Bax for Town Council and Joan Stephens as Receiver of Taxes.

Web slip up

A list of endorsed candidates appearing on the Niagara County GOP’s Web site eary last week listed Timothy Demler as the committee’s preferred candidate for the Town of Wheatfield supervisor’s race. The site was later updated to reflect the committee’s actual endorsed candidate, former Town of Wheatfield Justice Robert Cliff. Demler lost his endorsement earlier this month amid controversy over his alleged affair with a town employee and undisclosed concerns about his on-the-job performance that were raised by members of the town’s GOP committee.

Demler has said that he intends to stay in the race without the party’s support. Members of the town’s GOP Committee have now asked the county district attorney and state attorney general to investigate “illegal acts and improprieties” it claims Demler has committed while in office.

NT visit for Lee

A member of Congressman Chris Lee’s staff will be available for one-on-one meetings with North Tonawanda residents from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday at the public library.

“These office hours provide NT residents with a unique opportunity to meet with a member of my staff one-on-one, whether it be to troubleshoot interactions with federal agencies or discuss the issues of the day,” Lee said.

Constituents can also visit Lee’s district offices in Williamsville and Greece, which are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.