Storm, town government top stories of 2006
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

In 2006, The Amherst Bee reported the news that was important to our readers. Here is a review of articles from the past year:

Jan. 4 — “Mohan sworn into office, says residents will no longer be powerless — Lifelong struggles find fulfillment as Bucki takes oath” topped the front page of the first edition of 2006 as Supervisor Satish Mohan was sworn into office after defeating Susan Grelick two months before in the November election. Deborah Bruch Bucki also joined the Town Board and was named deputy supervisor. Incumbents Shelly Schratz and Daniel Ward were both re-elected to their seats.

Jan. 11 — “Bank robberies rise — Amherst police investigate five incidents within 16 days” kept the Amherst police busy during the first month of the year. There had been five robberies at area banks since Dec. 22, 2005. Banks were not the only target of thieves, as 14 businesses on Main Street had been hit by burglaries since April 27.

Jan. 18 — “Drawing the line — Town says ‘get lost’ to Wal-Mart” reported yet another debate in the proposed development of Wal-Mart on a Millersport Highway parcel. The sides would continue to debate throughout the year, but in this case, the Town Board unanimously agreed to start rezoning procedures on a 67.4-acre parcel on Millersport Highway in an effort to foil attempts by Wal-Mart to build a 217,572-square-foot supercenter at the location.

Jan. 25 — “Town pays vendors late — Officials concerned about penalties,” was the start of Mohan’s being scrutinized for conducting town business. Council Member Bill Kindel had reported that 46 bills were late, including a $678,320 payment to Independent Health, $16,619 to DBA Metropolitan Telecommunications and $215,760 to National Grid.

Feb. 1 — “Amherst police investigate first murder of 2006 — Dentist

found stabbed in Kim Circle home” reported the story of Amherst police’s investigation of the stabbing death of Dr. Joseph D. Matteliano, 64. Amherst Police Chief John Moslow said this was Amherst’s first murder of the year. The Police Department received a 911 call at about 2:33 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2.

Feb. 8 — “Vandalism, drugs cause problems in parks” followed the story of vulgar words being scrawled on the construction equipment being used to repair the Glen Avenue Bridge in the Village of Williamsville. Another case was found by residents and volunteers who discovered drug paraphernalia, such as homemade smoking devices and film canisters that reeked of marijuana, in South Long Park.

Feb. 15 — “Town to pay late fees, threatened with supply cutoffs — Amherst’s credibility with vendors in jeopardy” followed up on the story of Mohan’s reviewing each check and payment personally and bills being paid late. In one case, Highway Superintendent Robert Anderson said the vice president of American Rock Salt called on Feb. 3, demanding payment for about $77,000 worth of rock salt.

March 1 — “New town engineer appointed — Bowers to possibly stay on as consultant” reported the end of Paul Bowers’ 14-year career with the Town of Amherst as engineer and the appointment of Jeffrey Burroughs, who was an assistant municipal engineer in the town’s Engineering Department. The Amherst Bee also printed “Done deal — Natureview Park to remain development free forever” as Mohan signed the agreement for Western New York Land Conservancy’s conservation easement for Natureview Park, which will pay the conservancy a one-time fee of $69,000 to protect the park from development in perpetuity. The process included 10 years, four court decisions three lawsuits and $68,000 in legal fees spent by the town.

March 8 — “Town trying to buy Calvary Lutheran Church — Officials interested in Bailey Avenue site for Eggertsville community center” was one step in the efforts to develop a community center

for the residents in Eggertsville. Development of a community center remained a topic of discussion for the remainder of the year.

March 15 – “Sweet Home cuts down the net in regional victory” highlighted Sweet Home’s men’s basketball team’s win over Section V’s Wilson Magnet 53-51 in the Class A Far West Regionals. The win moved Sweet Home into the New York State semifinals. Also in news that week was “Waste Water Treatment Plant — State Comptroller: Pellet program stinks,” which stated the town paid Micro-Link about $600,000 more than it should have for overseeing plant operations and that the town is not making money on the pelletization program and is saving only a small amount by not disposing of sludge in a landfill. The issue appears to be a topic that will continue into 2007.

March 22 — “Ex-boyfriend shoots woman, then self” was another unfortunate case for Amherst police to investigate. Police reported that a man and a woman died in a vehicle at a pizzeria on Grover Cleveland Highway in what was an apparent murder/suicide.

March 29 — “Town, village work on rat problem” was a story residents were sick of dealing with. For years the rodents moved their way into the suburbs following the City of Buffalo’s purchase of large garbage totes. Cases popped up around the town and village as workers tried to assist residents in baiting and preventing the problem.

April 5 — “Bumped finance employee reinstated” and “Mohan wants to create finance department — Town comptroller resigns, interim leader to be appointed” followed the story of Maureen Cilano’s resignation and redevelopment of the town’s Finance Department. Although reappointed in March 2006 to the position, Cilano accepted a job in the private sector. Anne Fickelscherer first lost her job when the board voted to abolish the position of account analyst, which meant the elimination of Fickelscherer. She was rehired as a supervising accountant.

May 10 — “Sewer fees — Clarence owes town total of $675,654” outlined the ongoing debate on what Clarence owed Amherst in back sewer bills. The two sides would debate the issue throughout the year.

May 17 — “In the red — Amherst overspending in 2006 budget; projections show $4 to $6 million deficit by year-end” was just the start of months of Town Board arguments as to whether a deficit existed and how to handle being millions of dollars in the hole.

May 31 — “Three candidates interviewed; Town closer to hiring new comptroller” showed there may be light at the end of the tunnel as the town had been paying $150 per hour for an interim comptroller since March.

June 7 — “Askey named assistant police chief” filled a six-month vacancy of the position. John Askey had been serving as a captain since 1999. His father, John B. Askey, served as chief of the Amherst Police Department from 1989 to 1998.

June 14 — “Town Code supports Mohan’s actions” started months of debate about who had the authority to hire police officers. The debates would lead to a court case in the Town of Amherst versus the Amherst Police Club. A judge would later side with the Police Club, but the issue is still not settled.

July 5 — “Old Home Days starts Tuesday” highlighted the annual summer celebration and this year included a dedication to the 150th anniversary of the Hutchinson Hose Company.

July 12 — “Comptroller hired at critical time” announced the hiring of Comptroller Frank Belliotti, former auditor and deputy comptroller for the City of Buffalo.

July 19 — “Canna dismissed — “Tearful town supervisor admits ‘difficult decision’” ended a five-year court case involving Anthony Canna, former superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant. Canna, first charged in May 2001, was found guilty of incompetence and misconduct while overseeing the plant. The Town Board voted 5-2 for his dismissal. Deputy Supervisor Deborah Bruch Bucki and Council Member Dan Ward cast the no votes.

July 26 — “Will Mohan resign? — Supervisor accused of illegal actions” opened the doors to Mohan’s basement and his friend’s homes as he was questioned about his knowledge of renovating without permits. In the end Mohan stayed, and the dust settled.

Aug. 9 — “Meetings must now end by 11:30 p.m.” appeared to be a reasonable idea by the Town Board, as meetings were ending at 1, 2 and 3 a.m., but the intent of the resolution wasn’t realized, as meetings continued to adjourn after midnight all year long.

Aug. 16 — “What is Buddhism? — Foundation leader prepares public for Dalai Lama’s visit” was the first article in a six-week series on the visit to the University at Buffalo of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

Aug. 23 — “Term limits — Eight years is the max” set a new rule in the town to allow supervisors, Town Board members, highway superintendents and the clerk to serve in office for only two terms.

Sept. 6 — “Sept. 11 — Events planned to remember victims of attacks” recognized the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Sept. 13 — “Supermajority vote blocks plans for Wal-Mart” ended the ongoing discussions if a Wal-Mart would be built at 4300 Millersport Highway. The Town Board voted in a supermajority ruling of 6-1 to rezone the 67.2 acres from SC-shopping center to TND-town neighborhood district.

Sept. 20 — “A day for peace” commemorated the visit from the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and his speech on “Promoting Peace Across the Borders through Education” during his three-day visit to UB. More than 30,000 people gathered for the keynote speech.

Oct. 4 — “Taxes decreased 1 percent” was Mohan’s first attempt at a budget, after promising a 10-percent cut in his campaign. He submitted a $109.8 million budget, a $2.1 million increase from the adopted 2006 budget.

Oct. 11 — “First lady visits

Amherst, supports Reynolds” took place in the final weeks of the heated campaign between Rep. Tom Reynolds and Jack Davis for a seat in Congress. This was First Lady Laura Bush’s first visit to the town, and according to The Amherst Bee, she was the first member of a presidential family to visit the town.

Oct. 18 — “State of emergency” reported on the Oct. 12 storm that crippled the town and village. Many parts of the town were left without power for almost two weeks after the 2-foot snowfall that downed thousands of trees. Schools closed for six to nine days, depending on the district.

Oct. 25 — “Initial estimate: $19 million for storm cleanup” followed the devastation from the Oct. 12 storm. In the end, many were praised, from the emergency services to the Police Department, firefighters to citizens, for their efforts and community spirit in pulling together to repair the town.

Nov. 8 — “Incumbents retain seats — Reynolds takes close race” reported the victors in the 2006 general election. Reynolds defeated Davis in a heated race. Also elected were Assemblyman Jim Hayes and Sen. Mary Lou Rath. Susan Grelick, the former town supervisor, was unsuccessful in her attempts to gain a seat in the State Assembly.

Nov. 22 — “2007 budget totals $112 million — Tax rate to decrease 3 percent” ended budget discussions, in which many department heads were furious with the dollars allocated. In the end, the Town Board failed to take a vote before the midnight Nov. 20 deadline, thus making the default budget the final budget.

Dec. 6 — “Former supervisor Jack Sharpe remembered as strong leader” reflected on the life of John “Jack” Sharpe, who died Dec. 3, 2006, in Dade City, Fla. He served the Town of Amherst for 15 years as supervisor.

Dec. 20 — “2006 Budget — Remaining shortfall will be filled with surplus” brought to a conclusion the six months of concerns about balancing the 2006 budget by using surplus money to make up the $3 million budget shortfall.

Dec. 27 — “Union contracts — Settlements not expected by year’s end” topped the last edition of 2006. With arguments still stirring in town hall and officials butting heads, it appears 2007 will be as newsworthy — good and bad —a s 2006 was.

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