Local News
ELECTION 2008: Hobel launches bid for state Senate
WHEATFIELD — Don Hobel launched his candidacy for state Senate, 62nd District, this week.
Hobel, a familiar critic of the way Industrial Development Agencies operate, will pursue the Conservative and Democratic party nominations in the race. He’s thus attempting a run against powerhouse incumbent Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, whose district includes most of Niagara County, all of Orleans County and a portion of Monroe County.
Hobel says he’s a proponent of term limits and open government and would, if he were elected, take his IDA reform pitch to Albany.
“IDAs need to be restructured to require the elected body of each affected taxing authority to vote on approval or denial of abatements,” he said. “It’s called constitutional representative government.”
Hobel is a registered Conservative who served on the Niagara County committee from 1975 to 1994; he also has been a member of the state party committee.
Hobel is retired from Dunlop, where he was a department engineer. He’s a licensed pilot, an Army veteran of the Korean War and a recipient of the Korean Service Medal, New York’s Conspicuous Service Cross and a Purple Heart.
Hobel tried running for a seat on the Niagara County Legislature last year, but 6th District incumbent Danny Sklarski, a Democrat who caucuses with the Republican majority, beat him in the Conservative primary.
Niagara County Democratic Committee chairman Dan Rivera didn’t return a call Thursday regarding Hobel’s chances of support from that party.
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Emmett 'Triumphant' at Molson Canal Concert
Rik Emmett, the Canadian singer and former front man for the band Triumph, headlines Friday night’s Molson Canal Concert.
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Lockport folks regaining pride through Old Home Week
Old Home Week was a hit, not on a grand scale, but on a hometown level, appreciated by natives and visitors, alike.
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Airline safety bill OK'd
Members of the Western New York congressional delegation on Friday praised the final passage of sweeping legislation aimed at improving airline safety in the wake of a deadly commuter plane crash in Clarence Center last year.
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Kids show off musical skills at Kenan
Eighteen fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students took part in a public concert on Friday at the Kenan Center Taylor Theater as part of the Summer Music Arts Program.
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Red carpet rolled out for new Falls visitor center
John Percy was serious Friday when he pledged to roll out the red carpet for more than 200 guests attending the official opening of the new $2.4 million state-of-the-art Niagara USA Visitor Center.
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BOCES program puts focus on careers
A group of students in grades 5 through 8 spent a part of their summer vacation inside of the classroom — and preparing for their future.
- Police blotter published July 31
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How to protect against West Nile virus
The last reported case of West Nile virus in Niagara County came last year, affecting a Town of Lockport resident in the area of Upper Mountain Road and Sunset Drive.
With another confirmed case of infected mosquitos just south of Buffalo this week, authorities are warning residents to take precautions -
State incentive encourages Barker-Lyndonville schools merger
There would be a big advantage for the school districts of Barker and Lyndonville if they were to merge, an advisory committee found out Thursday.
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Teen released, man in fair condition after fire
Two of three men injured in a boat fire Tuesday in Wrights Corners have been released from the hospital, while a third is still in fair condition.
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