A New York City reporter recently showed sympathy toward Niagara County for the disparity in stimulus spending statewide.
The Village Voice reported that of $18 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds New York state received from the federal government, $8.16 billion was going to New York City.
“Poor Niagara County, one of the hardest-hit counties in this recession, gets a mere $632 million,” reporter Roy Edroso wrote. “Of course, when you think of it as $2,947 per Niagara County resident, it seems more cheerful.”
Not exactly a farming hotbed, New York City somehow received more money for that purpose (theoretically, at least) than Niagara County, another oddity pointed out by Edroso.
“It’s amazing that New York City actually gets more ‘agriculture’ spending money than Niagara — $850 million versus $12 million — until you realize almost all of that is for the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program, aka food stamps,” he wrote. “We don’t usually associate Chef Boyardee with agriculture, but that’s how it shakes out.”
Statewide, the biggest items on the list were unemployment ($3.94 billion), Medicaid ($2.69 billion) and food stamps ($1.26 billion).
•••
Fans of dusty old books — REALLY old books — may soon have a sort of mecca in Erie County.
County Executive Chris Collins recently formed a Rare Books Commission that will market the rare texts housed in this region to bookworms worldwide, Americana Exchange reported.
Among the rarities on hand here are a handwritten manuscript of “Huckleberry Finn,” Thomas Jefferson’s annotated copy of “The Federalist” and a Shakespeare “First Folio,” the publication reported.
“We have a wealth of incredibly rare treasures right here in Western New York that we should be sharing with the world,” Collins said. “I think these historic materials will attract visitors from far and wide. It’s time to market this collection to enhance our tourism industry in Erie County.”
The publication went on to praise the decision, saying that Buffalo is ahead of the curve in terms of sharing rare books with the public.
“This is really something of a counterintuitive idea for rare book libraries. So steeped in the desire to protect and preserve, they have made rare books virtually inaccessible, and thereby of no practical benefit to the public which pays for their preservation,” the report said. “What the folks in Buffalo are trying to do is convert those resources into a practical asset, one that can pay for their own preservation and more, rather than be a draw on tight budgets. If they succeed, they may do as much to preserve the books and manuscripts of our history as all of the squirreling away in dark, climate-controlled vaults has accomplished.”
Contact Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.
Lifestyle
Related Photos
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: NYC takes pity on Niagara
- Lifestyle
-
-
Stories from the neighborhood, and the concentration camp
The person with a haunted past is a familiar and reliable trope in literature and film, and perhaps all of us have something about which to be haunted. A book by Lewiston resident Joseph Leary, “Klara,” sharply explains a story of past misdeeds in a well-written and evocative novel.
-
Some tips for the fathers-to-be
All of a sudden, I’m getting to feel like a bit of an ol’ pro at this fatherhood thing.
-
Clueless and late to the garden party
The more I get into this whole gardening thing, the more I realize how much I don’t know.
It started not long after I finished my first “Clueless Gardener” column, when I walked into a store with the idea of making some gardening purchases. Seeds, I thought. Maybe some plants to transplant. But mainly, seeds. That’s kind of the point of a garden, right?
-
Easy ways to enrich your pet's life and help the environment
The day has come were my finely articulated words have been placed on the bottom of my bird cage to be soiled upon. Sure, it was funny when it was Joe Biden’s face or another writer’s work. But mine? So cruel. So proud.
-
All that glimmers
Even during a drizzly February day, Gleam & Glimmer Stained Glass Studio is full of light.
It shines through the stained glass pieces in the front of the Webster Street shop, glances off mosaics and jewelry and lands on the works in progress in the studio area, where students can learn to create their own multi-colored art.
That’s exactly the way co-owner Suzanne Todaro likes it. -
HAYNES: Sizing up the Oscars
The big show is tonight and for the first time in my life, I have managed to catch every single movie nominated for the best picture award.
-
COLUMN: Make your popcorn red carpet-worthy
Annual movie award shows are the perfect excuse for hosting a party.
-
HAYNES: Celebrating the Oscars with a little 'Help' in the kitchen
-
Someone's gotta do it
Even though it's Christmas, emergency and health personnel still have to work
-
Celebrating another winter holiday, with lights
Jewish community observing fifth day of eight-day festival of Hanukkah.
- More Lifestyle Headlines
-
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
