Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
Living in the wrong place wrong time
Searching for the things you couldn't see
I could never stand in your light
But at least you noticed me
Living in the wrong place wrong time
Choked about the things you'll never do
But if it makes it easier on your life I'm on my way
I'm on my way------Radiance~~~Athenaeum
What Do We Do Now...
...It Will Come To Us.
The closing remarks in the movie~~~
MEET JOE BLACK.
And once again, I face that question. After several months of AmeriCorps Buffalo volunteers at The Belle Center trying, through letter writing and phone calls to representatives, to secure a source of philanthropic funds from somewhere, to keep out-reach alive, The Belle Center has decided that many of the programs are to no longer exist. With limited funds and a limited volunteer-staff, the After-School Program and the Day-Care Program will continue to run. But programs, such as The Portal Program, that I volunteered in, will be phased out. As one of the Directors of the AmeriCorps Buffalo Program proffered to justify the sweeping move, "we are seeing all of our AmeriCorps volunteers going to college anyways."
While that is not entirely accurate, it is the disposition that is, at least for now, the underpinning that is supporting the decision to discontinue The Portal Program.
So~~~What do we do now?? For starts, I strap on that mantra of mine, and~~~find the energy to overcome, and~~~win everyday.
Stepping off of the metaphysical cloud, into reality, I start 'working' leads. The first one that was presented, was done so laced with a bit of an irony to it. While finishing off the Wednesday evening of fun and fellowship at Casa Di Pizza, my cell phone rings. I recognize from the ID that it is the Director of the Portal Program calling. He is calling~~~to give me the news about the Portal Program discontinuing as of 25 October 2010. While he is giving me the bad news, there is at least a-lead; and the promise of a letter-of-recommendation to go along with it. The lead!?!? It is an out-reach organization for refugees, seeking haven and asylum in the United States, on the East Side of Buffalo, whose funding is partially underwritten by The Catholic Charities. The name of the Non-governmental organization(NGO), is Vive La Casa. At Casa di Pizza, I'm made aware of Vive La Casa!!! I have to believe that there is some method to such madness!!!
In the angst, frustration, and uncertainty of this phone conversation, there still existed an atmosphere of assurance.
That was provided for me by two of my oldest and dearest friends that were still present with me in the alcove area of THE CAZ. While Bob was there giving reassuring eye-contact, Maria was doing the same and intermittently scrambling to place pen & paper in front of me to jot down names and notes as Michael was continuing to explain cause, effect, and referral information.
Little gestures as these can help an uneasiness be better coped with. It is a blessing to have
such genuine articles whom are with you as you are immersed in your Garden of Gethsemane.
That assuring nod of the head, and that hand resting on the shoulder had me know~~~I was not alone.
Your job won't take care of you, as Regina Brett once wrote. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Around the Corner...
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Last Week of September; some Ebbs & Flows
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always be around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart
I feel like this is the beginning,
Though I've loved you for a million years,
And if I thought our love was ending,
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears
You are the sunshine of my life,
That's why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart
You must have known that I was lonely,
Because you came to my rescue,
And I know that this must be heaven,
How could so much love be inside of you?
You are the sunshine of my life, yeah,
That's why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart
[Background] Love has joined us,
Love has joined us,
Let's think sweet love Stevie Wonder
Had a bit of a disappointment handed to me this week. Because of the result of a civil service test I had taken back in May, a test that I had scored 68 out of 70 correct~~~to which NYS Civil Service scored me as 100, I was canvassed for a F/T clerical position at the E H Butler Library, at Buffalo State College. To say the least~~~I thought I had died and went to heaven being presented this opportunity. I mean, on and off~~~I have 'lived' at this library for the last two years!!
I followed all the protocol. I got the Canvass Letter into their HR Department on time. I followed that up with a phone call. And then I followed that up with a Thank You card. Scoring 100, and being handicapped and in a scooter apparently still doesn't cut the mustard. Apparently the HR Department at Buffalo State College, only interviewed scorers in the 115 to 110 percentile range. These had to have been individuals that scored well and had veterans credits additionally placed unto their score. Full-time, location, familiarity with facility~~~and some of the library staff~~~had made-to-order written all over it. Can only hope and pray that the Good Lord has another avenue for me to pursue. But this was a tough pill to swallow.
Had a pretty interesting Wednesday. I mean~~~like at one point, I'm out in Lakeview NY, in the early AM, and I have Blaine Wegrzynowski calling me on the cell-phone to see if I'm near a computer so I can do a Dialing-for-Dollars kind of thing to go after tickets for upcoming theatrical performances in the area. No doubt, I had to pass on that!!! I was in Lake View NY participating in a function that we at The Belle Center and the Portal Program have been awaiting for a long time now. Below is an essay summation that I had prepared for our weekly meeting.
The 6th Annual WNY~~~Construction Career Days
With the caption~~~We Built This City...You Can Too!.
This 2-day event was a resounding success. Even the threat of rain, on the Wednesday activity, or the steady rain of Thursday, would not put a damper on any of the program elements.
Spread out over many many acres of tents, causeways, and excavation & grading sites, there was something substantive to sink your teeth into, EVERYWHERE!!!
The event took place September 29 & 30, 2010 at~~~~ The I U O E Local #17 Training Facility, Lakeview NY 14085.
Under the auspices of James A. Smolinski Jr., Administrative Manager of The Local 17, and several key operatives; to mention a few, Gary Bernardo, Field Coordinator of The N Y S Laborers Union, John Sullivan and Kelly M. Andolino-Perry of the ECC Recruitment Office, the theme of this extravaganza is substantive work-world-readiness.
Through the generosity of organized labor, its various classroom structures and hands-on entry-level apprenticeship training programs, adults of any gender, race, or economic and social status can enjoy a middle-class life-style by pursuing a career in the trades and vocations.
Every trade and vocation was represented. Each one had their Dedicated Area~~~where they were allowed to demonstrate their purpose and significance. And certainly, the tents and lean-to coverings, helped!! The trades such as the electricians, surveyors, millwrights, carpenters, welders, painters, pipe-fitters, roofers, masons, plumbers, iron-workers, heavy equipment operators, sheet metal workers, drywall installers, steelworkers, road pavers, concrete finishers, boilermakers, plasterers, elevator/escalator constructors, truck drivers, and others who work hard everyday building America, with good pay~~~and good benefits, were represented. As a fair footnote, I should also add that the Associated Builders & Contractors; WNY Regional Office, Empire State Chapter was present as well. This organization provides the same classroom/hands-on training apparatus, on a merit-shop(non-union) basis. They strive to put forth the same success-stories for the candidates that pass through their doors, as well.
The Belle Center and the Portal Program participated on Wednesday. The chaperons that attended were Michael Szymanski, The Director of the Portal Program, and Lou Marconi, Operations Specialist, and The Portal Program's strong voice advocating the purpose and significance of trade & vocational careers.
The Portal Program candidates that participated in this treasure-trove of possibilities, was Paula Lizarondo, Colleena Crespo, William Goldstein, Rashad Younger, Chaz Casterline, and Ricardo Perez.
What was especially prideful and powerful was watching some of our Portal Program members, actually stepping-up-to-the-plate, and~~~with instructors present~~~actually operating some of the equipment. William and Rashad did some excavating~~~with some actual tracked/bucket earth-moving-equipment. Chaz and Ricardo tried their welding skills on a virtual-reality viewing/scoring monitor. And the 'visual' that made my day, was observing our Paula Lizarondo climb into a Crane that was anchored with the out-legs. With the encouragement of the near-by instructor, Paula is yawing the crane-turret to the left; thence to the right, with the confidence of a skilled tactician. With just as much ease, she is raising and lowering the crane boom, and hook & payload.
Image doing that for $35.00/hour, plus benefits!!
So I get back to The Belle Center, to catch my breath~~~just so I can get ready to enjoy a Wednesday evening at Malone's Restaurant in Kenmore NY with some very very good friends that I have come to know from my grade-school and high-school days. Had to get some residual matters tucked away, but I was able to get to Malone's~~~on time!!! It was pretty interesting, actually. We had put this together because an old friend from my grade-school/high schools days, Bob Marzullo, was up from Florida, visiting Family. And of course around the family, Bobby wanted to catch up with what was going on with his friends, as well. Certainly, with Bobby now retired, the conversations and perspectives got to be very interesting and animated. Twelve people altogether, showed up. Some of the regulars included Norb Warnes, Joe Barrile, Susan McKnight, and Maria Mulder Herberger~~~while we even had some newcomers that included Cathedral Grade School/Cardinal Dougherty High Schooler, Michael Pagano.
On Saturday, we will be attending Duff's on Sheridan Dr & Millersport Hwy. If one is going to be in Buffalo and taking in the Restaurant scene, at some point one has to do a 'Wing' Thing!!! So Saturday we will come together, over chicken wings!! Should be as much fun as it always is; especially if we end up closing up Duff's. Like we did Malone's.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always be around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart
I feel like this is the beginning,
Though I've loved you for a million years,
And if I thought our love was ending,
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears
You are the sunshine of my life,
That's why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart
You must have known that I was lonely,
Because you came to my rescue,
And I know that this must be heaven,
How could so much love be inside of you?
You are the sunshine of my life, yeah,
That's why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart
[Background] Love has joined us,
Love has joined us,
Let's think sweet love Stevie Wonder
Had a bit of a disappointment handed to me this week. Because of the result of a civil service test I had taken back in May, a test that I had scored 68 out of 70 correct~~~to which NYS Civil Service scored me as 100, I was canvassed for a F/T clerical position at the E H Butler Library, at Buffalo State College. To say the least~~~I thought I had died and went to heaven being presented this opportunity. I mean, on and off~~~I have 'lived' at this library for the last two years!!
I followed all the protocol. I got the Canvass Letter into their HR Department on time. I followed that up with a phone call. And then I followed that up with a Thank You card. Scoring 100, and being handicapped and in a scooter apparently still doesn't cut the mustard. Apparently the HR Department at Buffalo State College, only interviewed scorers in the 115 to 110 percentile range. These had to have been individuals that scored well and had veterans credits additionally placed unto their score. Full-time, location, familiarity with facility~~~and some of the library staff~~~had made-to-order written all over it. Can only hope and pray that the Good Lord has another avenue for me to pursue. But this was a tough pill to swallow.
Had a pretty interesting Wednesday. I mean~~~like at one point, I'm out in Lakeview NY, in the early AM, and I have Blaine Wegrzynowski calling me on the cell-phone to see if I'm near a computer so I can do a Dialing-for-Dollars kind of thing to go after tickets for upcoming theatrical performances in the area. No doubt, I had to pass on that!!! I was in Lake View NY participating in a function that we at The Belle Center and the Portal Program have been awaiting for a long time now. Below is an essay summation that I had prepared for our weekly meeting.
The 6th Annual WNY~~~Construction Career Days
With the caption~~~We Built This City...You Can Too!.
This 2-day event was a resounding success. Even the threat of rain, on the Wednesday activity, or the steady rain of Thursday, would not put a damper on any of the program elements.
Spread out over many many acres of tents, causeways, and excavation & grading sites, there was something substantive to sink your teeth into, EVERYWHERE!!!
The event took place September 29 & 30, 2010 at~~~~ The I U O E Local #17 Training Facility, Lakeview NY 14085.
Under the auspices of James A. Smolinski Jr., Administrative Manager of The Local 17, and several key operatives; to mention a few, Gary Bernardo, Field Coordinator of The N Y S Laborers Union, John Sullivan and Kelly M. Andolino-Perry of the ECC Recruitment Office, the theme of this extravaganza is substantive work-world-readiness.
Through the generosity of organized labor, its various classroom structures and hands-on entry-level apprenticeship training programs, adults of any gender, race, or economic and social status can enjoy a middle-class life-style by pursuing a career in the trades and vocations.
Every trade and vocation was represented. Each one had their Dedicated Area~~~where they were allowed to demonstrate their purpose and significance. And certainly, the tents and lean-to coverings, helped!! The trades such as the electricians, surveyors, millwrights, carpenters, welders, painters, pipe-fitters, roofers, masons, plumbers, iron-workers, heavy equipment operators, sheet metal workers, drywall installers, steelworkers, road pavers, concrete finishers, boilermakers, plasterers, elevator/escalator constructors, truck drivers, and others who work hard everyday building America, with good pay~~~and good benefits, were represented. As a fair footnote, I should also add that the Associated Builders & Contractors; WNY Regional Office, Empire State Chapter was present as well. This organization provides the same classroom/hands-on training apparatus, on a merit-shop(non-union) basis. They strive to put forth the same success-stories for the candidates that pass through their doors, as well.
The Belle Center and the Portal Program participated on Wednesday. The chaperons that attended were Michael Szymanski, The Director of the Portal Program, and Lou Marconi, Operations Specialist, and The Portal Program's strong voice advocating the purpose and significance of trade & vocational careers.
The Portal Program candidates that participated in this treasure-trove of possibilities, was Paula Lizarondo, Colleena Crespo, William Goldstein, Rashad Younger, Chaz Casterline, and Ricardo Perez.
What was especially prideful and powerful was watching some of our Portal Program members, actually stepping-up-to-the-plate, and~~~with instructors present~~~actually operating some of the equipment. William and Rashad did some excavating~~~with some actual tracked/bucket earth-moving-equipment. Chaz and Ricardo tried their welding skills on a virtual-reality viewing/scoring monitor. And the 'visual' that made my day, was observing our Paula Lizarondo climb into a Crane that was anchored with the out-legs. With the encouragement of the near-by instructor, Paula is yawing the crane-turret to the left; thence to the right, with the confidence of a skilled tactician. With just as much ease, she is raising and lowering the crane boom, and hook & payload.
Image doing that for $35.00/hour, plus benefits!!
So I get back to The Belle Center, to catch my breath~~~just so I can get ready to enjoy a Wednesday evening at Malone's Restaurant in Kenmore NY with some very very good friends that I have come to know from my grade-school and high-school days. Had to get some residual matters tucked away, but I was able to get to Malone's~~~on time!!! It was pretty interesting, actually. We had put this together because an old friend from my grade-school/high schools days, Bob Marzullo, was up from Florida, visiting Family. And of course around the family, Bobby wanted to catch up with what was going on with his friends, as well. Certainly, with Bobby now retired, the conversations and perspectives got to be very interesting and animated. Twelve people altogether, showed up. Some of the regulars included Norb Warnes, Joe Barrile, Susan McKnight, and Maria Mulder Herberger~~~while we even had some newcomers that included Cathedral Grade School/Cardinal Dougherty High Schooler, Michael Pagano.
On Saturday, we will be attending Duff's on Sheridan Dr & Millersport Hwy. If one is going to be in Buffalo and taking in the Restaurant scene, at some point one has to do a 'Wing' Thing!!! So Saturday we will come together, over chicken wings!! Should be as much fun as it always is; especially if we end up closing up Duff's. Like we did Malone's.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Saturday, September 25, 2010
STATE AUDIT BLASTS AmeriCorps(WNY)
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
Believe, believe in me, believe
That life can change, that you're not stuck in vain
We're not the same, we're different tonight
Tonight, so bright
Tonight... Smashing Pumpkins
Disarm you with a smile
And cut you like you want me to
Cut that little child
Inside of me and such a part of you
Ooh, the years burn... Smashing Pumpkins
This revelation cuts to my very core of my being, on so many levels. Some of you have known me for some time now, while others of you are just getting to know me. Briefly, I lost my 'Bread & Butter' at the end of 2008 when Airborne/D H L Express closed their doors. With the Handicap telegraphing my 'ALLEGED' inability to do any substantive tasks, gggrrr, I had been on the 'waiver-wire' for almost one year when AmeriCorps Buffalo put me on as a 'volunteer' and assigned me to THE BELLE CENTER where I; we, do community out-reach activities.
Sadly, even when one is trying to do OUT-REACH, politics ends up rearing its ugly head.
Unlike Mark Lazzara, and his WNY AmeriCorps entourage, which doesn't do anything WITHOUT the full ensemble of bells & whistles to get press and media attention, we at AmeriCorps Buffalo, and The Belle Center just go out every day~~~with the humility of Mother Teresa~~~and just do work. No Bells; No Whistles; No Fanfare.
So what happens when the FINITE grant monies have to be whittled-out to underwrite all this NGO activity~~~AmeriCorps Buffalo and The Belle Center~~~gets overlooked.
Lazzara, with his dog & pony show, gets the FUNDS while we are told to fold our tents.
Of course, we were not going to just go away tacitly. Those of us who could articulate and/or meet & greet local and state-wide politicos, did so. The plain and simple objective is to get the-powers-that-be, to understand the gravity of their decision to yank 'outreach' in an area that is so downtrodden, so marginalized, and so destitute. The vacuum that would result by phasing out AmeriCorps Buffalo at The Belle Center would, in effect, amount to~~~a crime against HUMANITY.
That is right folks. The Lower West Side is ravaged, and Damn-it, there is a VEHICLE by which we can get out and make some efforts to contend with the issues, and try to contain and reverse the causes and effects. This VEHICLE, my friends, is AmeriCorps Buffalo and The BELLE CENTER.
Mr. Lazzara~~~You want to Live by The Sword of the bells and whistles; the dog & pony show of the Media and the Press~~~Now...
The unusual financial relationship between West Seneca and AmeriCorps has cost town taxpayers more than $400,000 and the town could lose another $2.4 million, according to a scathing state audit town officials received this week.
Auditors from Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's office examined the 17-year relationship between the Town of West Seneca and AmeriCorps, a national service organization, and concluded the town suffered financial losses because it did not have proper control over AmeriCorps activities.
The audit found:
* Misuse of credit cards, including $30,000 spent on gift cards and certificates, and $20,000 in cash advances without documentation the funds were used for town purposes.
* Mark Lazzara, executive director of AmeriCorps and director of the town Youth Bureau, "personally benefited" by using a credit card for a down payment on a car and to pay parking tickets.
* Town funds paid for a new floor in a Buffalo parochial school.
* Thousands of dollars were spent on meals, refreshments, entertainment and alcohol.
Lazzara maintains the audit is inaccurate, and that purchases in question were approved by the town's comptroller.
Western New York AmeriCorps also disputes the audit, with spokesman Patrick Metzger calling it an "ignorant, uninformed misrepresentation of WNY AmeriCorps," which he said was never a part of the town. The problems outlined in the audit refer to the Town of West Seneca, which ran its own AmeriCorps programs, he said. He said the agency did not want Lazzara to speak for it on this issue, but only to his time as a town employee.
The state comptroller's office turned the audit over to Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III, but a criminal case does not seem imminent.
Sedita said he has responded to the comptroller's office, noting that because it suggests there might be criminal liability, it would be helpful if the state identified what crimes were committed, who committed them, and what proof is available.
"I will prosecute a case when I am provided with credible evidence admissible in a court of law ... that demonstrates a crime has been committed, and an individual has committed those crimes," Sedita said.
The audit states that Western New York AmeriCorps and the town Youth Bureau "were essentially one and the same, functioning as a department of the town."
WNY AmeriCorps maintains that it is a separate organization that did not exist in its current form until August 2008, and it did not misuse town resources.
The town and AmeriCorps formally split in August 2008, but the organization is administering grants for the town until the end of this year.
The Youth Bureau, under Lazzara, applied for funds for a federal summer program in 1991, and was granted $80,000. The federal government converted that program to AmeriCorps in 1993, and Lazzara became the face of West Seneca AmeriCorps, gaining millions of dollars in grants. The program expanded beyond the town into Buffalo and Western New York, and later the Gulf Coast as it helped with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
WNY AmeriCorps is paying the town monthly installments of $7,000 to pay back $804,400 it owes the town. Town Supervisor Wallace Piotrowski said that as long as WNY AmeriCorps stays in business, he believes the town will receive all of the money.
But current town officials see the report as a vindication for them, after they questioned the town's role in the operation of AmeriCorps.
"The report substantiates what my complaint was about how the town was running the Youth Bureau and the AmeriCorps program," Piotrowski said.
His complaint with the audit is that it does not distinguish between lax oversight by previous town boards and town comptroller and the current three-member board and comptroller, who came into office in 2008.
"No one's denying the AmeriCorps program isn't a fabulous program," West Seneca Councilwoman Sheila Meegan said. "But the Town of West Seneca taxpayers, we all were paying for it."
Meegan started examining vouchers submitted by AmeriCorps, and contacted the state comptroller's office when she found a disturbing lack of documentation for expenditures. The town has since instituted a credit card policy, and is working to improve oversight deemed lacking in the audit.
The town lost money because when it advanced funds for AmeriCorps programs, it was not always reimbursed, the audit said. Lazzara said the $1.6 million owed the town mentioned in the audit is coming into the town from various outside agencies.
He also complained that he had not talked to the comptroller's office in a year, and has had no chance to challenge the allegations in the report. He said he has proper documentation, but it will take some time to research the charges and locate the appropriate paperwork.
The audit, which examined financial controls and credit card activity within the town from Jan. 1, 2006, to Jan. 21, 2010, also blames former Town Comptroller Charles Koller for not performing "fundamental duties of his office."
Koller and former Town Supervisor Paul Clark could not be reached to comment. Clark was in office for AmeriCorps' rise in West Seneca, while Koller was the comptroller. The men are partners in a West Seneca accounting firm.
"It's amazing to me that it was allowed to happen," Meegan said. "It is disheartening that this went on for years and years and years."
Payback!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
Believe, believe in me, believe
That life can change, that you're not stuck in vain
We're not the same, we're different tonight
Tonight, so bright
Tonight... Smashing Pumpkins
Disarm you with a smile
And cut you like you want me to
Cut that little child
Inside of me and such a part of you
Ooh, the years burn... Smashing Pumpkins
This revelation cuts to my very core of my being, on so many levels. Some of you have known me for some time now, while others of you are just getting to know me. Briefly, I lost my 'Bread & Butter' at the end of 2008 when Airborne/D H L Express closed their doors. With the Handicap telegraphing my 'ALLEGED' inability to do any substantive tasks, gggrrr, I had been on the 'waiver-wire' for almost one year when AmeriCorps Buffalo put me on as a 'volunteer' and assigned me to THE BELLE CENTER where I; we, do community out-reach activities.
Sadly, even when one is trying to do OUT-REACH, politics ends up rearing its ugly head.
Unlike Mark Lazzara, and his WNY AmeriCorps entourage, which doesn't do anything WITHOUT the full ensemble of bells & whistles to get press and media attention, we at AmeriCorps Buffalo, and The Belle Center just go out every day~~~with the humility of Mother Teresa~~~and just do work. No Bells; No Whistles; No Fanfare.
So what happens when the FINITE grant monies have to be whittled-out to underwrite all this NGO activity~~~AmeriCorps Buffalo and The Belle Center~~~gets overlooked.
Lazzara, with his dog & pony show, gets the FUNDS while we are told to fold our tents.
Of course, we were not going to just go away tacitly. Those of us who could articulate and/or meet & greet local and state-wide politicos, did so. The plain and simple objective is to get the-powers-that-be, to understand the gravity of their decision to yank 'outreach' in an area that is so downtrodden, so marginalized, and so destitute. The vacuum that would result by phasing out AmeriCorps Buffalo at The Belle Center would, in effect, amount to~~~a crime against HUMANITY.
That is right folks. The Lower West Side is ravaged, and Damn-it, there is a VEHICLE by which we can get out and make some efforts to contend with the issues, and try to contain and reverse the causes and effects. This VEHICLE, my friends, is AmeriCorps Buffalo and The BELLE CENTER.
Mr. Lazzara~~~You want to Live by The Sword of the bells and whistles; the dog & pony show of the Media and the Press~~~Now...
The unusual financial relationship between West Seneca and AmeriCorps has cost town taxpayers more than $400,000 and the town could lose another $2.4 million, according to a scathing state audit town officials received this week.
Auditors from Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's office examined the 17-year relationship between the Town of West Seneca and AmeriCorps, a national service organization, and concluded the town suffered financial losses because it did not have proper control over AmeriCorps activities.
The audit found:
* Misuse of credit cards, including $30,000 spent on gift cards and certificates, and $20,000 in cash advances without documentation the funds were used for town purposes.
* Mark Lazzara, executive director of AmeriCorps and director of the town Youth Bureau, "personally benefited" by using a credit card for a down payment on a car and to pay parking tickets.
* Town funds paid for a new floor in a Buffalo parochial school.
* Thousands of dollars were spent on meals, refreshments, entertainment and alcohol.
Lazzara maintains the audit is inaccurate, and that purchases in question were approved by the town's comptroller.
Western New York AmeriCorps also disputes the audit, with spokesman Patrick Metzger calling it an "ignorant, uninformed misrepresentation of WNY AmeriCorps," which he said was never a part of the town. The problems outlined in the audit refer to the Town of West Seneca, which ran its own AmeriCorps programs, he said. He said the agency did not want Lazzara to speak for it on this issue, but only to his time as a town employee.
The state comptroller's office turned the audit over to Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III, but a criminal case does not seem imminent.
Sedita said he has responded to the comptroller's office, noting that because it suggests there might be criminal liability, it would be helpful if the state identified what crimes were committed, who committed them, and what proof is available.
"I will prosecute a case when I am provided with credible evidence admissible in a court of law ... that demonstrates a crime has been committed, and an individual has committed those crimes," Sedita said.
The audit states that Western New York AmeriCorps and the town Youth Bureau "were essentially one and the same, functioning as a department of the town."
WNY AmeriCorps maintains that it is a separate organization that did not exist in its current form until August 2008, and it did not misuse town resources.
The town and AmeriCorps formally split in August 2008, but the organization is administering grants for the town until the end of this year.
The Youth Bureau, under Lazzara, applied for funds for a federal summer program in 1991, and was granted $80,000. The federal government converted that program to AmeriCorps in 1993, and Lazzara became the face of West Seneca AmeriCorps, gaining millions of dollars in grants. The program expanded beyond the town into Buffalo and Western New York, and later the Gulf Coast as it helped with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
WNY AmeriCorps is paying the town monthly installments of $7,000 to pay back $804,400 it owes the town. Town Supervisor Wallace Piotrowski said that as long as WNY AmeriCorps stays in business, he believes the town will receive all of the money.
But current town officials see the report as a vindication for them, after they questioned the town's role in the operation of AmeriCorps.
"The report substantiates what my complaint was about how the town was running the Youth Bureau and the AmeriCorps program," Piotrowski said.
His complaint with the audit is that it does not distinguish between lax oversight by previous town boards and town comptroller and the current three-member board and comptroller, who came into office in 2008.
"No one's denying the AmeriCorps program isn't a fabulous program," West Seneca Councilwoman Sheila Meegan said. "But the Town of West Seneca taxpayers, we all were paying for it."
Meegan started examining vouchers submitted by AmeriCorps, and contacted the state comptroller's office when she found a disturbing lack of documentation for expenditures. The town has since instituted a credit card policy, and is working to improve oversight deemed lacking in the audit.
The town lost money because when it advanced funds for AmeriCorps programs, it was not always reimbursed, the audit said. Lazzara said the $1.6 million owed the town mentioned in the audit is coming into the town from various outside agencies.
He also complained that he had not talked to the comptroller's office in a year, and has had no chance to challenge the allegations in the report. He said he has proper documentation, but it will take some time to research the charges and locate the appropriate paperwork.
The audit, which examined financial controls and credit card activity within the town from Jan. 1, 2006, to Jan. 21, 2010, also blames former Town Comptroller Charles Koller for not performing "fundamental duties of his office."
Koller and former Town Supervisor Paul Clark could not be reached to comment. Clark was in office for AmeriCorps' rise in West Seneca, while Koller was the comptroller. The men are partners in a West Seneca accounting firm.
"It's amazing to me that it was allowed to happen," Meegan said. "It is disheartening that this went on for years and years and years."
Payback!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Friday, September 24, 2010
...saw her once at a store where she was working.
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
Strawberries, cherries and an angel's kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things
I walked in town on silver spurs that jingled to
A song that I had only sang to just a few
She saw my silver spurs and said, Let's pass some time
And I will give to you summer wine, Oh-oh summer wine Nancy Sinatra & F. Lee Hazelwood
The below correspondence is in The Buffalo News Friday 24 September 2010;
CITY & REGION section. I just found myself thoroughly absorbed by the story.
It is a story that reads better than a Joyce Carroll Oates novel. Like Oates, of Lockport NY, this story is 'local'. It is a love story; protagonist, antagonist, and damsel-in-distress. In it, are all the elements of forgotten love, second chances, reconnecting, fate meetings, rekindled love, intrigue, cloak & dagger, and ultimately~~~tragedy. Interwoven through all of this, there exists the animation, engagement, and playfulness of two romantically-involved lovers exchanging comment-teases on one of today's ubiquitous Social-Network Sites. Even those of a maturing-age, are finding that these avenues of correspondence, are a vital way of expressing attraction, devotion, and the promise of a future together.
Before Steve Rothrock boarded an airplane in Florida early Wednesday to come rescue the love of his life from an abusive relationship in Buffalo, he posted a message on her Facebook page: "Wednesday is the first day of the rest of our lives together."
But by that afternoon, Joy Giessert Rizzo was dead, at the hands of the man she was trying to flee.
"It's so terrible," Rothrock told The Buffalo News on Thursday, trying not to cry, "because it was actually the last day."
The Town of Tonawanda native had planned to bring Rizzo -- whom he'd known since childhood and had recently reconnected with over the Internet -- back to his new home in Freeport, Fla., where they planned to start a new life together.
Instead, Rothrock was heartsick with grief after Rizzo, 49, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Soos, 51, who then killed himself.
"I was always worried about her, her safety," Rothrock, 50, said.
When he would call her, he'd hear Soos in the background. She'd yell to Soos: "I hate you. Get out of here."
"He wouldn't leave," Rothrock said. "He would stand behind her when she was on her computer. He watched everything she did."
Rizzo's neighbors in northwest Buffalo said Rizzo and Soos would often have loud quarrels, frequently in the middle of the street.
Then about a month ago, Rothrock said, Soos "slung her across the room." She called the police and later got a restraining order against him.
"But she always let him back to get personal items and to see [their 12-year-old son]," Rothrock said.
Rizzo had told Rothrock that Soos' former wife was killed in 1996. Her nude body was found in her car behind a bar on Niagara Street, according to police. Rizzo told Rothrock she believed that Soos murdered her, although he had always denied it to her. The case remains unsolved, although Cold Case Squad detectives had recently began reviewing the homicide.
"I wanted her out," Rothrock said of Rizzo. "She was in danger with this guy."
Rothrock and Rizzo had known each other when they were growing up in Tonawanda. "We were in love when we were kids," he recalled. "We were 10 and 11 years old. We were best friends. We'd go ice skating. I was always at her house, and she was always at my house."
They lost touch, but Rothrock always had feelings for her, he said, and saw her once at a store where she was working. "I stopped going because it hurt me so much," he said.
Years passed, and then in March, Rothrock saw her name pop up on a mutual friend's Facebook page.
Rothrock was married, and Rizzo was still involved with Soos. Eventually they realized neither was happy.
"It came out that I was miserable, and she was miserable," Rothrock said.
A romance bloomed.
After Rizzo got the restraining order, they started making plans for her to move to Florida.
Rizzo was eager to move but didn't want to just pick up and leave.
"If it was my choice, I would have just sent a ticket for her to fly down," Rothrock said, "... but she didn't want to do that."
Rothrock made plans to fly up to Buffalo, rent a moving truck and then help Rizzo pack up her belongings and head to Florida. He also bought a plane ticket for Rizzo's young son to come join them in two weeks.
Rothrock didn't want Rizzo to tell Soos about the plan, but he found out.
"I told her not to tell him," he said. "It needed to be a quiet thing when he's not around."
Three days before the shooting, neighbors described hearing Soos scream at Rizzo: "Over my dead body!"
That same day, she posted a message on Facebook: "My man is coming to get me this Wednesday. We are leaving for Freeport."
"Can I meet him?" Rothrock had jokingly responded on the Web page.
"You already know him very well," she replied.
Tuesday night, she wrote on her page: "One of my last posts before I pack my computer. But I just want to thank all my friends for all the good wishes for me. It really means a lot."
Rothrock left his home Wednesday morning and called Rizzo on his cell phone at 6:30 a.m. He'd had trouble printing his boarding pass for his second flight, from Atlanta to Buffalo, and was worried he wouldn't make his flight.
"Stop being so pessimistic," she told him. "You'll get it."
She was right, and Rothrock called her before getting on the plane. She didn't answer.
When his plane landed in Atlanta a little after 10 a.m., he called again. She still didn't answer.
"That's when the panic started setting in," he said. "She knew I was going to call from Atlanta."
And Rizzo always answered his phone calls.
Rothrock arrived in Buffalo just before 1 p.m. and tried in vain to call Rizzo again. She was supposed to be at the airport with her cousin, but neither showed up.
He scrambled through the airport to find a phone book and looked up the cousin's business number. He called, and a woman there put him in touch with the cousin. He asked the cousin to call the police.
Rothrock began calling domestic-abuse hotlines and eventually one connected him to a traffic unit in Buffalo.
In the meantime, the cousin had called Buffalo police as well. An officer was dispatched to Rizzo's apartment on Tuxedo Place for a "welfare check" at 1:56 p.m., according to police. The call was later cleared, however, when no answer was received and there was nothing "out of the ordinary or anything to arouse suspicion," according to Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives.
Rothrock decided to rent a car and headed into the city. He was driving on Niagara Street when he saw two patrol cars parked on the side of the road.
"I turned around and did a bunch of crazy maneuvers in front of them," Rothrock said. He jumped out of his car and told them he thought Rizzo was in danger. The officers asked him for her address, and they said they had just been at the house.
"They said, 'We knocked on the door, and nobody answered,'" Rothrock said.
Believing that something was terribly wrong, he burst into tears and begged the officers to go back.
They agreed, radioed in the second call at 2:49 p.m. and began banging on the door. Finally, the neighbor upstairs said, 'I'll call the landlord to see if he can get a key,'" Rothrock said.
The landlord came and the police officers went inside the apartment at 3:36 p.m. Rothrock stayed in his rental car, worried that his presence might upset Soos.
The police officers came back outside and mentioned something about a dog in the house. They told him to move his car.
Then the officers used their patrol cars to block the car.
A neighbor came by to talk with Rothrock. "They only do that when the coroner's coming," the neighbor said.
Then he said, "I saw a cop going in the house. He put rubber gloves on his hands."
Right then, he knew. He just didn't know how many people were dead.
Eventually, a detective found Rothrock and explained the situation to him. He found out that luckily, Rizzo's son had been at school at the time of the shooting.
Neighbors described hearing gunshots at about 1:45 p.m.
Rothrock believes that Soos had been holding Rizzo at gunpoint all morning and into the afternoon.
"I think he was holding her so he could shoot me and have her see it," he said.
Rothrock was upset about not being told right away that his girlfriend was dead.
"It was insensitive," he said.
Police confirmed that they had been called to the residence several times prior to Wednesday's tragedy.
They also said their hands were tied in notifying Rothrock because he was not next of kin.
"It's a tragic situation," Richards said. "There's no perfect setting to let a loved one know such tragic circumstances."
Rothrock remained in Western New York with a relative Thursday.
"She's so caring, the most caring person I've ever known," he said. "She was outgoing. A very outgoing person. That's one of the best things about her. She would say what she felt. If it was good or bad, she'd say it. I loved that."
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Strawberries, cherries and an angel's kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things
I walked in town on silver spurs that jingled to
A song that I had only sang to just a few
She saw my silver spurs and said, Let's pass some time
And I will give to you summer wine, Oh-oh summer wine Nancy Sinatra & F. Lee Hazelwood
The below correspondence is in The Buffalo News Friday 24 September 2010;
CITY & REGION section. I just found myself thoroughly absorbed by the story.
It is a story that reads better than a Joyce Carroll Oates novel. Like Oates, of Lockport NY, this story is 'local'. It is a love story; protagonist, antagonist, and damsel-in-distress. In it, are all the elements of forgotten love, second chances, reconnecting, fate meetings, rekindled love, intrigue, cloak & dagger, and ultimately~~~tragedy. Interwoven through all of this, there exists the animation, engagement, and playfulness of two romantically-involved lovers exchanging comment-teases on one of today's ubiquitous Social-Network Sites. Even those of a maturing-age, are finding that these avenues of correspondence, are a vital way of expressing attraction, devotion, and the promise of a future together.
Before Steve Rothrock boarded an airplane in Florida early Wednesday to come rescue the love of his life from an abusive relationship in Buffalo, he posted a message on her Facebook page: "Wednesday is the first day of the rest of our lives together."
But by that afternoon, Joy Giessert Rizzo was dead, at the hands of the man she was trying to flee.
"It's so terrible," Rothrock told The Buffalo News on Thursday, trying not to cry, "because it was actually the last day."
The Town of Tonawanda native had planned to bring Rizzo -- whom he'd known since childhood and had recently reconnected with over the Internet -- back to his new home in Freeport, Fla., where they planned to start a new life together.
Instead, Rothrock was heartsick with grief after Rizzo, 49, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Soos, 51, who then killed himself.
"I was always worried about her, her safety," Rothrock, 50, said.
When he would call her, he'd hear Soos in the background. She'd yell to Soos: "I hate you. Get out of here."
"He wouldn't leave," Rothrock said. "He would stand behind her when she was on her computer. He watched everything she did."
Rizzo's neighbors in northwest Buffalo said Rizzo and Soos would often have loud quarrels, frequently in the middle of the street.
Then about a month ago, Rothrock said, Soos "slung her across the room." She called the police and later got a restraining order against him.
"But she always let him back to get personal items and to see [their 12-year-old son]," Rothrock said.
Rizzo had told Rothrock that Soos' former wife was killed in 1996. Her nude body was found in her car behind a bar on Niagara Street, according to police. Rizzo told Rothrock she believed that Soos murdered her, although he had always denied it to her. The case remains unsolved, although Cold Case Squad detectives had recently began reviewing the homicide.
"I wanted her out," Rothrock said of Rizzo. "She was in danger with this guy."
Rothrock and Rizzo had known each other when they were growing up in Tonawanda. "We were in love when we were kids," he recalled. "We were 10 and 11 years old. We were best friends. We'd go ice skating. I was always at her house, and she was always at my house."
They lost touch, but Rothrock always had feelings for her, he said, and saw her once at a store where she was working. "I stopped going because it hurt me so much," he said.
Years passed, and then in March, Rothrock saw her name pop up on a mutual friend's Facebook page.
Rothrock was married, and Rizzo was still involved with Soos. Eventually they realized neither was happy.
"It came out that I was miserable, and she was miserable," Rothrock said.
A romance bloomed.
After Rizzo got the restraining order, they started making plans for her to move to Florida.
Rizzo was eager to move but didn't want to just pick up and leave.
"If it was my choice, I would have just sent a ticket for her to fly down," Rothrock said, "... but she didn't want to do that."
Rothrock made plans to fly up to Buffalo, rent a moving truck and then help Rizzo pack up her belongings and head to Florida. He also bought a plane ticket for Rizzo's young son to come join them in two weeks.
Rothrock didn't want Rizzo to tell Soos about the plan, but he found out.
"I told her not to tell him," he said. "It needed to be a quiet thing when he's not around."
Three days before the shooting, neighbors described hearing Soos scream at Rizzo: "Over my dead body!"
That same day, she posted a message on Facebook: "My man is coming to get me this Wednesday. We are leaving for Freeport."
"Can I meet him?" Rothrock had jokingly responded on the Web page.
"You already know him very well," she replied.
Tuesday night, she wrote on her page: "One of my last posts before I pack my computer. But I just want to thank all my friends for all the good wishes for me. It really means a lot."
Rothrock left his home Wednesday morning and called Rizzo on his cell phone at 6:30 a.m. He'd had trouble printing his boarding pass for his second flight, from Atlanta to Buffalo, and was worried he wouldn't make his flight.
"Stop being so pessimistic," she told him. "You'll get it."
She was right, and Rothrock called her before getting on the plane. She didn't answer.
When his plane landed in Atlanta a little after 10 a.m., he called again. She still didn't answer.
"That's when the panic started setting in," he said. "She knew I was going to call from Atlanta."
And Rizzo always answered his phone calls.
Rothrock arrived in Buffalo just before 1 p.m. and tried in vain to call Rizzo again. She was supposed to be at the airport with her cousin, but neither showed up.
He scrambled through the airport to find a phone book and looked up the cousin's business number. He called, and a woman there put him in touch with the cousin. He asked the cousin to call the police.
Rothrock began calling domestic-abuse hotlines and eventually one connected him to a traffic unit in Buffalo.
In the meantime, the cousin had called Buffalo police as well. An officer was dispatched to Rizzo's apartment on Tuxedo Place for a "welfare check" at 1:56 p.m., according to police. The call was later cleared, however, when no answer was received and there was nothing "out of the ordinary or anything to arouse suspicion," according to Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives.
Rothrock decided to rent a car and headed into the city. He was driving on Niagara Street when he saw two patrol cars parked on the side of the road.
"I turned around and did a bunch of crazy maneuvers in front of them," Rothrock said. He jumped out of his car and told them he thought Rizzo was in danger. The officers asked him for her address, and they said they had just been at the house.
"They said, 'We knocked on the door, and nobody answered,'" Rothrock said.
Believing that something was terribly wrong, he burst into tears and begged the officers to go back.
They agreed, radioed in the second call at 2:49 p.m. and began banging on the door. Finally, the neighbor upstairs said, 'I'll call the landlord to see if he can get a key,'" Rothrock said.
The landlord came and the police officers went inside the apartment at 3:36 p.m. Rothrock stayed in his rental car, worried that his presence might upset Soos.
The police officers came back outside and mentioned something about a dog in the house. They told him to move his car.
Then the officers used their patrol cars to block the car.
A neighbor came by to talk with Rothrock. "They only do that when the coroner's coming," the neighbor said.
Then he said, "I saw a cop going in the house. He put rubber gloves on his hands."
Right then, he knew. He just didn't know how many people were dead.
Eventually, a detective found Rothrock and explained the situation to him. He found out that luckily, Rizzo's son had been at school at the time of the shooting.
Neighbors described hearing gunshots at about 1:45 p.m.
Rothrock believes that Soos had been holding Rizzo at gunpoint all morning and into the afternoon.
"I think he was holding her so he could shoot me and have her see it," he said.
Rothrock was upset about not being told right away that his girlfriend was dead.
"It was insensitive," he said.
Police confirmed that they had been called to the residence several times prior to Wednesday's tragedy.
They also said their hands were tied in notifying Rothrock because he was not next of kin.
"It's a tragic situation," Richards said. "There's no perfect setting to let a loved one know such tragic circumstances."
Rothrock remained in Western New York with a relative Thursday.
"She's so caring, the most caring person I've ever known," he said. "She was outgoing. A very outgoing person. That's one of the best things about her. She would say what she felt. If it was good or bad, she'd say it. I loved that."
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Some reflections on The Week of 18 September 2010
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
...But now the days grow short
I'm in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
>from fine old kegs
>from the brim to the dregs
And it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year It Was A Very Good Year~~~Frank Sinatra
It was sad learning this week that a classmate from my Annunciation Grade School days, had passed away. I learned the information from classmates, Jimmy Peterson and Maria Mulder Herberger. Jim, I know you were probably the closest of all of us, to Nicholas Cheer and his family. On behalf of all of us that shared the grade school experience at Annunciation, I wish to say that I am truly sorry to learn of his passing. I extend my sincerest apologies to you, and please extend these same sentiments to the survivors of the Nicholas Cheer Family.
And below~~~is a personal reflection: Nicholas; I know we had our disagreements and misunderstandings as grade school-mates and high school-mates. As adults, when you were with Jim Hosey and Jimmy Peterson in the mid-eighties at that store-front on Elmwood Ave., next to the The Insurance Co, the attempt to engage you was an effort to get the tension behind us. And the hand-shake at the 1992 Reunion was another effort to clear-the-slate. When we do meet again, my pledge to you is a handshake, an embrace, and an apology. My prayer is that you will accept that straight-up.
Nick A. CHEER
Visit Guest Book
CHEER - Nick A. Age 60, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 16, 2010. He was born on May 6, 1950 in Buffalo, NY. Nick's career in banking spanned over 35 years. Most recently he was employed by Comerica. Nick is survived by his loving wife, Karin; sons, Nicholas, Adam, and Matthew; sister-in-law, Ursula; and his beloved dog, Amber. Nick was a truly a friend to all. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 20, 2010, at St. Laurence Catholic Church, Sugar Land, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cheer Family College Fund, Comerica Bank, account number 7002323868, routing number 111000753.
Published in the Buffalo News on September 19, 2010
AROUND THE CORNER...I have a friend,
In this great
city that has no end,
Yet the days go
by and weeks rush on,
And before I
know it, a year is gone.
And I never see
my old friend's face,
For life is a
swift and terrible race,
He knows
I like him just as well,
As in the days
when I rang his bell.
And he rang
mine but we were younger then...
God, I Love Fridays!!!!
An interesting Friday AM. I wasn't careful with a 'graded' area of black-top at a location that I was account maintaining & enhancing. This was a facility that I am having success with regarding my Portal Program objectives. The meeting was pretty upbeat and productive. So when I was leaving the facility, I was scootering back to my van. Now I knew about this black-top grade irregularity but I was 'thinking' about a million different things, all at once. Being distracted, I didn't 'take' the grade properly, and found myself, and my scooter toppled. I took this spill on my scooter~~~while in my power-suit attire.. That, frankly, sucked~~~getting out from underneath the scooter, and not messing up the suit. Here I am, pinned down, and I'm worried about my suit. Forget me!! Forget the scooter!!! I'm worried about the suit. I wrangled my way out from underneath, and brushed myself~~~and my pride off. I proceeded to my next port-of-call and used the restroom at Sheridan Surgical to clean myself up. The left elbow area of the suit needed the most redress. Then the knee area of both pant legs.
I'm at Sheridan Surgical to 'rent' a collapsible-wheelchair, with detachable foot-rests. Thank God, on a whim, I checked the leg-rests out while I was in the parking lot of the Family Health Pharmacy, that I was getting the Flu-shot from. In taking some quality-time to check-out my 'rental', I find-out I was given 2 right-side leg-rests. GGGRRR! So, after the flu-shot, I go back~~~to get that corrected!!
So I get my flu shot at Dennis Galluzo's Family Health Pharmacy. Dennis is a graduate of Bishop Fallon High School, class of 1969!! This is in the DASH'S Plaza at Hopkins & Klein. The shot is administered by his other Pharmacist, Michael Rossi. Michael, I come to find out, is the nephew to Mario & Karen Rossi. I had gotten to know Mario from my mid-1970's work experience at the ECDSS. Small-world. I Love Fridays!!!
Actually~~~I intensely LOVE FRIDAYS!!! When I get home to 'cut' through some mail, a very very very interesting development presented itself, in one of these envelopes. At this point~~~still a 'work' in progress...
SATURDAYS...
These, used to be one hell of a crap-shoot!!! I would not know what to expect from one Saturday---to the next.
But Saturday 18 September 2010~~~was one FOR THE BOOKS!!!! It was unbelievable~~~on so many levels.
Martha Orrange Nealon(AHS, Class of 1969), and husband Pat, is chairing this Chautauqua Wine Tasting Tour into the Southern Tier. Pat Nealon, a USMC Viet-Nam veteran, is the current Commandant of American Legion Post 527. In the mix of legion members and their wives & friends, are several Annunciation Grade School/High School alumni. We meet @ Hamburg American Legion Post 527(rearranged 257!!!), in Hamburg, N.Y. It started at 10:00 AM with coffee and donuts. At 12:15 PM we arrived at our first wine-tasting stop, Sparkling Ponds Winery. With not much of anything else in my stomach, I'm wheel-chairing out of there~~~with a "buzz!!!!" From there we head to Meeder's Restaurant in Ripley NY, for Lunch. From there we headed to Johnson Estate Winery. The best was definitely saved for last. Liberty Estate Winery had this 92 acres of vineyards, laid across these rolling hills. And off in the distance~~~in this surreal haze~~~Lake Erie could be observed from all whom chose to enjoy their wine sips, from the Winery Veranda. The Master Winemaker was present, and gave us a very detailed tour of the wine-making production area. After the tour, we all headed back to The American Legion Post for hearty servings of~~~Pizza & Wings!!!
I find these types of gatherings always fascinating. They become powerful vehicles in their own rite whereby humanity invariably becomes much more engaged. People, become friends. Some friendships become enhanced, while others deepen.
A special thank you is expressed to Pat & Martha Nealon for putting this flawless extravaganza together. And another thank you to Maria & Ann, for your help with the wheelchair, doors, wine-servings, and~~~just being-there.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
...But now the days grow short
I'm in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine
>from fine old kegs
>from the brim to the dregs
And it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year It Was A Very Good Year~~~Frank Sinatra
It was sad learning this week that a classmate from my Annunciation Grade School days, had passed away. I learned the information from classmates, Jimmy Peterson and Maria Mulder Herberger. Jim, I know you were probably the closest of all of us, to Nicholas Cheer and his family. On behalf of all of us that shared the grade school experience at Annunciation, I wish to say that I am truly sorry to learn of his passing. I extend my sincerest apologies to you, and please extend these same sentiments to the survivors of the Nicholas Cheer Family.
And below~~~is a personal reflection: Nicholas; I know we had our disagreements and misunderstandings as grade school-mates and high school-mates. As adults, when you were with Jim Hosey and Jimmy Peterson in the mid-eighties at that store-front on Elmwood Ave., next to the The Insurance Co, the attempt to engage you was an effort to get the tension behind us. And the hand-shake at the 1992 Reunion was another effort to clear-the-slate. When we do meet again, my pledge to you is a handshake, an embrace, and an apology. My prayer is that you will accept that straight-up.
Nick A. CHEER
Visit Guest Book
CHEER - Nick A. Age 60, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 16, 2010. He was born on May 6, 1950 in Buffalo, NY. Nick's career in banking spanned over 35 years. Most recently he was employed by Comerica. Nick is survived by his loving wife, Karin; sons, Nicholas, Adam, and Matthew; sister-in-law, Ursula; and his beloved dog, Amber. Nick was a truly a friend to all. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 20, 2010, at St. Laurence Catholic Church, Sugar Land, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cheer Family College Fund, Comerica Bank, account number 7002323868, routing number 111000753.
Published in the Buffalo News on September 19, 2010
AROUND THE CORNER...I have a friend,
In this great
city that has no end,
Yet the days go
by and weeks rush on,
And before I
know it, a year is gone.
And I never see
my old friend's face,
For life is a
swift and terrible race,
He knows
I like him just as well,
As in the days
when I rang his bell.
And he rang
mine but we were younger then...
God, I Love Fridays!!!!
An interesting Friday AM. I wasn't careful with a 'graded' area of black-top at a location that I was account maintaining & enhancing. This was a facility that I am having success with regarding my Portal Program objectives. The meeting was pretty upbeat and productive. So when I was leaving the facility, I was scootering back to my van. Now I knew about this black-top grade irregularity but I was 'thinking' about a million different things, all at once. Being distracted, I didn't 'take' the grade properly, and found myself, and my scooter toppled. I took this spill on my scooter~~~while in my power-suit attire.. That, frankly, sucked~~~getting out from underneath the scooter, and not messing up the suit. Here I am, pinned down, and I'm worried about my suit. Forget me!! Forget the scooter!!! I'm worried about the suit. I wrangled my way out from underneath, and brushed myself~~~and my pride off. I proceeded to my next port-of-call and used the restroom at Sheridan Surgical to clean myself up. The left elbow area of the suit needed the most redress. Then the knee area of both pant legs.
I'm at Sheridan Surgical to 'rent' a collapsible-wheelchair, with detachable foot-rests. Thank God, on a whim, I checked the leg-rests out while I was in the parking lot of the Family Health Pharmacy, that I was getting the Flu-shot from. In taking some quality-time to check-out my 'rental', I find-out I was given 2 right-side leg-rests. GGGRRR! So, after the flu-shot, I go back~~~to get that corrected!!
So I get my flu shot at Dennis Galluzo's Family Health Pharmacy. Dennis is a graduate of Bishop Fallon High School, class of 1969!! This is in the DASH'S Plaza at Hopkins & Klein. The shot is administered by his other Pharmacist, Michael Rossi. Michael, I come to find out, is the nephew to Mario & Karen Rossi. I had gotten to know Mario from my mid-1970's work experience at the ECDSS. Small-world. I Love Fridays!!!
Actually~~~I intensely LOVE FRIDAYS!!! When I get home to 'cut' through some mail, a very very very interesting development presented itself, in one of these envelopes. At this point~~~still a 'work' in progress...
SATURDAYS...
These, used to be one hell of a crap-shoot!!! I would not know what to expect from one Saturday---to the next.
But Saturday 18 September 2010~~~was one FOR THE BOOKS!!!! It was unbelievable~~~on so many levels.
Martha Orrange Nealon(AHS, Class of 1969), and husband Pat, is chairing this Chautauqua Wine Tasting Tour into the Southern Tier. Pat Nealon, a USMC Viet-Nam veteran, is the current Commandant of American Legion Post 527. In the mix of legion members and their wives & friends, are several Annunciation Grade School/High School alumni. We meet @ Hamburg American Legion Post 527(rearranged 257!!!), in Hamburg, N.Y. It started at 10:00 AM with coffee and donuts. At 12:15 PM we arrived at our first wine-tasting stop, Sparkling Ponds Winery. With not much of anything else in my stomach, I'm wheel-chairing out of there~~~with a "buzz!!!!" From there we head to Meeder's Restaurant in Ripley NY, for Lunch. From there we headed to Johnson Estate Winery. The best was definitely saved for last. Liberty Estate Winery had this 92 acres of vineyards, laid across these rolling hills. And off in the distance~~~in this surreal haze~~~Lake Erie could be observed from all whom chose to enjoy their wine sips, from the Winery Veranda. The Master Winemaker was present, and gave us a very detailed tour of the wine-making production area. After the tour, we all headed back to The American Legion Post for hearty servings of~~~Pizza & Wings!!!
I find these types of gatherings always fascinating. They become powerful vehicles in their own rite whereby humanity invariably becomes much more engaged. People, become friends. Some friendships become enhanced, while others deepen.
A special thank you is expressed to Pat & Martha Nealon for putting this flawless extravaganza together. And another thank you to Maria & Ann, for your help with the wheelchair, doors, wine-servings, and~~~just being-there.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Incredible Week of...MOMENTS
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
...Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
(Arabic singing by Kadim Al Sahir)
Salam allah ?ala duniya ?alal ensaan
Ah ah ah mata na?aya bi?ub wa aman
Salam Allah
Salam Allah
Salam Allah ?ala duniya ?alal ensaan
In morning dew
A glorious scene came through
Like war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
To you~~~In recognition of September 11, 2001 Sarah Brightman; The War Is Over
This experience happened on Tuesday...
I'm in a Private Conversation with Nestor Hernandez, the Executive Director of the The Belle Center~~~Touting My Results-oriented Role in The Portal Program. There are a number of 'dynamics' going on right now at The Belle Center with this AmeriCorps Buffalo transition, and I want to make sure that All of the items that were supposedly placed on the table, on my behalf, are still on the table. I'm stressing to him how I enjoy what I am doing, and doing well; how I seem to have found a Calling~~~like a Priest!! The Finance Director, Joanna Hernandez, just happens to walk in~~~and imparts... "No Nestor, you ought to hear him on the phone!!"
"Oh, My God, I am heartily sorry...!!!
Alright!!! Maybe not a Priest!!! One effective Operations specialist, though.
One Big Happy Family at The Belle Center!!
On Wednesday; an Anniversary of sorts: September 8, 1990 was the beginning of an amazing 4 year Journey. And coincidental to that, was the Buffalo Bills odyssey to four consecutive Super Bowl adventures. The 4 year journey for me personally, was being part of the CHRISTMAS SEASON FULL/TIME Night-Crew at TOYS R US. For the first time since that era, as a 20-Year-Recognition of sorts, I visited the TOYS R US Sheridan Drive location, Wednesday. Through that 4-Year sojourn, among other things, I had gotten to KNOW some really Good People. In particular, I reconnected with a Genuine Article that I hadn't seen since my grade school days.
The Belle Center experience---that justified a photo-op:
This essay is written in recognition to Dr. Jack Norton EdD, who did a yeoman's job moderating all the AmeriCorps Buffalo, Meaning-Of-Service, discussion groups. The first discussion had as its subject matter prose by Pablo Neruda, title: THE LAMB and The PINE CONE~~~
The Lamb and the Pinecone One time, investigating in the backyard of our house in Temuco the tiny objects and minuscule beings of my world, I came upon a hole in one of the boards of the fence. I looked through the hole and saw a landscape like that behind our house, uncared for and wild. I moved back a few steps, because I sensed vaguely that something was about to happen. All of a sudden a hand appeared-a tiny hand of a boy about my own age. By the time I came close again, the hand was gone, and in its place there was a marvelous white sheep. The sheep's wool was faded. Its wheels had escaped. All of this only made it more authentic. I had never seen such a wonderful sheep. I looked back through the hole but the boy had disappeared. I went into the house and brought out a treasure of my own: a pinecone, opened, filled of odor and resin, which I adored. I set it down in the same spot and went off with the sheep. I never saw either the hand or the boy again. And I have never again seen a sheep like that either. The toy I lost finally in a fire. But even now, in 1954, almost fifty years old, whenever I pass a toy shop, I look furtively into the window, but it's no use. They don't make sheep like that any more. I have been a lucky man. To feel the intimacy of brothers is a marvelous thing in life. To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life. But to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know, from those unknown to us, who are watching over our sleep and solitude, over our dangers and our weaknesses-that is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being and unites living things. That exchange brought home to me for the first time a precious idea: that all of humanity is somehow together. That experience came to me again much later; this time it stood out strikingly against a background of trouble and persecution. It won't surprise you then that I attempted to give something resiny, earthlike, and fragrant in exchange for human brotherhood. Just as I once left the pinecone by the fence, I have since left my words on the door of so many people who were unknown to me, people in prison, or hunted, or alone. That is the great lesson I learned in my childhood, in the backyard of a lonely house. Maybe it was nothing but a game two boys played who didn't know each other and wanted to pass to the other some good things of life. Yet maybe this small and mysterious exchange of gifts remained inside me also, deep and indestructible, giving my poetry light.
These discussion groups were somewhat of an enigma. While they were supposed to foster togetherness and motivation toward community-outreach and service, because of the cultural, economic, social, and racial mixes, these discussions were always lively and often had a degree of tension that would surface and sometimes escalate.
The Lamb and the Pinecone, like so much prose and poetry is wide open to interpretation. For me, I saw the prose along color lines. I saw the lamb as non-descript; white. I saw Pablo using the Pine Cone to highlight the vitality and brilliance of the people of color. I could feel Neruda's energy exude in finding, then using, the extended prose to encompass the radiance, the appeal, the captive audience of the Pine cone. And I must admit, as I go through my daily affairs at The Belle Center, and invariably interact with its many different hues and color tones of people, I have to admit that I am just as fascinated by the brilliance of the Pine Cone.
I now have a Pine Cone suspended from the passenger-side visor slip-clip, in my Dodge Minivan. To have Dr Jack Norton EdD know of this significance to his work, I had him come out and photograph the vignette. The photograph is of such relevance to me that it is earmarked to be my FACEBOOK Profile Photo. I'm thinking that Dr Jack may put the photo and excerpts of this essay in an upcoming 'NEWSLETTER' to explain the motivation that had the Pine Cone ultimately end up as part of my vehicle-interior persona.
Friday AM; on my way to The Belle Center:
I'm in the westbound lane of Hertel Ave. waiting for the signal light at Niagara St. to change. I'm a few vehicles back and there is a Metro bus up in the front of all this so, invariably, I know I'm going to be stationary for a couple of light changes. While waiting, I'm observing something that is so richly, and profoundly beautiful that I saw it as the quintessential tapestry of Love. At the Hertel Ave eastbound bus stop was standing The Manifestation of Motherhood. At the bus stop, with her back to me, stood a young woman. She was in her Riverside everyday-wear, with an accompanying fall jacket as the morning was a bit brisk. This young mother had a toddler child nestled tightly to her upper left side. The way she held the child, it was evident that she adored the little one. And in this freeze-frame it was evident that the child knew of a bliss that had him know that heaven did exist on earth; in the warmth and enclosure of his Mother's arms. The peace and harmony was so exquisite that he did not even budge.
I was so moved by this moment-in-time that as the traffic finally started to advance, I decided to lower the driver's side window. As the window lowered, I tapped the horn softly twice, put out my left-hand to display a 'thumbs-up' and coincidentally called out...Good Mother! As I was now getting beyond her I could see out of the corner of my eye, her turning toward me and just starting to put an acknowledging smile on her face.
Humanity can tug at your heart~~~if you let it.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
...Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
(Arabic singing by Kadim Al Sahir)
Salam allah ?ala duniya ?alal ensaan
Ah ah ah mata na?aya bi?ub wa aman
Salam Allah
Salam Allah
Salam Allah ?ala duniya ?alal ensaan
In morning dew
A glorious scene came through
Like war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
To you~~~In recognition of September 11, 2001 Sarah Brightman; The War Is Over
This experience happened on Tuesday...
I'm in a Private Conversation with Nestor Hernandez, the Executive Director of the The Belle Center~~~Touting My Results-oriented Role in The Portal Program. There are a number of 'dynamics' going on right now at The Belle Center with this AmeriCorps Buffalo transition, and I want to make sure that All of the items that were supposedly placed on the table, on my behalf, are still on the table. I'm stressing to him how I enjoy what I am doing, and doing well; how I seem to have found a Calling~~~like a Priest!! The Finance Director, Joanna Hernandez, just happens to walk in~~~and imparts... "No Nestor, you ought to hear him on the phone!!"
"Oh, My God, I am heartily sorry...!!!
Alright!!! Maybe not a Priest!!! One effective Operations specialist, though.
One Big Happy Family at The Belle Center!!
On Wednesday; an Anniversary of sorts: September 8, 1990 was the beginning of an amazing 4 year Journey. And coincidental to that, was the Buffalo Bills odyssey to four consecutive Super Bowl adventures. The 4 year journey for me personally, was being part of the CHRISTMAS SEASON FULL/TIME Night-Crew at TOYS R US. For the first time since that era, as a 20-Year-Recognition of sorts, I visited the TOYS R US Sheridan Drive location, Wednesday. Through that 4-Year sojourn, among other things, I had gotten to KNOW some really Good People. In particular, I reconnected with a Genuine Article that I hadn't seen since my grade school days.
The Belle Center experience---that justified a photo-op:
This essay is written in recognition to Dr. Jack Norton EdD, who did a yeoman's job moderating all the AmeriCorps Buffalo, Meaning-Of-Service, discussion groups. The first discussion had as its subject matter prose by Pablo Neruda, title: THE LAMB and The PINE CONE~~~
The Lamb and the Pinecone One time, investigating in the backyard of our house in Temuco the tiny objects and minuscule beings of my world, I came upon a hole in one of the boards of the fence. I looked through the hole and saw a landscape like that behind our house, uncared for and wild. I moved back a few steps, because I sensed vaguely that something was about to happen. All of a sudden a hand appeared-a tiny hand of a boy about my own age. By the time I came close again, the hand was gone, and in its place there was a marvelous white sheep. The sheep's wool was faded. Its wheels had escaped. All of this only made it more authentic. I had never seen such a wonderful sheep. I looked back through the hole but the boy had disappeared. I went into the house and brought out a treasure of my own: a pinecone, opened, filled of odor and resin, which I adored. I set it down in the same spot and went off with the sheep. I never saw either the hand or the boy again. And I have never again seen a sheep like that either. The toy I lost finally in a fire. But even now, in 1954, almost fifty years old, whenever I pass a toy shop, I look furtively into the window, but it's no use. They don't make sheep like that any more. I have been a lucky man. To feel the intimacy of brothers is a marvelous thing in life. To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life. But to feel the affection that comes from those whom we do not know, from those unknown to us, who are watching over our sleep and solitude, over our dangers and our weaknesses-that is something still greater and more beautiful because it widens out the boundaries of our being and unites living things. That exchange brought home to me for the first time a precious idea: that all of humanity is somehow together. That experience came to me again much later; this time it stood out strikingly against a background of trouble and persecution. It won't surprise you then that I attempted to give something resiny, earthlike, and fragrant in exchange for human brotherhood. Just as I once left the pinecone by the fence, I have since left my words on the door of so many people who were unknown to me, people in prison, or hunted, or alone. That is the great lesson I learned in my childhood, in the backyard of a lonely house. Maybe it was nothing but a game two boys played who didn't know each other and wanted to pass to the other some good things of life. Yet maybe this small and mysterious exchange of gifts remained inside me also, deep and indestructible, giving my poetry light.
These discussion groups were somewhat of an enigma. While they were supposed to foster togetherness and motivation toward community-outreach and service, because of the cultural, economic, social, and racial mixes, these discussions were always lively and often had a degree of tension that would surface and sometimes escalate.
The Lamb and the Pinecone, like so much prose and poetry is wide open to interpretation. For me, I saw the prose along color lines. I saw the lamb as non-descript; white. I saw Pablo using the Pine Cone to highlight the vitality and brilliance of the people of color. I could feel Neruda's energy exude in finding, then using, the extended prose to encompass the radiance, the appeal, the captive audience of the Pine cone. And I must admit, as I go through my daily affairs at The Belle Center, and invariably interact with its many different hues and color tones of people, I have to admit that I am just as fascinated by the brilliance of the Pine Cone.
I now have a Pine Cone suspended from the passenger-side visor slip-clip, in my Dodge Minivan. To have Dr Jack Norton EdD know of this significance to his work, I had him come out and photograph the vignette. The photograph is of such relevance to me that it is earmarked to be my FACEBOOK Profile Photo. I'm thinking that Dr Jack may put the photo and excerpts of this essay in an upcoming 'NEWSLETTER' to explain the motivation that had the Pine Cone ultimately end up as part of my vehicle-interior persona.
Friday AM; on my way to The Belle Center:
I'm in the westbound lane of Hertel Ave. waiting for the signal light at Niagara St. to change. I'm a few vehicles back and there is a Metro bus up in the front of all this so, invariably, I know I'm going to be stationary for a couple of light changes. While waiting, I'm observing something that is so richly, and profoundly beautiful that I saw it as the quintessential tapestry of Love. At the Hertel Ave eastbound bus stop was standing The Manifestation of Motherhood. At the bus stop, with her back to me, stood a young woman. She was in her Riverside everyday-wear, with an accompanying fall jacket as the morning was a bit brisk. This young mother had a toddler child nestled tightly to her upper left side. The way she held the child, it was evident that she adored the little one. And in this freeze-frame it was evident that the child knew of a bliss that had him know that heaven did exist on earth; in the warmth and enclosure of his Mother's arms. The peace and harmony was so exquisite that he did not even budge.
I was so moved by this moment-in-time that as the traffic finally started to advance, I decided to lower the driver's side window. As the window lowered, I tapped the horn softly twice, put out my left-hand to display a 'thumbs-up' and coincidentally called out...Good Mother! As I was now getting beyond her I could see out of the corner of my eye, her turning toward me and just starting to put an acknowledging smile on her face.
Humanity can tug at your heart~~~if you let it.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Friday, September 3, 2010
HE does Work in Mysterious Ways!!!!
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
Love will come and time will go.
But there is something you should know.
I can't live ... without you.
Always thought I knew it all.
Your's is not the truth to call.
Anytime ... I'm yours. Do You Wanna Be Loved~~~Sarah Brightman
I was in a bit of a melancholy mood, Tuesday, 30 August 2010. I was in an early AM employment interview, in Lockport NY. The position was for a Fleet Dispatcher in a family-run tanker business. While the pay was good, the hours would be taxing, including working holidays, and rotating between first and second shift. At 59 years old, I just did not want to be put in a position where I was 'still-paying-my-dues' by getting up at 4AM to be in Lockport at 6AM, and being 'on-call' because the 'slip-seat' operation always had drivers on duty and therefore possibly in need of dispatch directives. The Company had 10 of their own drivers that delivered locally, and had 4 company drivers that 'worked' their tanker-trucks from the Scottsville, NY base-station. Besides this, the Tanker Company, used three outside tanker-companies on a sub-contract-basis, to get THEIR customer's fuel delivered. In-effect, the candidate is going to be 'on-call', always.
In the second hour of the interview process, with the second person now interviewing me, I did something that I had NEVER EVER done before. I excused myself to the interviewer, and replied that I was Respectfully Declining the offer.
Certainly, if I was younger, and had more 'juice' in my batteries, I would have 'jumped' on the offer. But then again, I was probably called in for the interview because of what WAS on the Resume; the result of almost 35 years experience~~~and, not a greenhorn.
I was in a very glum disposition all day. It took a heart & soul conversation with my Mother-in-Law, my USMC son Philip, and a very very DEAR Friend of mine, to help me get out of my funk.
And yes, for those that are reading this and wondering about 'that', I am still wondering about 'that', too. Everybody has their priorities, and apparently being with a friend, was important than being with a husband. On many different levels, at this point, THAT is yesterday's news, as well.
So what do I find out this Wednesday, 1 September 2010, in the AM, in a conversation with Daytaun Antonetti of Americorps Buffalo; The Belle Center!?!?!? They, the Americorps Buffalo operatives got a phone-call at 4:30PM Tuesday, advising that 'funds' have 'BECOME'(what, is this an osmosis thing!) available to see AmeriCorps Buffalo through to the end of the year!! And!!! With more detail requested on the 'DIRECTIONS' of the programs already in place(like come on, how much more DETAIL do these politicos need?), there is a definite hand being held out to providing funds for AmeriCorps Buffalo to continue through 2011!!!!
During the morning of Thursday, 2 September 2010, Nestor Hernandez, the Director of The Belle Center, made an official announcement substantiating the information that was imparted the day previous by Daytuan. Funds are in place to underwrite AmeriCorps Buffalo~~~for another year!! When Nestor came to tell me, and in the process shaking my hand, my eyes starting watering. I was just so grateful.
Thank you, Lord, Jesus Christ, for prayers answered.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise!!
Wednesday's Child!!!
Love will come and time will go.
But there is something you should know.
I can't live ... without you.
Always thought I knew it all.
Your's is not the truth to call.
Anytime ... I'm yours. Do You Wanna Be Loved~~~Sarah Brightman
I was in a bit of a melancholy mood, Tuesday, 30 August 2010. I was in an early AM employment interview, in Lockport NY. The position was for a Fleet Dispatcher in a family-run tanker business. While the pay was good, the hours would be taxing, including working holidays, and rotating between first and second shift. At 59 years old, I just did not want to be put in a position where I was 'still-paying-my-dues' by getting up at 4AM to be in Lockport at 6AM, and being 'on-call' because the 'slip-seat' operation always had drivers on duty and therefore possibly in need of dispatch directives. The Company had 10 of their own drivers that delivered locally, and had 4 company drivers that 'worked' their tanker-trucks from the Scottsville, NY base-station. Besides this, the Tanker Company, used three outside tanker-companies on a sub-contract-basis, to get THEIR customer's fuel delivered. In-effect, the candidate is going to be 'on-call', always.
In the second hour of the interview process, with the second person now interviewing me, I did something that I had NEVER EVER done before. I excused myself to the interviewer, and replied that I was Respectfully Declining the offer.
Certainly, if I was younger, and had more 'juice' in my batteries, I would have 'jumped' on the offer. But then again, I was probably called in for the interview because of what WAS on the Resume; the result of almost 35 years experience~~~and, not a greenhorn.
I was in a very glum disposition all day. It took a heart & soul conversation with my Mother-in-Law, my USMC son Philip, and a very very DEAR Friend of mine, to help me get out of my funk.
And yes, for those that are reading this and wondering about 'that', I am still wondering about 'that', too. Everybody has their priorities, and apparently being with a friend, was important than being with a husband. On many different levels, at this point, THAT is yesterday's news, as well.
So what do I find out this Wednesday, 1 September 2010, in the AM, in a conversation with Daytaun Antonetti of Americorps Buffalo; The Belle Center!?!?!? They, the Americorps Buffalo operatives got a phone-call at 4:30PM Tuesday, advising that 'funds' have 'BECOME'(what, is this an osmosis thing!) available to see AmeriCorps Buffalo through to the end of the year!! And!!! With more detail requested on the 'DIRECTIONS' of the programs already in place(like come on, how much more DETAIL do these politicos need?), there is a definite hand being held out to providing funds for AmeriCorps Buffalo to continue through 2011!!!!
During the morning of Thursday, 2 September 2010, Nestor Hernandez, the Director of The Belle Center, made an official announcement substantiating the information that was imparted the day previous by Daytuan. Funds are in place to underwrite AmeriCorps Buffalo~~~for another year!! When Nestor came to tell me, and in the process shaking my hand, my eyes starting watering. I was just so grateful.
Thank you, Lord, Jesus Christ, for prayers answered.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise!!
Wednesday's Child!!!
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