Latest news with #Borgatti
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dem chair seeks to remove Casale from ballot
The head of Niagara County's Democratic Party has filed a legal challenge aimed at knocking the county's former economic development commissioner Mike Casale off the ballot in both the primary and general elections for a legislative seat in Lewiston. In a lawsuit filed last week in State Supreme Court in Niagara County, Democratic Party Chairman Chris Borgatti argues that Casale can't legally assume Republican and Conservative ballot positions left vacant by outgoing Second District Legislator Becky Wydysh's decision to decline the nominations. Wydysh, who serves as the county's deputy commissioner of jurors, confirmed earlier this month that her employer, the New York State Office of Court Administration, denied her most recent request to hold a second job as a legislator beyond her current term. State court employees are not allowed to hold second jobs, including that of legislators, without obtaining prior approval from the OCA. Although Wydysh received permission to hold a side job as a legislator on five prior occasions, her bosses denied her request, without providing a reason, this year. Because her most recent approval letter, which she secured in 2023, authorized her to serve as a legislator for a full term she can remain in her current position as a legislator and legislature chair through Dec. 31, 2025. In his legal claim, Borgatti contends Wydysh needed permission to seek reelection from her employer 'prior' to circulating nominations and, because she did not have it when the process started, petitions passed in her name should be deemed ineligible. Earlier this month, Wydysh declined to accept nominating petitions circulated in her name, which allowed members of the committee to fill vacancies appearing on her petitions to endorse Casale as her replacement. Borgatti argues the switch shouldn't be allowed because Casale moved to fill Wydysh's vacancy 'with knowledge' that she was 'ineligible' to hold public office. 'Although knowing of her eligibility, Ms. Wydysh filed her designating petitions, and thereafter declined the designation one day after filing them, prompting her committee to fill vacancies to proceed with the nomination of a new candidate, improperly,' Borgatti asserts in his legal filing. Borgatti has asked the courts to invalidate Casale's certificate of acceptance for nominating petitions circulated in Wydysh's name and to print ballots for the June primary and November general elections without his name on them. In her formal response filed by her attorney in the matter, former Niagara County GOP Chairman Henry Wojtaszek denies all of Borgatti's claims, while suggesting the restrictions placed on Wydysh by her employer relate only to her employment, not to her ability to run for office or hold public office in Niagara County. 'Wydysh meets all the qualifications to serve as a Niagara County legislator,' Wojtaszek argues in Wydysh's formal response to Borgatti's claims. 'She will continue to meet these qualifications in January 2026 when the new county legislative term begins. Her Republican and Conservative designating petitions are, therefore, valid.' Niagara County GOP Chairman Rich Andres, R-North Tonawanda, agreed on Wednesday, saying Wydysh was not barred from circulating petitions in her name and that she is considered a qualified candidate to run for public office in the county. Had she proven successful in her reelection bid in the Second District race, he said she would have had to quit her full-time job in light of the OCA's stance that she could not hold a second job, which he described as 'ridiculous.' 'She would have had to determine if she wanted to do one or the other,' he said. 'She would have to make a decision and go from there. The permission was for her to serve. She was qualified to run by the standards that were set.' Andres suggested the same process has played out on five previous occasions for Wydysh without complaint or legal action from county Democrats. 'Is it his contention that at no point she should have passed petitions?' Andres said. 'She's done this exact move every time and every time except for this time and we've been through this before. This is not some new territory here. I can't believe it's even going to be heard by a court.' 'I guess throw it all against the wall and see what stick is what would be the motto over there,' he added. Arguments in the case are scheduled to be heard Friday in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice in Niagara County court.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LUCK OF THE DRAW: Trio of Ontario lottery players hit the jackpot
Mississauga retiree Carlos Nicolas has varied plans for the $1 million he scored playing Lotto Max last month. The father of three matched all seven Encore numbers in exact order in the March 21 draw and says he was shocked to find out he won. 'I went to the store and scanned my Lotto Max ticket using the ticket checker,' Nicolas told the OLG. 'When I saw the prize amount, I was amazed and asked the clerk to validate it. A man behind me said, 'Congratulations on winning $1 million!' I was very excited and shocked that I'd won. 'I headed home and revealed the incredible news to my wife. She was overwhelmed and in disbelief. She called our kids, and they were just as surprised.' As for his windfall plans, he says, 'I will invest for my retirement, pay some bills, travel, and share with my kids.' The winning ticket was bought at Stop & Go Convenience on Eglinton Ave. W. in Mississauga. Richard Borgatti of Welland, Ont., won $350,000 in the Instant Crossword Extreme. (OLG) It's taken two decades but Welland health-care worker Richard Borgatti won a $350,000 top prize with Instant Crossword Extreme. The father of two and grandfather of one has been playing the lottery a couple times a week for 20 years and is delighted about his first big win. 'I hadn't noticed my win until I scanned my ticket using the store's ticket checker,' Borgatti told OLG. 'I thought I'd won $3,500, and I was shocked. When I realized I'd actually won $350,000, I was in total disbelief. It was a very happy feeling. When I told my wife the news, of course, she didn't believe me. I had to get the store owner on the phone to convince her. Borgatti says travel is in the cards. 'Winning is an incredible feeling, like a weight lifted off my shoulders,' he said to OLG. 'My wife and I will travel to China to visit my son, who lives there. I'll also spoil my grandchild, and I plan to retire.' The winning ticket was bought at Best Mart on Rice Rd. in Welland. Northern Ontario health-care worker Jennifer Del Papa only plays the lottery occasionally so she's thrilled about her $175,000 win with The Big Spin Instant game. A walk to the store with her son and their dog led her to The Big Spin Wheel. 'It was around Christmas time, and I was enjoying the holidays with my family,' the Capreol woman told OLG. 'My son and I took our dog for a walk, and while we were out, I decided to pick up a The Big Spin ticket. When we got back home, I played my ticket and realized I'd won a Spinprize.' So she went back. 'I returned to the store with my son, expecting to win maybe $20,' Del Papa told OLG. 'When the lottery terminal froze, it was surreal and unbelievable. My son kept saying, 'You won!' but I couldn't wrap my head around it. I've been anticipating this moment for a few weeks. I was so focused on how to spin the wheel that I don't even know what I was feeling in that moment. I just knew I needed to grab that wheel and gun it! I can't believe I won $175,000!' Otherwise, Del Papa's going to let her win soak in before she decides what to do with it. 'This experience has been so fun and exciting,' she told OLG. 'The best part of the day was having my son and my husband here to cheer me on. I'm in no rush to spend my winnings. I want to put some thought into it before making any decisions, although today, we'll celebrate with ice cream.' The winning ticket was bought at Shell on Regional Road 84 in Capreol.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local catering businesses preparing for Super Bowl rush
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Catering businesses see sales skyrocket during the Super Bowl and local spots are preparing for big orders. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest days for the restaurant industry, but you may miss out if you order late. One of the biggest stresses of planning a party for the big game is the food. There are of course fan favorites like pizza and wings, but you'll want to secure your order early to make sure everyone is well-fed. Ed Borgatti with EB's restaurant told 22News why it's important to order ahead of time, 'What happens is you get closed out of those time slots right before the game, and that's the time everybody wants,' he says. 'So if you want those early times, the best times for pickup, you want to call in early. Then, sometimes we close out all the times if you don't call the day before or prior to, you're not going to get your order at all.' Americans across the country are expected to eat over one billion pounds of chicken wings during the big game alone. The food industry also faced recent struggles with the recent bird flu outbreak. The disease has impacted almost 23 million chickens in the past 30 days according to the Department of Agriculture. Despite the number of infections, Borgatti says this hasn't spiked the price of wings. 'The bird flu has very little if any effect on the price of actual chicken meat and I think you'll notice that in your stores,' the owner adds. 'We're getting price increases with the game and playoffs this time of year but those price increases are about normal were not seeing any extremes.' If you plan on cooking for football Sunday, you'll want to head to the grocery store as early as possible before big ticket items sell out. Heading to a restaurant might not be a bad idea, considering most people watch the Super Bowl from home. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
