Latest news with #JimPerry
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Newspaper seeks public release of Centennial Park feasibility study
Niagara Falls City Council Chairman Jim Perry has talked with Mayor Robert Restaino about the unreleased feasibility study for the proposed Centennial Park arena and events campus and said he's encouraged by what he's been told about it so far. In response to questions from the Niagara Gazette on Thursday, Perry did not say whether he would support releasing the study to the public in response to a Freedom of Information Law request filed by the newspaper. Instead, Perry said he spoke to city attorney Tom DeBoy who acknowledged receipt of the newspaper's formal request for the document and was assured that the city's legal department is working on it. 'I'm not part of that process, but (DeBoy) assured me it's being done,' Perry said on Thursday. Restaino confirmed in an interview with the members of the local press on May 13 that he received what he described as an incomplete version of the study, which was prepared by the private Florida-based consulting firm Sports Facilities Advisory, LLC at a cost of $140,000, plus expenses. While he has since indicated that the study results support the city building Centennial Park, he has declined to release the contents publicly. In an interview with the Gazette earlier this week, Restaino said he intends to do so by the end of the month after the results are shared with 'stakeholders,' namely representatives from New York's lead economy development agency Empire State Development Corp. and National Grid, the two entities that covered the city's cost for the study. 'One of the things we will do is meet with the stakeholders who paid for the study and show it to them,' Restaino told the Gazette in an interview earlier this week. 'And then we'll release it to the public. This month everything is going to be out in the open.' During an appearance on Monday on 'Your Community Accountability with Sam and Jon,' a Falls-based social media program aired on Facebook and YouTube, Perry said he has had a 'lot of discussions about it' and that it 'looks positive.' On Thursday, Perry told the newspaper he hadn't seen the study but had talked to the mayor about it. 'I can't share everything because this will be up to the mayor to unveil, but this project should be one of the more positive advancements to our local economy I've seen in my 70-plus years here in the city if everything falls into place,' Perry said. On Thursday, the newspaper filed a formal Freedom of Information request with the city's legal department and clerk's office, requesting a copy of the study from Restaino's administration. The newspaper's request cited two opinions from the New York State Committee on Open Government that indicate state law allows public agencies to release documents in their possession even in instances where they are considered to be drafts or incomplete. 'Draft records are subject to FOIL,' said Paul Wolf, a Williamsville attorney and founder of the government transparency group, the New York Coalition for Open Government. The city clerk's office acknowledged the newspaper's request on Thursday afternoon. Under state law, public agencies are allowed up to 20 business days to either grant or deny requests for information. In its initial response, the city clerk's office indicated that should 'circumstances arise' that prevent the delivery of a response within 20 business, the newspaper would be contacted with a 'new response date.' 'Examples of circumstances that may lead to extended response times include staff shortages, requests for a large volume of records and requests that require significant document redaction and/or seek documents that are not maintained electronically,' the response from the clerk's office notes. The results of the feasibility study are expected to more clearly define elements of the Centennial Park project and shed light on whether it would, as proposed, be viable in the Falls. A previous arena study, commissioned by Niagara County in 2017, concluded that the city lacked a sufficient number of hotel rooms needed to support such a project at that time. City officials, including Restaino and Perry, are seeking to acquire, using the city's power of eminent domain, 10 acres of land currently owned by the private firm Niagara Falls Redevelopment for the purposes of building Centennial Park. The courts have sided with the city's argument that it has the right to forcibly acquire the property — located off John B. Daly Boulevard at the intersection of 10th and Falls streets — for the purposes of developing the 'park.' The city is currently engaged in litigation, arguing that 5 of those 10 acres are actually still owned by the city as NFR failed, more than a decade ago, to properly obtain permission from the state to annex what was at the time public parkland formerly known as 10th Street park. NFR is disputing the city's position in court. The company also insists it intends to use the 10 acres for the first phase of a project of its own, a proposed $1.5 billion data center it says it intends to build in partnership with the Canadian firm, Urbacon. During his interview on Sam Archie's social media program on Monday, Perry backed the city's position that the city, not NFR, owns the 5 acres because it was formerly public parkland that was never properly acquired by the company. He said he agrees with the city's position based on maps and other documents that show the area in question was a public park dating back to the 1940s. 'A park is a park forever until you get that it is no longer parkland by permission from the state,' he said. 'When it was transferred over, those papers were never filed,' he added. 'You can argue all you want, that is still a park. Unless it's done legally, there is no claim to it.' As to NFR — a company owned by the Milstein family of real estate developers in New York City — Perry said the city has heard 30 years of promises and stories from the company with no tangible results. He also said there 'is no two solutions,' a reference to what some residents and officials have suggested could be a compromise that would allow both projects to happen. 'The convention center is real,' Perry said, referring to Centennial Park, 'and I know that because I've been working on issues and I've been talking to people. The data center, to me, is another pie in the sky.' 'If we gave this fight up tomorrow, (and said), 'OK, you guys can have the park, we'll do the paperwork and turn it over to you.' Let them have it, turn it over to NFR, all the stuff, you know what's going to happen? They are going to say, 'Well, you took so long Urbacon's not interested in it anymore' because that's the M.O.' Perry did concede in his interview with show host Sam Archie that, if the city is successful in its claim for the 5 acres, it may be required to reimburse NFR for taxes paid on the property in the past. 'I would assume that is correct,' Perry said.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Perry defends city's actions on 'garden' property
Niagara Falls City Council Chairman Jim Perry on Tuesday strongly defended the city's decision to issue clean neighborhood ordinance violations and deliver a cleanup bill totaling nearly $2,300 to the occupants of an Ontario Avenue home where family members have maintained a garden covering the front yard for several years. In defending the city's actions as justified, Perry publicly chastised the newspaper's coverage of the situation in a social media post that was shared on the official Facebook page of the mayor of the City of Niagara Falls. That criticism comes despite the paper's repeated attempts to contact city officials about the property. Perry suggested in his post that the Gazette failed to document the true condition of the property, which the newspaper described in two previous stories as having a garden planted in the front yard by the occupants — Justine Burger, her fiancee Kenneth Johnson, and their three children, ages 2, 4 and 15. In his post, Perry said the photo used for the previous Gazette story, which was taken from the couple's Facebook page, was 'in no way representative of what the house looked like' when the city began investigating complaints about the property's condition. 'I was always one who was very much in support of my hometown newspaper,' Perry wrote. 'I always thought it was necessary to bring real news to the community. People who pointed to the news and said it was biased were just disgruntled, but a recent articles in the Niagara Gazette has me on the verge of canceling my subscription. I know it is no big deal, just one more person deciding not to buy the local paper, but now that I am in the government and I see the facts and then see the one-sided articles being written, I can't sit quietly without saying something.' In his post, Perry described the newspaper's report not as a news story but rather a 'blatant twist of facts.' Perry said he received 'many complaints' from neighbors about the condition of the couple's property. He posted on social media several photos he said he received weeks before the city took any action. The Gazette published some of those photos as part of today's coverage. 'One of the neighbors wrote to me that these conditions have been like this for over two years, and it was time something was done,' Perry said. 'They told me the condition of the home was attracting rats due to feces in the yard being left there and not being disposed of.' What Perry did not acknowledge in his post, despite a request from the newspaper to do so, was that the Gazette emailed City Administrator Anthony Restaino at 11 a.m. Monday, requesting additional information about the property and asking if the administration could share any photos or prior complaints about its condition. 'We welcome any comment the city may have and I would welcome the opportunity to speak directly to DPW Director Ken Tompkins if the administration clears him to do so,' the reporter noted in Monday's email. 'Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.' The city administrator did not respond to the email, nor did any representative from the administration. That followed a request sent to the city administrator on April 23 asking to speak with someone from the city about the situation. Burger's family has in recent years used the front of the property they have rented at 2627 Ontario Ave. as an area for planting flowers and vegetables. Their garden area included cinderblocks and logs and extended from their porch to the sidewalk and from the sidewalk to the street, an area that is considered part of the public right of way. On April 21 — the Monday after Easter — a crew from the city's Department of Public Works visited the property and hauled away the cinder blocks, logs and other materials. The crew also cleaned up the side of the house and the backyard, where they removed a refrigerator with a door on it that DPW officials said posed a danger to children. On Monday, Anthony Restaino said the cleanup followed an April 3 notice to the occupants of violations of the city's Clean Neighborhood Ordinance, which enforces standards for property maintenance and cleanliness, including waste disposal, vehicle storage, and grass length. The ordinance allows the city to remove any 'violating condition' and seek reimbursement of 'cleanup costs, disbursement and handling fee and an administrative penalty payable by the owner or occupant. Burger said DPW crew members told her they were sent to the house in response to a complaint from an unidentified neighbor. She said she was told by a secretary in the DPW office that the complaint was received on March 21. She said the same secretary also told her the complaint had been 'cleared' on April 14, about a week before city crews arrived to clear out her property. On Friday, Burger and Johnson received a bill from the city for $2,296 that included costs for the cleanup as well as a charge based on the weight of the materials removed from the property by DPW employees. In an interview on Tuesday, Burger said the photos taken by the DPW and shared by Perry showed the condition of her family's property earlier this month and that they showed the remnants of their garden following the winter months. She said the photos did not represent what the property looks like in spring and summer when it is in full bloom. She said her family intended, once the weather started to improve, to begin working on the yard and replanting their garden. 'We take care of our yard every year. This is something we do every year. It was like spring mode for us. We were in the process of cleaning up,' she said. Burger said she took strong exception to Perry's questioning the safety of her children, including her teenage son who has autism while referencing the city's need to remove the danger that the refrigerator posed. 'The lady in the article was quoted as saying it was something that made her autistic son happy,' Perry wrote. 'I was told by a couple of the city workers that there was a refrigerator in her backyard with the door still attached. Now if I had a child and was concerned about his welfare, autistic or not, isn't that something to be concerned about?' Previous stories published by the Gazette about the issue generated hundreds of comments on the newspaper's Facebook page, with the majority of them supporting the couple while criticizing city officials for cleaning their property and fining them when there are many other neglected and unsightly properties, both personal and commercial, across the Falls. The family started a GoFundMe page to raise money to cover the cost of the fine. As of Tuesday, it had raised $650. 'We're overjoyed. It's definitely a blessing,' Burger said of the community's support. Multiple media outlets reported that Mayor Robert Restaino is expected to release a statement and a timeline of the city's response to the property on Wednesday.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Trinity Consultants Acquires Jaffe Holden
The acquisition strengthens Trinity's position as one of the world's leading architectural and acoustical design consultancies. DALLAS, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinity Consultants, a leading global environmental consulting firm providing services and solutions in the built environment, EHS regulatory compliance, life sciences, and water and ecology markets, today announced its acquisition of Jaffe Holden, a Connecticut-based provider of acoustic design and audio and video services for performing arts, educational and cultural spaces. The company will operate within Trinity's built environment business, combining its acoustical capabilities with Cerami, Valcoustics and Longman Lindsey. Since 1968, Jaffe Holden has cemented its reputation for inspiring sensory experiences in some of the world's most iconic facilities, including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Julliard School, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, The Kennedy Center, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and the Tokyo International Forum. Together with Cerami, Longman Lindsey and Valcoustics, Trinity has more than 150 years of combined experience in delivering exceptional sound solutions to architects, engineers, planners, developers, builders and government entities. 'Jaffe Holden shares our passion for unearthing hidden acoustic and technical possibilities for the spaces where we live, work, play and connect,' said Jim Perry, managing director at Cerami & Associates, a Trinity Consultants company. 'The company's esteemed reputation and complementary services will be a strategic asset to Trinity as we enter our next chapter of growth and innovation. We're excited to partner with their team to orchestrate symphonies of space and sound.' Mark Holden, Matt Nichols, Matt Kulinski and the rest of Jaffe Holden leadership team will continue to be key leaders within Trinity's built environment division. They will report directly to Perry. 'We're honored to join forces with a renowned environmental, acoustic design and technology consultancy that works with world-class organizations and architects on iconic projects around the world,' Holden said. 'This partnership allows us to expand into new markets and design acoustical marvels that push the envelope on what's possible for the employees, clients, partners and communities we serve.' The merger comes at a pivotal time in Trinity's rich 50-year history as it continues to expand and evolve to bring new capabilities to market via strategic organic growth and acquisitions while empowering clients to achieve new levels of success. To learn more about Trinity Consultants and its services and leadership team, visit About Jaffe Holden Jaffe Holden is one of the world's leading architectural, audio and video, and acoustical design consultancies. From the pre-design phase to post-opening tuning and commissioning, the firm provides room acoustic design, building sound isolation, building systems noise and vibration control, and audio and video system design to performing arts, educational and cultural spaces worldwide. About Trinity Consultants Trinity Consultants, a leading global environmental consulting firm, provides services and solutions in the EHS regulatory compliance, built environment, life sciences, and water and ecology markets. Founded in 1974, Trinity has the technical expertise, industry depth and capabilities to help clients achieve their goals across the natural and built environments.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 SMX Next Scouting Moto Combine Schedule
Here is the press release from MX Sports: Outdoor Component of Amateur Development Program Expands to Three Venues MORGANTOWN, (January 29, 2025) – MX Sports Pro Racing, in conjunction with the SMX LeagueTM, has announced the details of SMX Next – Motocross for the 2025 season, which will consist of a trio of Scouting Moto Combine presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare events. The outdoor component of SMX Next will run in conjunction with three rounds of the upcoming Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The first Scouting Moto Combine event will take place at the Hangtown Motocross Classic on May 30, followed by the second at the RedBud National on July 4, and concluding with the Ironman National on August 8. The SMX Next program combines the three Scouting Moto Combines with Feld Motor Sports' five-race SMX Next – Supercross program and culminates with the SMX Next World All-Stars during the SMX World ChampionshipTM Playoffs for a season-long collaborative effort to cultivate the development of top prospects from the talent-laden amateur level of the sport. SMX Next will officially commence for the 2025 season this Saturday at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship round from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which will host the first SMX Next – Supercross event of the year. 'SMX Next continues to be one of the most groundbreaking initiatives this sport has implemented in its illustrious history, as it has greatly benefited the ongoing development and skill progression of the sport's most promising young athletes,' said Jim Perry, Program Director for the Scouting Moto Combine. 'The Scouting Moto Combine has played an integral part in the success of the program and will expand to include three events for the 2025 season, with the focus on providing more opportunities for the next generation of racers to experience competition at the highest level. We're eager to bring together a new collection of prospects this outdoor season and provide them with proven hands-on guidance that has fostered a wealth of success at the professional level.' Each Scouting Moto Combine event will take place on Friday, the eve of each respective National, bringing together 25 up-and-coming prospects from the highly competitive ranks of amateur motocross. Many of the racers boast a decorated résumé filled with success at various AMA Amateur Motocross Majors as well as the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, affectionately known as Loretta Lynn's. At the Combine, athletes are aligned with a group of riders coaches who offer mentorship, insight, and guidance into professional racing. This esteemed collective of coaches includes the likes of AMA Hall of Famer Broc Glover, former multi-time champion Chad Reed, and other championship caliber stalwarts from years past. In addition to coaching, Combine participants receive education on other aspects of competition such as health, fitness, and nutrition, as well as media engagement. The group of prospects is determined through a collaborative effort with American motocross' competing manufacturers in GASGAS, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. While the Combine is a focal point each Friday at the selected events, its inclusion extends into the fanfare of Saturday's National with a commemorative parade lap in front of the thousands of fans in attendance. 2025 SMX Next – Motocross // Scouting Moto Combine EventsMay 30 Hangtown Motocross Classic Rancho Cordova, 4 RedBud National Buchanan, 8 Ironman National Crawfordsville, Ind. The growing list of graduates from the Scouting Moto Combine and SMX Next as a whole continue to make a significant impact at the professional level, led by its most successful alum in reigning back-to-back SMX World Champion and defending Pro Motocross 250 Class Champion Haiden Deegan. At the most recent round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Anaheim, California, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider led a 250SX Class podium comprised of a trio of SMX Next graduates that also included Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Julien Beaumer, in second, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rookie Cole Davies, last year's SMX Next – Supercross AMA National Champion, in third for his maiden podium result. Beaumer, who captured his first career victory just two weeks ago, currently sits atop the 250SX West Region standings in possession of the red plate.
