Business First of Buffalo articles from November 1999

Business First of Buffalo archives from November 1999

Hospitals blame losses on low reimbursements.
November 29, 1999... The drama in Western New York's hospital industry is expected to continue as the area's facilities take steps to again offset year-end losses. Some in the health-care industry are predicting greater consolidation of hospital services,...

Parts war.
November 29, 1999... Delphi battles 7 producers for share of world market Competition has become so heated in the automotive industry that in order to contend for business over the next five years, Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems is quoting prices that are 15...

Grant helps Clarkson make payroll.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... A grant from an area foundation will allow the Clarkson Center to make payroll and pay its bills, preventing the financially struggling nonprofit from closing its doors, at least in the short term. Ronald Maier, head of the crisis...

Nichols launches building program.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Nichols School, one of Buffalo's oldest and most prestigious private schools, is on the verge of an $8 million face-lift to its North Buffalo campus. The multi-pronged construction project on the Amherst Street campus is the largest...

Empire cashes in on postgame TV market.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... In the old days -- say within the last 10 years -- the practice of keeping track of the Buffalo Bills immediately following each game was rainy limited. Upon conclusion, the alternative was to turn from the television broadcast to the...

5th Coast.
November 29, 1999... Thumbs up ... to a pilot program in Lackawanna High School that emphasizes academics for all athletes. The mandatory after-school study program tries to ensure the sports players are stars on and off the field, to paraphrase one of the...

Seeking the doofus vote.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Hillary won't need to do much campaigning if Rudy keeps shooting himself in the foot. The latest gaffe occurred when a TV commercial geared for Buffalo apparently mixed up our city with Rochester. Poor Rudy, it wasn't his first mistake....

State Power Authority extends rapids funding.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... The New York Power Authority has made a $50,000 commitment to fund nighttime illumination of the Niagara River rapids above the falls through 2003. NYPA has funded the lighting of the upper rapids since 1989 by reimbursing electricity...

D'Alba & Donovan form specialty firm.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... The founders of the D'Alba & Donovan CPAs P.C. have formed a new business to assist clients interested in purchasing and selling a business. The new company, called Paramax Corp., specializes in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures,...

Home health agencies receive high grades.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Western New York's Visiting Nursing Association and Advanced Home Care have earned high marks in a nationwide survey. Both are home health care agencies of Kaleida Health. The survey, coordinated by the University of Colorado,...

Clarifications & amplifications.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... Jim Sachs, a tax accountant at Freed Maxick Sachs & Murphy, was incorrectly identified in a Special Report story published Nov. 22.

Lamar signing on downtown.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... Two businesses that are looking to build new facilities in the City of Buffalo have presented their proposals to the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency. The agency, at its Nov. 24 meeting, was expected to consider requests from Lamar...

Comptek Research expands niche as defense contractor.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... Having achieved most of the strategic goals set in 1996, Comptek Research Inc. has begun the process of determining where it wants to be in the next century and how it will get there. The West Seneca defense contractor has retained CIBC...

First Union Securities chooses Amherst site.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... First Union Securities, the stockbrokerage and financial services arms of banking behemoth First Union Corp., will open its first Western New York office later this winter. First Union has signed a lease to occupy 7,000 square feet in a...

Future role of IDAs will center on effectiveness.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... A new sense of urgency, fueled in part by County Executive-elect Joel Giambra's recent victory, has sparked debate about the roles of the county's six industrial development agencies. The almost seasonal debate about whether the region...

UB launches campaign to boost business school.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... When the University at Buffalo was named among the top business schools in the nation by Business Week magazine last year, it marked the school's first appearance on the list since 1988. If Dean Lewis Mandell has anything to say about it,...

Partnerships pay off for schools, colleges.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... Area private schools are blurring the line between high school and college through partnerships with colleges and universities. Though advanced placement (AP) courses have long enabled high school students to gain college credits, these...

U.S. Labor Department honors WNY volunteers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... The U.S. Labor Department has honored a volunteer group in Western New York whose mission is to help the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provide safety and health protection to government employees in the same way it does for...

Pingtella, Duetsch split create pair of agencies.(TRC/Potter Group Inc. split into two agencies)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... The partners of TRC/Potter Group Inc. have, exercised mutual buyout options that have created two insurance agencies, both with familiar local names. Louis Pingtella, majority owner of TRC/Potter Group, and his former partner, Edward...

Property tax-free group homes upsets officials.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... An increasing number of group homes planned for Western New York and the state is invigorating interest in legislation that would require Albany to pay property taxes on these residences. "The time, to deal with it is now when our fiscal...

City housing projects get boost from grants.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... For several key city projects, Christmas came a little early this year. The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency recently allocated slightly more than $800,000 for direct programs that help neighborhood housing projects and programs plus another...

Hasek, Variety Club market 2000 calendar.
November 29, 1999... * SPORTS BUSINESS NOTES Hasek to break in new millennium for Variety Club. Buffalo Sabres' goalie Dominik Hasek is being featured in another fund-raising effort for the Variety Club of Buffalo. Hasek is appearing in a calendar called...

Many businesses to fix Y2K bug after it hits.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Up to 500,000 small businesses have decided to wait until Jan. 1 to see if they have any Year 2000 computer problems, figuring they can address any glitches after they occur, says the White House's Y2K czar. This "fixing on failure"...

Many firms also lack Y2K staffing plans.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... The Society for Human Resource Management finds it "alarming" that 44 percent of the businesses it surveyed have no contingency plans for Y2K problems around the New Year's holiday. Only 39 percent of the human resource professionals...

Franchise relationships going back to Congress.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Legislation aimed at protecting franchise owners from being abused by franchisors was reintroduced by Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C. The Small Business Franchise Act, which failed to pass Congress last year, would establish standards of...

SBA online classroom gains new resources.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... The Small Business Administration hooked up with Network Solutions Inc. and inc.com to beef up its Online Small Business Classroom. Network Solutions, a Herndon, Va.-based registrar of Web addresses, and inc.com, the Web site for Inc....

Prevention programs work, survey concludes.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Employers with ergonomics programs are less likely to have high rates of repetitive motion injuries, according to a survey of large companies in the manufacturing, transportation/communication, health and business services, and...

Chamber forms group for supply chain issues.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... The U.S. Chamber of Commerce formed a new Logistics Council to deal with supply chain issues impacting businesses. Third-party logistics providers have experienced explosive growth in recent years, thanks to advances in information...

Abatements help keep booming RSA in Amherst.
November 29, 1999... After considering impressive offers from Detroit, Dallas and Louisville, Remarketing Services of America Inc. has opted to remain and expand in Amherst. The automotive financial services company was approved for a series of abatements...

Bion peach experiment shows better production.
November 29, 1999... Bion Environmental Technologies Inc. has announced results of a study of the effect of its organic soil on peach trees. Bion, based in Denver with offices in Amherst, produces BionSoil through its nutrient management systems by treating...

New business incubator earns positive reviews.
November 29, 1999... The Southern Tier's most advanced business development center, equipped with sophisticated telecommunications capabilities and space for offices and light industry, is ready to provide training and sign up tenants. On Route 219 in the...

Web site provides link for WNY employers.
November 29, 1999... The New Millennium Group has launched a Web site aimed at linking employers and job-seekers. The site, at www.buffaloworks.net, is a free resource for employers seeking to fill $50,000-plus jobs. It also will have links to other...

Private secondary schools.
November 29, 1999... Private secondary schools Ranked by full-time enrollment Rank Prior rank (1998) 1 1 St. Joseph's Collegiate Institue 845 Kenmore Ave. ...

Manto takes last swing at major league dream.
November 29, 1999... In the spirit of the holiday, there are many, many, many -- too many -- in the sports world who ought to be down on bended knee this Thanksgiving giving thanks for the world of riches in which they live. Look no further than Shawn Green...

Poor planning carries big liabilities.
November 29, 1999... When it comes to estate planning, Benjamin Franklin's old saw, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes," couldn't be more appropriate. Ultimately the two are connected. For example, have you considered who would inherit and control the...

Hospice, Goodwill collaborate on thrift store.
November 29, 1999... In partnership with Goodwill Industries of WNY, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care will open a thrift store early next spring. Revenue from the new store, "Goodwill for Hospice," will help the agencies strengthen their respective...

Inflationary pressures get push from wages.
November 29, 1999... What's the most likely reason for a fall the stock market? If you said rising interest rates, you're a stock market guru. What would cause a rise in interest rates? If you said inflation, you're also an economic guru. It's generally...

Fleet leading lender in Northeast for SBA loans.
November 29, 1999... Fleet Bank, the Boston-based regional bank which ranks fourth in deposits in Western New York, said it ranks first among lenders of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans in the Northeast. In the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, Fleet...

Nonprofits must provide records.
November 29, 1999... The anticipated IRS regulations providing for the public inspection of a nonprofit organization's Form 990 and its application for exemption became effective June 8. The law requires an organization to immediately provide copies of its IRS...

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE ATTENDANCE TRACKER.
November 29, 1999... NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE ATTENDANCE TRACKER NFL SEASON-TO-DATE Team Dates Total Average Arizona Cardinals 6 354,453 59,076 Atlanta Falcons 5 293,300...

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS.
November 29, 1999... The Chicago-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy announced the winners of its 1999 Wright Spirit Award honoring those who have recognized the architect's genius and furthered his work. Among the honorees were: Jack Quinan, a...

State alters regulations for newly formed LLCs.
November 29, 1999... This week's column reviews bills approved by state lawmakers that have been recently signed into law or vetoed by Gov. George Pataki. LLCs Bill: A2844A. Sponsor: Vann Pataki signed a bill to change the publication requirements...

Growing coalition to focus on changing business climate.
November 29, 1999... A coalition of upstate New York business groups is counting on diversity and sheer numbers to change policy at the state level and improve the business climate for upstate firms. Advance Upstate New York was founded by the Buffalo Niagara...

Differences from salesman to master salesman.
November 29, 1999... Napoleon Hill, author of the legendary Think and Grow Rich, has a rare book titled, "How to Sell Your Way Through Life" (1939). This is the third of a four-part series that will present the 28 Qualities the Master Salesman Must Develop. (The...

PBB leads trade trip to China, Hong Kong.
November 29, 1999... PBB Global Logistics is leading an effort to help businesses establish personal relationships and business ties in China. The company, with headquarters in Buffalo and in Fort Erie, Ont., will lead a private trade mission to China in March...

TAKING THE FIRST STEP.
November 29, 1999... Internships offered through Niagara County program may lead to careers Crystal Gaines had some interest in a radio career, but after this summer the Niagara Wheatfield High School senior realized it was something she definitely wanted to...

YOU CAN'T TAKE A MOMENT BACK.
November 29, 1999... `Think First' before acting and tragedy may be averted We've all had those moments in our life we wish we could take back. Maybe your mouth was working faster than your brain and you blurted out something you wish you hadn't, or you...

Erie County offers programs as an alternative to violence.
November 29, 1999... The Erie County Council can help schools and communities with research-based violence prevention programs for different ages and populations: * "Perspectives on Violence: How Alcohol and Other Drugs Influence Behaviors," explains the...

Oishei Foundation announces availability of scholarships.
November 29, 1999... The John R. Oishei Foundation has announced the availability of four-year scholarships to incoming freshmen at area independent secondary schools for the fall 2000 semester. One scholarship winner will be selected for each of the 17 schools...

UB revamps school offerings for new view.
November 29, 1999... New degree programs related to issues and research on the human aspects of information transfer are being developed by the School of Information Studies at the University at Buffalo. The school was formed July 1 when the School of Information...

Trade shows are more for trading business cards and schmoozing customers than for selling.
November 29, 1999... In an age when voice and e-mail, Web sites and faxes dominate business communication, and greatly reduce the need for in-person contact, trade shows and exhibitions offer special opportunities for buyers and sellers to meet and talk about how...

Restaurateur cooks up success in Lackawanna.
November 29, 1999... Krista Van Wagner has lived the kind of life that many people can only dream about. Hiking in Yellowstone National Park, skiing in South Lake Tahoe, trekking across Europe, maneuvering a scooter around Grand Cayman Island -- part of a...

Car models get replaced when they run out of gas.
November 29, 1999... The trend toward larger cars, especially sport utility vehicles, has driven smaller autos like the Honda del Sol and Ford Festiva off the road. And because dealers like to sell fast-selling cars, shrewd retailers limit their stock of...

WNY has helped fuel auto industry growth.
November 29, 1999... The automotive industry has played a major role in the area's economy since the earliest horseless carriages hit the roads in the late 1800s, but somehow the region never became another Detroit. To some extent, the high quality and cost...

The rules of the road help avoid winter woes.
November 29, 1999... If experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are right, those of us who live in the Great Lakes region will be in for above-average snowfall this winter. While that forecast means fun for winter sport enthusiasts, it...

Airlines promise business as usual at 30,000 feet.
November 29, 1999... Hooking the lucrative business traveler continues to be a priority to the airline industry and major domestic and international players are focusing on technology amenities in an effort to create an "airborne office." "The business...

Most firms offer loans to relocating employees.
November 29, 1999... The overwhelming majority of North American companies offer short-term, no-interest equity loans or "advances" to relocating employees to facilitate quick-purchase of a new home at their destination, according to the "1999 Survey & Analysis...

Meeting planners thinking for the children.(child care services at business seminars and conferences)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... Demand for substantive kiddie programs beyond babysitting and video arcades at meetings and conventions is increasing nationally. According to research by Travel Industry Association of America and others, baby boomers are showing...

Planners aim to help make meetings fun.
November 29, 1999... As long as professionals have been going to conventions, spouses have been tagging along. And as long as spouses have been tagging along, convention and event planners have been trying to keep them entertained. When "spouse" was...

Success equals planning for a productive meeting.(Brief Article)
November 29, 1999... Put magic in your meetings. Do your meetings meet your goals and objectives? Do you leave meetings frustrated? Are you attending more and more meetings and feel you are accomplishing less and less? If you said yes, you are not alone. The...

Many companies negotiate for cheaper airfares.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... According to a recent survey in Runzheimer Reports on Travel Management, 94 percent of companies indicate they or their travel agency successfully negotiate reduced fares for their travelers with airlines, and the average discount is 23...

Region's exporters explore global market.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... Taylor Devices Inc. has received several inquiries this season for its products following the recent spate of earthquakes around the world. The $11 million North Tonawanda company, which makes shock absorbers that protect buildings during...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.
November 29, 1999... Hamburg resident John Piatko was promoted from junior art director to art director at Gelia Wells & Mohr. The marketing communications agency also appointed Robert Janis as senior art director. He has worked for companies including Dunlop...

STATS OF THE WEEK.
November 29, 1999... Canadian 1-day trips to Western New York The number of Canadian day trippers spending time in Western New York increased by 15.1 percent in September, according to Statistics Canada. A total of 314,983 Canadians paid overnight visits to...

BUSINESS FIRST ECONOMIC INDEX.
November 29, 1999... BUSINESS FIRST ECONOMIC INDEX Quarter Index 3rd 1999 1,216 2nd 1999 1,242 1st 1999 1,264 4th 1998 1,210 3rd 1998 1,226 The Business First Economic Index tracks the level of business activity in Erie and...

LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS.
November 29, 1999... LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS Indicator Period Total 1-year trend Business bankruptcy filings (per week) Oct. 6.5 -4.4% Construction contracts ...

STATE ECONOMY.(New York employment statistics)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... STATE ECONOMY Nonfarm jobs Change since Metro area Oct. 99 Sept. 99 Oct. 98 Sept. 99 Oct. 98 Albany 448,500 444,700...

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.(New York, by county)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... UNEMPLOYMENT RATES County Oct. 99 Sept. 99 Oct. 98 Allegany County 5.9% 6.5% 6.2% Cattaraugus County 5.7% 6.2% 6.1% Chautauqua County 4.2% 4.4% 4.6% Erie County ...

BUFFALO-NIAGARA FALLS METRO EMPLOYMENT.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... BUFFALO-NIAGARA FALLS METRO EMPLOYMENT Current 1 year ago 2 years ago 5 years ago Sector Oct. 99 Oct. 98 98-99 Oct. 97 97-99 Oct. 94 All nonfarm jobs 554,200...

MORTGAGE RATES.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... MORTGAGE RATES Fixed Adjustable Lender (phone) 30 yr. 15 yr. 1 yr. 3 yr. Alliance Mortgage Banking (684-5020) 7.88...

LOCAL STOCKS AND LARGE EMPLOYERS.(listing of New York companies)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
November 29, 1999... LOCAL STOCKS AND LARGE EMPLOYERS Company Nov. 22 Acme Electric 5.94 Alpha Bytes 5.50 American Precision 10.94 Aria Wireless Systems 0.22...

MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS.
November 29, 1999... MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS Bank MM 6 mos. 12 mos. 24 mos. 48 mos. Bank of Akron 3.01-3.05 4.35-4.40 4.81-4.90 5.20-5.30 5.29-5.40 Bank of Castile 2.75-2.78...

The sounds of silence defy art of conversation.
November 29, 1999... Silence isn't as golden as it used to be. Have you noticed? You must remember the strong silent type, right? They're not in much demand anymore because the golden glow that once characterized silence is a little tarnished. That's a...

Beef up laws on lobbying.
November 29, 1999... If there is a lesson in Philip Morris' admission of false filings with the Temporary State Commission on Lobbying, it is that the commission is a woefully underarmed cop. The tobacco giant agreed to pay a $75,000 fine and has refiled required...

Declining circulation.
November 22, 1999... Buffalo News hopes that slide is over The Buffalo News is losing circulation faster than most of America's major newspapers. The News suffered a 7.1 percent drop between the number of Sunday editions it sold in 1997 and this autumn,...

Plymouth's demise draws a few tears.
November 22, 1999... The extinction of Plymouth as a brand name is causing few tears to be shed and not much negative reaction from Western New York auto dealers. Even Paul Mullane -- whose father and grandfather before him sold Plymouths from their Lockport...

Torch passed by Burnett at HSBC.(I. Malcolm Burnett of HSBC Bank USA)(Statistical Data Included)
November 22, 1999... On Jan. 1,2000, a new hand will be at the helm of HSBC Bank USA Inc. I. Malcolm Burnett, chief executive officer for two years of the Buffalo-based super-regional bank formerly known as Marine Midland, is retiring Dec. 31. He is 52. ...

5th Coast.(Brief Article)
November 22, 1999... Thumbs up ... to the Eastern Hills Mall Cinema for helping Roswell Park Cancer Institute with leukemia research. The theater will donate all proceeds from ticket sales to "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," Dec. 3-9 to Roswell. Thumbs...

Making the list.(popularity of Buffalo, NY, politician Hoyt)(Brief Article)
November 22, 1999... The Friends of Hoyt have struck. Not content with having a lake named after the guru of anti-sprawl, the gotta have the East Coast New York Times guy, the endorser of candidates almost no one votes for, his supporters have now made him Mr....

Charter One Financial seeking NYSE listing.(Brief Article)
November 22, 1999... Charter One Financial Inc., which has banking operations in the Buffalo area, has filed an application to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange. Until the NYSE listing is effective, which is expected Dec. 6, the...

Ceremonial opening benefits United Way.(Brief Article)
November 22, 1999... The ceremonial opening of Greater Buffalo Savings Bank on Nov. 15 benefited the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County in a financial way. Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello cut a ribbon of $50 and $20 bills totaling $300 that was donated to...

Allocation of numbers changing in area code.(Brief Article)
November 22, 1999... The New York State Public Service Commission will soon be meeting with telecommunications companies to implement a number conservation measure in area code 716, including an initiative that will allow telephone numbers to be allocated in...

Birds of a feather flock to Buffalo.
November 22, 1999... The Greater Buffalo Convention Center will be going to the birds this weekend. The downtown Buffalo center will host the 51st annual National Cage Bird Show, a two-day event that's expected to bring in 5,000 out-of-town visitors among...

Businessmen hope to return Terminal clock.
November 22, 1999... The pedestal clock that once graced the concourse of Buffalo's old New York Central Terminal might be heading back here from its current home in Chicago. Buffalo businessmen James Sandoro and Sam Savarino expect to fly to Chicago on Nov....