Business First of Buffalo articles from November 1999

Business First of Buffalo archives from November 1999

City Charter means business.
November 1, 1999... Business owners have for years complained about the difficulties involved in expanding or building in the City of Buffalo. Some grew frustrated and headed out of town, vowing never to return. Members of a group working to revise Buffalo's...

Delphi workers share bonuses valued at $6.75 million.
November 1, 1999... Professional athletes get big bucks at contract time with signing. bonuses that reach six figures and more. The signing bonuses that 5,000 United Auto Workers at Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems Corp. in Lockport received in their paychecks...

Lockport Savings grows up.
November 1, 1999... Lockport Savings Banks advertising slogan says, "You'd be surprised what our little bank can do." It conjures up an image of hometown unpretentiousness. The motto also hopes to soften an opposite and growing public perception: That, in...

Butler kin recalls mansion's heyday.
November 1, 1999... Delaware North Cos. Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeremy Jacobs signed a contract to buy the historic Butler, Mansion, but few people know the Allentown landmark as well as Kate Wallis. She's the former Kate Butler, the oldest surviving member of...

5th Coast.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Thumbs up ... to the Buffalo City Charter Revision committee, which put a proposal on the table in the form of a revamped city charter that might help. lure businesses back to town. Backers say that if voters approve it, the new charter...

On the Street.
November 1, 1999... On the Street Next win edition Subject Word on the street Bills On paper, the Bills have the best chance for a Buffalo sports team to put one in the "W" col- ...

When good deals go bad.(Humor)
November 1, 1999... The recent mysterious GM deal that went awry wasn't County Executive Dennis Gorski's only political blunder. After all, everyone knows that was really. Gov. Pataki's fault because the gov wants his newest best bud Joel Giambra elected county...

HSBC extends deadline for Republic takeover.
November 1, 1999... HSBC Holdings plc has extended the offer period for its $10.3 billion takeover bid for Republic New York Corp. to Nov. 30. The London-based bank and parent of HSBC Bank USA in Buffalo may extend the offer period again as it works with...

General Child Care receives accreditation.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... General Child Care, the day care center at Buffalo General Hospital, has received accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The accreditation is awarded to day care centers that have demonstrated...

New degree programs developed by UB school.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Several new degree programs are under development in the School of Information Studies at the University at Buffalo. The school was formed July 1 when the School of Information and Library Studies changed its name and merged. with the...

Clarffications & amplifications.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 1999... The Catholic Health System was founded in 1998. Sisters of Charity Hospital employs 1,052 full-time employees. The hospital was founded in 1848 and its phone number is 862-1000. The information published in the Largest Employers list in the...

Downtown landmark for sale.
November 1, 1999... Taylors, whose brief downtown department store run drew a lot of attention, is gearing up for one last sale -- of its own building. Richard Taylor, the Canadian-born businessman who opened the store last fall, has officially listed both the...

WNY businesses taking a shot at flu vaccines.
November 1, 1999... More Western New York employers believe that money spent on flu shots might be money well spent. Eighty companies -- twice the 1998 number -- have asked the Visiting Nurses Association to come to their shops in October and November to...

Region's 'mobile' DJs form professional group.
November 1, 1999... Disc jockeys and karaoke professionals have formed a professional organization. The Western New York Mobile Entertainers' Alliance, founded with 20 member companies, will focus on issues that affect professionals in the industry on a local...

VA uses cash incentives to boost performance.
November 1, 1999... Employees of the Veterans Affairs health-care sites from Buffalo to Albany are taking home a little more money for helping to cut costs and improve service. The incentive program ties individual performance to systemwide objectives, paying...

Hamister interested in Toronto football team.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The businessman who brought the Arena Football League to Buffalo wants to expand his football holdings into Canada. Mark Hamister, owner of the Buffalo Sports Enterprises Inc. and the Destroyers, has informed the Canadian Football League of...

Gernko receives national award.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Rapid growth in the e-commerce market has helped a Buffalo company jump to the top in sales of a business software product. Gemko Information Group Inc. received a Top Performance Award from Navision Software U.S. Inc. and was named among...

CVB gears up intensity of center lobbying effort.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... For the past few weeks area business and community leaders have received some extra pieces of mail, and it has nothing to do with Christmas catalogs or political literature. The Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau has been...

Network now connects WNY court system.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... CourtNet, an in-house computer network connecting the state's Unified Court System, is operating in Western NewYork. The network uses newly installed personal computers to speed the flow of information on a statewide basis in civil,...

Delaware North adds private label treats.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Ray Bourque and Mark McGwire are about to join ranks with Gummi Bears and orange candy slices. Delaware North Cos. Inc., whose holdings. and operations include the Boston Bruins hockey team and joint ventures with the likes of Wolfgang...

Gambino Ford launches Lockport expansion.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Groundbreaking for the first phase of a $6 million expansion of Gambino Ford Inc. at 6157 S. Transit Road, Lockport, was scheduled for Oct. 28. When completed in 2001 or 2002, the three-phase project will triple the size of the Niagara...

Three WNY businesses receive low-cost power.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The New York Power Authority approved the transfer of low-cost power allocations to three area businesses that are involved in ownership changes or joint venture arrangements. The businesses are: * Bar Technologies Inc., Hamburg, a...

Digital cable offerings expanded by Adelphia.
November 1, 1999... The introduction of digital cable service by Adelphia will allow Western New York customers to access digital picture and sound, infinite channel capacity and two-way interactive television. The changes are available following Adelphia's...

Promedicus Health Group expands geriatric practice.
November 1, 1999... Promedicus Health Group LLP has added a group of geriatricians to its medical practice, increasing doctors for the aging from two to 16. The Geriatric Group of Western New York will join Promedicus on Nov. 1. Promedicus leaders had...

WNED-AM broadcasts small-business show.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The University at Buffalo School of Management has initiated a call-in radio show for small-business owners. The "Your Business" show, hosted by UB management Dean Lewis Mandell, airs from 7-8 am. Saturdays on WNED 970 AM. Guests,...

FBI, Buffalo School 53 form partnership.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Bernard Tolbert, special agent in charge of the FBI's Buffalo office, and Donette Ruffin, principal of Buffalo Community School 53, have announced a partnership between FBI employees and students. Thirty sixth-grade students from School 53...

UB computer center attracts private sector.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Visitors donned 3-D glasses Tuesday to walk "through" a molecular model at the Center for Computational Research at the University at Buffalo. The virtual reality tour on the Pyramid Systems ImmersaDesk, part of the center's grand opening,...

LaRowe appointed CEO at Westfield hospital.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Westfield Memorial Hospital has named a CEO to replace Barbara Malinowski, who is retiring after 10 years at the top of the Chautauqua County facility. The new CEO, Mary LaRowe, will join Westfield Memorial in Mid-November LaRowe has...

Paladino opening hotels in W. Seneca. Willlamsville.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Area developer/attorney/civic leader Carl Paladino is about to add hotels to his already vast real estate portfolio. In late October, Paladino's company, Ellicott Development Co., began construction on a 106-room Hampton Inn hotel on Slade...

Red Wing flies high in private labeling market.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... If you eat your pancakes with a store brand of syrup, chances are good it was produced in Western New York at the Red Wing Co. Inc. The company, with plants in Fredonia and Dunkirk, produces millions of bottles of table syrup, jellies and...

NCAA hockey regional may be in arena's future.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... * SPORTS BUSINESS NOTES To bid or not to bid? That was part of the discussion among officials from Marine Midland Arena and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference during two days of meetings in Buffalo this past week. The gathering was...

The name of the game is finding one that fits.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... What's in a name? Everything, especially if you're a small business that depends on its name to fuel growth. But when that name no longer reflects accurately what the business does, it's time for a change. Perception Publishing Group...

Buffalo restaurateur opens on Franklin St.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... A Buffalo restaurateur has opened an upscale eatery, moving about two blocks from his longtime location. Campagna, a Euro-styled restaurant that features Southern Italian foods, opened in. mid-October at 166 Franklin St., the site of the...

Disappointment aplenty for fans of Sabres, Bills.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... A few weeks back, soon after the Cleveland Indians took yet another fall like a leaf in an October breeze, it brought to mind the kind of chuckle the sporting public likes to have at the expense of teams in other places. Kind of a...

Donor gives Houghton College $2 million.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Houghton College officials have the college has received $2 million anonymous donor. The funds will be paid out over the next five years and will be invested in the college's unrestricted endowment fund. Ths the second-largest gift the...

Suite deal winds down for 'mailbox' businesses.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... For the past 12 years, self-employed executive recruiter Sandi Taylor has received her business mail at a Mail Boxes Etc. location in suburban Dallas. You wouldn't know Taylor works out it of her home by looking at her business address; it...

Colleges and universities.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 1999... Colleges and universities Bachelor-degree schools: Ranked by 1998-99 full-time enrollment Phone Full-time Part-time ...

Merit Incentive Program gives computers to kids.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... An effort at the county level to encourage needy children to work harder in school will result in 22 Buffalo children receiving computers. The Merit Incentive Program was designed to provide periodic incentives for excellence in academic...

Nurses at St. Joseph Hospital approve contract.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... More than 50 licensed practical nurses and technical employees at St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga have accepted a new contract offer. The contract calls for a two-year agreement that includes a 2 percent wage increase during the first...

Rochester brochure is no place for Buffalo.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Though they are separated by about 70 miles, Buffalo and Rochester do a significant amount of regional marketing, especially within the tourist industry. So was it a slight toward Buffalo that a recently published Greater Rochester...

Two regional HMOs gain high rankings.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Univera and Independent Health are among 40 HMOs across the country to achieve a rating of excellent by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The highest ranking by the committee recognizes the health plans' commitment to clinical...

Agencies offer space to highest bidders.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Small businesses that don't have resources to advertise have an opportunity to promote their companies at drastically reduced prices. Area media agencies will give up advertising space to the highest bidder at the second annual Media...

SBA sets lending record, targets more minorities.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The Small Business Administration set records for total loans and venture capital financing in fiscal 1999, thanks in part to increased lending to minority- and women-owned businesses. The SBA approved 43,639 loans worth $10.15 billion in...

'Contractor responsibility' rule prompts flood of mail.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... With the Nov. 8 deadline for public comment looming, more than 600 small businesses have filed objections to a new regulation that calls for federal contract officers to evaluate a company's compliance with employment, tax and environmental...

State lender ranks among SBA leaders.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Empire State Certified Development Corp. is ranked among the top lenders in the country for providing loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration's 504 loan program. The company, a New York Business Development Corp. affiliate, was...

'Don't worry, be happy'.
November 1, 1999... Adviser says sound financial strategies should last through the millennium Wondering about year-end investment strategies in this, the last year of the 1900s? Charles Aronica has a tip for you: Don't worry. Be happy. The approach of...

Market analysts warn: Hold on for year 2000.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan likely will continue his conservative stance on interest rates into the new year, according to area economic analysts. That could mean the area economy will remain unaffected, as long as...

Entrepreneurs seek relief in 2000.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The New York Institute of Entrepreneurship opened its doors in Albany this summer as a brand-new assistance program for small-business people. The SUNY-affiliated organization offers online courses designed to sharpen their business skills...

State's gift for new year is to change tax laws.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... For years, New York state residents have relocated in their later years, hoping to escape the state's gift and estate tax laws. A change in the law, which became effective Aug. 7, 1997, is aimed in part at reversing the trend. After Jan....

Taxing burden can be eased by right moves.
November 1, 1999... Steps taken now, in the closing months of 1999, may help ease the pain of filing your tax return in the year 2000. The latest legislation, signed into law July 22, 1998, is the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, which includes technical...

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS.
November 1, 1999... The Western New York State Nursery and Landscape Association honored Gary Sokolowski as its Person of the Year. Sokolowski is president of Menne Nursery Corp. and serves as president of the Western New York Nurserymen's Association Foundation...

WNY schools use grant for organ donation.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The University at Buffalo Medical School and schools of Health Related Professions and Social Work are collaborating with Upstate New York Transplant Services Inc. on a three-year, $810,000 grant to develop ways to increase organ donation in...

New state law guarantees access to zoning decisions.
November 1, 1999... This week's column reviews bills recently signed into, law or vetoed by Gov. George Pataki. Zoning Bill S4329. Sponsor: McGee To ensure the public has access to the decisions of municipal officials regarding zoning ordinances,...

Most businesses buy via the Web.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 1999... U.S. small businesses that have Internet access now purchase products, or services online as a rule rather than the exception, according to a new national survey. "Small businesses' transactional relationship with the Internet is gaining...

NFL SEASON-TO-DATE.
November 1, 1999... NFL SEASON-TO-DATE Team Dates Total Average Arizona Cardinals 3 177,008 59,003 Atlanta Falcons 3 172,240 57,413 Baltimore Ravens 3 206,530 68,843 Buffalo...

BILLS HOME SCHEDULE.
November 1, 1999... BILLS HOME SCHEDULE Game Season Sept. 19 vs. New York Jets 68,839 68,839 Sept. 26 vs. Philadelphia 70,872 139,711 Oct. 10 vs. Pittsburgh 71,038 210,749 Oct. 17 vs....

BILLS SEASON-TO-DATE.
November 1, 1999... BILLS SEASON-TO-DATE Home attendance [through 4 games] 1990-99 comparison [through 4 games] 1991 319,178 1993 318,282 1992 315,418 1996 315,245 1994 313,728 1990...

NFL'S LARGEST CROWDS.
November 1, 1999... NFL'S LARGEST CROWDS Date Home team Visitors Crowd Sept. 12 Washington Dallas 79,237 Sept. 19 New York Giants Washington 78,717 Sept. 19 Kansas City Denver 78,683 Oct. 10...

NFL'S SMALLEST CROWDS.
November 1, 1999... NFL'S SMALLEST CROWDS Date Home team Visitors Crowd Oct. 3 Cincinnati St. Louis 45,481 Oct. 24 Oakland New York Jets 47,326 Sept. 19 Cincinnati San Diego 47,660 Oct. 10...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council elected the following to three-year terms on its board of directors: Rachel Charette, human resources administrator for West Valley Nuclear Services; Bert Donahue, GM co-director, UAW-GM Human...

Canadian 1-day trips to Western New York.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 1999... A total of 392,658 Canadians made one-day car trips to Western New York in August 1999, according to Statistics Canada. That was an increase of 14.1 percent from 344,218 in August 1998. The most popular crossing points for day trippers were the...

Balance of 1-day cross-border trips.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 1999... The continuing weakness of the Canadian dollar is luring Western New Yorkers to Southern Ontario. A total of 1.07 million Americans made one-day car trips across-the Niagara River in August 1999. That was 2.7 times the number of Canadians...

BUSINESS FIRST ECONOMIC INDEX.
November 1, 1999... BUSINESS FIRST ECONOMIC INDEX Quarter Index 2nd 1999 1,242 1st 1999 1,264 4th 1998 1,210 3rd 1998 1,226 2nd 1998 1,281 The Business First Economic Index tracks the level of business activity in Erie and...

LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS.
November 1, 1999... LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS Indicator Period Total 1-year trend Business bankruptcy filings (per week) Sept. 8.5 +18.1% Construction contracts (total...

BUFFALO-NIAGARA FALLS METRO EMPLOYMENT.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... BUFFALO-NIAGARA FALLS METRO EMPLOYMENT Current 1 year ago 2 years ago 5 years ago Sector Sept. 99 Sept. 98 98-99 Sept. 97 97-99 Sept. 94 All nonfarm jobs 549,000 ...

STATE ECONOMY.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... STATE ECONOMY Nonfarm jobs Change since Metro area Sept. 99 Aug. 99 Sept. 98 Aug. 99 Sept. 98 Albany 444,800 442,100...

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... UNEMPLOYMENT RATES County/metro area Sept. 99 Aug. 99 Sept. 98 Allegany County 6.5% 5.5% 6.7% Cattaraugus County 6.2% 5.8% 6.9% Chautauqua County 4.4% 4.1% 4.7% Erie County ...

MORTGAGE RATES.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... MORTGAGE RATES Fixed Adjustable Lender (phone) 30 yr. 15 yr. 1 yr. 3 yr. Alliance Mortgage Banking (684-5020) * * ...

LOCAL STOCKS AND LARGE EMPLOYERS.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... LOCAL STOCKS AND LARGE EMPLOYERS Company Oct. 26 Acme Electric 5.94 Alpha Bytes 5.50 American Precision 8.56 Aria Wireless Systems 0.25...

MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS Bank MM 6 mos. 12 mos. 24 mos. 48 mos. Bank of Akron * * * * * Bank of Castile 1.85-1.87 4.15-4.24...

Latest gender story creates a big splash.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... I might as well admit it right at the top: this is my first gender story. I've written almost all the other kinds, but I'm just a rookie when it comes to gender. But this is an important story. It's about another barrier falling. Maybe...

Time to update the charter.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... When the current Buffalo City Charter was adopted in 1927, plans to build a City Hall that would tower over Niagara Square were in their infancy. The Central Terminal was an architect's dream, and the brand new Peace Bridge was the superspan...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Merit pay for teachers is flawed concept The following is a response to your editorial on merit pay for teachers ("Tie teacher pay to performance," Oct. 11, 1999). Merit pay -- tying teacher pay to student performance. What a simple...

Spaced out.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 1, 1999... Supply of quality warehouse space can't keep up with demand Robert Schell has a dilemma. Schell, president of Buffalo Pyramid Brokerage Co., has a client who is looking for nearly 100,000-square-feet of high bay, warehouse/distribution...

From radio to real estate Hamberger stays in tune.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... "R and R", to George Hamberger, means many things. In one respect, it stands for the industry trade journal "Radio & Records." It can also stand for rock and roll. In Hamberger's case, it's radio and real estate. During the work...

Hamister Development Corp.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Hamister Development Corp. announced the grand opening of Premier Self Storage on Millersport Highway in Amherst. Premier Self Storage offers a state-of-the-art facility, climate-controlled units and moving and storage supplies. Plans call for...

Houghton College.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Houghton College will complete construction of a greenhouse at the Paine Center for Science with help from a $486,900 gift from the estate of Margaret Bush, a retired elementary teacher and artist from Silver Creek. Part of the gift was used to...

Largo Real Estate Advisors Inc.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Largo Real Estate Advisors Inc. has arranged first mortgage financing of $1.25 million for South Ogden Associates for a 110,680-square-foot strip center anchored by a Jubilee Supermarket and CVS drug store at the intersection of South Ogden and...

O'Brien & Gere Engineers Inc.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... O'Brien & Gere Engineers Inc. of Williamsville won a three-year indefinite delivery contract worth up to $3 million with the U.S. Army Engineering District in Mobile, Ala., for architect-engineering services. O'Brien & Gere, a nationally...

Homeowners Protection Act of 1998.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... A new law has been implemented that will require lenders to cancel private mortgage insurance (PMI) when it is no longer needed. The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 protects homeowners from unnecessary insurance premiums for mortgage loans by...

University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences received gifts from The Bergquist Corp. and Custom Electronics Inc. to fund fellowships for students affiliated with its Energy Systems Institute. Minneapolis-based Bergquist...

Alfred State College of Technology.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... The Alfred State College of Technology received a $10,000 gift from the New York State Laborers' Employers' Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) to boost recruitment efforts in construction management. The gift will be used by the...

Kaz Brothers Construction.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Kaz Brothers Construction of West Seneca was named among the Top 500 Class of 99 in the September 1999 issue of Qualified Remodelers. The Top 500 data shows an overview of the top performers in the remodeling industry. Kaz Brothers specializes...

Niagara Boundary and Mapping Services LS PC.(Brief Article)
November 1, 1999... Niagara Boundary and Mapping Services LS PC opened an office in Lancaster at 85 Central Ave. It is the third for the company, which is based in Lewiston with another office in Bradford, Pa. Niagara Boundary provides boundary, topographic and...