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IT’S ON, JUST ONLINE! Juneteenth of Buffalo, Inc. Prepares to Launch Its First Virtual Festival Page 8
The Murder of George Floyd Shines New Light on
THE COURAGE OF CARIOL HORNE
716-891-8801 Juneteenthofbuffalo.com
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2020 Excellence In Education Awardees Page 12
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 164
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INSIDE ROCHESTER
Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
Talk Show Duo Fired for Racist Remarks
During a discussion about the attack of a local couple following a recent Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Rochester, Kimberly Ray and Barry Beck of Radio 95.1's Kimberly and Beck Show referred to the n-word three times, asking if the attackers were acting “nword-ish” and “n-word-ly." Ray did not actually use the n-word. The two have since been fired for making racist on-air comments. They have reportedly provoked controversy with their statements in the past . iHeartRadio, the station’s owner, has been accused of hiring the two despite their known pattern of racist and offensive comments on the airwaves. RABJ members want to see more beyond just the firings. Rashad J. Smith, a creative consultant based in Rochester, who is also a RABJ member, said in addition to an apology he wants to see iHeartRadio fill the now-vacant slot with a diverse radio host. He also called for improved diversity training at the station. Smith broadcasts Sunday mornings on The Beat 105.5.
Lawmakers Consider Naming NYS Thruway After Frederick Douglass A bill in the state Senate would rename the 570-mile thoroughfare after Black activist Frederick Doug-
lass, who lived for 25 years in Rochester. The New York State Thruway has been named after late Gov. Thom-
as Dewey since 1964. The measure was first introduced in April by Senate Transportation Committee chairman Tim Kennedy, DBuffalo.
Survey: Hispanic Households in Monroe County Hit Harder By Serious Coronavirus Symptoms Hispanic households in Monroe County reported experiencing more of the most serious coronavirus symptoms compared to non-Hispanic households, based on data collected by marketing company Dynata, and analyzed by USA Today.
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
AREA BRIEFS
The Murder of George Floyd Shines New Light on The Courage of Cariol Horne
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Mothers March For Justice 2020 A Mother's March for Justice will be held on Saturday, June 13 starting at 12 noon. Marchers will gather at the corner of Genesee and Bissell Streets and march down Genesee Street to the Universal Black Man's Bust in MLK Park. The event is de scribed as a march against police brutality and community violence, and for racial and economic justice, increased educational and employment opportunity, and criminal justice reform. It is also taking place to demand immediate civil and human rights, a system of fair and restorative justice, and a better future for our children! Black Lives Matter! For more information email Mothers4JusticeBuffalo@ Gmail.Com or call Halima Amada at (716) 510-9714 or Betty Jean Grant at (716) 602-5877.
Council President Pridgen Introduces Resolutions Addressing Police Matters, Cariol Horne Pension Issue
Buffalo Common Council President Darius G. Pridgen has received comments from residents in The City of Buffalo regarding Buffalo Police Department policies and the Cariol Horne pension issue. To address this, Council President Pridgen has filed three resolutions requesting the Administration to enforce and train the “Duty to Intervene” Policy, a policy that requires officers to protect citizens from unnecessary use of force; to establish a task force comprised of representation from the Council’s Police Oversight Committee and any other relevant departments or agencies; lastly to request that the NYS Attorney General open an inquiry into the attendance records of former Officer Cariol Horne, to identify any discrepancies into the needed days for her to be awarded her pension. Items: 20-707 : Pridgen - Cariol Horne Inquiry 20-708 : Pridgen, Nowakowski, Rivera, Wingo, Wyatt Duty to Intervene Policy for Buffalo Police Dept. 20-706 : Pridgen, Bollman, Wyatt - Improving BPD Policies The public will be able to view this meeting on The Council’s official facebook page (facebook.com/bflocc). To review the items under discussion or view the agendas for this and all Council meetings, visit our meeting portal at buffalony.gov/meetings.
e’ve known for years – far too many years - that what former police officer Cariol Horne displayed when breaking the chokehold that was killing Neal Mack in November of 2006, was basic humanity, real love, and uncommon valor. But we could only imagine that scene, pieced together from her own testimony and Neal Mack’s confirmation of what happened to him. On Monday, May 25th on a city street in Minneapolis, that same scene left the realm of imagination, and became our collective, lived experience. The dying groans of George Floyd, like the screams of Trayvon Martin, have penetrated so deeply that people all over the world, more than two weeks after Floyd’s killing, are still writhing in inconsolable agony. And as we’ve rightly insisted that the officers at that scene who did nothing to stop the murder be held accountable, SABIRAH the courMUHAMMAD age and integrity of Cariol Horne comes into much sharper view, and our appreciation for her has deepened immeasurably. We saw with our own eyes
By Sabirah Muhammad
COURAGE: Cariol Horne (left) with childen, family members and supporters at last Saturday's protest rally and march at the C-District Police Station. Challenger Photo
what happens without the presence of one – just one – with the courage to act. Can we be certain that former officer and inmate Gregory Kwiatkowski would have continued to choke handcuffed Neal Mack until he killed him? Cariol Horne can answer that question. As we re-double our efforts to secure the disability pension she was maliciously denied, we still ourselves to listen, as she speaks into this moment. CN: (Challenger News): What were your impressions when you first heard about George Floyd and saw the video of that murder? CARIOL “I was very emotional. I knew it didn’t have to happen, and I was eager to do something about it, because I didn’t want it to happen again.” CN: What can you say about what may have been going
through the minds of the officers at the scene? CARIOL: “Well, I think murder was on the mind of Derek Chauvin, because you don’t keep your knee on somebody’s neck that long and hear all the warnings and do nothing unless you purposely are trying to kill someone.” CN: “Why do you think the other officers didn’t intervene?” CARIOL: “They don’t want to lose their pensions. It boils down to money, and it shouldn’t. That’s the purpose of me trying to find a solution, to pass Cariol’s Law, which would establish (an officer’s) duty to intercede. Officers don’t want to be ostracized, and lose every material thing that they have. They don’t want to lose their livelihood." CN: Do you think that if you hadn’t pulled Greg Kwiatkowski’s arm from around
Neal Mack’s neck, he might have actually killed him? CARIOL: “Yes.” CN: What’s your impression of the current protests, which are so large, intense, and sustained? CARIOL: “People watched a man die right before their eyes. People are more outraged because they can better understand what Black people have been going through all these years. It wasn’t just them saying, it was actually them seeing what we’re talking about. George Floyd was already handcuffed, just like Neal Mack. Somebody could have stopped it, but they didn’t. In the Neal Mack incident, somebody could have stopped it, but nobody stopped it except for me.” CN: And why did you? Why didn’t you just stand there like the other officers? Continued Page 5
Regents Reverse Decision to Close Buff-Sci Charter The NY State Board of Regents voted Monday overwhelmingly to reconsider their vote to deny Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School's 5 year renewal. At the May meeting the Regents voted 9 to 7 to deny Buff Sci a renewal led by Regents board member Catherine Collins of Buffalo. At that point parents and the community came together to advocate, organize, and contact the regents and every elected official at every level of government. The advocacy worked. On June 8 nearly every regents member voted to renew Buff Sci for a full 5 year renewal. There was an effort to only give Buff Sci a 3 year renewal, but it failed. “I want to applaud the members of the Board of Regents for hearing the cries of the parents and leaders across the community,” said community organizer and youth advocate Duncan Kirkwood. “ It takes a lot to admit you are wrong, and several members of the Board of Regents actually said they regretted taking their vote in May and that they have heard from hundreds of families from Buffalo. “Today’s vote showed that number one, In Buffalo, the education of Black children matters and two, when the community stands together we can be stronger than any special interest group,” concluded Kirkwood.
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
BUILDING COMMUNITY AMID Positive Examples of Working Together Within Our Communities To Support Ourselves And Our Neighbors During The Covid-19 Crisis
THE JOURNEY! The Journey Church has been doing an awesome job of making sure our seniors are fed during COVID 19! Pastor Art Hall and his church have partnered with Manna @ Northland Restaurant, and with a team of volunteers delivers delicious food throughout the community every Friday. According to Pastor Hall, more volunteers are needed. Persons interested in volunteering or receiving food, can call (716)202-0595. Pictured (left to right) Hezekiah Hall, Pastor Art Hall, First Lady Rashika Hall, volunteers Tasha Pitts and daughter Tekia Pitts. Challenger Photo
GROUP Ministries Continues Mask Giveaway
Group Ministries and Second Chance Ministries Mask Giveaway takes place every Monday and Friday at 1333 Jefferson (near the corner of E. Utica) from noon to 2 p.m. while supplies last. Rev. Arthur Boyd is Pastor of Second Chance Ministries and President/CEO of GROUP Ministries.
Open Buffalo Exceeds 5,000 Reusable Masks Distributed
COVID-19 UPDATE
WNY On Track For Phase 3 Reopening Of Bars, Restaurants Next Week Western New York continues to be on track for a third phase of reopening next week that would include bars and restaurants at a limited capacity, . Also: •Canada to allow close family members to cross the border as long as they plan to stay for at least two weeks. •Gov. Andrew Cuomo pointed to continued dramatic reductions in positive Covid-19 cases throughout the state, including Western New York. •CASNIO REOPENING: Seneca's will reopen casinos, allowing a reduced capacity, starting June 18 with Seneca Niagara followed by Buffalo Creek downtown on June 25. IN OTHER UPDATES: •Epidemiologists say that outdoor activities and small groups are safer than being indoors or in a crowd, and that masks would be necessary for a long time. •The global coronavirus death toll passed 400,000 last weekend, a sobering reminder that, despite waves of re-openings, and reductions in positive cases in our area, the pandemic is an ongoing threat.
RECORDS What began as a small grassroots effort to protect vulnerable communities has evolved into a large-scale social health initiative to promote the use of protective reusable masks in the wake of COVID-19 and the phased re-opening of the region. Open Buffalo set up its first table at the intersection of Bailey and Kensington Avenues. The demand was evident with 1,000 masks handed out at that one event. Since then, pop-up tabling has occurred at Main and East Utica Streets, Broadway Street and Fillmore Avenue, Jefferson Avenue and East Ferry, Martin Luther King Jr. Park and in Niagara Falls at Mount Zion Baptist Church. "The need is real and the need is dire. People are out there wearing dirty one-time use masks or no mask at all and that is unacceptable" said Executive Director Franchelle Parker. To date, more than 5,000 masks have been distributed through all channels. For anyone interested in continuing to support this effort, donations can be made online at www. openbuffalo.org or via text RWJF-26554-Community_Paper_Banners to FacemasksOB at 44-321. | Buffalo Challenger | Trim Size: 10.25” x 1” | NO BLEED | 4C
H E L P I N G O U R R E A D E R S S T AY E D U C A T E D, S A F E , A N D H E A L T H Y For up-to-date information, visit our COVID-19 Information Portal at TheChallengerNews.com
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
Lifting Our Beloved Lorna Home
I
t is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the family of Lorna C. Hill wishes to announce that following a recent stay at Roswell Park Cancer Center, Lorna C. Hill, Founder and Artistic Director of Buffalo’s renowned Ujima Theater Company, has been released to go home under the care of Hospice. The family has requested privacy at this time. A GoFundMe fundraiser
has been started for the unexpected extensive medical and end of life expenses and can be found on GoFundMe at Lifting Lorna Home . gofundme.com/f/lifting-lorna-home Lorna has inspired, instructed, and given of herself to audiences, students and other artists for decades. This is the community's chance to give back to Lorna, this is what we can do to help. As Ujima ComUjima's Lorna C. Hill Thespian Extraordinaire pany Founder and Artistic Director Ms. Hill’s priorities have been as follows: ● Producing and performing theatre that reflects the lives of African Americans, people of color, and marginalized communities ● Providing employment opportunities for artists, ● Presenting the work of new artists and performing arts groups, ● Providing young people with experiential training in
theatre, and ● Serving as a resource to support positive values necessary for the development of the beloved community. In lieu of phone calls, you can connect on Facebook at LornaCHillLove, a new Facebook page that Lorna will visit herself and where we will post updates and information about how you can help. If you are posting via other social media platforms please use the #LornaCHillLove and we will make sure to get those posts to her as well. Personal letters, notes, and other mailings can be sent to 429 Plymouth Ave, Ste 2, Buffalo, NY 14213. Opportunities to help have also been identified through Meal Train https://www.mealtrain.com/ trains/w1zqd7
CARIOL'S COURAGE continued from page 3 CARIOL: “It seemed like it was simple to stop it, and not
have a man die for no reason.” CN:Did you think about your pension and livelihood in that moment? CARIOL: “No.” CN: What were you thinking? CARIOL: “I just thought that I needed to take his arm from around his neck so he could breathe. Neal Mack said he couldn’t breathe. CN: What effect did it have on you and your family to lose your pension, especially so close to retirement? CARIOL:“We went through a lot financially, even being homeless. If you look at all of it, you’ll see,it had to be retaliation.” CN: Would you do it again? CARIOL: “Of course I would. His life is worth more than a paycheck or a pension. And (remaining silent and not taking action) was not worth me losing my mind, knowing that I let somebody die when they didn’t have to.” We can all join the fight
to pass “Cariol’s Law,” and to secure her wrongfully denied pension, which can be released by the State Comptroller after Mayor Byron Brown vacates her dismissal and the grounds for that firing. Join nearly 150,000 others on the Change.org petition, the Concerned Clergy of Buffalo, and a coalition of 100 other organizations that are fighting to make Cariol Horne whole.
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
A DAY OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION: On Sunday, June 7, the Buffalo NAACP and the WNY Area Labor Federation called for a Day of Prayer and Reflection in MLK Park in the wake of recent protests locally and around the world in response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police, as well as other African American victims before him. Pictured left: Murray Holman, George Johnson, Brenda McDuffie and Todd Timmons Jr. (with flag); Top Row (l-R) Pastor James Giles and Minister Jameko Washington; Bishop Frederick Gelsey and First Lady Gelsey; Oswaldo Mestre Jr. and Mayor Byron Brown; Bottom Row from left: Pastor Mark Blue, Valentino Dixon, Larry Scott, Sen. Tim Kennedy, Min. Tim Newkirk, Rick Rob, Oswaldo Mestre Jr., George Johnson (kneeling center ) and Todd Timmons Jr.(with flag in background). In the last frame, Rev. Dr. James Lewis at the mic. PHOTOS TRACEY MULLEN
1933
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
Juneteenth Prepares to Launch Its First Virtual Festival
H
It’s On, Just Online!
JUNETEENTH VIRTUAL SCHEDULE
ere goes; what the community’s been wondering about and waiting for: the schedule of some of the many events and activities for the 45th consecutive Juneteenth of Buffalo Festival 2020, Online! Most of Western New York’s annual summer events have been cancelled or postponed, but not Buffalo’s Juneteenth Festival. This team of volunteers has worked collectively to gather content; collaborated with the Watertown Juneteenth Festival; evaluated countless hours of content submissions; and looks forward to executing an unprecedented virtual festival that will operate across various social media platforms and be appreciated worldwide. So beginning Thurs., June 11 @ 5 p.m., then Sat. and Sun., June 13-14, get your favorite dish, gather your family (and all their devices), and go online to your favorite festival, where there’s something for everyone! Peace and Love. Submitted by Jennifer Earle Strickland
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE CLOSED, COMMUNITY ACCESS SERVICES IS STILL HERE FOR YOU Call us at 716.852.5969 to learn more
VOICES
Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
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WHY WE PROTEST
THEY WERE LISTENING... s I write this thought. I write with a heavy heart and member when you rode down the street and wouldn’t even A bloodshot eyes. I was never afraid to speak truth to pow- say hello to the community you swore to serve and protect? er. Its not hard , understanding I have a son, two grandsons, and a host of nieces and nephews out here. I can reference the 60’s and the civil rights movement. Dogs, white sheets, and crosses burning. But I am not. I can reference 1991when Rodney King got batted down with night sticks by police. A stain on my brain forever. But I am not. I would like to shed light on the past 20 years. Trayvon Martin murdered February 26, 2012 by George Zimmerman. Eric Garner died July 17, 2014 after Daniel Pantaleo, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer put him in a chokehold while arresting him as he pleaded "I can't breathe." Eighteen year old Michael Brown Jr. was fatally shot on August 9, Jesse 2014 by 28-year-old White Ferguson poDOYLE lice officer. On November 2014 Tamir Rice, a 12-year old boy, was killed in Cleveland by police. On April 12, 2015 Freddie Carlos Gray, while being transported in a police van, mysteriously fell into a coma. On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Marquez Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old African American man, was fatally shot while jogging. On May 25, 2020 George Floyd - the straw the broke the camel’s back – was murdered by an officer while on his stomach in handcuffs with the officer’s knee pressing against his neck as he pleads for his life. Now I would like to bring this conversation local. Close to home. Make it personal. Remember when you dragged me out of my car in front of my “young kids” for having a license, but just not on me? They were listening. Remember you beat me while handcuffed and left me in a pool of blood, in front of my “young kids?” They were listening. Remember when you sent my dad away to prison for 10 years over an ounce weed? I had to fend for myself. They were listening. Remember when you slipped my woman your number and told her to call your cell in front of my young kids? They were listening. Remember when you stopped and frisked me. You went in my pocket, took out $80 but returned only $20? They were listening. Re-
They were listening. Remember when I was leaving the basketball court with my friend? You pulled over and put cuffs on me, took me in a backyard. Ran your hands through my under clothes. Under my genitals looking for drugs. They were listening. Remember when you flooded my then “neighborhood’ with cocaine and called it the “hood.” The young kids were listening. The emasculation of Black men in their households. My God! The young kids were listening. The most recent event. Remember the other day you pushed a 75-year-old man down. In my opinion at 75-yearsold you should never have a curfew. Initially you reported that he fell. But once again the camera told the truth. They were listening. So NOW these young kids who bear witness at 5,6,7,8 and even teenagers are GROWN NOW. So, you see them all over your TV screen. This has been boiling in them for years. They can stand by themselves now. They are not afraid and clearly, they do have a voice. My advice is instead of meeting these young people with aggression, arresting them, and pepper spraying them; Instead of talking at them, I advise to speak “with” them. In fact, LISTEN. It is a whole heap of them. They have social media on their side. They clearly have a voice, young, hungry, and not afraid. Adults talked themselves into a national crisis. Isn’t it time to shut up and listen? I speak for the voiceless, the uneducated, the brothers from the block, and the overlooked. The powerful thing about this young movement is new leaders will evolve from the ashes. Michael King stepped into his glory and became Dr. Martin Luther King in his mid 20’s. Malcolm Little known as Detroit Red became Malcolm X in his mid-20’s. I am extremely interested to see which of these young people God elevates next! Jesse Doyle jessedoyle8@gmail.com “Knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger.” -Tao Te Ching
Buffalo Urban League Issues A Statement of Solidarity
W
e join our community and nation in expressing tremendous grief, hurt, and outrage over the events that display the racism and injustices that Black people endure every day across America. With intention, we seek to use our hearts, voices, and actions to stand for the right to protest against the systemic racism and inequalities that stop us from having the fullness of life in America. The recent culmination of unjust events in America, including the brutal police killings of Breona Taylor and George Floyd as well as the vigilante murders of Ahmaud Arbery and many others, along with the disproportionate rate of Black Americans dying from COVID-19, call for a Movement that is collectively and actively engaged with others to create change. Our community is not exempt. We all witnessed the abhorrence of the tragic use of police force on Martin Gugino, a 75 year old longtime peace activist from Amherst. In a recent story, reported by WKBW, there have been at least 15 cases of police brutality or excessive force in WNY since 2006.
“We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” - John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal. 1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper
Thirteen out of those 15 cases, or 86%, were people of color, injured or killed at the hands of the police. We stand with and are encouraged by the groundswell of peaceful protests in our community, around our nation, and across the globe. Certainly, this is a time when people from all walks of life, especially our young people, are demanding change. We refuse to accept the continued inhumane and discriminatory treatment of people, especially Black people. We hear the cries and we are committed, more now than ever, to work vigilantly together to bring about critical change. We call upon all community members and leaders, elected and appointed officials, corporate leaders, and social institutions to join us in pursuing policies and practices that promote police reform, attack racism and ensure justice for all. Brenda McDuffie, President & CEO, Buffalo Urban League LeMark Glasgow, President, Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals
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WHY WE PROTEST: On June 4, a handful of peaceful protesters stemming from the death of George Floyd, were met with the brute force of riot police once the Buffalo curfew hit. Caught in a now-viral video, police pushed 75-year-old Martin Gugino (photo above) backward, causing his head to slam against the sidewalk as they march past the protester bleeding on ground. He remains hospitalized. To add insult to injury, earlier this week Donald Trump attacked Mr. Gugino, falsely accusing him of being an “Antifa provocateur.” The two police officers involved in the attack were suspended and charged. Then all 57 members of the emergency unit resigned from the special unit -but not the police force - in support of the suspended officers who used excessive force on an unarmed, elderly citizen. All 57 should be fired. Erie County Comptroller Stefan L. Mychajliw called the arrest of the assaulting officers “a travesty of justice” and said “criminals should be placed in cuffs not cops.” Mychajliw is running for congress.
PUSH BUFFALO Speaks Out On Assault of PUSH Member: Stands in Solidarity With Others in Calling for De-Escalation of Police Aggression The following statement was released by PUSH Buffalo in the wake of the assault on longtime member Martin Gugino by Buffalo Police: We are shocked to hear about and witness the serious injuries suffered by a protester at the peaceful demonstration against police violence in downtown Buffalo last Thursday. The protester, long-time PUSH Buffalo member Martin Gugino, has been a tireless fighter against injustice of all types for many years in our city both with PUSH and other grassroots organizations. He has joined us in the struggle for a just transition from the corporate controlled, undemocratic, and militarized systems of oppression that drive racial and economic injustice in our communities. While PUSH Buffalo did not organize last week’s rally, we continue to support the people's right to protest against police brutality, against the militarization of our local police departments, and against injustice everywhere. We stand in solidarity with others locally in calling for an immediate deescalation of police aggression in Buffalo and an end to local curfews that deny us our basic rights to free speech and freedom of expression. We also call on elected leadership in Buffalo to defund the police. A few days ago the Buffalo Common Council voted to approve a police budget that accounts for around a third of the total City budget while making cuts to other vital services. That ain’t right! As the current situation evolves, we are hoping and praying that Martin undergoes a healthy and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and support are with Martin and his family-and every person impacted by police brutality, who Martin was there for--at this very serious time.
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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
LEGAL NOTICES
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LEGAL NOTICE BID CONTRACT NO. 54 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ERIE COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT NO. 4 DEPEW OVERFLOW RETENTION FACILITY REHABILITATION CONTRACT NO. 54 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that sealed proposals for the above referenced contract will be received by the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (ECDEP) on June 25, 2020 until 10:00 A.M., local time, at Erie County Division of Sewerage Management, Northern Region Office 3789 Walden Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The nature of the work generally includes concrete spall, crack and expansion joint repair and re-establishment of railings in concrete, in an open, outdoor concrete structure. Prospective bidders are encouraged to attend a site visit scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 9:00 A.M., at Depew Overflow Retention Facility, 315 Borden Road, Depew, NY 14043, enter through Rutherford Place, Depew Public Works. Safety shoes, hat, glasses and mask required. Additional information and bid documents can be found at: http://www2. erie.gov/dsm. BY ORDER OF: Joseph L. Fiegl, P.E. Deputy Commissioner, ECDEP Dated: June 5, 2020 Published: June 10, 2020
LEGAL NOTICE BIDS
NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid
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The NFTA is soliciting bids for Project No. 16TB1808, MTC – AHU 7 Replacement, Bid No. E-561R due on June 30, 2020. Website for information www. nftaengineering.com
LEGAL NOTICE BID CONTRACT NO. 82 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ERIE COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT Nos. 3,6,8 SANITARY SEWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT CONTRACT No. 82 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that sealed proposals for the above referenced contract will be received by the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (ECDEP) on June 26, 2020 until 10:00 AM, local time, at 95 Franklin Street, Room 1034, Buffalo, New York, 14202, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud in Room 1004. The nature of the work generally includes removal and replacement of sanitary sewers and manholes at various locations in the Town of Hamburg, Villages of Blasdell and East Aurora, and the City of Lackawanna, County of Erie, State of New York. Additional information and bid documents can be found at: http://www2. erie.gov/dsm. BY ORDER OF: Joseph L. Fiegl, P.E. Deputy Commissioner, ECDEP Dated: June 5, 2020 Published: June 10, 2020
LEGAL NOTICE BID CONTRACT NO. 55 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ERIE COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT NO. 4 BOWMANSVILLE PUMP STATION FLOW METER REPLACEMENT CONTRACT NO. 55 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that sealed proposals for the above referenced contract will be received by the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (ECDEP) on June 25, 2020 until 2:00 P.M., local time, at Erie County Division of Sewerage Management, Northern Region Office 3789 Walden Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The nature of the work generally includes installation of a new, buried isolation 16-inch valve, reconfiguration of buried piping, installation of a provided flow meter in vertical 16inch pipe inside the building and restoration. Prospective bidders are encouraged to attend a site visit scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 2:00 P.M., at Bowmansville Pump Station, 36 Main Street, Bowmansville, New York 14026. Safety shoes, hat, glasses and mask required. Additional information and bid documents can be found at: http://www2. erie.gov/dsm. BY ORDER OF: Joseph L. Fiegl, P.E. Deputy Commissioner, ECDEP Dated: June 5, 2020 Published: June 10, 2020
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EMPLOYMENT
LEGAL NOTICE BID Advertisement for Bids June 3, 2020 Roycroft Campus Corporation 31 South Grove Street East Aurora, New York 14052
NOTICE OF SOLICITATION OF SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK at the ROYCROFT COPPER SHOP, 31 SOUTH GROVE STREET, EAST AURORA, NY
for
PHASE 4: NORTH WING EXTERIOR WALLS CONTRACT M: MASONRY REPAIR CONTRACT W: WOOD WINDOWS REPAIR AND CONTRACT S: STRUCTURAL HELICAL PILES
Sealed bids for the Roycroft Copper Shop Phase 4: North Wing Exterior Walls will be received until 2:00 pm, Thursday, June 25, 2020 at the Roycroft Campus Power House, 28 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY 14052 (Attn: Curt Maranto), where they will be opened and read publicly. Each bid must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Bidding and Contract Documents and must be accompanied by references of similar projects. Contractors may bid on one or more of the three available contracts. Work must be performed by contractors with no less than five years successful experience in completion of similar projects for State, National or locally registered landmarks. Contractors must submit a list of completed projects, including project name, address, owner and consultant. (Similar projects to be listed on the Bid Form). This project is being funded in part by a grant administered by Erie County, New York. The Contractor, by bidding on the contract, acknowledges and pledges to fully cooperate with the Roycroft Campus Corporation in meeting county requirements as set forth in the Bidding and Contract Documents. •Effective Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Bid Documents may be examined free of charge at Avalon Document Services, 741 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203. Bid Documents may be purchased at the same location. •There will be a pre-bid meeting (encouraged but not mandatory) Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the project location: Roycroft Copper Shop, 31 South Grove Street, East Aurora, New York. All attendees must wear face masks or face coverings for the duration of the meeting. Proper social distancing will be requested of all attendees. •Questions after the pre-bid meeting must be submitted in writing no later than the end of the business day Friday, June 19, 2020, attention LaLuce Mitchell at Flynn Battaglia Architects, PC. Email (lmitchell@flynnbattaglia. com) or phone (716-854-2424) are acceptable. •All Addenda, if any, will be sent via email after the June 16 meeting. Please provide email contact information. The Roycroft Campus Corporation has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity organization. All qualified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) suppliers, contractors and/or businesses will be afforded equal opportunity without discrimination because of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual preference or Vietnam Era Veterans status.
The African American Cultural Center (AACC) is a not for profit multipurpose arts organization dedicated to promoting, sponsoring and developing an appreciation of and alliance to African American Heritage, is seeking an
Executive Director The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. Applicants may submit a Letter of Interest along with your resume and references to: African American Cultural Center, P.O. Box 503, Buffalo, NY 14215 The African American Cultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
NOTICE OF PUBLIC DISPLAY AND PUBLIC HEARING 2020-2024 CONSOLIDATED PLAN and 2020 ANNUAL PLAN CITY OF BUFFALO In accordance with the federal regulations at 24 CFR Part 91, the City of Buffalo’s Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning has prepared a Consolidated Plan (CP) for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development and Planning Programs. This document is a requirement for direct financial assistance under certain HUD funding programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. The CP covers the five-year period beginning October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2025. The City has also prepared the Annual Action Plan for the Fiscal Year 2020 program. The Consolidated Plan contains the following major components: (1) A housing and homeless needs assessment that describes the affordable housing needs of very low-income and low-income households, homeless families and individuals, and others with special needs. (2) A housing market analysis which profiles existing housing options and facilities to assist the homeless, identifies barriers to affordable housing and reviews institutional and governmental capacities to develop and implement the plan. (3) A Strategic Plan for addressing priority needs including the priority non-housing community development needs eligible for assistance under the CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA programs. (4) A 2020 Annual Plan which identifies the activities that will be undertaken to address priority needs and local objectives. The City of Buffalo anticipates receiving $14,042,558 in CDBG funds, $3,342,830 in HOME funds, $1,204,344 in ESG funds, and $819,189 in HOPWA funds for the 2020 program year beginning on October 1, 2020. Copies of the two documents are available for public inspection and review for a thirty-day period beginning on June 19, 2020 to July 20, 2020 on the City of Buffalo Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning website at: http:// www.buffalony.gov/324/Consolidated-Plan-Documents The City of Buffalo intends to submit these two documents to HUD on or before August 15, 2020. Interested persons are encouraged to express their views, in writing, on these two documents to HUDAdministrator@citybuffalo.com. All comments received by July 20, 2020 will be considered and appended to the documents. The City of Buffalo will hold a virtual public hearing on June 25, 2020 at 6:00pm to solicit citizen comments on the Consolidated Plan and Annual Plan. To join the meeting by video go to http://www.webex.com and click Join, or to join by audio call 1-214-459-3653; enter Meeting ID 129 481 1709, password (for video only) is: Publiccomment Anyone requiring special accommodations or who requires a presentation in a language other than English, please email HUDAdministrator@citybuffalo.com no later than June 24, 2020 at 6:00pm. It is anticipated that Common Council will vote on the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Annual Action Plan at its scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 2:00pm.
OPEN FOR TAKE OUT!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM - 6PM • SUNDAY 11AM - 4PM TO PLACE YOUR ORDER CALL (716) 253-2100 or ORDER ONLINE at mannacarryout.com 633 Northland Ave. (Between Fillmore Ave. & Grider St.)
11
Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 5/31
MID-4-3-7
3-WAY
advertising@ thechallengernews.com
ATTORNEYS LAW OFFICE OF DARIA L. PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574 PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES Franklin Muhammad (Pratcher) Attorney 1133 Kensington Avenue (716) 838-4612
BOOKS ALIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE 2275 Fillmore Ave. (716) 837-1118
AUTO BEN’S Downtown Tire
50 Sycamore (cor. Elm) (716) 856-1066 or 894-1483
BAIL BONDS GIST BAIL BONDS
A-1 Bail Bonds 855-2514 or 854-2128
ELECTRICAL EMPIRE ELECTRIC (716) 634-0330
FLORISTS MAUREEN’S Flower Market 441 Ellicott St. * 852-4600
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TAILORS ANN RHOD’S Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633
MON 6/01
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community calendar SATURDAY JUNE 13 Mother’s March For Justice: Starting @ 12 noon, Corner of Genesee and Bissell Streets.. Marching down Genesee Street to the MLK Bust in MLK Park. African American Cultural Center Juneteenth Drive-Up & Mask Giveaway: African Dance & Drum Performance; 11 a.m., 350 Masten St. SUNDAY JUNE 14 Watch The “Excellence In Education” Awards On WBBZ-TV, TV-ME Channel 67. WEDNESDAY JUNE 17 Public Meeting Notice: Board of Westminster Community Charter School, 3 p.m. If you are interested in participating lease email info@bufalopromisesneighborhood.org for further details PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO
VOTE!
The Free Them Challenge Between June 1 – 18 as part of the Virtual Juneteenth Experience, help end human trafficking by supporting the work of project Mona’s House, the first restorative home for trafficking victims. The challenge is inspired by the forthcoming 2021 Free Them Walk, a 902 mile walk from Virginia to Buffalo to raise awareness of modernday slavery. For the 2020 Free Them Challenge participants are asked to walk, run, ride, swim or skate 902 miles collectively, asking friends and family to join the challenge by donating $1 for every mile completed. Proceeds will go to Project Mona's House so they can continue their work to end modern-day enslavement and trafficking. Go to thefreethemwalk.com for more details. Participants encouraged to wear masks & practice social distancing.
12
Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 10, 2020
2020 Excellence In Education Awards!
EXCELLENCE! From Top, Row 1: Adriann Johnson-Cofield, Alonzo Smith, Amanda Williams, Amy Visniesky, Andrew Franz, April Bartosz, April Workman, Barbara Williams, Beatrice Sanders, Bert Stevenson, Brenda Giangrego. Row 2: Brian Pawlowski, Brooke Woods, Carol Peszko, Carole Taggart, Cheryl Dabney, Colleen Reedy, Corey Griswold, Corinne Brady, Dana Pepe, Daniel Haick, Danielle Womack. Row 3: Deborah Green, Dennis Wilson, Desiree Breckenridge, Dr. Marck Abraham, DR. Michael Gruber, Elaine Vandi-Kirkland, Elisa Banas, Elizabeth Bell, Elizabeth Kent, Ellie Strand, Emily Ostroff. Row 4: Eric Wheeler, Jamie Barden, Jamie Pitnell, Jana Garcia Rivera, Janate Ingram, Janice Kyle, Jeannette Mullen Franklin, Jenna Colerick, Jennifer Pangborn, Jill Fox, Joanna Wingo. Row 5: Julia Benton, Julie Schwab, Julie Walsh, Karon Saxon, Kathleen Enright, Kathleen Riley, Kathleen Thomas, Katie Greene, Kellie Russell, Kelly Fogarassi, Kent Olden. Row 6: Keri Rauvenpoor, Kristine Chambers, Kristine Douglas, Lacole B Brumfield, Laura Gugino, Laura Kupiec, Lizzy Crispin, Love Slating, Margaret Paolini, Marissa Limina, Mark Shoemaker. Row 7: Marquita Bryant, Marsha Sullivan, Mary Cimato, Mary Serwon, Melissa Kudel, Naomi Cerre, Nichole Walls, Nyeema Quinniey, Onzia Milhouse, Peter Zona, Phyllis Piazza. Row 8: Phyllis Williams, Rasheeda Brenton, Rose-Marie Mango, Russel Bell, Shakwana Shelton, Skyy Johnson, Sukhui Kim, Tamieka Johnson, Tammy Banks, Tammy Curry, Tanishae Vishion . Row9: Taylor Boncore, Theresa Schuta, Tiffany Prutny, Timothy Blountt, Tyree Parker, Valerie Villa, Yolonda Peay
F
riends for A Better Buffalo, is hosting the Excellence in Education Awards, which will be aired on Sunday, June 14 at 8 p.m. on WBBZ-TV/ME -TV Channel 67. The official “virtual” afterparty airs at 9:30 p.m. on Power 96.5. The event will recognize and reward some of the best Buffalo teachers, support staff and administrators and will air across eight counties throughout Western New York, while streaming simultaneously on Facebook. The awards showcase will include recognition of all finalists, announcement of the 2020 winners, and performances by award-winning entertainers - premier jazz saxophonist Will Holton, 3-times Stellar Gospel Music Award winner Alexis Spight and Jazz vocalist Katy Miner. Award presenters will include a distinguished list of Buffalo community and government leaders.