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Articles by Joseph Emminger
One last time to say thank you!
By now most of you may have heard that I have decided to step down as your Town Supervisor and by the time you read this, I will have already left office.
Town of Tonawanda entering a ‘golden era’
For years I have been using this column to write about our waterfront, telling you, “We’re not quite there yet, we’re working on the Huntley redevelopment, we’re working on the Tonawanda Coke site redevelopment, we’re working on making the Cherry Farm Park a reality.” Well guess what? Tomorrow is finally here! 2026 is the year that all the hard work will start to show results. Ten years ago, on Feb.
We salute and thank Police Chief James Stauffiger
Town of Tonawanda Police Chief James Stauffiger retires this month, ending a successful decades-long career in law enforcement. He called his tenure as chief one of the greatest honors of his life. Working in law enforcement is not easy. It never has been. But today our public safety/law enforcement officers are under increased scrutiny. Through it all, the chief has been an outstanding leader. He joined the department in 1995 and rose through the ranks, being named Chief of Police in October 2019.
Paddock Chevrolet Spray Park worth the wait
It’s taken longer than expected, but when the Paddock Chevrolet Spray Park opens later this month it will be the culmination of the Town of Tonawanda’s Youth, Parks and Recreation Department’s highly successful enhancement project. Years in the making, Paddock Park and all of its facilities is the crown jewel of what YPR has to offer. There is nothing like […]
Meet Lucy, the town’s new best friend
The newest Town of Tonawanda Police Department recruit has a badge and a hat, but she won’t be wearing a uniform because she doesn’t need one. Lucy, an English Bulldog puppy, was donated to the department by Hope Rises, a local nonprofit that is known for its charitable efforts of love. And everyone is going to love Lucy as she […]
Town momentum continues in 2025
Fresh off my State of the Town address on Feb. 7, I am pleased to report that significant progress continues in the Town of Tonawanda in a number of areas as we build off another successful year of delivered services, the opening of new recreation facilities and the ongoing commitment to be responsive to our constituents. Here’s a brief but […]
2024: Paddock Park, pickleball, and recreation galore
In 2024, the Tonawanda Town Board voted on 867 resolutions at 26 town board meetings. This was the result of the tireless work of my fellow board members, Carl Szarek, Jill O’Malley, Gina Santa Maria, Tim Hennessy, our town department heads, and our dedicated workforce. In addition, there we conducted the business of the town through numerous committee meetings, conversations […]
2025 budget for the Town of Tonawanda
The 2025 Town of Tonawanda budget has been filed with the town clerk and can be found online on the town’s website for residents to view. Months in the making, the budget is the result of intensive planning by the town board, our comptroller and our department heads. We approach the process very seriously, and as with your own household […]
Maintaining your property is important
When you think of the Town of Tonawanda, one of the first things you think of are the beautiful tree-lined streets and comfortable, well-maintained homes and properties that are hallmarks of life here. Residents of established neighborhoods, as well as more recently developed areas, share a common pride in home ownership. Property maintenance creates an environment that people want to […]
Significant economic development spurs town ahead
While the Town of Tonawanda skyline may not have any construction cranes like you see at the new Bills stadium, major economic development projects are on the ground and moving forward. In 2023, the town planning board, under the leadership of Chairman Ken Swanekamp and Councilwoman/Deputy Supervisor Gina Santa Maria, reviewed and approved more than 30 new development and redevelopment […]
Budgeting is a 12-month process
Local government is all about providing dependable services to taxpayers and residents at the lowest, responsible cost. Whether it’s plowing snow, cleaning up streets after a windstorm, providing reliable water and sewer services, or keeping residents safe, it is a balancing act weighing the cost of the services versus the benefits. In the time I have served as Town of […]
Town of Tonawanda Highway Department answers the call
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable July 4. June’s searing temperatures did not slow down the Town of Tonawanda Highway Department. Despite temperatures in the 90s and a heat index above 100 degrees for several days, crews were taking care of daily sanitation and recycling pickup, street sweeping, street paving and more, which I will get to. Their […]
Here’s to a summer of fun at Paddock Park
With Memorial Day in our rearview mirror, we are on the doorstep of summer. And what a summer it promises to be in the Town of Tonawanda! The major elements of the town’s Youth, Parks & Recreation Enhancement Project are coming online in the next three to four weeks, setting the stage for a summer of unparalleled fun and excitement. […]
Replacing trees lost in October 2006 storm
As we observed and celebrated Arbor Day on April 26 with the dedication of three newly planted trees at Kenney Park, it brought to mind the October 2006 storm when heavy, wet snow decimated the town’s tree population. The Town of Tonawanda was the epicenter of the storm. It was my first year on the town board and I remember […]
Town works hard to keep taxes affordable
“I n my opinion, the most important job of a town supervisor and town board member has is providing a fiscally sound and responsible town budget, while providing and maintaining services at the lowest, responsible cost.” If you have been paying any attention to my annual budget messages and state of the town messages over the past eight years, that […]
Town of Tonawanda enters an exciting new era
In my State of the Town address last month, I told the audience that I believe the town is entering some of the most exciting times in our town’s great history. We are experiencing unprecedented commercial development throughout the town, including on our waterfront and we are seeing the return to our gold standard of our parks and recreation facilities, […]
What’s the ‘Stop the Metro’ sign all about?
Within the past 12 months, as you traveled along both the Tonawanda and the Amherst side of Niagara Falls Boulevard, you might have spotted lawn signs saying, “STOP THE METRO” and wondered what it was all about. The signs, and the campaign that goes along with them, involve the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and its plans to extend the light […]
2024 will be another active year in the town
Let me begin by wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! I hope you, your family and friends were able to spend some time together over the holidays. It was certainly a different experience from a year ago, when the Christmas blizzard brought the town to a standstill. It is worth remembering and again thanking the many Town […]
Holiday cheers from the town supervisor
As we grow older, it can often feel like time goes by faster and faster. This speeding up of subjective time with age is well documented by psychologists, but there is no consensus on the cause. I know the older I get, the more often I hear myself saying, “I can’t believe it’s December already. Where has this year gone?” […]
Giving thanks to the veterans and everyone
Election Day 2023 is now behind us. As this column was written before the votes were counted on Nov. 7, and winners declared, I won’t write about the outcome, but I will extend my thanks to everyone who made the time to vote. Electing public officials is a cherished right of the American experience and we should never take it […]
Once again, the town budget is under the state tax cap
While we wear many hats and have numerous responsibilities as town supervisor and town board members, there is no bigger or greater responsibility that we have than presenting a fiscally sound and responsible budget. I am pleased to report that for the 13th consecutive year, the town will again be under the New York state tax cap. The proposed budget […]
We all need to combat elder mistreatment
In recent editions, The Ken-Ton Bee has done an admirable job raising awareness surrounding the major problem of elder mistreatment. An Aug. 2 editorial quoted FBI crime statistics that found last year in New York state the money lost to fraud from the 4,239 over-60 victims totaled a staggering $212 million. Our Town of Tonawanda Police Department is aggressively working […]
Town delivers multiple projects to improve quality of life
By Bee Group Newspapers | on August 09, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Summer is always an extremely busy time, as Town of Tonawanda crews make important upgrades and improvements to our parks, roads, sewer lines and trees, and this year is no exception. While much of the recent attention has been focused on the Youth, Parks and Recreation Department’s enhancement project in Brighton Park (soon to be named Paddock Chevrolet Park), crews […]
Paddock Chevrolet’s generational commitment to the town
By Bee Group Newspapers | on July 05, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Decisions made by town governments often have a positive impact on a community long after the elected officials who made them have moved on. That is certainly the case with the June 20 announcement that Paddock Chevrolet will invest nearly $3 million over the next 20 years for the naming rights to Brighton Park and the new amenities (ice arena, […]
Summer fun events in Tonawanda
By Bee Group Newspapers | on June 14, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR It is well known that when it comes to parks and recreation, the Town of Tonawanda is without peer, and you need look no further than what’s happening in the next few months to confirm just that. I wish to commend Councilman Carl Szarek and everyone over at our Youth, Parks and Recreation Department for all their efforts. Our outdoor […]
A resilient community stands tall
By Bee Group Newspapers | on May 10, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR The past 12 months have put us through the emotional wringer. Ten innocent lives were lost, three were wounded, and countless others were emotionally scarred for life in the horrific, racist attack on Jefferson Avenue last May 14. We endured two brutal winter storms, including the Christmas Blizzard which saw nearly 50 people die. We were witness to the on-field […]
Town maintains ‘Gold Standard’ for recreation
By Bee Group Newspapers | on April 12, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Last month’s article, if you recall, was the first of several that I will write summarizing my State of the Town address that I gave on Feb. 9, for those unable to attend. I want to continue where I left off last month when I ended writing about the town’s return to the “Gold Standard of recreational facilities. You can […]
Town recommits to gold standard
By Bee Group Newspapers | on March 08, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR In mid-February, as I have for the past seven years, I had the privilege of delivering my annual State of the Town Address at the monthly meeting of the Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce. This year, for the first time since February 2020, due to the pandemic, I was able to deliver my address in person. Similar to what I have […]
The ‘gold standard’
By Bee Group Newspapers | on February 08, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Decades from now, when future generations look back on the coming year, one of the things I believe it will be remembered for is the town’s leadership role in setting the stage for recreation, health and wellness in the town for the next 30 years by upgrading our recreational facilities, building new ones, and working with others in the health […]
The Blizzard of ’22 was one for the ages
By Bee Group Newspapers | on January 11, 2023 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR I was a senior at Cardinal O’Hara School when the Blizzard of ’77 slammed into Buffalo and Western New York. Forty five years later another storm of epic proportions once again brought life in the Town of Tonawanda to a standstill. It breaks my heart knowing, that as I write this, 39 people in Erie County lost their lives over […]
Preparation was key to town’s successful snow storm response
By Bee Group Newspapers | on December 14, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR For the second time in eight years, parts of the Buffalo area were buried under several feet or more of snow. While the Town of Tonawanda once again avoided massive amounts of snowfall, the oscillating bands of lake-effect snow did leave about 14 inches of snow on our roads between Thursday and Sunday (Nov. 17-20). Our town highway crews, first […]
Winter parking restrictions update
By Bee Group Newspapers | on November 09, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR There is a lot going on in the Town of Tonawanda this month, so let’s get right to it, along with some presidential quotes for good measure. It is that time of year, as winter approaches, when the days are getting shorter and the town board makes the call regarding when to implement overnight winter parking restrictions in our neighborhoods. […]
2023 town budget again under state tax cap
By Bee Group Newspapers | on October 12, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR It’s October, which means by law, I was required to submit to the Town Board my tentative budget for 2023 a couple of weeks ago. As your town supervisor and the town’s chief fiscal officer, it is my responsibility to develop a budget that balances the cost of town operations while continuing to provide the highest-quality services at the lowest […]
Excellent financial condition benefits town taxpayers
By Bee Group Newspapers | on September 14, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR As I write this, the Buffalo Bills just won their opening game handily against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams, and there’s more good news for Town of Tonawanda residents. Word that Moody’s Investor Service has given the Town of Tonawanda its highest rating is very good news for taxpayers, as the town works its way through […]
Celebrating 75 years of fitness and fun
By Bee Group Newspapers | on August 10, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Town of Tonawanda’s Department of Youth, Parks & Recreation which for decades has set the gold standard for municipal indoor and outdoor recreation. Our first-rate facilities and the people who work at them are a major reason why young families move into the Town of Tonawanda and then remain here for generations. […]
Renewed effort needed to combat rodent problem
By Bee Group Newspapers | on July 13, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR When the Town of Tonawanda introduced garbage totes at the end of 2006, one of the intentions was to reduce the presence of rats and mice around residences and businesses. The program has been a success, but there is still work to be done. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Rats and mice spread over 35 diseases. […]
We can never forget
By Bee Group Newspapers | on June 08, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR The following were the remarks that I gave at the Town Board meeting following the mass shooting in Buffalo. May 14 was a beautiful, sunny day in Western New York, yet at 2:30 in the afternoon, it became one of the darkest days in our community’s history. It was the day when evil and hate walked amongst us and took […]
Safe streets for all users
By Bee Group Newspapers | on May 11, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR In 2017, the Town of Tonawanda adopted a vision statement to “develop a safe, reliable, efficient, attractive, and connected multi-modal transportation system that will provide the opportunity for all users, including children, older adults and individuals with disabilities to access their daily needs.” Our commitment to this vision led to the development of the proposed Parker Boulevard Complete Streets...
State of the Town from the town supervisor
By Bee Group Newspapers | on April 13, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR This month I will continue my summary of the State of the Town Address that I delivered to the Chamber of Commerce audience back in February. I closed out my column last month talking about the success of our Small Business-Big Impact Grant Program. This month, I’ll start out by talking about another project that we kicked off in 2021; […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
State of the Town Address, snow safety and other updates
By Bee Group Newspapers | on February 09, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR January 2022 will go down in local history as the seventh snowiest January on record, to which I say, why should we be surprised? It’s January in Buffalo, it’s going to snow. And as I write this column, news coming across my cell phone is informing me that there’s a winter storm watch for Erie and Niagara County for Feb. […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
A few words from the town supervisor
By Bee Group Newspapers | on January 12, 2022 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Happy New Year! As I begin another year as your town supervisor, I wish to say once again it is my privilege and honor to represent all of the residents and business owners in our town. Also, please know that the door to my office is always open; however, due to COVID, I would encourage you to call instead and […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Seasonal updates from the town supervisor
By Bee Group Newspapers | on December 08, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR I want to begin my column this month with a note of thanks and appreciation to my friend and colleague, John Bargnesi. At the end of this month, Councilman Bargnesi will become only the second person in the history of the town to be “term-limited” off the town board. In his time on the town board, John has been a […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Post-election thoughts, notes on November happenings
By Bee Group Newspapers | on November 10, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR As you read this, Election Day 2021 has just passed. I hope all of you took the opportunity to express your democratic right to vote. By voting, you really can effect change and your voice can be heard. It is never something that we should take for granted, and I want to thank all of you who took the time […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Autumn brings Bills wins, budget process and election season
By Bee Group Newspapers | on October 13, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Hard to believe, but we are already in the last quarter of 2021, Christmas is only 73 days away and fall is officially upon us: the Bills are winning, the Sabres haven’t lost – OK, they haven’t started their season yet – and our highway crews have begun their annual ritual of picking up the leaves in front of our […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Big Impact Grant Program sees 500 small businesses apply
By Bee Group Newspapers | on September 15, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR I want to start out this month with an update on something I addressed last month in my column when I announced the implementation of the Town of Tonawanda Small Business - Big Impact Grant Program. The SBBIG Program, through the Town of Tonawanda, has made $2 million available for small business owners based in the Town of Tonawanda and […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Town of Tonawanda Small Business – Big Impact $2 million grant program | Ken-Ton Bee
By Bee Group Newspapers | on August 04, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Some exciting news to report on this month. The Town of Tonawanda Town Board, along with the Ken- Ton Chamber of Commerce, recently announced the Town of Tonawanda Small Business – Big Impact Grant Program, with $2 million available for small businesses based in the Town of Tonawanda and the Village of Kenmore. Small Business – Big Impact is a […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Town honoring gardeners, celebrating summer with returning events in July
By Bee Group Newspapers | on July 07, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR I would like to take the first part of this month’s column to talk about something that, quite frankly, we don’t spend enough time recognizing or appreciating: our local garden clubs. You can’t go anywhere in the town without seeing people working on their lawns and gardens in an effort to help beautify their community. In Ken-Ton, we have two […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Saying good riddance to era of Tonawanda Coke
By Bee Group Newspapers | on June 02, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR You’ve all heard the saying, “out with the old and in with the new.” Well, in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 5, the end of an era will literally come tumbling down when the three smoke stacks remaining from the former Tonawanda Coke operation on River Road are imploded. While this certainly marks the end of one era […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Celebrating successes amid struggles
By Bee Group Newspapers | on May 05, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR Last month was the first of several articles that I will write summarizing my State of the Town address that I gave on Feb. 23, for those unable to attend. I want to continue where I left off last month when I ended talking about the town’s focus on protecting our residents and our workers during COVID. From Day 1, […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
Learning, progressing with COVID
By Bee Group Newspapers | on April 07, 2021 Joseph Emminger TOWN OF TONAWANDA SUPERVISOR I hope and pray that as I write this, all who read this and their families are safe and healthy. Remember, we are still in the depths of a worldwide pandemic and all of us still need to do everything that we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones from contracting COVID. The quickest way all of us can […] Oops! A Free Account is required to view this content.
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