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2 • RIVERROCK T • Thursday, January 15, 2026 R The New City Hall: “Routing Councilmember requests through commissioners and the Common
It’s an ideal time to take a small step E Council liaison will help us track issues, avoid duplication, and ensure accountability.”

that can have a lifesaving impact A
L
’d like to wish you all a very
Happy New Year! The new L
Iyear tends to bring a renewed Y
focus on good health, which is not
only important on an individual !
level but also communally. January
is recognized nationwide as Na-
tional Blood Donor Month, a time
to highlight the lifesaving impor- District 3
tance of donating blood. Winter is
traditionally one of the most chal- Erie County Legislator Changes on the horizon for Black Rock, Riverside
lenging times to maintain a stable Michael H. Kooshoian
blood supply, as severe weather, from page 1 and we’ve only just started. It feels ning, and the city can spend time
blood aligns with these priorities
busy schedules, and seasonal ill- Anne McCooey, executive like we’ve really just scratched the planning on what to do and what
ness often lead to fewer donations. by promoting routine health aware- director, Black Rock surface. There’s so much more to do they think the community needs in
ness while reinforcing the idea that
In Erie County, however, residents Riverside Alliance and that’s exciting. We’re going to order to be revitalized. But unless
have multiple opportunities to sup- individual actions can have a col- plan on some fun things to do, some the people who live in that commu-
lective impact. “One of the things I’m most
port this critical cause while also excited about is having new eyes new projects and programs just to nity tell you what they need, you’re
improving their own health and Equally important are the con- celebrate 15 years. just guessing.”
nective offerings that surround and new ears and new hearts in City
strengthening community connec- Hall. I really hope it’s going to bring “We actually are going to be Joe Golombek, North District
tions. blood donation efforts. Blood putting shovels in the ground in Council member
drives bring neighbors together, to our community, which is so un-
Blood donation is a simple yet derserved, improved collaboration 2026 on the new urban orchards that “I would like to get some proj-
powerful way to contribute to pub- foster volunteerism, and create we’ve been planning. It’s a federal- ects and new tax revenue on the
shared experiences that strengthen with all the departments across city
lic health. A single donation can hall, across the board. We have a ly funded project and it got frozen, books in the city of Buffalo, wheth-
save up to three lives, supporting community bonds as they rely on but now it’s unfrozen, so we’re go- er that’s the Voelker’s property,
local volunteers to help with regis- great working relationship with our
patients undergoing surgery, cancer council member, but it needs to ex- ing to plan urban orchards, working Clayton or Austin street (apart-
treatment, trauma care, and man- tration, refreshments, and outreach, with the community on some of our ments). I think we have some un-
providing additional ways for resi- pand outside of that. I see the poten-
agement of chronic illnesses. Be- tial there with the new re-treeing efforts and opportunities derutilized properties and I would
yond helping others, donating dents to get involved even if they to help not only beautify but change like to see those adding to the tax
are unable to donate. These volun- administration, more open commu-
blood also offers personal health nication and hopefully more oppor- the environmental impact that hav- rolls. Hopefully that will make
benefits. Donors receive basic teer opportunities are especially ing tree-lined streets and tree-lined overall taxes more fair for every-
meaningful during the winter tunities to move some
health screenings, including blood transformational projects forward, areas will bring. body.
pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin months, when social isolation can “One of the other things we’re “The (former YMCA) building
increase and community engage- like affordable housing and small
checks, which can help identify business development and infra- looking at doing is we’re surveying on Delaware and Avery, I think
potential health concerns early. ment becomes even more valuable. the community in segments. We’ve that’s in the process of being
Erie County also supports in- structure improvements, things that
Erie County partners with orga- are long overdue for this communi- taken on Tonawanda Street and bought. I’m looking forward to see-
nizations such as ConnectLife, a clusivity and education around we’ve segmented it out, and we’re ing what the actual reuse of the
blood donation, helping residents ty.
nonprofit community blood bank, “Then, the Alliance is celebrat- looking right now at that being kind building is. It’ll be a nice positive
to host regular blood drives understand eligibility requirements of our next big project. We spent for the community.
and dispel common myths that may ing our 15th year as a not-for-profit
throughout the year. ConnectLife in the North District in 2026, so years working on Niagara Street “The stairs at Tonawanda and
collects, processes, and distributes prevent people from donating. By and now we want to look at Thompson, that really needs to be
working with trusted community that’s really exciting for us. It’s hard
for hospitals throughout Western to believe that we’re only 15 years Tonawanda Street, the section be- addressed. It’s a safety issue. For
New York, supplying more than partners, the county helps ensure tween Vulcan and Crowley is the the past couple of years, I have been
that donation opportunities are wel- old because we really started doing
75% of the region’s blood needs. the work here before we even be- first section, and we’re going to be putting money together, it might be
All blood donated stays in the re- coming, safe, and reflective of the looking at Austin to Amherst Street, like a $250,000 project to do it
diverse population they serve. came a not-for-profit. But in those
gion to help local patients in need 15 years, we look back at so many so the two ends. We’re going to be right. I don’t have that in a given
from trauma and surgery to those As Erie County residents set really talking to the community and year, but we’ve put a little bit aside
goals for the new year, National of the things that we started and
undergoing cancer treatment. Infor- where they’ve ended up, what the residents who live along there for the past several years. I’m hop-
mation about ways to contribute, Blood Donor Month offers a mean- and ask, what do you want to see? ing that this year those steps are
ingful reminder that health and we’ve accomplished and how much
where to donate along with how to investment we’ve brought into this What kind of a commitment are you finally done.
prepare for donation can be found connection go hand in hand. willing to make? If we get an invest- “The biggest problem, of
Whether by donating blood, volun- community over these 15 years. It’s
on their website staggering when you think about it ment to be able to do things to beau- course, is getting the city’s finances
www.connectlife.org. teering at a local drive, or encour- tify this and bring it back to life, in order. That’s going to be tough.
aging others to participate, January
For residents looking to get what are you willing to do to keep it “We’re also working on getting
healthier in the new year, blood is an ideal time to take a small step Press releases, up and help maintain it? We have a some markers for the 125th anni-
that can have a lifesaving impact –
donation can be part of a broader Announcements and survey out there right now for the versary of the Pan Am (Exposition)
wellness mindset. Erie County’s while bringing our community Crowley to Vulcan section and and some beautification in the Pan
closer together. As always, you are Calendar Events may be
Department of Health encourages we’ll be doing a presentation to Be- Am neighborhood. We’ve been
preventative care, healthy life- welcome to reach out to my Dis- emailed to lieve in Black Rock probably in working, actually for many years,
trict Office at (716) 832-0493 for
styles, and civic engagement as riverrock@email.com or February or March and invite all of with some of the residents over
interconnected goals. Donating more information about donating mailed to RiverRock Times, the residents and property owners there. Hopefully this year, with cel-
blood. along that section to come and give ebrating 125 years since the (event),
Quinn Minute – c/o 979 Grant St., Buffalo, us their feedback. We want ideas. we’ll be able to do something.”
NY 14207 We can spend so much time plan-
Revisiting the classics
by Rix Quinn tries to bust up this knife battle, but
Most students read “Romeo and accidentally kills the Capulet kid,
Juliet” by Shakespeare, then ask (1) and goes into hiding.
Where did those people learn to talk Then the friar hatches a plan. He
so cool? and (2) Wasn’t this the gives Juliet a sleeping potion to
same plot as “West Side Story?” make her “appear dead.” When her
The play centers around Romeo family carries her to the tomb, the
Montague and Juliet Capulet (a friar will fetch Romeo to rescue
name that rhymes). Juliet’s dad ar- Juliet, and they can escape!
ranges for his daughter to marry a But news of Juliet’s “death”
big-shot named Paris, and sets up a reaches Romeo before he learns
costume party where they can meet. about the trick. Heartsick, he buys
Romeo shows up in disguise, poison, then races to her tomb so
thinks Juliet is hotter than a blow- they can dirt nap together.
torch, and grabs a kiss. Then he When Juliet wakes up to find
follows her home, stands under her Romeo deceased, she stabs herself.
window, and blathers all sorts of The warring families find the fallen
1st Monday
gushy stuff that lovesick guys have lovers, and the philosophical friar
quoted for centuries. explains that the couple wished only of Every Month
Juliet adores Romeo right back, love, which reunites their families.
even though the families hate each I’ve left a lot out, but the basic
other. But, what the heck…they’re message is: (1) don’t kiss strangers
both 14, so they decide to marry! in costume, (2) never fight if you
Romeo convinces a friendly fri- can avoid it, and (3) middle school
ar to tie the knot immediately. is way too young to marry.
Then, in events more twisted You can read more of Rix
than a contortionist’s colon, Ro- Quinn’s ideas on memoir and biog-
meo’s friend and Juliet’s cousin raphy writing by going to this link:
slice-and-dice each other. Romeo https://rixquinn.substack.com/