Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick and the Sheriff’s Office announce that a free Boater Safety Course will be held to provide attendees the necessary instruction to receive a New York State Boating Safety Certificate.

Attendees must attend both four-hour classes to complete the required eight hours of classroom instruction and receive their certificate. The course is being offered from
5 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 10 and 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 12 at Tonawanda Fire Headquarters, 44 William St., Tonawanda, NY 14150.

Says Mortgage Tax Collections up 16.8% Over Same Period Last Year

Erie County, NY-Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs announced his office will soon distribute to local governments throughout the County their share of the Erie County Mortgage Tax collections based off of real estate transactions recorded in the Clerk’s Office.  The total to be distributed on May 15th is $7,896,969.86 and covers the six month period October 1, 2012-March 31, 2013.  This amount is 16.8% higher than the same period last year.

“Record low interest rates have fueled both refinancing and home purchases throughout Western New York.  This is a positive development for Erie County’s municipal governments since mortgage tax distributions are a major source of revenue for many of the County’s cities, towns and villages,” stated County Clerk Jacobs.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo will offer a naturalization workshop for those looking to become United States citizens on May 15 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 228 Albany St., Buffalo, the school site on the former Nativity Campus. Eligible candidates must be 18 years of age or older, have had a green card for at least four years and be able to read, write and speak basic English. Participants must bring: Green Cards for all family members; social security cards for each family member; two passport-sized photos of each applicant or $6 money order for each applicant to have photos taken; 2011 tax return and/or proof of Medicaid, food stamps or public assistance from the Department of Social Services or supplemental security income letter; list of all employment and addresses from the past five years; and list of all travel since becoming a permanent resident of the United States. Space is limited.