On Wednesday Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) voted for H.R. 5987, the Seniors Protection Act but the bill failed to receive the over two-thirds support needed for approval. The legislation, cosponsored by Higgins, would have provided a one-time $250 payment to seniors on Social Security to compensate for an automatic formula that calculates no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2011.

“I am saddened to see partisan Washington politics win out at the expense of seniors in Western New York and across the nation,” said Congressman Higgins.

“For Social Security recipients in this community that $250 payment, while not exorbitant, certainly goes a long way toward paying heating bills or prescription costs. The issue of making sure our seniors have the most basic of necessities should not be one that divides but instead a national priority we can all unite behind.”

    The Playboy story began in Buffalo after WWII when Lou Horwitz, who had been in the automobile business since 1935, opened a used car lot on the corner of Deleware and Hertel. Horowitz sent cars to Norm Richardson Collision Shop at 988 Ellicott St. for repair. While at Richardson's shop Horowitz learned that Richardson and Charlie Thomas were working on a three wheel car.  Thomas had built a car in the 1930's with the help of Richardson. Lou Horwitz had long believed there was a need for a second or companion car in the American automobile field. Therefore, he joined forces with Thomas and Richardson to form the Playboy Motorcar Corporation with Horwitz as president, Thomas as vice president and Richardson as treasurer.