BUF-Mayor: Brown-Kearns Primary A Race

by: robert.harding

Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 08:28:24 AM EDT

The challenger to Brown is Mickey Kearns, a Buffalo Common Councilmember who started out as a long-shot to win because of Brown's perceived strong incumbent advantage.

That advantage has, apparently, evaporated.

In a poll conducted by SurveyUSA for WGRZ, Brown and Kearns are running neck and neck.

According to our scientific 2 On Your Side and SurveyUSA poll, Brown has 48% of the vote, Kearns has 47%, and 5% are undecided.

There is a 4.2% margin of error.

580 likely voters in the City of Buffalo were part of the telephone survey last Wednesday and Thursday.

When you breakdown the numbers and look at the demographics, Brown leads among women 51% to Kearns' 43%. Among men, however, Kearns leads Brown 52% to 44%.

The divide is even deeper among race. Brown leads Kearns 86% to 13% among black voters. While Kearns leads among white voters 64% to 29%.

Two key issues also split voters. When asked about creating jobs in Buffalo, 56% select Brown over 39% for Kearns. But on the controversial topic of One Sunset 86% choose Kearns over 12% for Brown.

If you asked anyone in Buffalo a few months ago whether or not this would be a race, they probably would have said no. While Kearns was a known opponent, he didn't have a lot of traction. He isn't a bad option, but Brown is a force in Buffalo politics. That put Kearns in a tough spot.

With all of the problems and revelations involving Brown lately, it is hard for Brown to hold on to that strong advantage he had not so long ago. This is a race and everyone knows it.  

BUF-Mayor: Brown's Attempt To Use City Hall Employees As Campaign "Volunteers"

by: robert.harding

Mon Jul 06, 2009 at 19:51:07 PM EDT

Today, James Heaney of The Buffalo News exposed this questionable tactic as e-mails surfaced from a City Hall official asking employees to volunteer eight hours of their time at a Brown for Mayor campaign office.

And on his blog, Heaney includes the actual e-mail which led to his piece.

Here's the e-mail:

Subject: Volunteer opportunities to Re-elect Mayor Byron W. Brown  

   Community Services Team:  

   I sent an email regarding volunteer opportunities to assist in the re-election of Mayor Byron W. Brown on Monday and this is a follow-up with updated information.

   This week, your help is needed at the campaign headquarters from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Wednesday-Friday.

   Again, select either Saturday or Sunday for a 4 hour block to volunteer your time.

   Please make sure you sign in and that you work until 9:00 pm during the week and minimally 4 hours on the weekend. Your services are needed minimally 8 hours per week.

   "Campaign hours on the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) are from 10:00 am - 9 pm.

   Next week, Tuesday, June 9th, everyone is expected to be at the Headquarters after work ; a 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm or 5 pm until 9 pm. This is a busy day as it is the first official day for petitions. There is a lot of work to be done and your help is needed.

   From that point on, Community Services team will be at Headquarters on Tuesday until 9:00 pm where you will receive your assignment. If you are unable to volunteer on that Tuesday or a weekend, please notify myself and Dana Bobinchek at the email above and accommodations will be made for you to make up the time during the week.

   Due to the importance and volume of activity, it is important that that we all contribute to the re-election of Mayor Byron W. Brown. Also, recruit friends and family to assist.

   Please respond that you have received this e-mail. Let me know the days and times you will work this week. If I don't hear from you by Wednesday, I will contact you.

   Thanks. Tanya

Keep in mind a few things: This e-mail was sent to city employees. This wasn't sent to just any average citizen that would be interesting in aiding Brown's re-election campaign. This was sent directly to employees of Tanya Perrin-Johnson's department, the Department of Community Services, asking them to "volunteer" their time.

But if you read the e-mail, as Heaney pointed out, it doesn't sound much like a volunteer opportunity as the subject of the e-mail would make you think. The text of the e-mail makes it sound like something where, if you don't show, you will be contacted. In other words, either help out or get a talking to.

Mickey Kearns, a Buffalo Common Councilmember and a Democratic challenger to Brown for Mayor, has questioned in the past the tactics employed by Brown and the use of City Hall employees as campaign staffers. With the Buffalo News article today, Kearns came out strongly against Brown's use of City Hall employees for campaign purposes.

Speaking at a noontime press conference on the steps of City Hall Kearns, the South District Council member said Buffalo News revelations of internal e-mails requiring service at Brown's campaign headquarters indicate that civil servants are being "bullied and muscled" to work on his behalf.

He promised that if he wins the September Democratic primary and November general election, he will ban any similar activity. And he labeled "coercive" the story's revelations that Human Resources Commissioner Tanya Perrin-Johnson e-mailed city employees to outline her expectations they will volunteer a minimum of eight hours per week.

"Employees should not be compelled by any city commissioner or department head to work on the mayor's campaign period," he said. "Employees should only be expected to do their jobs."

In his first real criticism of Brown in his so far quiet campaign, Kearns said the mayor has presided over "one of the most corrupt" administrations in recent memory.

If this practice isn't illegal already, it should be. Using taxpayer-funded employees for political purposes is not a practice that should be condoned or taken lightly. It is an abuse of power and abuse of taxpayer money. It is one thing for city employees to volunteer on their own. It is another for them to be pressured into it (whether that was the intent or not, it sure sounds like it in the e-mail) and told that they are expected to meet certain minimums for their time. That isn't why these employees took the job. They took it to make a living, not to be campaign staff for the mayor.

EC-Leg: Kathy Konst (EC-5) gets targeted by Chris Collins

by: Adama

Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 12:00:22 PM EDT

From the News:

Dino Fudoli, 38, a Canisius College graduate who owns a property development company, will oppose Konst. He is already labeling the incumbent an "obstructionist" to the county executive's agenda.

Fascinating, isn't it, that the only "obstructionists" in the Erie County Legislature are Democrats in potentially competitive seats.

Apparently Fudoli learned a little something from the embarassingly fawning rollout of Kevin Hardwick, and so made sure to at least pretend to disagree with Collins on something. Though whether that means anything, we'll see later.

"It's strange that someone like Kathy Konst would go against the county executive on everything," he said. "I don't support everything he does; I don't support his tax increase. But she sticks her neck out to obstruct everything he wants done."

Of course anyone who knows Erie County politics is aware that that's a load, and that Kathy has actually gotten in hot water with her own party a few times for taking the other side in a disagreement. However, Kathy has also had several high-profile fights with Collins over the county budget--and as I said with regard to the challenger to "obstructionist" Michelle Iannello, attempting to obstruct incompetance is not a bad thing.

Now that appears to have extended to Konst, with Fudoli indicating he has met with Collins and hopes he will assist him politically and financially.

"I can expect he would maybe help me in that aspect," Fudoli said of Collins' financial backing. "It's certainly something I would ask him for."

And there's the onion. Each and every one of these candidates is effectively running as a proxy for Chris Collins, in what you could be forgiven for thinking of as a "Vote Lapdog" campaign. All of them are going to be so politically indebted to Collins if they got elected that they wouldn't be able to provide real checks and balances government without losing their sugar daddy.

The Erie County legislature races this November are far more important than they might seem to the outside observer. Besides preserving a vital Democratic foothold in western New York, they're a crucial bellweather of Chris Collins' popularity and political capital. Collins is already being talked up by elements within the state GOP for statewide office next year, possibly even the Governor's race. Facing a major defeat of his hand-picked puppet candidates this year would put some serious marks on his self-touted record.  

Senate Ethics Committee To Hold Hearings Throughout The State

by: robert.harding

Wed May 27, 2009 at 11:56:03 AM EDT

Here is the information on those hearings:

Thursday, May 28, 2009

10:00 AM

250 Broadway 19th Floor

New York, NY 10007

Friday, May 29

11:00 AM

Erie County Legislature

92 Franklin Street 4th Floor

Buffalo, New York 14202

Tuesday, June 2

11:30 AM

Room 124 State Capitol

Albany, NY 12247

If you wish to testify at these hearings, here is some more information that will assist you:

Persons who wish to attend or testify at any of the hearings should call Ben Brodsky at 212-298-5540, and fill out and return the attached reply form via fax at least two days prior to the hearing date. The Ethics Committee will accommodate as many witnesses as possible, and encourages the submission of written testimony, which will considered and made part of the hearing record. Written testimony should be e-mailed no later than two days prior to the hearing as an attachment in any common format to: bbrodsky@senate.state.ny.us.

Witnesses are requested to keep their oral testimony to no more than five minutes in length and to bring 10 copies of their prepared statement to the hearing.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Senate has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. Accommodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities upon reasonable request to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate facilities and activities.

Questions about this hearing may be directed to Ben Brodsky at 212- 298-5540.

This is a great opportunity for citizens to take part in the legislative process as the Senate takes up legislation regarding ethics reform.

New U.S. Attorney In Buffalo Should Look At Past Political Influence

by: robert.harding

Mon May 11, 2009 at 08:27:18 AM EDT

But the firing of U.S. attorneys wasn't the only thing that Battle was guilty of. Being involved in such politically-motivated firings leads to speculation about the political influence behind some of Battle's decisions when he was a U.S. attorney in Buffalo.

Now, many believe that Battle's role in the U.S. attorney scandal was one that he wasn't happy to go along with. That appears to be true in several accounts, including fired U.S. attorney David Iglesias' book, In Justice: Inside the Scandal That Rocked the Bush Administration.

But there was one incident while Battle was the U.S. attorney in Buffalo that featured a nephew of Sen. George Maziarz. That nephew, Stephen Maziarz, worked as an inspector on the Peace Bridge. He was accused of trying to smuggle goods into the United States with the help of another individual. Both Stephen Maziarz and the other individual faced federal charges, but ultimately, Battle dropped all charges, saying that "it wasn't appropriate to pursue charges." Whether or not political motivations were behind that or not is anyone's guess. But considering Battle, while the consensus is that he is a good guy, still was willing to go along with the U.S. attorney firings, it raises questions about political influence in his own office while serving as a U.S. attorney.

That is why the next U.S. attorney in the Buffalo office should take a look at the past cases that have gone through that office and make sure that nothing was done for political purposes. It would also be important for the next U.S. attorney not to engage in the same political games that were rampant through the Justice Department during the Bush years.

There is a nominee for the U.S. attorney's office in Buffalo. That nominee is Bill Hochul, who is best known for his prosecution of the Lackawanna Six. Hochul has been nominated by Sen. Chuck Schumer and would be a great choice to fill the seat. And while Hochul should be held to the same standards, he should also look into the past to see if the office was guilty of anything that involved political influence, including any possible political influence that might have swayed the decision of the U.S. attorney's office when charges were brought against Stephen Maziarz.

Politics doesn't belong in our courts, but under the Bush administration, that's exactly what happened. President Barack Obama needs to be sure that the Justice Department is free of political influence and that the U.S. attorneys throughout the country are doing their jobs free of influence.  

Congratulations Are In Order

by: phillip anderson

Tue May 05, 2009 at 10:50:00 AM EDT

Not too shabby, eh?

Interview With NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi

by: robert.harding

Mon Apr 06, 2009 at 09:24:00 AM EDT

The annual New York State United Teachers convention has concluded in Buffalo and no one could be happier about the convention than NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi.

Iannuzzi was named president of NYSUT in April 2005 and also serves as vice president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and holds the same title with the New York State AFL-CIO.

(Pictured, at left, is Richard Iannuzzi speaking before the NYSUT Convention in Buffalo.)

Being a teacher is something Iannuzzi knows plenty about. It is why he is the best man to serve as president of such a diverse union that includes 600,000 members statewide. For 34 years, Iannuzzi was an elementary school teacher in Central Islip, where he spent 20 of those years teaching fourth grade. It was during his teaching career that he was very involved in teachers' unions, including his service as vice president of the Central Islip Teachers Association starting in 1976 to 1996 before becoming president of that organization from 1996 to 2004.

While at the convention, I caught up with Iannuzzi and had a chance to ask him a few questions about how he thought the convention went, why NYSUT decided on a social justice theme for the convention and his thoughts on the budget impact on teachers.

QUESTION: How was your experience in Buffalo and how do you think the convention went?

IANNUZZI: I'll start with the city of Buffalo and the wonderful mayor (Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown) and the convention bureau (the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center and Visitors Bureau) they have done more to make us feel at home than any convention site I have ever been at. It's been a great city and a great convention bureau and our hope is that we will be able to be back. That's our goal.

As far as the Representative Assembly goes, I'm excited about it. I feel good now that we are done with it. That we achieved our goals and that the delegates went home inspired and satisfied that they had a good convention. That Woody Guthrie quote does it for me, which is our goal is to make sure that these officers get their job done. If we can help them get their job done, then we've gotten our job done.

Q: There is a debate brewing in school districts across the state about how the state budget and federal stimulus package will impact teachers. Some school districts are proposing cuts, layoffs and so forth to address budget problems. What is your take on that?

IANNUZZI: At the end of the day, when a school district puts its budget forward, it needs to, as always, think about its federal support, state support and its local property tax support. We always understand that and appreciate that.

What's different this year is that the federal stimulus money was clearly designed and directed to save and preserve jobs. Where any school district is not applying those dollars directly for that purpose, our commitment is to aggressively pursue those responsible for that misappropriation and to be sure things get done correctly. We know the Governor's office understands that. We know that the state Education Department understands that.

My last comment on that is to the people that live in those communities and the message is that if your school board is foolishly misappropriating those funds, the result is going to be the potential of losing the funds and property taxes going up even higher.

On behalf of both the community and my members and the kids, our goal will be to be sure those dollars the way they were designed to be spent. And if they are spent that way, what will happen is that teachers will be in classrooms, good things will continue to happen and our hope is that the standards that are raised, the achievement gap is addressed and potentially, we will be able to create the trained and well educated workforce that will grow the economy in the state, especially upstate, in ways that will make it self-sufficient and able to carry it on with their own dollars instead of dollars generated by new business and new industry.

Q: I was impressed by the social justice themes today and that is really impressive that NYSUT has been engaged in that. Talk a little bit about that and what the motives are behind making the union social justice minded.

IANNUZZI: I think if you go back to the birth of the union movement, it really was about providing an opportunity for collective action in ways that the voice of those who were voiceless could be heard. And that's really how unions started and how unions have grown.

Perhaps there is a period of time, it could be argued, where unions, in general, have concentrated on so many other issues that they haven't been able to concentrate on social justice. But our view of social justice is that now that we have begun to move forward in respect to our ability to move workers further and further into the middle class, we still have an obligation to be sure that our lowest wage earning workers get a living wage, that we protect their health insurance and their nutrition.

We believe that our responsibility as a union expands beyond our members. It expands to other workers and that we ought to be sure that it expands to those we serve, whether we are talking about children, patients or the public.

In his biography posted on the NYSUT website, there is this quote from Iannuzzi, which certainly could best sum up Iannuzzi's view of what he hopes to do as a union and as president of that union.

"Whether we work in health care, on a campus or in a school - whether we are in-service or retired - we all bring different contributions and concerns to our shared union endeavors," said Iannuzzi, who has spoken frequently concerning the potential for diversity to increase the power of unity. "After all, each of us understands that our strength is not in focusing on our diverse professions, geography or the size of our locals, but in our common union culture. In essence, our strength is our solidarity."

Iannuzzi's leadership has brought many successes to NYSUT. And with his leadership, the union will still look for ways to best represent their members as well as improving the world around them.

New York State Senate To Host Town Hall Meetings On Stimulus Package

by: robert.harding

Sun Mar 15, 2009 at 16:11:30 PM EDT

There are more stimulus package town halls to come. The New York State Senate will hold at least five more stimulus package town hall meetings, including three coming up this week.

- Federal Stimulus Package Town Hall Meeting: Albany
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
6 to 8 p.m.
College at Saint Rose
Touhey Forum
Thelma P. Lally School of Education
1009 Madison Ave.
Albany, New York

- Federal Stimulus Package Town Hall Meeting: Syracuse
Thursday, March 19, 2009
6 to 8 p.m.
Syracuse City Council Chambers
233 East Washington Street
Syracuse, New York

- Federal Stimulus Package Town Hall Meeting: Buffalo
Saturday, March 21, 2009
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cheektowaga Senior Citizen's Center
3349 Broadway Street
Cheektowaga, New York

- Federal Stimulus Package Town Hall Meeting: Rochester
Thursday, March 26, 2009
6 to 8 p.m.
University of Rochester Alumni Center
300 East River Road
Rochester, New York

It should be noted that Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith helped host the first two town halls in Queens and Long Island. He will do the same in Rochester on March 26, according to his office.

If you are interested in attending, you can RSVP through Senate Majority Leader Smith's office by calling (212) 298-5585 or by using the form on the Federal Stimulus Package town hall forum website.  

Horrible

by: phillip anderson

Tue Feb 17, 2009 at 09:29:28 AM EST

Friends expressed shock on Friday that the founder of a Muslim TV channel - which he launched in order to counter violent images of Muslims - has been arrested in his wife's brutal slaying.

Detectives have charged Muzzammil Hassan, 44, with second-degree murder after his wife was found beheaded Thursday at the offices of the cable channel, Bridges TV, in the Village of Orchard Park.

Bufflo Pundit adds:

Hassan wasn't just murdered, she was beheaded. With that act, her husband didn't just tragically cut her life short. He also did further damage to the reputation of regular, law-abiding Muslim Americans, providing more fodder for reactionary types who brand Islam as a religion of criminals and terrorists. A double-whammy of senseless tragedy.

Just horrible.

Alison Des Forges - human rights champion and Flight 3407 passenger

by: NYCO

Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 17:03:43 PM EST

Des Forges was a resident of Buffalo, a native of Schenectady, educated at Harvard and Yale as a historian, and she received a MacArthur "genius grant" in 1999, which was also the year that her four years of research on the Rwandan genocide was published for Human Rights Watch.  Her work on Rwanda was perhaps less well known than that of Philip Gourevitch or Samantha Power, but it is arguably the definitive chronology and analysis of one of the great horrors of the 20th century.

No Survivors: 49 Dead In Clarence, NY Commuter Plane Crash

by: phillip anderson

Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 01:45:48 AM EST

BUFFALO, New York - New York state police said a 50-passenger commuter plane crashed into a home in suburban Buffalo, killing up to 49 people.

Authorities said Continental Airlines Flight 3407 from Newark, N.J., hit a house in Clarence around 10:10 p.m. Thursday.

The flight was operated by Manassas, Va.-based Colgan Air. It was en route from Newark, N.J. to Buffalo. The FAA confirmed to NBC News producer Jay Blackman that there were 44 passengers and 4 crew members on board.

State police said there were no survivors on board.

Clarence emergency control director Dave Bissonet says the crash killed one person on the ground.

Such a tragedy. My thoughts are with all the victims and their families.

Commuter Plane Crash In Clarence, NY (UPDATED X2)

by: phillip anderson

Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 00:21:45 AM EST

Plane crashes in Buffalo, N.Y. residential area

A small passenger plane crashed into a home near Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday night.

New York state police said the aircraft was a 50-passenger commuter plane. Television reports said it was on a flight from Newark, N.J., to Buffalo.

It was just after 10:20 p.m. when the plane, believed to be heading towards the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, crashed into the home on Long Street in Clarence Centre, a small community just northeast of Buffalo, neighbours said.

Neighbours said the plane - which appeared to be a small propeller plane - came in loudly and lower than normal, before it hit the house with a loud bang.

...

A woman and her daughter said to be living in the home made it out uninjured and were at a neighbour's house. A man also lived at the house, but it wasn't clear whether he was hurt or not.

Sources said 10 people were hurt, but it wasn't immediately clear if anyone died.

Half an hour later, fire departments had arrived and put out the fire. The house continued to smoke, one of the plane's wings sticking up out of the remains.

"The house is gone. totally gone," neighbour Kelly Simkin told a local news station. "We really think it only landed on one house.

"It is amazing what this plane maybe could have done."

Hoping for the best.

UPDATE (12:30am): The Buffalo News reports that 49 people have died.

Forty-nine people reportedly died when an aircraft identified as a Continental Airlines flight crashed into a house in Clarence Center shortly after 10 p.m. last night, starting a huge fire which poured thick smoke throughout the hamlet.

Unconfirmed reports from a source at Buffalo Niagara International Airport said that the dead included 44 passengers, four crew members and a person on the ground.

County Executive Chris Collins said that there may have been as many as 50 people aboard the plane and crew members had reported mechanical problems as they approached Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Several injured people were taken from the scene to Erie County Medical Center for treatment.

Horrible.

UPDATE II: Live streaming video from CNN

Embedded video from CNN Video

Senate Majority Leader Smith Meets With Buffalo-Area Leaders

by: robert.harding

Fri Jan 09, 2009 at 12:06:40 PM EST

Sen. Smith met with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Sen. Bill Stachowski and Sen. Antoine Thompson to talk about these issues and the plan of action moving forward.

Newly elected State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith and Senators William Stachowski and Antoine Thompson met today with Mayor Byron Brown in Buffalo to discuss concerns facing Upstate, as well as ways the new Senate Majority can work with local leaders to spur economic revitalization. The visit comes less than 48 hours after Smith was elected as the new Senate Majority Leader, the first Democrat to hold that position in 43 years.

The change in leadership also means that Stachowski and Thompson will now lead powerful committees and be able to steer legislation that will benefit Western New York and all of Upstate.

At the meeting, the officials spoke about the Senate Majority's commitment to Upstate New York, and discussed ways to work together to grow the Upstate economy and revitalize cities like Buffalo so they can once again be the economic engines of Upstate New York.

"Revitalizing the Upstate economy is a top priority of the new Majority and has been the mission of Mayor Brown's administration," said Senator Smith.  "Senate Democrats are committed to working with local leaders to develop a thoughtful plan to get our economy back on track through job creation and economic development. We must attract businesses, improve economic opportunities for working families and keep our children in the communities in which they grew up by making good paying jobs available to them after they graduate from college," said Smith.

Among the economic development proposals discussed were:

   * Utilizing the many natural advantages of Upstate, such as open space, diverse agriculture, and waterways to expand and develop new alternative energies and secure Upstate as the green energy jobs and technology hub of the Northeast.
   * Constructing high speed rail that would better connect urban and rural communities and foster increased trade.
   * Retrofitting existing manufacturing companies to meet the needs of future technology to prevent a further loss of jobs.
   * Linking rural agriculture with city consumers and promoting New York produced and built products in neighboring states.
   * Cleaning up brownfields to get these properties back on the tax rolls and available for business.

Mayor Brown said, "We have achieved significant progress in Buffalo over the past three years, and now that we have strong voices like Senators Stachowski and Thompson able to lead legislation and initiatives through the State Senate , we look forward to their ability to breathe new life into many of our initiatives. Economic growth and a revitalized, 21st Century economy are top priorities of my Administration and I look forward to partnering with the new Senate Majority, as well as Governor Paterson and the Assembly Majority to continue the great progress that is taking place in Buffalo."

Senator Stachowski, Chairman of the Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee said, "It is a new State Senate, and we will hold Albany accountable to the residents of Western New York. People have talked for years about economic growth even as our economy was hemorrhaging. As the new Chairman of a powerful committee that has particular importance to Buffalo's economic growth, I am optimistic as we partner with Mayor Brown and other local leaders to deliver results."

Senator Thompson, Chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee said, "I am very excited and honored to be part of the new Democratic Majority in the New York State Senate.  Being a part of the majority will enable me to advocate for all issues facing Western New York, especially environmental issues as the chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee."

"The residents of Buffalo, Utica, Massena and every city, town and village in between deserve an economy that works for them. My colleagues and I are committed to doing that," concluded Senator Smith.

I published the whole press release because there is a lot of information there and plenty of good information to go off. This won't be the last meeting you will see featuring Sen. Smith. He plans on traveling throughout the state to meet with leaders and create a plan for New York's future.

An Interview With Assemblyman Sam Hoyt

by: robert.harding

Mon Dec 29, 2008 at 11:49:11 AM EST

I have interviewed Assemblyman Hoyt before and he was a great interview. He provided me with a lot of his positions on issues like Empire Zone and IDA reform, as well as his position on smart growth and his support of charter schools.

One issue we didn't talk about is high speed rail, which is an issue that Assemblyman Hoyt has long been a supporter of. On Christmas Day, he wrote an op-ed in The Buffalo News discussing how federal stimulus money promised by the incoming Barack Obama administration should fund the construction of high speed rail here in New York.

During my interview with Hoyt, he discussed high speed rail and what it could mean for upstate New York.

"High speed rail would connect the three greatest cities: New York City, Buffalo and Toronto as well as all the cities in between," Hoyt said. "It would lead to explosive growth in industry and population. The economic stimulus package will be in the several billion dollar range and one of the central infrastructure needs is high speed rail."

I asked Hoyt whether he saw real support for high speed rail and he said he did. He made the case for high speed rail.

"I think you will see real growth and environmental benefits," Hoyt said of high speed rail. "Our highways are reaching their capacity. Airports are bursting at the seams. There are stories about delays at major airports and you can't just build a new terminal."

Hoyt added: "The current administration has said that the Empire State Corridor qualifies as one of 11 high speed rail corridors that is being looked at for development of a high speed rail system."

I discussed other issues with Hoyt, including the recent Executive Budget proposal put forth by Governor David Paterson, property taxes and what his legislative goals for the next session will be.

You can read the rest of the interview below the fold.

Jon Stewart Comes To Buffalo

by: robert.harding

Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 01:11:54 AM EST

I spent nearly two hours of my night Saturday in Buffalo at an event with Jon Stewart of Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Stewart was in town as a speaker in UB's Distinguished Speakers Series. I have been to two past events at UB in this same venue - UB's Alumni Arena - and this event was packed. The floor seating was full and the upper level seating was full as well.

Stewart began with some comedic jabs at Buffalo, referring to the city as "the gateway to Fort Erie" and discussing how much pride Buffalo takes in "inventing a bar food" - a reference to chicken wings, which are a Buffalo classic.

Stewart talked about a wide range of topics, from the 2008 elections to Proposition 8 to science and religion. He also took questions from the audience, which ended up being some hilarious exchanges. One questioner asked him if he was stranded on a desert island, what three things would he bring with him. Stewart replied rather non-chalantly, "A boat-building kit, a book about boat building and a boat."

One of my favorite moments was when Stewart mentioned the hypocrisy of those who oppose marriage equality and supported Proposition 8 in California. He specifically pointed out the strong number of African Americans who supported Proposition 8 even though they are still defending their own civil rights to this day. Stewart also pointed out the hypocrisy of religion and even questioned whether or not we would see a sign at an anti-marriage equality rally that reads, "God hates fags... and shellfish", a reference to the fact that the Bible considers eating shellfish an abomination.

Stewart also poked fun at Sarah Palin and her attack against President-elect Barack Obama that he "palled around with terrorists." Stewart asked, "How do you pall around with a terrorist? [Do you say] Hey Osama, you wanna go bowling?" During the question and answer session, the first questioner, who Stewart jokingly called Celine Dion for her resemblance to the singer, asked Stewart if we should send Palin America: The Book, a book that was authored by Stewart and The Daily Show staff. Stewart responded by saying that if they did that, she would get every question wrong.

One of the best lines of the night came when Stewart was discussing how we have the world's best military but we are only 26th in education. (Note: That was his statistic. But all the surveys and rankings I have seen show us to be anywhere but first.) Stewart's zinger in response to the fact we have a top-notch military but a not-so great education system? "Smart bombs. Stupid fucking children."

Stewart will tell you that what he does is comedy and satire. He reminded the audience that his show is not a news organization. They exist to make fun of how ridiculous the media is. But Stewart was also thought-provoking tonight. Some people might have seen it as comedy (it was), but he is someone who deserves respect for willing to discuss sensitive issues in a straight-forward manner. He has an every man approach to what he does and that's a good thing. It's just too bad we don't have more like him.

It was a great show tonight. I wish I had more on it, but that's the most I can do with no pictures and video and limited note-taking. It was a lot of fun and I didn't stop laughing. If you can catch Jon Stewart, do it. You won't regret it.  

BREAKING: New Siena Polls Are Out: Foley Trouncing Trunzo, Stach Is Back

by: phillip anderson

Sun Nov 02, 2008 at 09:52:38 AM EST

The biggest numbers to pop out is the lead Brian Foley has over Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) and the huge comeback by incumbent Dem Bill Stachowski. Foley leads Trunzo by a whopping 22 points and Stachowski has turned a 13 point deficit into a 4 point lead.

A rundown:

3rd SD - Suffolk County - Caesar Trunzo (R, incumbent) vs. Brian Foley (D)

Foley has a 56-34 percent lead over Trunzo. Trunzo led 46-40 percent in the previous Siena New York Poll. While Foley has picked up a little more support among Democrats, he has cut Trunzo's lead among Republican voters to 53-39 percent, down dramatically from 71-16 percent. Additionally, Foley has opened up a 63-27 percent lead among independent voters, up from 43-40 percent previously.

Foley has expanded a two-point lead in Brookhaven to a 12-point lead, and reversed 12-point deficit in Islip and turned it into 30-point lead. Where Trunzo had a nine-point lead among voters 55-years of age and older, Foley now leads with those voters 52-40 percent. Foley leads by 13 points with men and 30 points with women. The only demographic group in which Trunzo leads is among Republicans.

If Foley leads by even 10 points in Trunzo's Islip backyard, this thing is over. The poll shows a 30 point lead. And before the GOoPs start screaming about the poll sample, look at the Obama/McCain numbers. They are essentially dead even. It's not like they are only polling Dems.

6th SD - Nassau County - Kemp Hannon (R, incumbent) vs. Kristen McElroy (D)

Hannon has a commanding 56-30 percent lead, in a district that is virtually evenly enrolled between Republicans and Democrats. Hannon has the support of 80 percent of Republicans and picks up the support of nearly one-third of Democrats. McElroy only wins among Democrats 55-32 percent, while only attracting support from 10 percent of Republicans. Hannon leads among independent voters 56-21 percent.

McElroy leads among young voters and those in the Council District 1 section of the Hempstead portion of the Senate district. However, Hannon has much bigger leads in the remainder of the district and has better than 60 percent among voters who are at least 35-years old.

Ouch. Got some work to do here.

15th SD - Queens County - Serph Maltese (R, incumbent) vs. Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D)

Addabbo currently has a slim 45-43 percent lead over Maltese. In the September Siena poll, the two were tied at 42 percent, in this district that has an overwhelmingly Democratic enrollment edge. Maltese has the support of more than three-quarters of Republicans and one-quarter of Democrats. Addabbo leads 61-27 percent among Democrats and picks up the support of 20 percent of Republicans. Maltese leads among independent voters 51-31 percent. Maltese leads by four points with men, while Addabbo has a seven-point lead with women. Addabbo leads in the southern part of the district and Maltese leads in the north.

Maltese is viewed favorably by 45 percent of voters and unfavorably by 33 percent of voters, down from a 48-16 percent favorable rating previously. Addabbo's favorable rating is 42-30 percent, and was previously 38-20 percent.

Obama leads McCain in this district 57-32 percent, up from 49-31 percent.

Maltese is deep doo doo here. Throw him an anvil.

48th SD - Oswego/Jefferson/St. Lawrence - Darrel Aubertine (D, incumbent) vs. David Renzi (R)

Aubertine, who had a 51-31 percent lead over Renzi in the last poll, has seen that lead drop to 49-38 percent. Aubertine has the support of nearly three-quarters of Democrats and more than one-third of Republicans in this district with a heavy Republican enrollment edge. Renzi leads 57-35 percent with Republicans, up from 41-37 percent previously, and only gets 13 percent of Democrats. Aubertine is winning among independent voters 49-34 percent, up from 41-37 percent previously. While Renzi has erased a 20-point Aubertine lead in Oswego County, and now leads there 44-37 percent, Aubertine has widened his leads in Jefferson (25 points, up from 16) and St. Lawrence (30 points, up from 27) Counties.

Aubertine is viewed favorably by 54 percent of voters and unfavorably by 31 percent of voters, down from 58-21 percent previously. Renzi has a 40-35 percent favorability rating; previously it was 34-15 percent.

Aubertine is going to fine.

58th SD - Erie County - William Stachowski (D, incumbent) vs. Dennis Delano (R)

Stachowski now has a 47-43 percent lead over Delano, after trailing 49-36 percent in the previous Siena poll in this district where Democrats have a better than two-to-one enrollment edge. Stachowski has increased his lead among Democrats to 62-30 percent (up from 51-34 percent). Delano maintains a 63-25 percent lead among Republicans (virtually unchanged from 64-23 percent) and has seen his lead among independent voters fall to 54-36 percent, down from 67-19 percent.

Whereas Delano led in all three sections of the district previously, Stachowski now leads 47-37 percent in Buffalo/Lackawanna, 48-45 percent in Cheektowaga, and 47-44 percent in the southern suburbs. Stachowski has a 12-point lead with men, while Delano has a two-point lead with women. Delano has a significant lead with Protestants. Stachowski leads with Catholics, and has a big lead among younger voters.

Stachowski has a 50-31 percent favorable rating. It had been 39-14 percent. Delano's favorable rating, 53-33 percent, is down from 63-15 percent. Delano continues to have a positive favorable rating with voters of every party, while Stachowski has increased his favorability among Democrats but lost ground with independent voters and saw his favorability among Republicans drop from 35-12 percent to 29-50 percent.

More than half of voters would like to see the Senate controlled by Democrats, and Obama has opened 55-37 percent lead over McCain, up from 45-41 percent previously.

"Senator Stachowski has turned this race around. In four weeks he has erased a 13-point deficit and turned it into a tight four-point lead. Where Delano previously had a much better favorable rating with voters, the two are now viewed by voters in virtually the same light. We will have to wait until Election Day to see if Stachowski continues his momentum to win re-election, or if Delano can turn this race back around again and defeat a 27-year incumbent in this overwhelmingly Democratic district," Greenberg said.

Stach is back. That's what a comeback looks like. I guess the more folks learn about Delano, the less they like what they see. Also, this one of those races that an Obama wave could seriously affect. If that wave reaches Buffalo, Stachowski could end up blowing Delano right out of the water.

61st SD - Erie and Genesee Counties - Michael Ranzenhofer (R) vs. Joseph Mesi (D)

Ranzenhofer has a 47-42 percent lead over Mesi, who had a slimmer 40-38 percent lead in the previous Siena poll, in this district where Republicans have a very small enrollment edge over Democrats. Ranzenhofer leads among Republicans 69-25 percent, up from 59-21 percent. Mesi leads among Democrats 62-29 percent, closer than the previous 63-19 percent. Mesi leads among independent voters 42-37 percent, although Ranzenhofer closed the gap from 43-28 percent. Mesi leads in Tonawanda by seven points (down from 10). Ranzenhofer leads in the Clarence/Newstead/Genesee County portions of the district by 15 points (up from two points), and in Amherst by three points (up a tick from two points).

Ranzenhofer has a 47-26 percent favorable rating, compared to 35-12 percent previously. Mesi's favorable rating is 46-37 percent, compared to 45-18 percent in the previous Siena poll.

While the race has shifted seven points from Mesi to Ranzenhofer, a reverse trend occurred on the question of who voters support to control the Senate. Previously, voters supported Republican control by a 44-38 percent margin, while now a slim plurality, 43-41 percent, support Democratic control. The presidential race also flipped, with McCain's 45-40 percent lead now becoming a 51-42 percent lead for Obama.

"This district is close in enrollment between Republicans and Democrats. The voters are close in their view on which party should control the Senate. The voters have switched their support from McCain to Obama over the last few weeks. And a small Mesi lead has turned into a slightly wider Ranzenhofer lead. Which party's voters turn out in larger numbers on Tuesday may well determine the outcome of this race. Either way, it figures to be a late night as the votes get counted in this race," Greenberg said.

This one may very well come down to Obama's GOTV operation as well. If his voters show in force, I think Mesi wins this thing. Mesi likes to remind folks that he is undefeated. If the Obama wave does indeed materialize in the manner that it appears to be, he'll be able to call himself undefeated still. Give him a hand.

Much more on these polls coming soon.

Two Pre-Election Events In Buffalo On Saturday; One Featuring Gov. Paterson

by: robert.harding

Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 12:30:25 PM EDT

But tomorrow also features at least two events in Buffalo that are worth attending. The first occurs at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning in Amherst. At the UAW Region 9 Hall (Located at 35 George Karl Blvd. off of Wehrle Dr. near Main Street) there will be a GOTV rally featuring Gov. David Paterson. After that, the New Democrats of Western New York will be doing a literature drop and canvass for some local candidates.

Then tomorrow afternoon, Working Families Win will be hosting a rally with live music and some of the area's prominent leaders from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo.

Here is a list of the entertainment and local politicians who will be in attendance:

Featuring local musicians Davey O, The Found, Redwater, The Thermidors, and Type Relevant. Speakers will include NYS Senator Antoine Thompson, Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant, Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello, Erie County Legislator Bob Reynolds, Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera, Congressional candidate Dan Humiston, Congressional candidate Alice Kryzan, NYS Assembly candidate Jerry Schad, Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan, and a representative from the ACLU.

It promises to be a huge day in Buffalo tomorrow as efforts are underway to get more and more Democrats elected. If you are in the area, come out to the rally in Amherst tomorrow morning or head out to the rally in the afternoon. It should be a lot of fun and will definitely energize you to help get Democrats elected on Tuesday.  

Tim Russert: 1950-2008

by: robert.harding

Fri Jun 13, 2008 at 16:08:49 PM EDT

I had the great privilege of meeting Russert at a book signing in Buffalo. He signed a copy of the book, Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, for me. In order to get my book signed, I waited at least an hour just to get to the table, where Russert greeted with me a smile and asked me who I wanted the book signed to. As I was waiting in line, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo walked by. He had stopped in to greet Russert at the signing. That summed up the importance of Tim Russert.

The sick irony here is that Russert died two days before Father's Day and both of his books were about fathers - Wisdom of Our Fathers is a collection of letters and stories from people who read Russert's own story about his father Big Russ in Big Russ and Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life. If you have both books, you know how much Russert loved his father. On the back of Wisdom of Our Fathers, there is a picture of Russert and his son Luke throwing out the first pitch at a Buffalo Bisons game.

As a western New Yorker, Russert was a Bills fan and made all of us in Western New York proud. As a Buffalo native, Russert showed us that regardless of the economic state in our region, you could make it big.

Russert was one of my idols, partly because he grew up in Buffalo and partly because I loved politics and journalism. Meeting him was one of the highlights of my life as someone who grew up not recognizing many faces of pundits or hosts, but I knew who Tim Russert was.

This is terrible news and sad news for Russert's family, friends and to fans of Russert. Russert's contributions to journalism, politics and to Buffalo will be appreciated forever.

His loss is devastating. I will miss Sunday mornings with Russert on "Meet The Press." Many people will say the same.  

Former Buffalo Mayor Jimmy Griffin Passes Away

by: robert.harding

Mon May 26, 2008 at 01:43:39 AM EDT

James D. Griffin, the colorful, irascible, and indefatigable mayor of Buffalo from 1978 to 1994, died today at Father Baker Manor in Orchard Park, where he had been a patient for several weeks.

Griffin, 78, died peacefully with his family at his side early this morning, according to a statement issued by the Catholic Health System. No cause of death was given, but it is known that the former mayor had been receiving treatment at Father Baker Manor since at least early March.

Griffin was one of the most conservative Democrats you will ever see, garnering support from the Conservative and Republican parties. He was a colorful figure who was best known for bringing a baseball stadium to downtown Buffalo - Dunn Tire Park, the home of the Triple A Buffalo Bisons.

It was at that ballpark where I had an indirect encounter with Griffin. I attended opening day over a decade ago as a young boy going to his first Bisons game. My father, who will approach anyone for a hello, went right up to Griffin and yelled, "Jimmy!" Without missing a beat, Griffin acknowledged my father like he had known him for years.

From what I gather from others, that was vintage Jimmy. He was a charming man who, while you might disagree with political stances, fought for many worthy causes and was passionate about politics and the political process.

He will be missed.

May you rest in peace, Mayor Griffin.  

News station with contract issues

by: robert.harding

Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22:22:57 PM EST

Now, employees at the station are fighting back because they have been working without a contract since January 31.

Buffalo Pundit has the story.

Channel 7 union workers have been without a contract since January 31st, and instead of striking, they're publicizing their grievance with the public. You can check out their website here, and you may have seen leaflets, bus ads, and lawn signs popping up throughout WNY recently.

It's a far cry from these days, I suppose. I wasn't around, but understand that Channel 7 was the news to watch.

It seems the company has some ridiculous demands. From the 7 News Unfair website:

The starting hourly wage at Channel 7 is barely above minimum, $8.75.  That doesn't even meet Buffalo City Hall's designation of a living wage at $9.90 per hour.

·    The owner wants the power to impose a "split shift" schedule for part-timers, new hires, along with unwitting full-timers who consent.  An employee could be brought in to work the morning show from 4:30 to 7:00 a.m., then sent home, to return for the 5-6 p.m. shows later in the day.  The company wants to do this without paying any overtime or other penalty for screwing up an employee's day.  And, should you agree to assist the company by working a split shift, your consent is FOREVER!  It can NEVER BE WITHDRAWN!  We are PEOPLE , not YO-YOS!

·   The owner (a Connecticut-based hedge fund) wants the power to work an employee well past 8 hours in a given day without incurring any overtime or penalties.  Under this scenario, you could be required to work 16 hours straight, then told to stay home the next day, or later in the week.  This scheme would allow the company to avoid paying ANY OVERTIME as long as the workweek does not exceed 40 hours.

There is A LOT on their website covering all of the company's demands. Check it out.

You can also help them out in a few different ways.