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.  

State Of Upstate Preview: What Upstate Should Be Looking For

by: robert.harding

Mon Jan 14, 2008 at 15:17:42 PM EST

I will be in attendance at Rockwell Hall on the campus of Buffalo State College Wednesday when Governor Eliot Spitzer gives his State of Upstate Address. I'm looking forward to the overall event and to the governor's speech.

After hearing his State of the State Address last week, I was encouraged by what Gov. Spitzer had in mind in regards to improving the upstate economy.

More on the flip.  

Spitzer to pay the state $140

by: robert.harding

Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 12:02:05 PM EST

The integrity commission helped Spitzer figure out his liability and determined he did not owe anything, Cockfield said, because the governor only used the aircraft on the first day of his trip when he had state business and did not use state aircraft to return on the second day of the journey, returning by State Police car.

Despite that, Spitzer is paying back $140 out of his own pocket for one hour out of 22 that he spent in Buffalo. The governor multiplied 1/22 times $3,100 -- the cost of a charter plane from Albany to Buffalo -- to figure his payment.

Spitzer is paying the state back because he did attend two fundraisers while he was in WNY - one in Buffalo and one in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford. Even though the state's Commission on Public Integrity ruled that he owed nothing, Spitzer is still paying up.

Albany isn't the only place that needs reform

by: Unstable Isotope

Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 20:30:23 PM EST

Today's tale comes from the Erie County legislature.  George Holt has pled guilty to not paying sales tax (more than $20,000!) for some restaurants he owns.