Buffalo NY politics, Buffalo News and Discussions - Hosted by Onlinemedia.net - Buffalo NY Politics http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/ en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:58:59 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png Buffalo NY politics, Buffalo News and Discussions - Hosted by Onlinemedia.net - Buffalo NY Politics http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/ <![CDATA[How 'bout that graduation rate?]]> http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?488337-How-bout-that-graduation-rate&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:24:10 GMT Well, we come again to that joyous time of year when students across WNY parade across the stage to receive their high school diplomas. Oftentimes, these events can be somewhat lengthy. But in Buffalo they will be mercifully short thanks to a graduation rate less than 50%. I wonder where the... Well, we come again to that joyous time of year when students across WNY parade across the stage to receive their high school diplomas. Oftentimes, these events can be somewhat lengthy. But in Buffalo they will be mercifully short thanks to a graduation rate less than 50%. I wonder where the hundreds of millions in state aid pissed away there each year ranks in the hierarchy of NY's list of taxpayer ripoffs! ]]> Buffalo NY Politics grump http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?488337-How-bout-that-graduation-rate <![CDATA[Eliminate the Property Tax's Investment Penalty]]> http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?486484-Eliminate-the-Property-Tax-s-Investment-Penalty&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Jun 2013 03:28:31 GMT Mayor Byron Brown's Administration has used property reassessments to penalize homeowners for doing precisely what we want them to do: to invest in their homes, thereby rebuilding our neighborhoods. Rather than penalizing them into perpetuity with a higher and higher tax bill, a Ricchiazzi Administration will make reassessments illegal -- allowing the city to tax only a property's last transacted value.

Homeowners will have an incentive to invest in a renovation, to build out an addition, or to add a unit -- without being penalized with a higher tax bill. Established neighborhoods will become wealthier and property values will increase.

Newer homebuyers will have the incentive to purchase a fixer-upper in a transitional neighborhood, where property values are quite low and where they would enjoy the lowest possible tax bill, for the long term. Blighted neighborhoods would transform more quickly, welcoming new residents and an untold value of sweat equity.

Suburbanites, sick and tired of high property taxes in their respective municipalities, would have the incentive to relocate inside the city.


The current tax system is prone to abuse by politicians, like Mayor Brown.

Brown claims to be reducing property tax rates, which he pays for with property reassessments (the victims of which often claim the reassessments are intended to punish political opponents). In the end, homeowners end up with bigger tax bills and the politicians can claim to be "reducing property tax rates" (per thousand dollars of assessment value).

He thinks he can continue to spend more and more money, with fewer and fewer people here to pay for it, all the while claiming to have held the line on taxes.


It's time to eliminate the property tax's investment penalty.



ChangeBuffalo.org/taxes ]]> Buffalo NY Politics Matthew.Ricchiazzi http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?486484-Eliminate-the-Property-Tax-s-Investment-Penalty Billboard campaign targets underage drinking http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?486294-Billboard-campaign-targets-underage-drinking&goto=newpost Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:40:27 GMT Billboard campaign targets underage drinkingRead the story in the Buffalo News (http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130614/CITYANDREGION/130619442/1002) ---Quote--- A billboard campaign targeting underage drinking planned for the city’s West Side will carry messages for... Billboard campaign targets underage drinking

Read the story in the Buffalo News

Quote:
A billboard campaign targeting underage drinking planned for the city’s West Side will carry messages for parents translated into Somali, Arabic, Karen and Spanish.
“There are tremendous language barriers on the West Side. One school can have 15 to 20 languages,” said Jonathan Lindner, health educator, research analyst and coordinator of the West Side Youth Development Coalition. “We focused on five to ensure that all people were receiving and responding to these messages.” The five languages include English, he added.







Maybe they should focus on teaching people to read and speak english. ]]> Buffalo NY Politics WNYresident http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?486294-Billboard-campaign-targets-underage-drinking Tappo to open June 17 http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?485771-Tappo-to-open-June-17&goto=newpost Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:02:51 GMT The new wave of restaurant openings in downtown Buffalo will continue on June 17 when developer Rocco Termini (http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/search/results?q=Rocco%20Termini) and restaurateur Michael Andrzejewski (http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/search/results?q=Michael%20Andrzejewski)... The new wave of restaurant openings in downtown Buffalo will continue on June 17 when developer Rocco Termini and restaurateur Michael Andrzejewski unveil Tappo.


Tappo, an Italian-themed restaurant, will open its doors on Ellicott Street in the former Horton Coffee Co. building, a block from the Electric Tower.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...n-june-17.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?485771-Tappo-to-open-June-17 <![CDATA[UB's new $26M EOC building unveiled]]> http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?485770-UB-s-new-26M-EOC-building-unveiled&goto=newpost Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:59:25 GMT Attachment 4045The University at Buffalo’s Educational Opportunity Center formally opened Friday at the edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
The $26 million building is UB’s latest project at or near downtown, following the UB-Kaleida Health building at Goodrich and Ellicott streets that opened last year (the building houses the Gates Vascular Institute for Kaleida and the Clinical and Translational Research Center for UB).


The university expects to break ground this year on its new $375 million medical school building at the corner of Main and High streets.
The move leaves vacant the EOC’s former building at East Mohawk Street, which UB owns. A university spokesman said plans are to sell the building.


The EOC serves more than 1,900 students each year, most of whom are 25 or older. The new facility is connected to UB’s Downtown Gateway building on Goodell Street, which opened in 2009. The first classes in the new EOC building will begin in September.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...-unveiled.html
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]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?485770-UB-s-new-26M-EOC-building-unveiled Idaho software co. headed to Butler Mansion http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?484362-Idaho-software-co.-headed-to-Butler-Mansion&goto=newpost Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:10:17 GMT National software and sensor company Sentient Science will open its new corporate headquarters in Buffalo at University at Buffalo’s Jacobs Executive Development Center on June 13. The company is relocating from Idaho to the Butler Mansion, located at 672 Delaware Avenue. The company... National software and sensor company Sentient Science will open its new corporate headquarters in Buffalo at University at Buffalo’s Jacobs Executive Development Center on June 13.


The company is relocating from Idaho to the Butler Mansion, located at 672 Delaware Avenue.


The company will employ 10 full-time permanent employees to begin, and eventually will employ 86 new full-time permanent employees at the project location by June 30, 2016.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...to-butler.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?484362-Idaho-software-co.-headed-to-Butler-Mansion Option One: Transform what education looks like in Buffalo http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?483069-Option-One-Transform-what-education-looks-like-in-Buffalo&goto=newpost Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:17:55 GMT There will be a Republican primary for Mayor of Buffalo.

Sergio Rodriguez has proposed Mayoral control of Buffalo's public schools. If there is one way to make BPS go from bad to worse, it would be this plan. Rather than exposing our system (and its nearly $1 billion budget) to patronage, political corruption, and city hall incompetence, we should take the opposite approach.

I am seeking the Republican nomination for Mayor of Buffalo, and propose "Option One", an aggressive, unyielding, unapologetic package of pro-market education reforms that will wholly change how we structure, manage, and finance Buffalo's education system.


Read more at ChangeBuffalo.org/education


Attachment 4043

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]]> Buffalo NY Politics Matthew.Ricchiazzi http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?483069-Option-One-Transform-what-education-looks-like-in-Buffalo Unnamed bidder offers $475K for waterfront site http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?481201-Unnamed-bidder-offers-475K-for-waterfront-site&goto=newpost Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:48:54 GMT The vacant, but historic Cargill Pool Elevator will have a new owner. Following a closely-watched auction Wednesday morning, the 12-acre Fuhrmann Boulevard that’s anchored by the 1925-era grain elevator has apparently been acquired by a local investment group, whose top bid was $475,000. ... The vacant, but historic Cargill Pool Elevator will have a new owner.


Following a closely-watched auction Wednesday morning, the 12-acre Fuhrmann Boulevard that’s anchored by the 1925-era grain elevator has apparently been acquired by a local investment group, whose top bid was $475,000.

The complex’s owners, former Buffalo firefighter Bill Mackey and one-time city fire commissioner Fred Langdon, agreed to accept the offer a few hours after the auction concluded. Mackey and Langdon have owned the property since 1983 and operated a boat storage facility and South End Marina from the complex.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...-475k-for.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?481201-Unnamed-bidder-offers-475K-for-waterfront-site Bills linebacker Bryan Scott to appear in Allentown http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?480139-Bills-linebacker-Bryan-Scott-to-appear-in-Allentown&goto=newpost Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:33:11 GMT Buffalo Bills linebacker Bryan Scott will talk with students from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Baum School of Art (http://topics.lehighvalleylive.com/tag/baum%20school%20of%20art/index.html), 510 W. Linden St., Allentown (http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown). Scott will meet with... Buffalo Bills linebacker Bryan Scott will talk with students from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Baum School of Art, 510 W. Linden St., Allentown.


Scott will meet with students of Baum's smART Program. Scott is also the founder of Team BScott and the Bryan Scott Pick Your Passion Foundation for the Arts.
Scott was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 and has also played for the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans.


For more information, call 610-433-0032, or visit baumschool.org. ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?480139-Bills-linebacker-Bryan-Scott-to-appear-in-Allentown Buffalo firefighters OK new labor deal http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?477342-Buffalo-firefighters-OK-new-labor-deal&goto=newpost Fri, 31 May 2013 18:23:58 GMT It’s a battle that has dragged on for 10 long years. But the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Association - Local 282 finally reached a contract agreement. It is a tentative 15-year agreement covering the past 11 years and next four years that will now go to the... It’s a battle that has dragged on for 10 long years. But the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Association - Local 282 finally reached a contract agreement.


It is a tentative 15-year agreement covering the past 11 years and next four years that will now go to the Common Council for approval.


Details about the contract will not be released until the agreement is fully approved. Both the City and the union signed an agreement refraining from public comment until then.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/b...abor-deal.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?477342-Buffalo-firefighters-OK-new-labor-deal Tell school superintendents that they are not real estate developers, but educators http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?477216-Tell-school-superintendents-that-they-are-not-real-estate-developers-but-educators&goto=newpost Fri, 31 May 2013 15:52:00 GMT I came across this petition about CSAT. I think charter schools are a very good concept overall, but in my opinion the superintendant of the Charter School for Applied Technologies should stop it with the million dollar real estate projects and instead ensure he doesn't have to let go of quality teachers. From what I understand, enrollment did not drop at CSAT. And, the teachers were willing to pay more for healthcare and make other concessions. Instead, I believe 12 or so experienced teachers were laid off.
Feel free to view and sign if you are so inclined.

I also believe there was a bus related issue with the Buffalo public schools that added some cost, but that was a known issue prior to this budget season. Why isn't administration cut first before teachers? Or why, if teachers were willing to make concessions, did the administration just do blanket layoffs? Where is the effort or focus of administration? They should focus on governing the schools instead of real estate, software development, and greenhouses.
Send a message to the superintendant:
http://www.change.org/petitions/char...ou-just-let-go

:mad: ]]> Buffalo NY Politics highestpropertytaxes http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?477216-Tell-school-superintendents-that-they-are-not-real-estate-developers-but-educators Ohio Street project to begin in fall http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?476965-Ohio-Street-project-to-begin-in-fall&goto=newpost Fri, 31 May 2013 03:49:23 GMT Construction on the oft-discussed Ohio Street project is slated to begin this fall. The $11.3 million project, jointly funded through federal, state and local sources, is expected to turn a lightly-used industrial roadway that connects downtown Buffalo with the vast Outer Harbor property... Construction on the oft-discussed Ohio Street project is slated to begin this fall.


The $11.3 million project, jointly funded through federal, state and local sources, is expected to turn a lightly-used industrial roadway that connects downtown Buffalo with the vast Outer Harbor property into a tree-lined, more pedestrian and vehicle-friendly boulevard-like connector. The work is expected to make it easier to develop lands at the Outer Harbor because it will be a more accessible road.


Funding has been secured through the efforts of Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Mayor Byron Brown — strong supporters of the Ohio Street transformation project.


A slightly more than one-mile stretch of Ohio Street, running between Michigan Avenue and Fuhrmann Boulevard, is targeted for the project.


Bids for the road work are expected to be released soon and opened by late July.

The work should be completed by the summer of 2015.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...n-in-fall.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?476965-Ohio-Street-project-to-begin-in-fall Richardson project heading to ECIDA http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?475140-Richardson-project-heading-to-ECIDA&goto=newpost Tue, 28 May 2013 17:02:45 GMT In what may be the first of several key public sector approvals needed to advance the project, the development team behind the proposed dramatic transformation of the long vacant H.H. Richardson Towers complex will be seeking an incentive package from the Erie County Industrial Development... In what may be the first of several key public sector approvals needed to advance the project, the development team behind the proposed dramatic transformation of the long vacant H.H. Richardson Towers complex will be seeking an incentive package from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency.


The IDA has scheduled a June 4 public hearing to consider a request from the Richardson Center Corp. and affiliated Richardson Center Development Corp. for sales, mortgage and property on the $56.4 million project. The full IDA board is expected to consider and vote on the incentive package when it meets on June 17.


Vacant for the better part of four decades, the future of the historic H.H. Richardson Towers took a giant step forward this winter when it was announced that the Buffalo landmark will soon be host to a boutique hotel, events center and architectural resource center.


While the complex remains owned by the not-for-profit, Richardson Center Corp., local businessman Dennis Murphy, owner of InnVest Lodging Services will be developing the property. The initial phase will include a 90-room boutique hotel, due to open in October 2015, followed by a potential 40-room expansion by 2018.


Murphy, who is also Visit Buffalo Niagara chairman, is no stranger to tackling high profile conversion projects. He previously transformed the former Sternberg House on Delaware Avenue into the acclaimed Mansion on Delaware.


“The IDA hearing is one of many, many steps we need to do in this process,” Murphy said.


Construction could start later this year, Murphy said.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...-to-ecida.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?475140-Richardson-project-heading-to-ECIDA More Tax Breaks for Carl!! http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?472446-More-Tax-Breaks-for-Carl!!&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 02:49:25 GMT I love these business men more take breaks they cry to the IDA. or else:hopelessness: IDA approves $634,ooo package for Carl. another hotel,:congratulatory: restaurant, business office space, 27 to 30 apartments that are expected to rent for $1,300 to $1,900 per month, with the second floor eyed... I love these business men more take breaks they cry to the IDA. or else:hopelessness:
IDA approves $634,ooo package for Carl. another hotel,:congratulatory: restaurant, business office space, 27 to 30 apartments that are expected to rent for $1,300 to $1,900 per month, with the second floor eyed for commercial space, including a proposed banquet facility. Just what the city needs.:confused:


http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs...SS%2F130529951 ]]> Buffalo NY Politics cheekman http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?472446-More-Tax-Breaks-for-Carl!! Cobblestone music club hits right note with planners http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?471737-Cobblestone-music-club-hits-right-note-with-planners&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 03:45:13 GMT With Buffalo Planning Board approval in hand, a proposed live music club that will bridge the city’s Cobblestone and Canalside District could be open by late summer or early fall. City planners, Tuesday morning, gave approval to a development team headed by businessman Sam Savarino... With Buffalo Planning Board approval in hand, a proposed live music club that will bridge the city’s Cobblestone and Canalside District could be open by late summer or early fall.


City planners, Tuesday morning, gave approval to a development team headed by businessman Sam Savarino to open the bi-level, 8,400-square-foot club, located at 49 Illinois Street and just opposite the First Niagara Center parking ramp.


The still-to-be-named club will host live, local, regional and national acts. Capacity could reach 800 people, putting at a level larger than the Tralf Music Hall but slightly smaller than the Town Ballroom.

Savarino said he hopes the club plays well into the neighborhood synergy that includes First Niagara Center, HarborCenter and on-going developments in both the Canalside and Cobblestone districts.


When it opens, it will be the second new entertainment venue in the Cobblestone District in recent months. The Helium comedy club opened in late December along Perry Street, replacing the former W.J. Morrrisey’s restaurant. Helium books both national and regional acts.

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/n...ight-note.html ]]> Buffalo NY Politics steven http://www.speakupwny.com/forums/showthread.php?471737-Cobblestone-music-club-hits-right-note-with-planners