Mayor Schroeder?

We always have our ears to the ground around here. A canary told me of a recent meeting at Spot Coffee between Mark Schroeder and former NBA director of Security "Weekend at Bernies" Tolbert. The topic of discussion was the mayoral race of 2013. According to my source, Tolbert has given Schroeder his blessing and backing to challenge Mayor Byron Brown in 2013.

That wasn't the only thing the two agreed upon. Both are 100% committed to having the Blogger as their chief Spokesman. Mike DeGeorge: Keep that seat warm for me you little effer! Seriously, do we need four more years of this indecisive, empty suit wearing, Steve Urkel looking, catastrophe of a mayor? He has had long enough to get some things done. What has he done, besides bring corruption to the 2nd floor of city hall?



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Letter to the Control Board re: Lorey Schultz hiring

Many of you have expressed shock and anger over the recent hiring of channel 4's Lorey Schultz at $81,000/year as an Assistant Spokesperson to the mayor's Spokesperson. I've fired off this email to the city's Fiscal Stability Authority (Control Board) in an effort to prevent this unnecessary, politically motivated hiring from taking place. I'd like to emphasize that I don't have anything against Lorey Schultz personally (I've never met her and I admire the work she's done at WIVB). I'm simply against the position itself and not the person receiving it...

To whom it may concern:

After reading of the newly created appointed position (Assistant Spokesperson to the mayor) , I felt insulted as a taxpayer and lifelong city resident. We are constantly hearing about the need to "create revenue" for the city because it is broke. Teaching positions are being eliminated, class sizes have been increased, and our police and emergency responders are being asked to do more with less.

Mike DeGeorge and Lorey Schultz had the audacity to describe the duties of this new position as "writing speeches" and "putting out press releases" for the mayor. Can the city afford this blatantly unnecessary post at a time when many of it's residents are scrambling to pay their bills? People read about an $81,000 salary and wonder how out of touch our city officials must be. College graduates are leaving this region at an alarming rate, because they cant find $30,000/ year jobs. The people I've spoken to about this new position are very upset about it. There is also the issue of residency. Is Lorey Schultz going to sell her house in Eggertsville or is she going to rent a token apartment in the city, so it looks good?

As an active taxpayer, I am asking your body to question this new position. This is exactly the type of nonsense which made the formation of a Control Board necessary in the first place. We will not let this issue drop. Please take a stand for the taxpayers of this city. Thank you.

Mike Blake
Blogger

*If you feel this newly created position is a slap in the face to taxpayers, I encourage you to write to the Control Board at nfo@bfsa.state.ny.us

If you're not a writer, you can call them at (716)853-0907

They tried to sneak this by the taxpayers. The city is hurting and one thing we don't need is another politically appointed job in City Hall.


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Mayor's spokesperson hires his own spokesperson

As if it isn't ridiculous enough that the mayor of Amherst's largest suburb needs a spokesman, now the spokesman has hired a spokesperson of his own at $80,000 per year. Add channel 4's Lorey Schultz' name to the list of completely unnecessary patronage positions in Bloated Byron Brown's administration. Mike DeGeorge (who happens to be Tony Masiello's brother-in-law), named her as his new assistant...

Schultz’s new role will involve “a lot of writing,” she said.

DeGeorge also said Schultz’s work will be “heavy on the writing side,” and will include news releases, advisories and speeches.

Schultz, who will be paid an $80,971 salary, has been at WIVB since 1994, according to her profile on the station’s web-site.

So when you get hit with the ridiculous garbage tax and the asinine parking regulations downtown, you can rest assured your hard earned money will be used to put out news releases and speeches. This, at a time when the city is cutting police officers, firefighters, and teachers. If Mickey Kearns or Rich Fontana care about the will of the people, they will vote against this clear political hire when it comes before the council for confirmation. Tell the mayor to have one of his 12 deputy mayors write his speeches for him...

Schultz set to join mayor’s team




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Self promoting mayor

According to the attached article, mayor Byron Brown has his name plastered all over the city. As I've stated many times on this blog, Brown is much more concerned with politics than he is with any kind of leadership. To the people who voted for him in the first election six years ago, you were duped. A little research would have shown you his record in the New York State Senate was very uninspiring to say the least...

Office entrances. Gateways to city facilities. The shirts of many city lifeguards. Banners near the downtown waterfront. Some crime surveillance cameras. Lobby displays that promote literacy. Even a Zamboni at a city ice rink.

"He has his name on everything except for the City Hall urinals," quipped one former city official.

The exception to these blatant acts of self promotion are departments where the city rips of it's citizens (ie. Parking Enforcement & Taxation). The mayor is careful not to have his name anywhere near these offices.

His critics drew the line this week when Brown tried to have his name put on the city's new firetrucks, an honor previously bestowed only on fallen firefighters. It makes you wonder whether this administration has any shame whatsoever. He's been in office now six years. Can anyone honestly look back and think of a time when Mayor Brown has stood out as a leader? He's one of the least dynamic people I can think of. Talk about pathetic. We're living in the 3rd poorest city in America and we're being led by a circus clown...
Building the Brown brand


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Publicity stunt

I don't think it's too much of an oversimplification to say that the mayor of Buffalo blows. Seriously. Has this man tackled one serious issue since he's been in office? In this clip, he talks like a robot that's low on batteries.

This WIVB story is about one of those annoying bets with the mayor of the opposing team (in this case Philadelphia). How original. I can't stand New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. However, I have to admit he made me laugh a few years ago. Mayor Brown tried to initiate one of these stupid, feel good bets when the Sabres were playing the New York Islanders. Bloomberg's office tersely responded by saying, "Thanks anyway, but we're too busy actually running a city to take part in your contrived publicity stunt."
Michael Bloomberg Cannot Be Bothered With Your 'Hockey'

I have to admit, this year's bet is a little more interesting than than those in years past. Instead of chicken wings and Philly cheese steak, it involves an act of community service. Apparently, if the Sabres lose, Brown has agreed to perform his son's next court-ordered community service sentence with him (wearing a Flyers hat) I think it's great when families take part in things together...

Philly, Buffalo mayors bet on playoffs: wivb.com

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City Hall Scandal #611

Today's incompetent Byron Brown appointment is brought to you by Proctor & Gamble. Apparently, the city has been overpaying on health insurance premiums ($526,000) and might be paying for health insurance for the deceased. That's understandable, as you know dead people get sick too.

In what might be the understatement of the century, it sounds to me like Commissioner Karla Thomas is in slightly over her head. It is no wonder people get frustrated when they go to city hall (not just during this administration) and are met with arrogance and indifference. According to the article, when Thomas was informed of all the problems within her department, she rebuffed the Comptroller's office and told them she didn't want to receive any more emails from them.

The whole mentality the common person sees is, "I'm better than you. I make more money than you. You are not connected." It's no wonder disgust in government is at an all time high. I do hope they get to the bottom of this. However,some of the comments underneath the story are troubling. People are trying to bring race into it. Believe me, Mayor Brown has just as many incompetent white people working for him as he does black people. At least Thomas resides within the city unlike Interim Commissioner and East Aurora resident James Comerford. And I'm sure there are many qualified black people who can't get jobs like Thomas' because they don't play the political prostitution game. There are many people from South Buffalo and all over the city who could write a book on this game. All it takes is a lack of self respect and a willingness to forfeit whatever pride you have in yourself. I'm done preaching. I gotta go get some fast food. All this talk about mismanagement and incompetence makes me hungry, but then again, not much doesn't.
City audit describes management 'meltdown' : Home: The Buffalo News

You'll be Paying a lot More for Your Water in Buffalo

You'll be paying more for your water if you live in the city of Buffalo. Water rates are expected to rise by 21%(that's not a misprint) over the next 2 1/2 years. Water Board Chairman Oluwole McFoy (you can call him Ollie)attributes the increase to an unusually wet summer which contributed to a decrease in water consumption (???). So if we have an unusually dry summer, does that mean our rates will go down by 21%? I wouldn't count on it.

In typical cowardly fashion, Byron Brown waited until after the election to announce what amounts to a tax increase. Thanks again to Brian Higgins and Status Quo Kennedy for supporting Brown over one of their next door neighbors. When asked to comment on the rate hike, Commissioner Jim Comerford said, "What the hell do I care? I live in East Aurora. I'm more concerned about our village being absolved."

People can waste their time and show up to complain tonight at city hall at 6:30 if you want to pay to park and risk getting mugged on the way in. Thank you in advance to the five brave citizens likely to show up. McFoy insists this rate hike has been proposed with the water customers "best interests" in mind. What? I,for one, am glad someone is finally looking out for us. Thanks Ollie!

http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= water rates to rise : City & Region : The Buffalo News

Assessment Games

Here is a story that affects many regular citizens. The city of Buffalo sent out assessments of city homes this past month. 14,400 homeowners received notifications stating that their assessments are set to increase. Fewer than 400 of them have filed challenges. Looks like the city's plan to raise their taxes is working.

Can you blame the 14,000 or so people that haven't challenged the assessment? First, research and time is involved. Then, they might have to take time off from work and deal with city hall parking. If they make it into city hall, the politically connected, often incompetent people behind the counter are always very helpful when it comes to assisting common citizens. Many people probably just throw their hands up in the air and say, why bother?

In any event, the city is granting a 15 day extension to file appeals. Last year, according to statistics compiled from The Buffalo News, 70% of the 1,638 people bothering to appeal their assessments before an independent panel were successful. City Hall is hoping you're one of the 14,000 that doesn't have the time or know how to fight them.
Later deadline likely for contesting assessments : Buffalo/Erie County : The Buffalo News

Cellino & Brown

Cellino & Brown- One's an attorney. The other's a clown.

-Have you been seriously injured at work?

-Has your son stolen your car and tried to run over your neighbors? Are you looking to cover it up?

-Have you suffered nasty paper cuts while holding one of those stupid oversized checks?

-Are you tired of watching inbred Buffalo mongoloids making excessive amounts of your tax money for doing nothing?

-If you happen to trip over a podium during one of your 605 ribbon cutting ceremonies this week, please call Cellino & Brown at 854-2020. Your trusted personal injury attorneys since 1982.

Four More Years For Downtown Byron Brown

Byron Brown was reelected mayor of Buffalo yesterday after a hard fought Democratic primary against Mickey Kearns. You have to give Brown credit. He did what he had to do and was able to get his base to turn out. To mark the occasion, his son drove him to the victory party in a car he stole earlier in the day on Main and Winspear.

South Buffalo was well represented at the victory party at D'Arcy McGee's. Neighborhood sycophant Marge Ryan was supposed to announce Brown to the crowd but she became injured earlier in the week after patting herself on the back for the 603rd time in the Metro Community News. Brown's speech was abruptly cut short after County Legislator Tim Kennedy rushed the stage and reportedly ate the microphone.
Brown easily wins second term*

Different Stokes

Mayor Urkel hasn't been this mad since they cancelled his show Family Matters. He keeps saying "I did nothing wrong." By that does he mean knowingly persuading police to let a criminal go? This one incident should show everyone that this guy is completely devoid of character. He is no leader and I think more and more people are seeing that every day.

Mayor Urkel Helps Stokes Avoid Being Arrested

Looks like Leonard Stokes (you remember him, he was the incompetent fool given 950 million of your tax dollars to start a downtown restaurant) was caught using a handicapped parking permit. Apparently about 600 of these permits were known to have been stolen from City Hall. A former professional athlete, Stokes was too lazy to find a legitimate parking spot on his own. Instead of being arrested, he was taken to the mayor's office (Isn't that where all accused criminals are taken?) where mayor Brown purchased several tickets to the policeman's ball and no charges were filed. In a shocking development, Brown has no recollection of the event.

This week's Byron Brown scandal has been brought to you by the law offices of William Mattar. Hurt in a car? Call William Mattar at 444-4444.
Brown reportedly intervened with police to assist Stokes*

Sun Sets on One Sunset

These articles were in today's Buffalo News. I don't remember when it became government's job to fund new businesses. I guess it's a tough call because people will complain to politicians if there are empty storefronts or they'll complain if they try to jump start new businesses. However, money is no substitute for good business sense.
Talk to any successful small business owner and they'll tell you great stories about how hard it was to start their business and how many long hours it took them in the early days. The successful ones don't need much to start with except a good product, great customer service, and a willingness to work long hours. I look at the Wayside Restaurant as a prime example. That restaurant has flourished because they serve very good food at a reasonable prices and the husband and wife that run it(Dennis and Clare) spend countless hours doing so.
I hope it does well, but the new restaurant on Seneca St. (Francesca's) doesn't need $70,000 of our money to make it look like Salvatores. It needs good food at reasonable prices. If you build it, they will come.
Looks like in the case of One Sunset, the BERC (see useless government agency) gave tens of thousands of dollars of our money to a politically connected former basketball player with no previous business experience. Needless to say, the restaurant failed and now at least $90,000 is "unaccounted for". The woman behind the mess (Michelle Barron) was praised by city hall officials a few months ago and labeled as a scapegoat. Today, she was quietly fired by them. I wonder what Dennis and Clare from the Wayside would think about all the free money they were given.
Auditors can't find $90,000 in aid given to failed restaurant*

Barron fired from city post*

Separated at Birth?

You hear people all the time say, "He never really does much but I guess I like him." He renames streets, cuts ribbons, and talks real slowly about nothing. Urkel did nothing in the State Senate for about 5 years. Now, he has continued that record as Mayor. There is a new scandal every week and he always says, "I didn't know this was going on." This guy is a complete joke. The city is being run by Steve Casey, one of his 12 unelected deputy mayors. Whether you liked him or not, everyone knew who was in charge when Griffin was mayor. The buck stopped with him.

The two guys we've had since then are stiffs. Watch and see which of your neighbors have signs out for Mayor Urkel. These will be the people with their hands out should he win. This guy epitomizes the phrase "empty suit." Here is a story about him blowing off meetings. I guess he was too busy doing important things like giving T.O. the key to the city.

Brown misses many of agency’s meetings*