Luncheon

Channel 2 did a story on the Assembly race and the St. Patrick's Day luncheon. The Blogger shies away from these events. While all this nonsense was going on, I was walking in the fog today on the railroad tracks behind the Sorrento Cheese Plant.

I saw a cardinal, several robins, and believe it or not, a blue jay. It's not too often that Indian Summer lasts six months and leads directly into spring...

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Fahey's 40 hour work week questioned

There is a big difference between the haves and the have-nots when it comes to running for office in South Buffalo. When I ran for Council in 2001, I was told by various members of the South Buffalo political class, that I would have to give up my $9/hour job as a recreation aide at the Old 1st Ward Community Center. Not doing so would be a violation of the Hatch Act, they said. So reluctantly, I did.

Now, these same people have no problem with their candidate, "11,000 Doors" Fahey leaving work to begin campaigning at 1PM. One insider says it's not illegal, "just" unethical. So, in other words, they have no problem being unethical as long as no laws are being broken. This leads me to the obvious question: How important of a job is an aide to Brian Higgins, when you can work for three hours and then leave to go out and campaign? It's only $80,000/yr of our tax dollars (plus full benefits). So, if you're reading this, your tax dollars are paying for the entitled Fahey to campaign for another job. It's bad enough when we let the elected officials do it. Now, we're letting the glorified secretaries/prostitutes do it also? Unbelievable.

If I was Mickey Kearns, I would talk to one of my deep pocketed friends and have a private detective follow the privileged Fahey around 24 hours a day and report to the taxpayers exactly how many hours he is devoting to his 40 hour/week job. (Carl, if you're reading this, pay me $100/day and I will follow Fahey to make sure he's giving the taxpayers their money's worth from 9 to 5.) (Fahey supporters: give me the same and I will follow Kearns to see how much time he is devoting to city hall!)

I will visit every house Fahey does and ask the residents if they think it's o.k. that we're paying him $80,000/yr to campaign on our dime! Shouldn't he be busy coming up with solutions to lower gas prices or bringing jobs to our area?) Maybe he's leaving that up to Bozo the Clown Kennedy.???

If I was Fahey, I would insist on putting in my 40 hours at the office (for ethical reasons alone!) But I guess ethics are the last thing one thinks about when nobody knows who they are and they're the subject of an attempted anointing.

These lowlife twits live on another planet. Fahey's never put in one hour of community service anywhere, yet his flier says he's ready to devote himself to public service. He walked right out of college into an $80,000/yr job as one of Higgins' coat holders. Now, we're expected to anoint him as a community leader? I don't think so.

I guess the downside to prostituting himself to Brian Higgins for the last 10 years, is the fact that nobody's ever heard of Fahey, besides his relatives and the political cockroaches he calls his friends. He better start leaving work at noon because, according to our unscientific poll, he seems to be in a bit of trouble. (29%?) ...

Tumble outta bed
And stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
Yawnin' and stretchin' and try to come to life

Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin'
Out on the streets
The traffic starts jumpin'
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin' ...



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House of prostitution

And all of this time, we thought our economy was struggling. Since 2005, 26 full time positions have been added at the Board of Elections. High paying, mostly unnecessary jobs. The funniest part of this story is when Democratic Elections Chairman Dennis Ward says with a straight face that people often drop off their resumes(2:00). "We don't have any jobs at this time, but you're welcome to apply to the Main Place Mall food court."

People should stand across the street at the parking ramp and throw eggs at these lowlifes when they arrive for work at 10:30AM...

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What people are saying

Some interesting political talk making it's way down to the ghetto, and some of it might even be true...

-My source on the Lackawanna Democratic Committee tells me his fellow committee members in the Steal City (I realize it's misspelled), are sick and tired of Congressman Brian Higgins meddling in the process of choosing candidates. He also said the West Seneca and Cheektowaga Stormtroopers feel the same way. According to my source, who stumbled drunkenly out of Curly's five minutes later, many of his peers want to ask Councilman Mickey Kearns to challenge Higgins for his Congressional seat. The local Republicans view Kearns favorably because they know he is not aligned with Higgins and would appreciate his support.

The Independent Party members have finally come to the realization that Higgins coat holder Rick Finnegan is only in it for himself. In fact, they couldn't wait to endorse Kearns over "11,000 Doors" Fahey a few weeks ago. Len Lenihan, the Rasputin of Erie County politics, is just hoping to survive the next Higgins backstabbing. Lenny, as us important insiders like to refer to him, has known Kearns' mom for a long time.

All of the above feel that Higgins has burned too many bridges. They point to Tim "Hortons" Kennedy and Tim Whalen's support of Republican Chris Collins in the Erie County Legislator (at his bequest). It's common knowledge that neither of those two know how to think for themselves and simply do whatever they are told.

It will be an interesting year, although I personally think Kearns would have a hard time competing against Higgins. I would probably vote for Higgins, because if I asked him for something reasonable (like talking to Superintendent Williams for me), I believe Higgins would do that. In fact I remember Higgins setting up a meeting with Mayor Masiello, Vince LoVallo, myself, and Kearns one time. Kearns was then a Legislative Assistant for Dennis Manley at the time and I invited him to the meeting. I was grateful to Higgins for doing that for me, even though LoVallo threatened to "throw me through the wall" (true story). Hey, what can I say? The Blogger sometimes has that effect on people.

-Some City Hall insiders asked me to dispel a rumor started by McKinley Circle that Kearns recently fired two of his assistants. Not true. Kelly Krug was not fired and still holds the same job. The other assistant is still working but has lost his benefits thanks to a motion by Joseph Golispek to limit each Councilmember's assistants to two. I don't think he went far enough. How about limiting each Councilmember to zero assistants and having citizens call specific Department heads with their concerns?

-Another sign that Mark Schroeder is going to run for mayor: He is dressing up like the guy from Monopoly and traveling to East Side grammar schools. What this has to do with handling the city's finances, I have no idea.





-Finally, I've thought long and hard about this. I will be endorsing Mike MacGavis as the President of the OTB Wednesday Afternoon Club. Tony Hammell has been in charge for many years and the Rooster thinks it might be time for a change. The Rooster points out he will be throwing his weight behind Tony the Stuper.

Rooster #1


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Fahey, Kennedy, and Whalen likened to coat holders

I'll be back in a day or two. In the meantime, I thought some would appreciate this comment I received from someone not too fond with the anointing of Chris Fahey by the South Buffalo political machine. Read it and draw your own conclusions...

One more political dud courtesy of the biggest con game in local politics, the Jiggins political machine.

When are people ever going to wake up in this Siberian sinkhole and start electing some rebels and renegades who will shake things up? Instead, all we ever elect are carefully selected yes-men, coat holders, flunkies and stooges for High Pants. What a scam! Time for Buddy the Book to throw his hat in the ring. Now there's a guy who's not afraid to rock the boat!

A spokesman for Buddy the Book says he is currently conducting a listening tour of Mark Grisanti's district. He also says Grisanti is a liar who "probably started with those Indians at the Casino."

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Please take part in my poll

Are you following the special election for NY state Assemblymen between Chris "11,000 doors" Fahey and Mickey "Rivers" Kearns? Please take part in our special unscientific poll to the right of this post.

It will be interesting to see who wins the $79,000/yr do-nothing part time job. Fahey is backed by Congressman Brian Higgins and City Comptroller Mark Schroeder, while Kearns counts local developer Carl Paladino (and his wallet) as well as the City Hall Rooster amongst his supporters. I like Kearns, but I don't know 11,000 doors Fahey very well.

I'm sitting this race out, as neither candidate cares who I support. And nor should they. With the election being held on my birthday, there may be an "October surprise" waiting in the wings. Being in control of the press, the Blogger has a lot at his disposal. He hears things. People send him things.

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Senate race could turn into free-for-all

I hope the Senate lines remain as they are. Perhaps the powers-that-be aren't comfortable with Tim "Hortons" Kennedy being controlled by the diabolical Steve Pigeon. Whatever happened to his Change Albany mantra? Not much.

Antoine, if you do decide to throw your hat in the ring, expect a three person race in June. Kennedy only represents a small and privileged part of South Buffalo. There are many others on the outside looking to make a case for change. This is a democracy and the last time I checked, you didn't have to be up Brian Higgins' ass to run for office. Anyone with half a brain knows Little Timmy stands only for the status quo. All I can say is, what date do petitions come out?...

From the Buffalo News blog...

Thompson denies interest in returning to politics

Former State Sen. Antoine M. Thompson said today he has not looked at new boundaries of Senate districts released last week by a legislative reapportionment commission.

"I haven't given any thought to it," he said when asked if he is contemplating another shot at Albany.

Thompson said he is concentrating on his real estate and publishing businesses and dismissed any thought that he may be contemplating a return to politics. But several sources say the former senator has been busy in recent days discussing a candidacy in the district now represented by Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-Buffalo.

--Robert J. McCarthy

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Remove Richard Anderson from Amherst town board

After Amherst town board member Richard "Jay" Anderson was called to duty for the Navy Reserves, he used a little known codicil in the Amherst Constitution to have his daddy sit in for him.

His father is former State Assemblyman Rick Anderson, Sr. After all, this is Western New York, where the old politicians never leave. They just linger around like contagious fungi. Now it seems that dad can't be bothered to attend the town board meetings because he "winters" in Florida.

These days, however, Town Board members are wondering if the replacement needs replacing, since Anderson Sr. is wintering in Florida and isn’t scheduled to return until late April or May.

Talk about entitled. Did you ever notice the only people "wintering" in Florida are the ones who made their living off the taxpayers of Western New York ?(see Jim Keane). I'm disappointed in the residents of Amherst. Get rid of this carpetbagging loser and replace him with someone from the private sector, who actually lives here year round. What a joke!...
Amherst officials debate replacing Anderson’s replacement

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Mitt shoots himself in the foot

Republican Mitt Romney might have shot himself in the foot with his recent comments that he "enjoyed" firing his workers when he was a businessman. I don't know if that's the type of thing millions of unemployed Americans or young people want to hear during this never ending recession. It conjurs up an image of the power hungry management types lurking around every workplace office in America. People are powerless to do anything about them, but they can make sure one of them doesn't move to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Now, Rommeister is using the predictable defense that his comments were "taken out of context". He's in trouble if word of his comments spread to everyday people. One of his opponents has even come out with a ringtone with Romney saying, "I like being able to fire people." Sounds like something I might put on this blog...

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Bert and Ernie

This man from Orleans County looks like the type of guy who would run for office against his own grandfather. John Henderson, 73, says he isn't ready to retire from the bench yet.

Once Bert loses to the old man, he could always find work posing for serial killer sketches. Henderson says they plan on spending Thanksgiving together. If I were him, I'd have someone test the food before I ate it. The young man seems to really want the job...

Barre justice race pits family members

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Soccer and the School Board (long, but please read)

You may have received an email from me regarding our registration for the indoor soccer league at the Tosh Collins Community Center this Thursday. This will be my 4th year running the league and 21st year as the referee. Previous to the past four years, the league was organized by a small group of parents. They all were very nice, well intentioned people.

Previous to me, the league was organized by current school board member Louis Petrucci. His league, for kids ages 6-9, had four teams. The reason for this was poor advertising combined with non-soccer people making questionable decisions. The only schools informed about the registrations were Notre Dame and St. Ambrose Academies. The athletic director at the Discovery School #67, who does a terrific job over there, wasn't informed of the sign ups and was treated rudely (not by Lou, but by one of his co-organizers).

Our current league has gotten so big, we had to break it up into 8/9 and a 6/7 yr old divisions. We also added a clinic for 4 and 5 yr olds a few years back. Last year, the 6/7 and 8/9 age groups had a combined 12 teams. This year, we expect between 14-16 teams.Unlike the previous organizers, we set up huge email lists and went to every public, private, and charter school in South Buffalo. I love the students and parents from Notre Dame and St. Ambrose, but felt the students at Trinity, school 27, school 72, Discovery, Southside, and South Buffalo Charter should have the same opportunity to play as well. And they showed up in huge numbers.

I got at least a half dozen emails this week from parents asking about their 10 year olds who have outgrown the league. Here's the history on that. About 15 years ago, I was going to run a boys and a girls' league for 10-12 year olds. However, I could not afford to spend another night running leagues unless I was working for the recreation department. The Councilmember at the time, who was politically opposed to me, recruited some parents with no soccer experience to run a league at the Southside Elementary School. Each year, the league had less and less players. They eventually made the decision to make it into a league for 10-14 year olds. They had 10 year old girls playing against 14 year old boys! That's what happens when you have non-soccer people running soccer leagues. Needless to say, this, combined with poor advertising, resulted in less players and the league eventually folded. It no longer exists.Lou Petrucci was one of the parents who ran this league in it's last season, as well. If you want to know when the registration is for your 10 year olds, I suggest you call him or the former Councilmember (who now makes $80,000 holding the Congressman's clipboard). You can also thank her for the "temporary" garbage tax she supported and voted for.

This Spring, Lou Petrucci is up for reelection. Although I'm a very reluctant candidate, I might have no choice but to oppose him. I'm starting to think that's the only way to get people's attention and get a seat at the table. It's either that or move to where the teaching/recreation jobs are. I feel there are at least a thousand people crazy enough to vote for me. Last election, Lou ran unopposed and won with 217 votes. 26 voters were so happy with his performance, they selected write-in candidates. Overall, the school board races in the city drew a dismal 4.19% of eligible voters. School Board races don't really cost tons of money. I'll just need help obtaining the necessary signatures and getting the vote out. Emails are free. If people are willing to put signs up at their houses, that would help out, too. The difference between Lou and I is very clear. One of us showed he cared about all the students in South Buffalo. The other was only there for a select few.
Lou Petrucci=4 teams
Myself=12 teams (and counting)

If you're interested in supporting my potential candidacy, please talk to me and let me know the issues that concern you. Thanks.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead





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Siena poll

Nobody fools me three times and gets away with it. The folks at Siena have come out with a poll saying the race for County Executive is a statistical dead heat. This was the same group whose numbers had Rick Lazio trouncing Carl Paladino a few days before the reverse happened. They also had the mayoral race between Mickey Kearns and Steve Casey as being "too close to call" a week before the election. We all know how that one turned out.

What their polling does not measure is city vs. suburban voter turnout. Being politically correct, they assume it is going to be the same in both areas. That's like assuming parents of Williamsville North students and parents of Burgard students are both as likely to show up to a parent/teacher conference at their child's school...

Siena pollsters estimated that one-quarter of the turnout in the race Nov. 8 will come from the city, a percentage the county executive's supporters believe is too high and should discredit the poll that showed Collins leading Poloncarz by a slim 49 to 46 percent tally. The poll has a margin for error of plus or minus 3.4 percent.

"We made no assumptions on what turnout will be in the City of Buffalo, nor can they," said Siena spokesman Steven A. Greenberg. "Nobody can factually make that assumption."

That's mighty white of him to say, but I can. City voters are less likely to show up and vote in a race when there is no minority candidate. The opposite happened in the mayoral race. That poll assumed whites and minorities would show up in equal numbers, but minorities came out in droves to support Brown. And that was a rarity, considering both candidates in that race were white. Collins 62% Poloncarz 37% The Rooster 1%
Collins campaign denounces recent poll

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South Buffalo donors to Brown: The sewer rats next door

Rust belt cities like Buffalo and Detroit have been hit hardest by the economic realities of the 21st century. It's times like this when strong leadership is of the utmost importance. Remember, a few months ago when South Buffalo was the only part of the city left out of block grant allocation?

The Ninja calls the current strategy to change South Buffalo the Let's Transform Seneca St. into Grant Street Project. We're currently being led by an empty suit mayor, more than happy to preserve the status quo in city hall. So, who are the South Buffalo residents supporting Mayor Brown? I checked out the Board of Elections website to find out how much some of your neighbors have spent to help sell the rest of us out. I've included major donors from 2007 to the present, their street addresses, and the total amount of bribes they've given to the mayor. These are the people directly contributing to the demise of our neighborhood, all in an effort to further their own careers. These are people you just can't trust...


Friends of Tim Kennedy $3,175.00 (So, if you've ever supported Kennedy, you are actually supporting Byron Brown).

Friends of Tim Whalen $240.00 -(Not enough "friends" to keep his Legislative seat, however).

Goin' South $1,400.00- (Ray McGurn likes to say they are a "nonpolitical" civic group. Like everything else coming out of Ray's mouth, this is clearly a lie.)

Higgins for Congress-$2,250.00

Vincent Barrile- 20 McKinley Pkwy. $2,175.00

Joseph Bartosik-472 McKinley Pkwy. $1,440.00

Frank Bifaro, Jr.-16 Red Jacket Pkwy. $475.00

Daniel Bonner-70 Tudor Blvd. $2,430.00

William Bortel-168 Folger St. $800.00

Martin Boryszak-52 Whitehall Ave. $1,720.00

Diane & Robert Bukowski-55 Morgan Rd. $1,375.00

Thomas Caulfield-110 McKinley Pkwy. $1,785.00

David Comerford -435 Eden St. $3,540.00

Mary Comerford-114 Whitehall $530.00

Jim Comerford- 435 Eden St. $625.00 (Actually lives in East Aurora. This is the fake address he uses so people don't know he is a residency violator. It doesn't work, though).

Jeff Conrad- 30 Densmore St. $665.00 (Still thinks he's going to get endorsed for a future office. Save your money, Jeff.)

Joseph Coughlin -89 Edgewood Ave. $500.00 (Will never be mistaken for a Rhode Scholar).

Dennis Dargavel- 1110 Abbott Rd. $550.00 With that goofy-ass mustache, looks like Rollie Fingers or Fred Goldman from the O.J. trial.



Larry Doctor-70 Hanson St. $1,200.00

Shawn Esford-16 Shenandoah Rd. $425.00

Marilyn Fazio- 23 McClellen Circle $1,695.00

Chuck, Jan, Krista, Peggy Feldman-189 S. Legion Dr. $1,150.00

Richard Finnegan-188 Columbus Ave $2,455.00 (Was able to purchase a full time garbage position for his son. Who needs college when it's much easier being a neighborhood hack?)

Kathleen Fitzpatrick-56 Hansen Ave. $1,750.00

Jeff Ford-47 Altruria $2,550.00 (An embarrassment to South Park Avenue. Looking for a promotion. Clearly thinks very little of himself.)

William Gallagher-194 Culver Rd. $1,000.00

Brian Gould-118 York St. $500.00

William Grillo-26 Edgewood Ave. $900.00

John Hannon-38 Turner $925.00

Kevin Hannon- 101 Strathmore $1,770.00

John Hannon, Jr.-38 Turner $1,635.00

John Heffron-73 Susan Lane $2,150.00

Nicholas Heidinger-$825.00 (My good friend from the Old 1st Ward Center. Too smart to be included in this group. Uncle Cecil would be disappointed.)

Mike Hughes- 13 Taylor Dr. WS $2,000.00

Randall Kay-6 McKinley Pkwy. $850.00

Jim Keane-Florida resident (keeps address at 151 Whitfield) $1,250.00 (There's your friend, Mickey. You can start taking the daggers out of your back.)

Margaret Keane-same address $1,100.00 (The Keane's 40 year scam on South Buffalo residents continues.)

Sean Keane-171 Harding $1,700.00 (Guess who's changing the garbage cans in city hall? Here's a hint: His father paid $1,700 for him to "apply" for the position).

Richard Keane, Jr.- 234 Potters Rd. $2,010.00 (I like Richard Keane , Jr. and feel bad including him. He's a good man. I can't blame him for accepting an $80,000/yr job with the Thruway Authority. I would too, if I was in his shoes.)

Jean Kline-128 Coolidge Rd. $600.00

Anthony Krathaus-180 Downing St. $925.00

Charles Kulp-1015 Abbott Rd. $2,250.00

Brian Lackie-714 Abbott Rd. $1,580.00 (According to the Common Council's most recent minutes, he was just appointed chief water pollution inspector. Bribe successful.)

Peter Lane-30 Knoerl Ave. $2,100.00

Patrick Lewis-220 Tuscarora Rd. $1,635.00

Robert Licata-263 Baraga St. $2,765.00

James Linkowski, Jr. 189 W. Woodside $3,140.00

Michael Lombardo-63 Cushing $1,100.00

Michael Lyons-37 Cantwell $2,000.00

Ray McGurn-48 Narangansett $1,350.00

James O'Neill-344 Eden St $1,100.00

Debbie Renzoni-20 Brost $2,775.00

John Scanlon-201 Cumberland $1,540.00 (Some of the Griffin loyalists chose to refrain from supporting all the corrupt people he despised. Then, there's John.)

Steve Stepniak-152 Dorrance $2,300.00

Paul Sullivan-139 Downing St. $1,150.00

Sharon Sullivan-139 Downing $810.00

Michael Whalen-162 Mariemont $1,000.00


See the complete list at:
http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=C23403&date_From=01/01/2007&date_to=10/03/2011&AMOUNT_From=0&AMOUNT_to=$1000.00&ZIP1=14075&ZIP2=14227&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL

*Businesses/groups are listed first in alphabetical order followed by the individual donors.

One of the donors called a friend of mine to whine. See my response to him at:
http://mikeblake-myopinions.blogspot.com/2011/10/response-to-disgruntled-donor.html




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Town Hall Meetings

The Buffalo News did a story yesterday on our local Congressmen. Specifically, which ones are ducking their constituents (see Mary Antoinette)...

Congress went home again last week, but that didn’t mean people in Buffalo got the chance to see their federal lawmakers in traditional, “ask anything” town hall meetings.

The two House members who represent the city, Reps. Brian Higgins and Louise M. Slaughter, continue to steer clear of such sessions — while the region’s two newest members of Congress seem to revel in the town hall format.

Brian Higgins has no problem meeting with his constituents -as long as he can control who he meets with and what topics they will be discussing. He doesn't want to be bothered with citizens that actually might question his stances on issues. If Higgins had a town hall meeting in Buffalo, I'd like to ask him about the $10,000 in taxpayer money he pays political opportunist Rick Finnegan yearly. Finnegan prostitutes himself to Higgins and pro-Higgins candidates by acquiring signatures on their petitions and putting up their lawn signs. If Higgins wants to pay Finnegan $10,000 out of his own campaign fund, I would have no problem with it. However, the idea of taxpayer money going towards this is criminal. I'd rather see $10,000 of our money going towards improving Cazenovia Park.

Finnegan already has two government funded, public sector jobs. He works for the Buffalo Board of Education as well as Erie County (at the Flickinger Center). I'd like for Higgins to tell the taxpayers exactly what hours Finnegan works and what he does to earn this $10,000. If I decide to run for the school board this Spring or as a spoiler in another race, can I have $10,000 to hire people to collect my signatures and put up my signs? Please don't tell me Finnegan brings anything else to the table besides that. I will keep asking the question on this blog until someone gives me an answer.

Lawmakers split on town hall meetings

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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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International update: Bulgaria

• 

Fed up with the incumbent, a political party in the Bulgarian city of Varna has succeeded in running a donkey against him. In my favorite part of the story, the incumbent has refused to share a platform with the donkey (nicknamed Marko the ass)...

Angel Dyankov, a representative of the Society for New Bulgaria party, told the country's Darik Radio: "Unlike the other mayor candidates and politicians, the Donkey has a strong character, doesn’t steal, doesn’t lie, and gets work done."

Donkey enters elections in Bulgaria

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• 
  

Missing signs in Clarence

It's always funny when people make a big deal about their signs being knocked over or stolen before an election. It looks like we have a sign battle going on in Clarence...

Weiss filed a complaint with the Sheriff's Office, based on a resident who reported seeing individuals attempting to take pro-Weiss signs. The detective bureau investigated and interviewed witnesses but determined "we possibly did not have sufficient evidence to make an arrest," said Scott Joslyn, chief of police services.

The Sheriff's Office also shared its information with the District Attorney's Office, which determined there was not enough evidence to prosecute, Joslyn said.

And this qualifies as news? Who cares? Every year, I hear this same story. People have been making this complaint since political lawn signs became popular. If you're that worried about it, start using cameras and film the signs that are being repeatedly knocked down/stolen. Political signs are really annoying and an eyesore, if you ask me. I'd like to see every town in Erie County ban them until two weeks before an election.

Clarence board race becomes clash over campaign signs

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Governor Perry's grades released

This is not a joke. Someone from Texas A&M sent Texas Governor and Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry's grades to the Huffington Post. The man got a C in gym as well as D's and at least one F. Here is a copy of his transcripts...

Rick Perry's Texas A&M Transcript

"Mr. Kroeger. Two Cs, two D's, and an F. That's a 1.2 grade point average. Congratulations, Kroeger. You're at the top of the Delta pledge class"...

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Assembly seat may be opening- Send in the clowns

Assemblyman Mark Schroeder no sooner announced his candidacy for City Comptroller when at least five people expressed interest in taking his job. The Blogger will be collecting resumes and conducting endorsement interviews in the coming weeks. He will also be putting political ads on this site (so get your check books out). I spoke to the South Buffalo Rooster at the Caz Carnival (AKA Scumfest) this weekend. Here are some people being pushed and a few pushing themselves:

Mickey Kearns- Probably sick of fielding complaints about potholes. With name recognition from his mayoral bid, Kearns would seem to be the early favorite. Odds 2:1

Lou "Pinocchio" Petrucci-

Never met a lie he didn't tell. Pinnocchio's puppet strings are pulled by the perennial political opportunist Ray "Wrong Turn" McGurn. Think about how many politicians I've covered on here. When I tell you that Lou's willingness to lie supercedes all others, that should really open up people's eyes and carry some weight. This man will lie about anything to anyone. It's no wonder people that don't even know me or my blog are starting to refer to him as Pinocchio. Just like Brian Davis, says here Lou is lying about his college degree. He talks a good game, but I don't think he has one. But as long as he's lying about everything else, he might as well lie about that, too.Was also a strong supporter of Andrew Cuomo against South Buffalo's Carl Paladino. A fact the Blogger will remind Carl (and his money) of. Should have been loyal, Pinocchio.Odds 2,500:1

Jeff Conrad- Pushing himself. Brian Higgins is not dumb enough to make the same mistake twice. Higgins obviously tapped the intellectually challenged Conrad for Councilman as a favor to one of Conrad's relatives a few years back. He knew he could control him, but doesn't want the inevitable headaches that would come out of Albany this time. If he were to anoint the Special Olympian this time, I'd have to say Higgins is dumber than I look. Conrad also was a strong supporter of Cuomo, convincing his supporters (all three of them) to vote against Carl Paladino. Bad move. Odds 100:1

Some guy named McGavis- Don't know him. Think he's a member of Goin' South, which is all anyone really needs to know. Next. Odds 100:1

The insult dunk tank clown from the Caz Carnival- Has as much schooling as Petrucci and Conrad combined, and is at least as honest. Odds 25:1

Anyone interested in the position should come see the Blogger immediately. It would be a good idea to bring some Imperial pizza and kneel before thou and kiss my rings. I'm waiting. Send in the clowns...

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You've got a friend in Pennsylvania

This is kind of funny. I guess the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has a real wackjob as mayor. Recently, some disgruntled residents held a rally calling for her to resign. Attached is the resulting video. Linda Thompson, the mayor, appeared in a city hall window and made some gestures at the protesters. Someone then threw a snowball at the window. Oh, did I mention that Harrisburg is the capital city of Pennsylvania and the birth place of Kent Dorfman (AKA Flounder)?...

Crowd gathers in downtown Harrisburg calling for Mayor Linda Thompson to quit

www.pennlive.com

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