July 2014 – The Buffalo Chronicle

Who will be Buffalo’s next Mayor?

July 23, 2014

As Deputy Mayor Steve Casey prepares to leave City Hall, political observers expect Mayor Byron Brown to forgo a fourth run for the office. It has been long rumored that Brown will pursue a lucrative position in the private sector.

Pushback from police union on barracks blowup

July 17, 2014

By James Hufnagel, The Niagara Falls Reporter According to Manuel Vilar, president of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the Long Island-based union that represents State Parks Police officers, construction of new barracks on the edge of the

Forster reflects on downfall of longtime political foe

July 17, 2014

By Mike Hudson, The Niagara Falls Reporter Niagara County Democratic Chairman Nick Forster told the Niagara Falls Reporter that, while he takes no pleasure from the downfall of State Sen. George Maziarz, he believes the post-Maziarz era presents a golden

Maziarz retirement marks end of era in Niagara County politics

July 17, 2014

By Mike Hudson, The Niagara Falls Reporter It’s the end of an era. Political allies and enemies alike are lining up to re-imagine a Niagara County without the presence of State Sen. George Maziarz, a political dynamo who stands alongside

Maziarz’s surprise decision comes as federal probe heats up

July 17, 2014

By Tony Farina, The Niagara Falls Reporter A federal investigation into his campaign spending stemming from the findings by the governor’s now defunct Moreland Commission on Public Corruption may have prompted powerful State Sen. George Maziarz of Newfane to not

AMID CORRUPTION PROBE, MAZIARZ WILL NOT RUN AGAIN

July 14, 2014

In a shocking political development, longtime Senator George Maziarz (R-Newfane) has decided not to seek reelection. The resignation comes less than a weak after top aids Alisa Colatarci and Marcus Hall resigned abruptly. PoliticsNY.net is reporting that the staffers were

Who will fill Mark Grisanti’s Senate Seat?

July 13, 2014

Perhaps this year’s most exciting election will be held in the State Senate’s 60th district, the seat now held by Mark Grisanti. In all, six candidates are vying for the nominations of five parties. This is how it brakes down.

Just fix Niagara Square already

July 11, 2014

Niagara Square has 99 problems, but crowds are not one. The square is framed mostly with government buildings with monumental architecture that was intended to convey an imposing scale that projects governmental authority and stability. When they empty for business,

Ken Young defends paving at Joe Davis State Park, says town allowed 40-ton trucks to ruin lot, not him

July 10, 2014

Last week, the Niagara Falls Reporter published an article about the failed parking lot at Joseph Davis State Park, a lot that was paved less than two years ago. The lot was paved by Ken Young Paving of Youngstown. The Reporter

Newly appointed Superintendent Donald Ogilvie discusses his role

July 10, 2014

Shortly after he was elected as Buffalo’s next Interim Superintendent, Donald Ogilvie fielded a range of questions from local media outlets, where he explained his general views on education, his management style, and the current state of the Buffalo Public Schools.

Thompson Files Petitions for Primary Election; challenger exceeds required signatures

July 10, 2014

Antoine Thompson (D), candidate for the NYS Assembly 141th District and lifelong Buffalo activist dedicated to strengthening and advancing his hometown community, today announced the filing of his nominating petitions for the September 9th Democratic Primary Election. In making the

Strategy document outlining BPS reforms is released

July 8, 2014

The school board’s new majority released this three page vision document: 2014_BPS_Vision, WGRZ reports. It’s an impressively aggressive and on-point agenda that promotes a diversity of choices for students and parents, and a diversity of services providers. The document also

Destino not running against Maziarz, may run against Dyster

July 8, 2014

By Frank Parlato, The Niagara Falls Reporter The schism between County Democratic Chairman Nick Forster and the Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster-controlled city faction of the local Democrats, headed by City Chairwoman Alicia Liable, is evidenced in the candidacy of

Nevergold: Ogilvie lacks turnaround, urban experiences

July 7, 2014

In an interview with WBFO’s Eileen Buckley, former school board President Dr. Barbara Nevergold says that Donald Ogilvie lacks experience in two key areas that should be demanded of the next Superintendent: urban experience and turnaround experience. Mr. Ogilvie recently

What could a new teachers contract look like?

July 7, 2014

Today school board President James Sampson announced that Donald Ogilvie will serve as the Buffalo Public School District’s next Interim Superintendent. He will seek the Board’s approval at their Wednesday meeting, the first time that the newly elected majority will

The war that Carl started: Is Jay McCarthy fit for office?

July 5, 2014

Carl Paladino’s brute demeanor, un-tempered style, and lack of any background in education has shaped the city’s political discourse on school reform for years. Presumably because he ran (haphazardly) for governor, the Buffalo News has offered him an unfiltered platform that has

The Superintendent Search: Meet Dr. Susan Enfield

July 3, 2014

As Buffalo’s Board of Education prepares its search for an Interim Superintendent to manage major restructuring initiatives over the next year or two, the Board will simultaneously search for a permanent Superintendent. We should be sure to recruit the most dynamic leader that

Zephyr Teachout: “I’m the working families’ Democrat”

July 3, 2014

Zephyr Teachout is the liberal who is challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo from the left in this year’s Democratic Party. She received 41% of the Working Families Party vote at their convention last month, and caused Governor Cuomo so much worry that

It was a high price to pay to get more for your money today

July 3, 2014

I heard this song on NPR, and thought it was a compelling critique of the bipartisan destruction of American manufacturing and the increasingly centralized economy that has emerged over the last several decades of capital accumulation that has wrought the Nation with

Can Condi Rice be convinced to save the GOP?

July 3, 2014

Watching Iraq unravel and the middle east inflamed with instability makes almost certain that the 2016 presidential election will be consumed in a discourse on foreign policy. A great debate will be had between those who think America has an