April 2015 – The Buffalo Chronicle

Deputy director Candelario’s qualifications, conflicts of interest questioned at BMHA

April 30, 2015

A mysterious letter seemingly written by an employee inside BMHA appeared in Housing Commissioner Joe Mascia’s mailbox earlier this week. The letter questions the education credentials of the agency’s Assistant Executive Director, Modesto Candelario. The letter makes the claim that he

Cuomo offers Grisanti a judgeship, says source

April 30, 2015

A source close to the courts tells me that Governor Andrew Cuomo has offered former State Senator Mark Grisanti a judgeship. Cuomo is nominating Grisanti for the Court of Claims. The Court of Claims is the exclusive forum for civil litigation

School board majority, James Weimer lambasted for “illegal” superintendent search

April 29, 2015

The school board majority was stoic as they were berated by each member of the minority bloc for their closed-door discussions on who will be the district’s next Superintendent. The majority’s selection process is an illegal violation of the States’

School board majority wants Weimer as next Superintendent

April 29, 2015

The school board majority, led by President James Sampson, is planning on selecting James Weimer as the district’s next Superintendent. A search for Deputy Superintendent had been underway, with plans to transition that deputy into the Superintendent over a few

BMHA financial mismanagement gets even worse for residents

April 28, 2015

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority’s financial mismanagement has become so bad, that employees of the agency have been told to refrain from suggesting that stoves and refrigerators would be provided to tenants in their lease agreements. This development comes as

Joe Ludwig takes the gloves off in Fillmore

April 27, 2015

Local businessman Joe Ludwig just placed a stinging billboard advertisement attacking a career politician. Ludwig is challenging longtime incumbent Councilman David Franczyk, who has overseen the collapse of his Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood and the implosion of the Eastside’s Polish community. The

Hal Payne gets his BMHA turnaround plan approved without full Board review

April 23, 2015

It was Commissioner Hal Payne who introduced the resolution approving a turnaround plan that the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has demanded within 90 days of March 13, or risk a federal takeover of the agency. Federal officials

Tsouflidis says haters can’t stop the New Buffalo

April 23, 2015

By Paul Tsouflidis Taking the lead of a fellow entrepreneur today, I am going to address my haters. I think its important and I think you should do the same someday. So here it goes.. Hello haters. I know you

The next Buffalo Billion should be invested in mass transit

April 22, 2015

Contrary to the prevailing discourse that mass transit is an unending money pit that should be avoided, now is the time we should be aggressively building out our light rail system. It will catalyze a real estate investment and construction

Mascia says no to a six month phase out of BMHA’s Executive Director

April 22, 2015

Housing Commissioner Joe Mascia is opposed to BMHA Chairman Michael Seaman’s alleged effort to allow the agency’s Executive Director, Dawn Sanders-Garrett, phase out of her role over several months. In an email to the Chairman, Commissioner Mascia expresses his disapproval

The road to our renaissance is paved in brick

April 19, 2015

Mayor Byron Brown’s administration deserves credit for its accomplishment on Ardmore Street on Buffalo’s Westside. After asphalt pavement had receded to expose a largely intact brick road beneath, residents petitioned the city to remove the aged asphalt to fully expose the

Canalside development should be driven by affordable housing

April 17, 2015

It’s time to buildout Canalside into a real neighborhood — dominated by affordable mixed use primarily residential development with ample storefronts and pedestrian oriented streetscapes. How can we do it? By creating an affordable housing tax credit — not dissimilar

What could Langworthy possibly be thinking?

April 15, 2015

That’s the question posed by political observers from across the left-right spectrum. Earlier this month Clerk Chris Jacobs and Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw both declined to run for County Executive this cycle. Since then, Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy has been advancing

Letter to the Editor: Where is Frank Max’s money going?

April 15, 2015

Dear Mr. Ricchiazzi: I read your website every day and love how you are exposing political corruption around Erie County and WNY. I am very bothered by Frank Max’s Progressive Democrats of WNY group and their lack of accountability and thought

Standardization: a flawed strategy to save costs on government construction?

April 14, 2015

By Rich Purtell Webster defines standardize: “to change (things) so that they are similar and consistent and agree with rules about what is proper and acceptable.” The process can certainly be used to help reduce costs for construction projects. Whereas

Tim Murray’s erratic style is tanking Sabres’ chance at a comeback

April 13, 2015

Sabres General Manager Tim Murray is a media whore, very quick to take the podium after every game and make a media spectacle of himself. The narrative is almost always architected to enhance his self-importance: his decision making, his management

The solution to the Williamsville congestion crisis

April 12, 2015

The Village of Williamsville suffers from crippling automobile congestion along Main Street, between the off-ramps at the I-290 to Youngs Road. This two mile section of Main Street is among the region’s most expensive real estate, and is a thriving

In show of unity, Cheektowaga Democrats rally behind leadership at annual gathering

April 11, 2015

The Cheektowaga Democratic Committee hosted their annual Spring gathering this morning — heading into an election cycle that could change the political landscape for generations. Hosted by Mark Wegner, the Town Chair and Highway Superintendent, the event was wildly successful.

Deplorable conditions at Perry Projects illustrate BMHA mismanagement

April 11, 2015

The Commodore Perry Projects are a pre-War depression-era public housing development in Buffalo’s Old First Ward. The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The agency was deemed “substandard” and HUD officials threatened a federal

Benczkowski applauds AG’s report, dismisses politically motivated investigation

April 10, 2015

Councilwoman Diane Benczkowski, who is widely expected to be the Town of Cheektowaga’s next Supervisor, is pleased that the Attorney General has dismissed allegations made by Frank Max against Mark Wegner, the town’s Highway Superintendent. The Town received notification of