Buffalo Is Doomed With Political Charades Like This One
This is bad even by Buffalo political standards.
Forgive me, but with the recent Adelphia scandal, which is likely to halt any realization of a new office tower in downtown Buffalo despite tax breaks, and all of Buffalo's other political follies (if you live here just take ten seconds to think, they'll come to you), the petition circulating in City Hall would be silly, if not so deadly lethal in this political city.
Donn Esmonde, a writer for The Buffalo News, wrote about the lack of leadership in Mayor Masiello. The response? This "hit piece" done by the Mayor's cronies. Donn, if you're reading this, I can tell you that you will now be accused of everything under the sun, and a charge of harrassing Charlie Flynn is not far off in your future. Lucky for you, District Attorney Frank Clark is Steve Pigeon's friend, so you probably won't be indicted for jaywalking, but still, you've just started something awful.
Here, therefore, is the entire petition being circulated. It most likely comes off the desk of top political aide Joanne Cavalieri, but could possibly come from Vincent LoVallo also. It's not a black eye for Buffalo, it's worse.
In response to Donn Esmonde's personal attack on Mayor Masiello, count me in the category that is sick of Donn's vendetta against the Mayor. At a time when all of Buffalo should be rallying around City leadership, Esmonde uses his cryptic pencil to slam the Mayor over and over again to the continued detriment of the City itself.
I support Mayor Anthony Masiello because he opened up city government to all areas of the City of Buffalo and to all people, even if they come from the West Side. His philosophy of inclusion in government has been illustrated countless times through neighborhood summits, downtown forums, neighborhood planning councils, & neighborhood matching fund programs.
He bas opened his doors to everyone & works tirelessly on behalf of the city of Buffalo and the people he represents He opened up lines of communication with the Common council that were totally closed during the previous administration.
The city was facing hard times when the Mayor took office, with projections by the Partnership that city would be facing huge deficits in his first term. The Mayor, with his Commissioners, immediately conducted an internal review to streamline government and cut costs, then hired a Re-engineering consultant to recommend further changes. These efforts reduced the size of the city workforce by 10% and increased efficiency. The first comprehensive Charter Revision was implemented by the Masiello administration. All these efforts have resulted in balanced budgets and in fact, fund balances over the last eight years.
Crime has decreased by 350% and arrests have increased since the Mayor has taken office, because of the programs implemented by his Police administration.
There is no doubt the City of Buffalo is confronted with the most severe, fiscal crisis it has ever faced. This is the time for the sound rational leadership that Tony Masiello time & time again has provided. The fiscal plights of the past were rectified through his leadership. This crisis will be no different.
Tony Masiello will be the one to pull us out of this dilemma despite Esmonde's slanted opinions.
As for Esmonde, it's easy to sit behind a computer screen & write whatever you want because you are not responsible for delivering anything. He can continue to stand on the sidelined & criticize every move while the Mayor rolls up his sleeves & gets the job done.
TO: NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, HAVE SENT A LETTER OR E-MAIL OF SUPPORT OF MAYOR ANTHONY MASIELLO. PLEASE STOP THIS IRRESPONSIBLE FORM OF JOURNALISM. HE IS TRYING TO HELP OUR CITY. WHEN IS THE NEWS GOING TO HELP OUR MAYOR AND OUR CITY?
NAME ADDRESS ZIP EMAIL LETTER
R. Kern, April 4, 2002
354 Baynes St. Buffalo, NY 14213 (716) 882-2388
e-mail: kernwatch@AOL.com website: www.Kernwatch.com