Dirty Cops

After being closed for almost a year while the city addressed mold concerns and instituted a $750,000 renovation, the Northwest District Police Station on Hertel Ave. reopened on Feb. 15. If only our officials sprang to action so quickly to reports of rottenness at police headquarters.

Quality Construction

Already beset by numerous delays and construction mishaps, the new Buffalo Federal Courthouse had yet another setback on Feb. 15 with the discovery of large amounts of ice inside walls up to the 10th floor. The $137 million project has already been delayed until August due to flooding issues.

Information Security

It was reported on Feb. 16 that Republican and former Congressman Chris Lee of Amherst sent a scandalous shirtless photo of himself to a Craigslist personal ad while at a Republican retreat and lecture on “intelligent use of information technology.” The irony here is altogther just too twee for words.

Lobbying Letdowns

Beginning Feb. 16, the penalty for driving with a cell phone was upped in New York, with a two-point penalty added to a $100 fine. Drivers with 11 or more points in 18 months can have their licenses revoked. So where was the obnoxious, SUV-driving soccer mom lobby when they let that pass?

Housing Assessments

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced on Feb. 16 that he will propose a three-year property tax freeze during his upcoming State of the City address. We all know what that means—round after round of increased assessments! Got a three-bedroom Victorian? Boom. You’ve got a mansion now.

Consecutive games started by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller until his streak was snapped on Feb. 15 versus Montreal. During this streak, Miller has slumped considerably, giving up four goals or more in a game 10 times. Last season the Sabres netminder won the NHL’s award for best goaltender while giving up a league second-best 2.22 goals per game.