Current Issue: Artvoice v7n47, week of Thursday November 20 » back issues
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Brown's Townby Ken Ilgunas |
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Despite Byron Brown’s overwhelming victory in the Buffalo mayoral race, critics are skeptical as to whether he has what it takes to turn the city around. They call him a cookie-cutter politician, predicting that he will fall into the ranks of the many lackluster, forgettable mayors that preceded him. His strong ties with labor unions and his humdrum record as State Senator have people unconvinced. However, Brown is making bold claims about reforming Buffalo, and faithful supporters who wore “Let’s make history” t-shirts on Election Day believe he’s the only man for the job. Brown has told his followers that he wants to be the best mayor Buffalo ever had and aims to do so through improvements in education, the economy, and crime. While some Buffalonians are used to such spirited rhetoric from his predecessors, others believe he is the real thing. Does Byron Brown have what it takes?
Name: Michelle Vaccarello
Occupation: New York State Department of Education
Residence: Buffalo
Did you vote for Byron Brown? Why or why not? No I didn’t. I recently moved here from Niagara Falls. I was going to and I couldn’t remember where to go to vote. I would have voted for him though. I’ve been a lifelong Democrat and I like his record.
Do you think he will reform Buffalo as promised? I don’t know. I hope he does. We’ll wait and see. He certainly can’t be any worse than what we have.
What social, political, or economic issue in Buffalo is most important to you? I work with the poor. I’d like to see more job opportunities for them. I’d like to see something done on Main Street. Ellicott development is putting some apartments in and I’m really hoping that some businesses will come down here.
Name: Michael NeMoyer
Occupation: ATM technician.
Residence: South Buffalo
Did you vote for Byron Brown? Why or why not? Yes I did. I’m a tried-and-true Democrat. After seeing what the Republicans have done to our economy in the Western New York region, I don’t trust them anymore.
Do you think he will reform Buffalo as promised? That remains to be seen. I hope so. Some things have got to change. Whether he can do it, I don’t know. There are too many old politicians.
What social, political, or economic issue in Buffalo is most important to you? I’m tired of seeing my friends move away because they can find a better job somewhere else. Actually, they all have moved away. My nephew is in Syracuse, my best friend is in California, another best friend is in Cleveland. I moved away for a while. I’d really like to see something done with the waterfront. I hate the fact that the NFTA has ruined most of the land or just done nothing with it. As far as politics go, we need to be out with the old and in with the new. Get rid of the career politicians and bring in people that are wiling to do what it takes. Something has got to change. People can’t run a business in downtown Buffalo because they roll up the streets at five o’clock. There’s something wrong. Nothing happens down here on weekends. We have to change that. Saturday night, Chippewa is hopping, but everywhere else is scary to be around. Something’s got to change. And I don’t know how to do it. Otherwise, I’d be running for office.
Name: Gary Young
Residence: Buffalo
Did you vote for Byron Brown? Why or why not? Yep. I believe he’ll give more opportunities for the people.
Do you think he will reform Buffalo as promised? I think he’ll do a great deal for Buffalo. I think he will thrive. Buffalo, right now, is in turmoil and if he could turn Buffalo around, it’ll be great.
What social, political, or economic issue in Buffalo is most important to you? Unemployment. That’s the big issue. People need jobs. People are leaving because there isn’t anything here. If he could turn that around, that would be great.
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Issue Navigation> Issue Index > v4n46: Holiday Gift Guide (11/17/05) > Brown's Town This Week's Issue • Artvoice Daily • Events Calendar • Classifieds |
Artvoice Blog Headlines
Who Goes Where When Hillary Goes to State?posted November 19, 12:04 pm on Artvoice DailyCity Hall News has flow_chart that tracks who might replace who, from Hillary’s Senate seat on down (click to expand or follow the link—it’s an awkward shape): |
It’s Robert Rich Sr. All High Stadiumposted November 14, 5:05 pm on Artvoice DailyThese new signs properly label the structure. We’ve been reading recent stories in the Buffalo News about sportswriter Tom Borrelli’s terrible fall last week at the old All High Stadium. He’s currently battling life-threatening injuries... (more) |
CWM Fined for Violationsposted November 14, 2:41 pm on Artvoice DailyThis week Chemical Waste Management was fined $175,000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for violating its permits and the state’s hazardous waste laws. I don’t have much to say about that, except it doesn’t seem to me like too much money... (more) |
Musical Chairsposted November 14, 12:51 pm on Artvoice DailyThe AP reports that Hillary Clinton met with Barack Obama in Chicago yesterday, adding fuel to speculation that she might be Obama’s choice for secretary of state. If that happens, it has long been rumored that Brian Higgins would be appointed to her Senate seat... (more) |
Paint the Townposted November 14, 11:06 am on Artvoice DailyLate last night, at the tail end of one of the few weeks in the past year in which we did not publish anything snarky about anybody, someone threw two gallons of paint on our front doors. Seems a waste; we hadn’t even earned it. Nonetheless, we were cleaning up all morning... (more) |
Old Editions Book Shopposted November 13, 1:58 pm on Artvoice DailyAV videographer Matt Quinn tours Old Editions, an often overlooked treasure at the corner of Oak and Huron Streets downtown: show enclosure (video/x-flv; 21.29 MB) |
This Is Not Today’s Newsposted November 12, 9:37 am on Artvoice DailyBut it would be nice if it were. Via the Data Stream, by way of Jon Winet. |
This Just In…posted November 11, 3:28 pm on Artvoice DailyAlways in the vanguard, researchers of the University at Buffalo’s Center of Human Capital have reached a bold conclusion, according to a statement disseminated this afternoon: Although no official determination has been made about whether New York State or the U... (more) |
Silver Lining: Edwards Remains a Good Guyposted November 11, 11:17 am on Artvoice DailyMarshawn Lynch Amid the anguished finger-pointing, plaintive wailing and resigned head-shaking sweeping the region following the Buffalo Bills’ third straight defeat, Season Ticket would like to apportion a minute sliver of credit. Quarterback Trent Edwards, by most quantitative and qualitative standards, failed miserably at New England on Sunday (not coincidentally, this was also his third consecutive regressive outing)... (more) |
Mazzariello’s Ristorante & Martini Barposted November 7, 4:30 pm on Chew on ThisPhoto taken by Rose Mattrey From Antipasti to Primi to Secondi, Mazzariello’s (114 Bloomfield Ave, Lancaster, 206.0561) has conquered the map of Italian cooking. Your palate will be exposed to an array of spices, herbs, and ingredients indigenous to Northern & Southern Italy... (more) |
Post Election Bits & Bytesposted November 7, 12:02 am on Tech VoiceElection ‘08 is now in the history books - so I figured it’s time to take a look backward, and a look forward at some relevant headlines. Hacking Democracy First, we’ll take a look at one of the best kept secrets of the campaign season, from both sides, care of a Newsweek article published just today... (more) |
BNMC Open Meeting Tonightposted November 6, 1:19 pm on Artvoice DailyTonight at 6pm in the auditorium of the downtown library, everyone is invited to attend a public hearing on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus—North End Projects. Among the projects planned are a 300,000 square foot Medical Office Building to be owned and operated by Ciminelli Development Company, Inc... (more) |
That Pigeon Won’t Flyposted November 6, 10:05 am on Artvoice DailySteve Pigeon Here’s another example, this one two years old, of the way Steve Pigeon’s political committees are alleged to steer money to candidates illegally. On September 15, 2006, the Pigeon-controlled PAC Citizens for Fiscal Integrity paid “RUR Strategy Group” $9,000 in consulting fees, according to CFI’s campaign finance disclosure forms... (more) |
SeaBar’s Social Calendarposted November 5, 12:44 pm on Chew on ThisSeaBar will host live jazz and sushi nights starting Friday, November 21st at 8 p.m. (5235 Main Street, Wmsvl, 204.5283). A Cave Springs Riesling Tasting Event will take place at SeaBar’s suburban location on Wednesday, November 9th at 7 p.m... (more) |
Artvoice TV: Latest Additions » more on AVTV
Neslon Starr Band w/Jeff Miersposted November 23, 09:49 am on channel Music
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Bread Gone Wryposted November 23, 08:04 am on channel Music
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Dr. Riyaz Hassanali: The effect Smoking has on your Skinposted November 21, 4:50 pm on channel Local Interest
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Twilightposted November 19, 1:09 pm on channel Movie Trailers
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamasposted November 19, 1:06 pm on channel Movie Trailers
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Avi Takes Artvoice Shopping for the holidays @ Lexington food Co-opposted November 19, 11:52 am on channel Food
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TRAIN DAY! @ the Buffalo Historical Societyposted November 17, 3:07 pm on channel Local Interest
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Mass Appeal: Elmwood Fashion Eventposted November 15, 10:19 pm on channel Events
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Buffalo Contemporay Danceposted November 15, 6:43 pm on channel Events
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Old Editions Book Shopposted November 13, 11:42 am on channel Local Interest
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Off Stage: Conversations with Anthony Chaseposted November 12, 4:50 pm on channel Theater
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Happy Go Luckyposted November 12, 2:08 pm on channel Movie Trailers
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Quantum of Solaceposted November 12, 2:01 pm on channel Movie Trailers
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Flash Party at Essex St.posted November 9, 10:59 am on channel Events
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Lakeview Effect at Nietzsche'sposted November 8, 4:54 pm on channel Music
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