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Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:26:22

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PoliticsNY.Net: POLITICAL NEWS OF CONSEQUENCE "An internal New York Police Department report highlighted events involving Muslim students at the University at Buffalo." Bloomberg Defends Police’s Monitoring of Muslim Students on Web. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on Tuesday defended the New York Police Department's monitoring of the Web sites of Muslim student groups at more than a dozen universities across the Northeast, framing the effort as one way to guard against the threat of terrorism. An internal New York Police Department report highlighted events involving Muslim students at the University at Buffalo. “The Police Department goes where there are allegations, and they look to see whether those allegations are true,” Mr. Bloomberg said at an appearance at the Brooklyn Public Library. “That’s what you would expect them to do. That’s what you would want them to.” See state screen ... The president leads Rick Santorum 46% to 43%. If Mitt Romney is the Republican nominee, the president leads 47% to 41%. In Michigan as of TODAY its 38-34% Santorum. ... Bellavia, if he has any chance of garnering the GOP endorsement, has to surround himself with a staff that has his interests at heart. No doubt Caputo, et al., is brilliant, blah blah blah. BUT Mike is going to have to keep it together this time around, no insult intended. The filings this kind of thing has to be done on time. His petitions cannot be tainted in the event he doesn't get the endorsement this kind of thing. Bellavia stands for most of what this publication stands for, he is an easy lift all things being equal & honorable. I must add at this point in time it doesn't look like Bellavia will reside in the district. However, we all know he can run anyway & should he win move into the district within a year. "The opening salvos in this year’s local congressional campaign have been launched by David Bellavia, the Iraq War veteran who appears ready to paint Democratic incumbent Kathleen C. Hochul as a close ally of President Obama. In an online fundraising video being sent today to an email list with about 400,000 names, Bellavia first lashes out at Obama’s fiscal policies and then directly links them to the congresswoman. “Every decision he’s made has made it worse,” Bellavia says about the president’s handling of the economy. “Now we have a representative in Washington who agrees with practically everything President Obama does.” Bellavia says in the video that Obama’s course has sent national debt “into the stratosphere” and then refers to “Obama-Hochul policies.” “ ‘Obama/Hochul’ is a phrase you’ll hear from now until Election Day,” said Michael R. Caputo, an adviser to Bellavia." Full story ... "After South Council Member Michael P. Kearns, a Democrat running on the Republican line, announced two endorsements last week, his opponent has worked overtime to emphasize his own labor backing. Democrat Christopher J. Fahey, an aide to Rep. Brian Higgins, is now touting major union support from the New York State AFL-CIO.

"Chris has worked closely with our local affiliates on behalf of working men and women throughout Western New York, and as a result has gained their respect and support," said AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento. "Now, working families stand with Chris in his effort to serve in the State Legislature.” ... Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum leads the Republican presidential field with 35 percent, followed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 26 percent among Republicans and independent voters leaning Republican nationwide, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released Wednesday. In November matchups, President Barack Obama edges Santorum, while the race with Romney is too close to call. Poll ... "A three-federal judge panel has rejected the Legislature’s effort to dismiss a redistricting lawsuit this afternoon. A source close to the situation said Magistrate Judge Roanne Mann, at least right now, is not the special master who will draw the legislative boundaries for the court should it come to that. But it is a sign, though, that is exactly where all this may be headed, the source said. The big questions will be whether the state Legislature can pass a state and congressional redistricting plan and whether Gov. Cuomo will sign it or follow through on his vows to veto anything not drawn by an independent body. If a deal is reached and Cuomo signs the plan, chances are better that the federal court will accept it. If he vetoes, it’s anyone’s guess who the court will draw the lines." ... Let me clarify & preface: When we hear or read the media discussing a "brokered convention" what media is reporting is if NO candidate has enough delegates to win the nomination on the first ballot the result is the delegates are NO longer, based on primary results, etc., obligated to vote for the same candidate moving forward during the process. The fact is there could be a number of votes until there is a consensus candidate. The brokered part is promises will be made, e.g., VP, a Cabinet post, etc., with the candidates to release their delgates, including first ballot, & or commit their delegates to a named or an unnamed candidate (draft), e.g., Chris Christie, Jeb Bush. After the first ballot this process right or wrong really takes on a life of its own. ... Look the idea that probably the most honorable man in Erie County politics DA Frank Sedita (D) would be involved in any sort of cover up is ludicrous, esp. for G. Steven Pigeon, former Erie County Democratic chairman & former County Executive Joel Giambra (R), no offense. Mark Sacha was overlooked for promotion now we have to endure this nonsense. The claim here is that Pigeon laundered a $10K donation by Joel Giambra. "A federal judge has ordered Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III to answer questions about a secret memo at the center of a lawsuit alleging political favoritism by the prosecutor. The memo details the alleged crimes of G. Steven Pigeon, former Erie County Democratic chairman, and is at the center of Sacha's claims that Pigeon avoided prosecution because of his political and personal relationship with two successive district attorneys." ...

Joe Illuzzi Kaleida Health Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital is planning a 10-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in partnership with Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. The hospital filed a certificate of need (CON) with the New York State Department of Health last week for the project. A neonatal intensive care unit is an intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants. “Linking Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital with the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo will enhance patient care through an integrated platform of pediatric specialists and pediatricians,” said Chris Lane, the president of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. “We are taking our women’s services program, which is very good, and making it better for those we serve.” The hospital plans to convert six licensed maternity beds, two rehabilitation beds and two critical care beds for the new unit. The project includes renovations to existing space within the hospital. The suite will be located on the second floor, adjacent to the labor and delivery program. This will eliminate the need for at-risk newborns to be transported to a separate facility and risk further medical complications. It will be connected via a “hub and spoke model” with Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the regional referral center for critically ill newborns and recipient of a US News and World Report “best hospital” award in 2011. Lane said that clinical scale is the basis for creating one quality infrastructure, one integrated standard of care, and one operating model for neonatal care, a critical component of pediatric care. Millard Fillmore Suburban is a 261-bed community hospital and a subsidiary of Kaleida Health, Western New York’s largest health care provider. The hospital offers services in emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, urology, otolaryngology, and orthopedics, internal medicine, family practice, and geriatrics. The hospital also supports residency-training programs of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, urology, and obstetrics and gynecology, and family practice.
February 22, 2012 PoliticsNY.Net: Political Notes UPDATE: Our sources are speculating that charges will NOT be filed in the Grisanti matter. ...
Grisanti had better take this (below) as a gift. We all know how angry he must be that his wife was assaulted in that fashion. I understand. Initial reports had her jumping in to pull people off her husband, the resulting assault. However, what is going to happen is if Grisanti continues down this path he will be arrested as well, possibly his wife. No doubt, Grisanti is testing the political waters over this incident. BUT he needs to know when to hold them & when to fold them. The man needs to walk away. ... "A decision on whether anyone will be charged in that now infamous brawl involving state senator Mark Grisanti and his wife at the Seneca Niagara casino is expected to come this week On Friday, Niagara County D.A. Mike Violante viewed the video as well. Violante and detectives were scheduled to meet late Monday to discuss the case. Police Chief John Chella says that ultimately it will be Violante's call as to whether charges will be filed against anyone. Grisanti and his wife say they want to press charges because Maria Grisanti suffered head injuries when she was allegedly attacked. In turn, the other couple involved, Eric and Kristina White of Irving, have told police that they want to file charges against the Grisantis.. Paul Cambria: "To me, I think there's plenty of discussion that should occur before anybody pulls the trigger one way or the other on charges." PR ... One of the region's most high-profile criminal defense attorneys is now representing Seneca Nation businessman Eric White and his wife, Kristina, in connection with a Feb. 10 Seneca Niagara Casino brawl that also involved a state senator and his wife. Attorney Paul J. Cambria Jr. told The Buffalo News on Sunday that he has been retained by the Whites and has begun reviewing evidence in the case. "We've heard all kinds of hearsay and rumor about this incident, and I plan to sit down with the the Niagara Falls police, look at video evidence and talk to as many credible witnesses as I can," Cambria said Sunday. "My clients claim they did absolutely nothing wrong. ... I want to see if this will go down in history as nothing more than another barroom brawl." Full story The Buffalo News is reporting that the Grisantis were filing charges against those who they claim assaulted the couple last Saturday night at the Seneca Casino. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read an attorney for one of the potential defendants said that the Grisantis were being truthful. Ergo, in my view, the charges. Apparently, Senator Grisanti is filing against the women who allegedly assaulted his wife. I do not know if the protocol still applies but at one time every elected official is a "peace officer." If so this would give Grisanti standing in the events of last week. However, by all accounts his wife jumped in, she has NO such cover. She intitiated the eventual assault. “We deeply regret the fallout that has ensued following this unfortunate turn of events against the Seneca Nation and its people. I have always had a strong relationship with the Seneca Nation. All of my actions were instinctive to protect my wife, and are what any other man would have done under these circumstances.”As far as I’m concerned the incident was not over until my wife was safely in my arms. Additionally, we would also like to let the public know that our family has made a decision to press charges against Maria’s attackers. It is time to let the law enforcement and judicial systems do its job. We have always been trying to achieve full transparency. We have no problem and we encourage the Seneca Niagara Casino to release the tapes.” Senator Grisanti Having written that let me weigh in by writing Senator Grisanti must be out his mind. This is so incredibly stupid I have to question the Buffalo News report. Grisanti not only by filing is letting this matter linger for goodness knows how long, I really do not see how GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy can endorse him. Grisanti, if he files charges, has to go. ###
Joe Illuzzi
Kaleida Health Illuzzi: I remember years ago fighting to move to this hospital to High Street. The reason because it just made common sense. The problem accept for the then administrators at Kaleida Health I was all alone. WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL APPLIES FOR STATE FUNDING TO ASSIST PHYSICIAN-LED PLAN TO MOVE TO BNMC Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo has applied for $30 million in state funding in an effort to help accommodate the physician-led plan to build a new hospital on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The grant was filed under the state’s HEAL-NY Phase 21 “Restructuring Initiatives in Medicaid Redesign.” "The physician-led plan for constructing a new Women & Children's Hospital is an important initiative that will benefit generations of families throughout Western New York and beyond," said Teresa Quattrin, M.D., Pediatrician-in-Chief, Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and Professor of Pediatrics, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, University of New York at Buffalo. "We are very hopeful that this HEAL grant application will be recognized for its importance and that this funding request will be approved by New York State." The proposed project – building a newer and more efficient hospital across from and connected to the Buffalo General Medical Center - is consistent with the HEAL-NY Medicaid Redesign goals. "Plans being developed by both pediatric and OB/GYN physicians in our community will result in a new facility most capable of serving the health care needs of women and children throughout Western New York," said Kevin Fitzpatrick, M.D., Chief of Service, OB/GYN, Kaleida Health. "While these families will rely on this new hospital for care, those of us planning for it urge New York State to approve this HEAL application in support this complete redesign of services necessary to meet the needs of current and future generations." This project includes right-sizing the new hospital in light of the area’s population decline, clinical trends, and cuts in Medicaid reimbursement. It also allows for reduced dependence on pediatric and OB/GYN inpatient services by increasing the use of ambulatory and clinic settings, reduction of underutilized inpatient bed capacity and improved efficiency in the delivery of care. "This HEAL grant application is another important step in the process necessary to construct a new state-of-the-art hospital for women & children on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus," said Steven J. Lana, Medical Director, Physician Outreach, Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and community pediatrician. "Medical staff leaders are looking to New York State Heal funds to provide the necessary jump start to a long awaited project that will drastically improve the ability to provide health care and help recruit world class specialists to our community." The current location of Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo provides world class care, as evidenced by the hospital’s recent rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s Top Hospitals list. But the facility is landlocked by its residential neighborhood, and its 120 year infrastructure is past its efficient effective age. Coupling those factors with the emerging growth of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and the planned relocation of the University at Buffalo Medical School resulted in the Physician Strategic Planning Committee (PSPC) identifying the preferred location of the future hospital at the new Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus site, less than two miles away. The Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo PSPC is comprised of more than four dozen pediatric, OB/GYN and adult physicians representing a broad section of the community, including University and private practice. The project was developed by Women & Children’s Hospital’s PSPC after nearly two years of planning, which included local, state, and national data analysis, trending and focus on the right place and setting for pediatric and OB/GYN care in WNY. This work supports the State’s desire to restructure facilities to best serve the community’s identified healthcare needs, assuring access to women and children’s services in WNY in the near future. Ciminelli Real Estate (the developer) is also proposing to build approximately 300,000 sq. feet of environmentally friendly medical office space (including underground parking), 85,000 sq. feet of which will be Kaleida Health space and the ambulatory care center. The ambulatory care center will serve children and adults. The new hospital is expected to be complete by December 2015. Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, a Kaleida Health facility and teaching hospital for the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is the regional center for comprehensive and state-of-the-art pediatric, neonatal, perinatal and obstetrical services in Western New York and beyond. Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo is ranked by US News & World Report in its special edition of "Best Children's Hospitals". As two of the specialty areas within children's hospitals ranked nationally in this publication, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo is among the best children's hospitals in Neurology/Neurosurgery and Cancer care. February 21, 2012 PoliticsNY.Net: Political Notes I wrote a couple of months ago the reason why Captain Francesco Schettino of the cruise ship Costa Concordia jumped ship & grabbed a taxi for home was for one reason "CONTRABAND". This article appeared in the NY Daily News Sunday edition. "Traces of cocaine were found on the hair of the cowardly cruise captain whose ship ran aground off the coast of Italy, lawyers charged Saturday. But the evidence did not prove that Francesco Schettino, charged with abandoning his post after dozens of people died in last month’s horrific wreck, actually used the drugs, according to a court-appointed expert. The startling discovery was revealed by experts and lawyers representing survivors of the Costa Concordia catastrophe." Full story Everyone watched County Executive Mark Poloncarz nose grow Friday during an interview with a local on air station. Poloncarz arguing his position that the County should sell a bond to cover a $7M injury settlement. Poloncarz said there is no line item in the budget to cover the settlement. The County budget is a "working document", a work in progress, allowing for these kind of contingencies. The other lie: Poloncarz cited potential future problems in balancing his budgets. The problem: Why did he take $3M from the fund set up to pay for these settlements & use that $3M to fund the culturals, etc., just a few weeks ago. Now he claims there isn't going to be enough in the fund to cover future liabilities. There is a line in the budget for the fund so he can transfer money from one line to another, without raising revenue, or use the surplus to restore the line to its original balance. ### Joe Illuzzi

GOODBYE, GOP by Roger Stone I registered to vote as a Republican the same day I turned 18. I registered so I could vote for Richard Nixon's re-election in 1972. I was excited to join the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Reagan. For one year before leaving for college I served on the Westchester (NY) Republican County Committee.

While living in Washington's Virginia suburbs, I served on the Arlington County Republican Committee and later the Alexandria Republican City Committee. I served as Young Republican National Chairman from 1977-1979 having been elected in Nashville to follow in the footsteps of Congressman Herbert Warburton, Congressman John Ashbrook, Congressman Donald E. "Buz" Lukens, and Governor Don Sundquist.

I have worked on the campaign staff of Republican candidates in twelve national Republican Presidential campaigns. I was the youngest staffer at President Nixon's 1972 re-election committee, famously known as the Committee to Re-elect the President, or CREEP, as it became known.

In 1976, I was appointed National Director of Youth For Reagan by Senator Paul Laxalt, chairman of Citizens For Reagan. In 1980, I served as Northeast Regional Political Director for Ronald Reagan serving with skilled political operatives like Charlie Black, Frank Donatelli, Drew Lewis, J. Kenneth Klinge, Lou Kitchin, Paul Manafort and 1968 Reagan campaign veterans Frank Whetstone and Anderson Carter.

In 1984 I reprised this role in the Reagan-Bush re-election campaign, taking on Ohio in addition to the northeastern states. I worked for Jack Kemp for president in 1988. Later in 1988, I took the title of Senior Consultant and flew to California at the direction of Bush campaign manager Jim Baker to salvage California where George H.W. Bush beat Governor Mike Dukakis by a thin one percent.

I'm happy to say I sat out the Bush 41 re-election campaign. It was a total fiasco Without Roger Ailes the campaign fizzled. In 2000, I went to Miami-Dade to supervise recount efforts, again at the request of James A. Baker III. The rest is, of course, history.

In 1976 conservative activists like National Review Publisher Bill Rusher, direct-mail genius Richard Viguerie and former Harvard College Republican Chairman and Nixon administration OEO Director Howard Philips began arguing for the abandonment of the Republican party for a new third party, largely because of the influence of the Rockefeller-Ford wing of the GOP. I argued in barrooms across Washington against this plan because I remembered Barry Goldwater's admonition to conservatives at the 1960 Republican Convention that "this Party's our historic home. If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, lets get to work."

I have always enjoyed being in the party of giants like Roscoe Conkling, Eisenhower, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert A. Taft, Thomas E. Dewey, Joe McCarthy, Henry Cabot Lodge and his brother Governor John Davis Lodge, Everett Dirksen, Caleb Boggs, John Williams, Homer Capehart, Bill Jenner, Nelson Rockefeller, George Murphy, Barry Goldwater, Walter Judd, Bill Scranton, Strom Thurmond, Jack Kemp, Bob Dole, Tom Kean, and Hamilton Fish Sr. and Jr.

Like every good Republican I hated FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, Tip O'Neill, George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, and Teddy Kennedy. I have a tattoo of Richard Nixon on my back not because I admire his policies, but because I admire his drive and resilience.

On Monday, I left the Republican Party changing my Florida voter registration to the Libertarian Party. There are 25,000 of us registered Libertarians in Florida.

Sadly, Eisenhower, Nixon, and Reagan wouldn't recognize today's Republican Party. The GOP went from being a Main Street party under Ronald Reagan to being the Wall Street Party again under both Bush's. Bush 41 broke his "no new taxes" pledge and President George W. Bush's new entitlement programs and reckless spending made us the party of big spending and big government.

Meanwhile social conservatives in the party demand Litmus tests on issues like abortion and gay marriage equality from those who share their conservative economic and foreign policy views making a cohesive coalition of social and economic conservatives ultimately impossible.

Sadly the difference between the two major parties has become rhetorical. Under the Democrats you're going to hell. Under the Republicans, you are still going to hell but you are going more slowly.

To real conservatives the freedom of the individual is paramount. No one should be able to tell you what you can eat, drink, smoke, or marry, or what kind of gun you can own. We don't want to be snooped on by an all-knowing big brother government. That is the essence of liberty. The Republican Party has become both a party of big government but also an authoritarian party that would tell us how to live.

That the Republican Party can only produce Mitt Romney who was an independent during the Reagan-Bush years (and only converted to conservatism after serving one term as governor never intending to run for re-election while always planning to run for president), Newt Gingrich, a thrice married ego-maniac with delusions of grandeur and Rick Santorum, a religious fanatic, who would tell other people how to live, as presidential candidates proves the GOP may be going the way as the Whigs.

I fervently hoped that Donald Trump would run for president. Trump is a big thinker, with the kind of toughness and guile you need to be a successful negotiator and a successful president. While it is popular among elites to snicker at Trump his connection to average Americans and working people cannot be denied. As Neil Cavuto of Fox Business News said "No one draws ratings like Trump."

To put it bluntly the Republican Party is hopelessly f*cked up.

My first experience with the Libertarian Party was in New York where a small faction of anarchists held a state convention while refusing to allow all candidates access to the rules and a list of the voting delegates. Joe Stalin would have been proud of the tactics used to nominate a non-libertarian registered Republican who had only recently run as a candidate for the left-wing Green Party. But these childish tactics are not the norm in the largely democratic Libertarian Party. I have found Libertarian Party activists in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Colorado, Washington, and Michigan have proven to be democratic, reasonable, dedicated and interested in victory.

The Libertarian Party stands for both economic and personal freedom. Libertarians oppose spending, debt, taxes, big government, and costly foreign wars where our national interests are not clear. We support a woman's right to choose an abortion, gay marriage equality, and the legalization of marijuana.

The Ron Paul revolution shows me a Libertarian moment is coming. It will gather momentum in 2012 and most likely manifest itself in 2016. Ron Paul's incredibly strong support among young voters is the tip-off. American voters have never been offered a presidential candidate who took conservative positions on fiscal issues like spending, debt, and taxes, while taking freedom-based (i.e. liberal) positions on choice, gay marriage, and drug-law reform. This is clearly where a majority of Americans are.

I voted for Ron Paul in the Florida Republican Primary in my last official act as a Republican. I leave the GOP with a heavy heart. Theodore Roosevelt left the party in 1912 and he came back. Ron Paul left the party in 1988 and he came back. I don't think I will have the opportunity to come back. As the Republicans were to the Whigs in 1852, the Libertarians are to the Republicans.

Goodbye Grand Old Party. February 20, 2012 PoiliticsNY.Net: MONDAY'S POLITICAL INTERNET NEWS Top stories REUTERS: UN inspectors arrive in Iran for nuclear talks. A team of U.N. inspectors arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks on Iran's disputed nuclear program, a day after the Islamic Republic ordered a halt to its oil sales to British and French companies in apparent retaliation for tightening EU sanctions. REUTERS: Iranian navy ships dock at Syrian port: Iranian media. Two Iranian naval ships have docked at the Syrian port of Tartous, Iran's state-run Press TV reported on Monday, in a development likely to raise concern in the West. Full story REUTERS:Under pressure, Romney struggles for the right pitch - Mitt Romney isn't singing anymore. A little more than two weeks after his off-key but enthusiastic renditions of "America the Beautiful" captured the spirit of a candidate who had won the Florida primary and seemed on the verge of locking down the Republican nomination for president, Romney is back in lackluster mode. It's not just that Romney is facing a surprising challenge in his native state of Michigan from Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who vaulted into contention in the state-by-state nomination battle with wins in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. BUFFALO NEWS: One of the region's most high-profile criminal defense attorneys is now representing Seneca Nation businessman Eric White and his wife, Kristina, in connection with a Feb. 10 Seneca Niagara Casino brawl that also involved a state senator and his wife. Attorney Paul J. Cambria Jr. told The Buffalo News on Sunday that he has been retained by the Whites and has begun reviewing evidence in the case. "We've heard all kinds of hearsay and rumor about this incident, and I plan to sit down with the the Niagara Falls police, look at video evidence and talk to as many credible witnesses as I can," Cambria said Sunday. "My clients claim they did absolutely nothing wrong. ... I want to see if this will go down in history as nothing more than another barroom brawl." Full story NY TIMES: Fearing a Minimum Wage Increase Will Be Bad for Business. Charles Cestaro runs a prospering business in the Bronx cleaning offices and stores, and he knows firsthand what the work is like because he himself long toiled as a cleaner. As a teenager, he found a job as a window washer, hauling a bucket and a squeegee to delis and dry cleaners in the North Bronx. He worked his way up, literally, strapping himself to apartment windows 10 floors high and also waxing floors and scrubbing “way too many bathrooms.” NY TIMES: Rising Gas Prices Give G.O.P. Issue to Attack Obama. Rising gasoline prices, trumpeted in foot-tall numbers on street corners across the country, are causing concern among advisers to President Obama that a budding sense of economic optimism could be undermined just as he heads into the general election. Full story NY DAILY NEWS: Gov. Cuomo launched a $2 million anti-gun initiative Saturday that includes advertising and a tip line to report illegal weapons. “These initiatives will give communities the tools they need to effectively fight gun violence and reduce crime, making the state a safer and better place to live for all,” Cuomo said. NY DAILY NEWS: New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver not totally with Gov. Cuomo on pension reforms. Silver backs 'some' parts of the plan. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has raised the prospect of supporting some pension changes this year — but nowhere near the sweeping reforms Gov. Cuomo seeks. “Many of them say they don’t want a 63-year-old fireman running up the steps of a burning building or a 62-year-old police officer chasing a potential murderer down the street,” Silver (D-Manhattan) said. NYPOST: NY GOPers’ warning. D’Amato fearing a Rick role. Former US Sen. Alfonse D’Amato and other GOP leaders, who warned in January that Newt Gingrich’s ethical problems would make him a “disaster’’ as a presidential candidate, are now saying the same thing about the social conservatism of surprise GOP front-runner Rick Santorum. D’Amato, himself a social conservative, said Santorum’s ultra-conservative positions on birth control and abortion would alienate female and independent voters in liberal New York — with the likelihood that he’d inflict devastating losses on the GOP and cost them control of the state Senate. NY POST: Pols pitch pricey pension sweetener. Bowing to union pressure, legislators are proposing a sweeping pension bill that would allow thousands of state and city government workers to retire early with full benefits — at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to taxpayers, The Post has learned. The early-retirement push clashes with Gov. Cuomo’s drive — backed by Mayor Bloomberg — to scale back pension costs. The Assembly measure would allow public employees, including city teachers, to retire with full benefits at age 55 with 25 years of service. Many public employees have to work at least 27 or 30 years before earning full retirement benefits. Others have to work until age 62 to qualify. Full story
DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE: Potential for extra primary election has counties scrambling. The possibility of an extra primary during this year's election season has counties in New York digging deep to find funding. New York's counties and municipalities, some of which may have up to six elections including village and school board votes, will have to find the money within their budgets to pay for an additional election. Full story DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE: Voter ID laws are growing; so are challenges. Challenges to voter ID laws are building as voters cast ballots in primaries and gear up for the general election this fall. Thirty-one states have voter identification laws, including eight — Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin — that were enacted or toughened last year. Of the 31 laws, 27 are expected to be in effect for the general election this year, says Meagan Dorsch, spokeswoman for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan research group. One has been blocked by federal action; three have later effective dates. Full story BUFFALO NEWS: It doesn’t make a lot of sense that the presidential spotlight often shuns our part of the world. New York is diverse and populous, the Big Town ranks as the country’s economic and media capital, and the upstate cities are not exactly Podunks, either. But in the world of primaries, the little Iowas and New Hampshires of the world hog all of the attention. It’s a matter of timing. Iowa and New Hampshire jump first out of the box; New York’s April primary usually merits also-ran status. Full story ### Political Notes Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on the Time Warner Cable and MSG Network Agreement. "I applaud both Mr. Dolan and Mr. Britt and their companies. I thank them for being responsive to the needs of New Yorkers." “I’m thrilled that Sabres fans will be able to watch their team again, and that New Yorkers across the state will be able to marvel in ‘Linsanity’ from the comfort of their own home. This is great news for sports fans throughout the Empire State, and I’m pleased that MSG and Time Warner have worked to resolve this situation.” – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer ... Now that we have a statewide teacher evaluation in place, sort of. When do we get a State/Cuomo mandated evaluation of the real problem, esp. in urban public schools, the parent. Oh! (s) Yeah right! ... Here we go again! Local media is pushing the Jamie Rodemeyer suicide & the cyber bullying connection. This as a result of the Erie County Legislature passing an anti cyber bullying local law. The facts are cyber bullying in Jamie's own words had nothing to do with his suicide. The relationship with his parents broke down & he did horrible things to himself. Verification comes from the Amherst Police report. The parts of the report that was released were unequivocal cyber bullying or bullying was not the reason why Jamie committed suicide. Their conclusion based on an analysis by the FBI of Jamie's computer. No one is served by lying & or false reporting about went on here. ... A Cheektowaga police captain who challenged Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard in 2009 will be the next commissioner of Central Police Services. County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz has appointed John A. Glascott to head the department. Glascott, a Democrat, unsuccessfully ran for sheriff in 2009. Glascott has worked for the Cheektowaga Police Department for more than 30 years. He began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer for the Attica Correctional Facility from 1973 to 1978. He started as a patrolman in Cheektowaga in 1978. DJG ... In spite of what the Buffalo News Editorial Board, Commentator Donn Esmonde, & Mark Goldman say or write Buffalo Mayor is absolutely correct when he asked for RFPs for the Webster Street property. The good news is the infrastructure improvements in & around the inner harbor. The bad news is the overall plan lacks a true long term vision that makes sense unless the planners intend our waterfront to be a glorified walking park like LaSalle a stones throw down the waterways. The taxpayers must have return of investment, NEW MONEY, with respect to the eventual hundreds of millions of their money that will be spent on our waterfront. There must be some sort of retail or cultural attraction & Webster Street is an ideal location as is the AUD property. I prefer a new convention center but thats just me. Anyway, "possibly" the powers that be at the Harbor Corp., Levy & Dee, can take Brown's initiative as a vote of NO confidence & move on. ... UPDATE: Members of the Council of the Seneca Nation are calling on Sen. Mark Grisanti to apologize for his role in the fight last Friday night at the Seneca's casino in Niagara Falls. ...
There is a move among a number of Republicans to "DUMP" Grisanti. No word yet on whether Langworthy is buying into the new mantra. Albeit, names like former Assemblyman Jack Quinn is out there as is Assemblyman Kevin Smartz, Hamburg Supervisor Steve Walters. Sources say, the Democrats will use the video with Casino security on top of a hapless Grisanti; not to mention his flip flop on the Marriage Bill. This could get very interesting. The other problem is all three alternatives to Grisanti are being mentioned as Erie County Comptroller candidates. Include Langworthy in this thinking. The GOP believes they will win the Comptroller's race in November. ... Legislator Kevin Hardwick questioned why the Legislature would borrow on behalf of the taxpayers to pay the bill. “Am I missing something here? Why wouldn’t we pay the bill on time? We borrow $4 million and pay $3 million out of the county’s legal fund that has a balance of $5.5 million,” said Legislator Hardwick. “As the fiscal stewards of Erie County, we have to make practical decisions that protect the taxpayers. Borrowing a large sum of money to pay for a one-time expense is not practical. Despite my view that we should pay the full $7 million with cash that we have, I am willing to compromise with the County Executive on the matter,” said Legislator Edward Rath. To clarify, all members of the Legislature’s Republican Caucus understand the importance of paying this bill on March 5, 2012 in order to prevent a $155,342 late penalty followed by a $1,726.03, daily fee for interest charges. They refuse to ignore the tough decisions of the past few years that brought the County’s fiscal health back, and furthermore, refuse to return to the policies that led the County to the brink of bankruptcy just a short time ago. Meanwhile: "County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz blasted the Erie County (“County”) Legislature’s Republican Caucus for their display of political gamesmanship at its worst in blocking a plan to pay a $7 million legal settlement and putting the County at risk of incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest penalty charges and jeopardizing its ability to pay settlements related to other preexisting lawsuits. “In rejecting the compromise plan I have put before them, the Legislature Republicans have made it entirely clear they are more interested in ‘Washington-Style’ political gamesmanship than acting in a fiscally responsible manner and getting this settlement paid before the March 5th deadline,” said Poloncarz. “It is time to put petty politics aside and do what is in their constituent’s best interests before it is too late.” PR ... "Culminating a hyper-political process, the Democratic Conference of the Erie County Legislature Thursday appointed the least-qualified candidate under consideration to the office of Erie County Comptroller. Erie County is the equivalent of a billion-dollar enterprise. Taxpayers have been done a great disservice by the appointment of David Shenk, who lacks the qualifications to serve as Erie County's Chief Financial Officer. Candidates with better credentials were passed over due to the will of Party Politics and the over-reaching of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.” “The Erie County Republican Committee has launched a screening committee to identify its candidate to run in the 2012 special election for County Comptroller. Interested candidates should mail a cover letter and resume to Erie County Republican Headquarters at 715 Main Street, Suite 102, Buffalo, NY 14203. Materials can also be emailed to ecrc@ecgop.com.” ... NY Senator Mark Grisanti is getting the IP line sooner rather than later. He could end up with the R/C/IP lines. The Democrats have three possibilities to run against Grisanti. Chuck Swanick, the others, Kenmore Mayor Pat Mang, & Kevin Gaughan. Yes! Kevin Gaughan. Buffalo Councilman Joe Golombek & Erie County Legislator Lynn Marinelli are not interested in running at this time anyway. stay tuned ... The state education department, teacher’s unions, and the Governor have come to a final agreement on a new system to evaluate teacher’s performance that will clear the way for the state to receive the $700 million in federal funding the state won as part of the US Education Department’s Race to the Top funding system. The agreement significantly tightens the scoring system to ensure student achievement and teacher performance are both properly taken into account for teacher ratings. Teachers or principals that are rated ineffective in the 40 points could not receive a developing score overall. Ineffective: 0 – 64 Developing: 65 – 74 Effective: 75 – 90 Highly Effective: 91 – 100 “Thursday’s agreement puts in place a groundbreaking new statewide teacher evaluation system that will put students first and make New York a national leader in holding teachers accountable for student achievement. This agreement is exactly what is needed to transform our state’s public education system, and I am pleased that by working together and putting the needs of students ahead of politics we were able to reach this agreement.” Governor Cuomo - Liz Benjamin ... "Detectives who have interviewed several witnesses to a weekend casino brawl have found "no credible evidence" that State Sen. Mark J. Grisanti used racist language against a black security guard, Niagara Falls Police Superintendent John R. Chella said Wednesday. And Chella said that one of the people who has been interviewed is the same black security guard who subdued Grisanti during the Friday night ruckus in Seneca Niagara Casino." ... The special election contest to fill the vacant 145th Assembly seat centered in South Buffalo is beginning to get serious -- complete with fundraising, door-to-door campaigning and endorsements. South Council Member Michael P. Kearns began touting union support Wednesday by announcing endorsements from United Steelworkers District Four and Buffalo Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 282 AFL-CIO-CLC. “I am honored to have the endorsement of both United Steelworkers District Four and Buffalo Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 282," Kearns said. "Support from these organizations and their middle class, hardworking members is what gives me the motivation to change the business-as-usual approach in government I have fought against in my time as a public servant.” PR ... No surprise here: Attorney Daniel Oliverio announced Wednesday he will resign his role as chairman of the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority effective immediately. Oliverio was very close with former County Executive Collins. Collins did a 180 turn around & recommended the Control Board execute the Capital Program The compromise too come allowed then Comptroller Poloncarz to sell Mirror Bonds. I mentioned this fact before: I was on my way up to Collins office & was on the elevator with Poloncarz. We both believed Poloncarz would execute the Capital program at that point in time. I go up to the 16th floor & Collins & Oliverio announce the Control Board would execute the program. I asked if Poloncarz knew about the change? Collins response, "he does now." ...
The Niagara Parks Commission granted tentative approval for high-wire daredevil Nik Wallenda to walk across Niagara Falls. The NPC board voted Wednesday to put together within 45 days an series of requirements to let Wallenda walk over the falls. It will also include a provision to let a tightrope walker with professional ability to walk every year for the next 20 years. ... The Buffalo News political reporter has become quite the satirist. The really funny article the News political reporter scribed reports that Buffalo Attorney Peter Reese will challenge Len Lenihan for Erie County Democratic Chairman. The other Chuck Swanick's (D) emergence as a viable candidate to run against Mark Grisanti (R) for State Senate. The back story here is that Swanick defeated County Legislator Kevin Hardwick a few years back because then GOP Chairman Bob Davis, County Executive Joel Giambra & former Democratic Chairman Steve Pigeon favored Swanick & with, I believe, Hormoz Mansouri's money defeated Hardwick on the minor lines, quite an achievement. Then we had the red - green budget debacle & Swanick went by the way, if memory serves, six other Legislators & chose not to run. He then re-registered as a Democrat. Chuck would not get the minor party lines (maybe WFP) & probably not the Democratic line unless Lenihan was desperate for a candidate & or he won a primary. Too little to late for Swanick. However, this not to say he is out of the picture long term. You can never ever count Chuck Swanick out. ... Complete with sound Grisanti WGRZ video ... "As I understand it, now there's an ongoing investigation into the matter. I don't have any comment on it. I do wish him and his wife the best," Cuomo said, noting that he had met Grisanti's wife in the past. "Obviously, I've worked with the senator on a number of matters, and I was concerned about the health of his wife, and I hope she's doing well." PR ... Buffalo News: For the first time in at least 25 years annual operating profits for this company fell below $10 million and the paper is exploring the possibility of perhaps charging for online content to offset circulation declines. Publisher Stanford Lipsey, in delivering his annual “State of the News” address to the paper’s staff, said its operating profit last year decreased 43 percent to $9.3 million from $16.2 million in 2010. Full story Illuzzi: Good luck with that, the News has one of the worst web sites among NYS major print dailies. ...
UPDATE: “I said this is going to wind up in the courts (redistricting). By the way, this always winds up in the courts. This always winds up between the Legislature and the courts. This is not the first time we’ve been to this dance. I’m not surprised that the courts have gotten involved. This is primarily up to the Legislature. They are in charge of their own destiny here. They will make decisions and weigh their options but am I surprised the courts have stepped in? No, not at all.” Governor Cuomo "The Senate GOP is looking to pass a redistricting plan by March 1, which is pretty much right around the corner. Assemblyman Jack McEneny, the Democratic LATFOR co-chair, has been saying the House lines will likely be out sometime toward the end of this month, with a vote likely scheduled for the first week in March. Skelos, apparently, has an even more aggressive schedule in mind. He did not specify whether there will be one bill, containing both state legislative and congressional lines, or two. Liz Benjamin ... Albany Redistricting Needs Court Master, Judge Rules. A federal judge, citing lawmakers’ “current state of inaction” in redrawing New York’s political map, recommended on Monday that the state’s redistricting process be turned over to a court-appointed special master. Noting that Congressional primaries are scheduled for June, the judge, Dora L. Irizarry of Federal District Court in Brooklyn, said it was time for the federal courts to take charge of ensuring that New York has an election process that complies with state and federal law.  ###
Joe Illuzzi Why Whitney Died by Bill O'Reilly The media has no bleepin' clue how to cover the death of Whitney Houston. That's because she was slowly dying for years, and many in the press simply averted their eyes. It was ultra-disturbing that a beautiful woman blessed with an extraordinary singing voice chose a self-destructive path in full view of the world. I mean, here is a person who signed a $100 million recording contract, actually sold 170 million albums, and commanded high six figures to deliver a 90-minute concert. Ms. Houston was a genuine worldwide star, yet was often seen in public disheveled and confused, her substance addiction apparent. The media simply did not know what to say.

We live in a time where addiction is categorized as a disease, and to do what Nancy Reagan once did, urge people to reject narcotics, is considered uncool. How many young performers do we see doing public service announcements warning children to avoid intoxication? Right now, I can't think of one.

The national media prides itself on being non-judgmental unless you are against abortion. Then you are dismissed as "anti-woman" or a religious zealot. But in the arena of personal behavior, there's an excuse for just about every non-violent activity or bad decision.

There is no question that some of us have a history of addiction in our families. There are folks who can use drugs casually and avoid dependence. But they are the exception. Once a person decides to dabble in cocaine, or opiates like heroin and Oxycontin, they are putting themselves at grave risk. And they know it. There are legends of famous people who wound up dead just like Whitney Houston. From Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, the signposts are impossible to miss. No matter how rich and powerful you are, drugs can and will destroy you.

The current medical marijuana ruse is a great example of a society walking away from a responsible position. Ask any drug rehab counselor and he or she will tell you that pot often leads a person to harder drug use and is mentally addictive itself. Yes, most people can function while stoned. But the more you alter your mind, the more your perspective on life changes. Believe me, I know people who get stoned or drunk every day. They become incredibly desensitized to those around them.

On the kid front, the situation is dire. Once a child enters the world of intoxication, their childhood is gone. Presto—they are jaded. That's how dangerous drugs and alcohol are to immature minds. Society has an obligation to protect its children, not to tacitly accept or embrace mind-altering agents like marijuana.

Whitney Houston, however, was an adult who made a decision to embrace the drug life. Reports say she tried to rehabilitate herself a few times, but you know how that goes. Once a person enters the hell of addiction, there is no easy way out.

And that's how the Whitney Houston story should be covered. As a cautionary tale. Another life vanquished by substance abuse.

MacKay Now Has Near-Total Control Of NYS Indy Party Line by Chris Bragg "It should be a simple question to answer. Either Mayor Bloomberg violated the law or he didn’t by shipping $1.2 million to the state Independence Party in 2009 without quickly disclosing it. But with more than two years to ponder the issue, the Campaign Finance Board has yet to issue a decision. The facts in the widely publicized case aren’t in dispute. Days before what turned out to be a surprisingly tight election, Bloomberg sent two $600,000 donations to the Independence Party for what was supposed to be a poll-watching operation overseen by veteran Republican operative, who is serving jail time, John Haggerty. Full story The executive committee of the state Independence Party – led by party chairman Frank MacKay – now has nearly complete power over the party’s powerful ballot line, according to a member of the party’s executive committee. Michael Zumbluskas, a member of the committee from Manhattan, said that a proposed rule change, which takes away nearly all formal power from local Independence Party committees, passed at a meeting last weekend in Albany. Previously, the executive could only overrule the decisions of local county committees when a legislative district was made up of two or more counties – or in very large counties. But Zumbluskas said that in several smaller upstate counties, including Putnam, one of the two major parties was trying to take control over the local Independence Party, inspiring the rule change. “Part of the reason we changed this was the problems we’ve had with some counties the last couple of elections,” Zumbluskas said. The one remaining exception appears to be in New York City, where the NYC Independence Party retains control over ballot authorization for the mayoral, public advocate and comptroller races. That’s a formidable power: in all three of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s campaigns, votes on the Independence Party line helped carry him to victory. While the rule change probably means there will be far less turmoil over Independence Party endorsement decisions in the 2012 elections, it’s sure chafe rank-and-file members – and could spark further charges that the Independence Party has anti-democratic tendencies. Notably, the rule change does not appear to have played into Erie County Republican State Sen. Mark Grisanti reportedly landing the Independence Party line for 2012. That’s because the Erie County Independence Party was already powerless to make endorsement decisions, according to Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward, a Democrat who was a losing party to a lawsuit in 2011 to try and return that power to the Erie County Independence Party. Erie County, because it had a population of greater than 750,000, was already subject to the executive committee’s previous rules, Ward said. Zumbluskas, the executive committee member from Manhattan, said that Erie County County Democratic chairman Len Lenihan had been trying to take over the Erie County Independence Party by flooding its county committee with Democrats – inspiring the executive committee power grab there. “That’s why we made these rule changes, because of Erie County, and stuff like that,” Zumbluskas said. “We decided, okay. Enough is enough.”
MEET FAMILY COURT JUDGE KEVIN M. CARTER

Erie County Family Court Judge Kevin M. Carter is a proud Buffalonian whose motto is “Fairness For Families.” He is a graduate of Canisius College where he received his B.A. in 1986. He earned his Juris Doctor in 1989 from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Carter was a sole practitioner from 1991-1999. He had general practice with a concentration in matrimonial and family law in the State Supreme Court and Family Court. Judge Carter also served as a law guardian for minor children in cases involving custody and visitation. He received the Hon. Michael F. Dillon Law Guardian Award in 1998. In 1999 Judge Carter became an associate in the law firm Sullivan & Oliverio. Judge Carter was a full-time Professor of criminal law at Eric Community College-North from 1992-2002. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of criminal law and procedure at Canisius College. Governor George E. Pataki appointed Judge Carter in May 2002 to the Erie County Family Court. The New York State Senate confirmed Judge Carter on June 4, 2002. In November 2002 Judge Carter was elected by the people of Erie County to serve a 10 year term. In spring of 2008, Justice Sharon T. Townsend, Administrative Justice for the 8th Judicial District, designated Judge Carter acting New York State Supreme Court Justice where he currently hears matrimonial cases involving custody, visitation, and property disputes.
Judge Carter is married, with three lovely children. GEORGE HASIOTIS VIES FOR COMPTROLLER APPOINTMENT EXPERIENCED BUSINESSMAN AND FORMER WATER AUTHORITY TREASURER WITH A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE FOR ERIE COUNTY COMPTROLLER Imagine having a new Erie County Comptroller who served as a corporate treasurer for 32 years...who spent four years as the Commissioner/Treasurer of the Erie County Water Authority during which he kept rate increases to zero...who will be completely independent of both political and economic influence from any quarter just like his predecessor. “I want to be the kind of comptroller that Mark Poloncarz was,” says George Hasiotis, a Co-Founder of the Economic Club of Toronto. “The kind who provides independent leadership so that he always makes his judgments of fiscal issues effecting the county based on the merits of the issue and not politics. During four years as a Commissioner of the Erie County Water Authority and as Treasurer, that's exactly what I did. I reduced operating expenses, and cut patronage employees while keeping rate increases to 0% even if that meant sometimes disagreeing with the Legislature and the County Executive at that time.” Hasiiotis believes he can be just that kind of independent people's watchdog. “I'm running because I'm at a time in my life when I am not beholden to any interest financially nor am I controlled by any political faction,” he points out. “It's a time when my only goal is to serve our community.” As a way of emphasizing his dedication to the job of county comptroller, Hasiotis is pledging to continue pursuing the post in the Democratic primary even if he doesn't receive the temporary appointment from the Legislature. “I don't think the people of Erie County would want someone in this position who had a shallow commitment to becoming Comptroller,” he states. “I'm in this race to stay because I believe I have the experience and qualifications that this community is looking for.” Born in the State of Maine where he was inspired to Democratic Party activism by the likes of the late Senator Ed Muskie and former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, Hasiotis originally came here over three decades ago and has stayed in WNY ever since. Blessed with a resume that includes 30 years as a Democratic committee member through 2010 as well as membership on the Erie County Capital Funding Committee which developed funding recommendations for then County Executive Dennis Gorski, Hasiotis would bring a master's degree in Economics to the post of Comptroller. For the past 32 years, he has served as Vice-President and Treasurer of Antoinette's On The Hill Inc. in West Seneca, widely known as the headquarters for deliciousness for chocolate lovers throughout WNY. “I've lived in Amherst and now live in Buffalo, though I worked in West Seneca for over three decades,” George Hasiotis notes. “I'm a person who knows the entire county very well. Now I want to work as the leader of a team of dedicated professionals to enhance good government and provide continuing public accountability in the post of Erie County Comptroller.” February 18/19/2012 PoliticsNY.Net: OBAMA WEEKLY INTERNET ADDRESS LINSANITY FORCES TIME WARNER - MSG MEET UPDATE: MSG & Time Warner have reached an agreement. ... Good news for Sabres fans: "MSG, Time Warner meet as demand for Knicks games grows. Linsanity may bring peace in the MSG-Time Warner Cable war. The two sides met earlier this week for the first time since December, when Time Warner’s contract expired and MSG shut down the signal. Hours before Jeremy Lin led the Knicks last night to their seventh straight victory, a 100-85 blowout of the Sacramento Kings, Mike Bair, head of MSG media, told WFAN’s Mike Francesa that negotiations had reopened. Neither company would give details, but the talks came in the midst of Lin’s incredible run, which has millions of local viewers demanding to see games. “There was a conversation, a face- to-face meeting this week,” Bair said. “I think right now, because of the Lin story, because of the performance of the team, and because of what we’ve seen in the ratings, now is the time to do a deal. But we have to have a dialog to be productive.” ### Joe Illuzzi “Thursday, at the Legislature’s session, David Shenk was appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of Erie County Comptroller by a vote of 6-5. The appointment was made through a flawed process. It’s unnerving that the seating of a county-wide elected official rests in the hands of the Legislature, and not the people, to begin with. Furthermore, it is disappointing that the process for interviewing candidates was a sham. A committee, hand-picked by the Democratic Chairman, recommended a person with no financial background, or applicable education or experience, to be the chief fiscal watchdog of Erie County’s $1.4 billion budget. This is in direct contrast to the independent taxpayer watchdog that the position requires. It is our hope that when the voters have their opportunity to be heard on Election Day that they choose a Comptroller that has the credentials to perform the job well.” Erie County Minority Conference Obamacare vs. the Constitution A trifecta of rights denied By Charles Krauthammer Give him points for cleverness. President Obama’s birth control “accommodation” was as politically successful as it was morally meaningless. It was nothing but an accounting trick that still forces Catholic (and other religious) institutions to provide medical insurance that guarantees free birth control, tubal ligation and morning-after abortifacients — all of which violate church doctrine on the sanctity of life. The trick is that these birth control/abortion services will supposedly be provided independently and free of charge by the religious institution’s insurance company. But this changes none of the moral calculus. Holy Cross Hospital, for example, is still required by law to engage an insurance company that is required by law to provide these doctrinally proscribed services to all Holy Cross employees. Nonetheless, the accounting device worked politically. It took only a handful of compliant Catholic groups — Obamacare cheerleaders dying to return to the fold — to hail the alleged compromise and hand Obama a major political victory. Before, Obama’s coalition had been split. His birth control mandate was fiercely opposed by such stalwart friends as former Virginia governor Tim Kaine and pastor Rick Warren (Obama’s choice to give the invocation at his inauguration), who declared he would rather go to jail than abide by the regulation. After the “accommodation,” it was the (mostly) Catholic opposition that fractured. The mainstream media then bought the compromise as substantive, and the issue was defused. A brilliant sleight of hand. But let’s for a moment accept the president on his own terms. Let’s accept his contention that this “accommodation” is a real shift of responsibility to the insurer. Has anyone considered the import of this new mandate? The president of the United States has just ordered private companies to give away for free a service that his own health and human services secretary has repeatedly called a major financial burden. On what authority? Where does it say that the president can unilaterally order a private company to provide an allegedly free-standing service at no cost to certain select beneficiaries? This is government by presidential fiat. In Venezuela, that’s done all the time. Perhaps we should call Obama’s “accommodation” Presidential Decree No. 1. Consider the constitutional wreckage left by Obamacare: First, the assault on the free exercise of religion. Only churches themselves are left alone. Beyond the churchyard gate, religious autonomy disappears. Every other religious institution must bow to the state because, by this administration’s regulatory definition, church schools, hospitals and charities are not “religious” and thus have no right to the free exercise of religion — no protection from being forced into doctrinal violations commanded by the state. Second, the assault on free enterprise. To solve his own political problem, the president presumes to order a private company to enter into a contract for the provision of certain services — all of which must be without charge. And yet, this breathtaking arrogation of power is simply the logical extension of Washington’s takeover of the private system of medical care — a system Obama farcically pretends to be maintaining. Under Obamacare, the state treats private insurers the way it does government-regulated monopolies and utilities. It determines everything of importance. Insurers, by definition, set premiums according to risk. Not anymore. The risk ratios (for age, gender, smoking, etc.) are decreed by Washington. This is nationalization in all but name. The insurer is turned into a middleman, subject to state control — and presidential whim. Third, the assault on individual autonomy. Every citizen without insurance is ordered to buy it, again under penalty of law. This so-called individual mandate is now before the Supreme Court — because never before has the already hypertrophied Commerce Clause been used to compel a citizen to enter into a private contract with a private company by mere fact of his existence. This constitutional trifecta — the state invading the autonomy of religious institutions, private companies and the individual citizen — should not surprise. It is what happens when the state takes over one-sixth of the economy. In 2010, when all this lay hazily in the future, the sheer arrogance of Obamacare energized a popular resistance powerful enough to deliver an electoral shellacking to Obama. Yet two years later, as the consequences of that overreach materialize before our eyes, the issue is fading. This constitutes a huge failing of the opposition party whose responsibility it is to make the opposition argument. Every presidential challenger says that he will repeal Obamacare on Day One. Well, yes. But is any of them making the case for why? Batavia Downs Casino Creating Jobs for Genesee County Nearly 460 Jobs Supported, Added Over $18 Million to Genesee County Economy & Generated Over $24.5 Million to State and Local Revenues Annually Batavia Downs Casino Raceway added over $18 million to the Genesee County economy and generated over $24.5 million annually in revenues for the region and the state, according to a new economic impact analysis conducted by an independent firm. This analysis also estimates that nearly 460 local, full and part-time jobs are supported by Batavia Downs Casino. The New York Gaming Association (NYGA) released part one of the two-part report today to outline the positive economic impact gaming has had on the local economy.

A second report, which will be released next week, will show projections for future regional job growth and revenues that will be generated if enhanced gaming is authorized in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State legislature will consider passing a constitutional amendment to authorize enhanced gaming.
“As a facility we are excited at the possibility of having enhanced gaming at Batavia Downs Casino,” said Mike Kane, President of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, which owns Batavia Downs Casino. “Not only does it mean more jobs for our area, but it means more monies can be generated for the New York State Lottery and for the 15 counties and 2 cities that our public benefit corporation serves.” According to estimates from the analysis, in 2011 Batavia Downs Casino provided 457 local full and part-time jobs, with 313 of those jobs representing direct employment by the casino. Batavia Downs supported 90 jobs for racing and breeding. Wages and salaries for employees totaled more than $5 million. Additional findings from the report show that in 2011, Batavia Downs Casino: Accounted for over $18 million in economic output for the region; Reinvested nearly $3 million into the local economy with the purchase of goods and services (including construction) from businesses in Genesee County; Accounted directly and indirectly for over $3 million in revenues for Genesee County municipalities, Generated nearly $20.5 million in State revenues, of which $16 million went towards education in New York State, which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 231elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.
Since 2005, Batavia Downs Casino provided $3.65 million in aid to municipalities and contributed $94.5 million to New York State education and has never missed a payment. The nine Racetrack Casinos comprising the New York Gaming Association include:

· Batavia Downs Casino · Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway · Empire Resorts at Monticello Casino & Raceway · Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack · Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds · Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack · Saratoga Casino & Raceway · Tioga Downs Casino · Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel The New York Gaming Association members have contributed $1.96 billion to the State in 2011. Over $830.5 million has gone to fund education in New York State which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 11,900 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State. The nine Racetrack Casinos employ nearly 5,500 New Yorkers directly and have created a total of 17,400 jobs both directly and indirectly across the state. The economic impact analysis study was conducted by Appleseed Inc., a New York City firm that specializes in providing economic and social research analysis. LAST WEEK
PoliticsNY.Net: Political Notes
A mini-poll commissioned by the state Conservative Party that found a clear majority of New Yorkers strongly disapprove of federal regulations and mandates that would force practicing Catholics and Catholic organizations to “assist” in social matters that conflict with their religious beliefs and teachings. Specifically mentioned in the poll question, which was posed by the GOP firm McLaughlin & Associates, were abortions, gay marriages, adoptions by gay parents and the use of contraceptives. Opposition is high across all categories – race, sex, political and religious affiliation. “I was surprised twice,” Long told me. “I was surprised that these numbers were so high, and I was surprised by the national numbers I’m hearing today. All I can say is that the way the question was asked, I believe we got real answers here. This is an accurate poll.” NYS Chairman Mike Long - Liz Benjamin ... UPDATE: Former Buffalo Comptroller Andy SanFilippo is resting at home following successful open heart surgery two weeks ago at Buffalo General. Friends say Andy is being well cared for by his lovely wife, Sandy, and boosted by the outpouring of support from his many friends and former co-workers at City Hall where he spent nearly four decades serving the city he loves. Andy hopes to return to his job as a deputy state comptroller as soon as his health permits. We wish this fine public servant our own best wishes for a speedy recovery. ... Erie County interim Comptroller candidate David Shenk (D) has the votes on the County Legislature to get the appointment. The resolution was clocked in Tuesday (today), the vote Thursday at the scheduled session. The election is in November; George Hasiotis promises a primary in September. ... "Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman says he will submit a bill to the legislature and the governor before the end of the month calling for the creation of a new youth court. He announced the plan during his hour plus long State of the Judiciary address Tuesday. Lippman says the high number of 16 and 17 year olds who are being tried in criminal courts for non-violent crimes, around 50 thousand he says, is burdening criminal courts. His new bill would move all non-violent cases to this new court. Currently, New York is one of two state’s in the country that still charges 16 and 17 year olds as adults. “Treating 16 and 17 year olds as adults flies in the face of what science tells us about adolescent development. The adolescent brain is not fully developed. Even older adolescents have a more limited ability to make more reasoned judgments and engage in the kind of thinking that weighs risks and consequences in a mature fashion.” ... SARAH UPDATE: My daughter Sarah, a senior, has a 91.3 average this marking period. She is taking a couple college courses. Sarah is going to Quebec for four days on a French class field trip. As you know she turned 18 recently & sent in her voter registration form. Sarah is a registered Republican, go figure. GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy will be happy about having one more voter on the GOP line. Sarah is blessed with a French & Government teachers who are very engaged. Oh! Did I mention there is a new young man in her life "Ken". I am told Ken is quite the achiever, academics & basketball. I'll meet him next week when I take them to lunch. They are both Christians. For all of you new readers my base has been reading about Sarah's progress for 14 years. She has quite a following. ###

Joe Illuzzi
COMMUNISM BY INSURANCE MANDATE by Ann Coulter

One theory for why Barack Obama pushed the contraception mandate right now is that it helps Rick Santorum. Others theorize it's because Obama is an anti-religious bigot with a left-wing agenda. Reasonable minds can disagree on this.

But it may end up helping Mitt Romney by reminding people that the "individual mandate" is the least of the problems with ObamaCare. (The "individual mandate" is simply the legal argument for why ObamaCare is unconstitutional in a country that has accepted Social Security and Medicare as constitutional.)

This isn't a Catholic issue or even a religious issue. Conservatives are falling into the Democrats' trap by denouncing it as such. It's a freedom issue. (Or, as Democrats call it, "the F-word.")

If liberals like it, it's subsidized; if they don't, it's prohibited. And now they can impose their left-wing authoritarianism on the entire country by calling their mandates and prohibitions "insurance."

Liberal fundamentalists say: I don't see why anyone needs to hunt; I don't know why anyone needs to eat meat; I don't see why anyone needs to bathe every day; I don't know why anyone minds looking at urine in a low-flow toilet; I don't know why anyone needs an incandescent light bulb ...

Screw you, liberals. I don't know why anyone needs an abortion, free contraception, crap-ass "art" with photos of vaginas on the Virgin Mary, non-farming farmers or a $1 million pension for Anthony Weiner.

But I'm forced to subsidize all of that.

And now we're all going to be forced to subsidize the entire wish list of the Berkeley City Council, recast as "health insurance."

Insurance is not supposed to be for normal expenses in the ordinary course of events, such as multivitamins, house painting or oil changes. Insurance is for unexpected catastrophes: fires, accidents, cancer.

The basic idea is to spread the risk of unforeseen disasters. Filling up your gas tank, for example, is not an unforeseen disaster (though it's getting to be under Obama).

So why is birth control covered by insurance? Birth control pills aren't that expensive -- generics are about $20 a month -- nor is the need for them a bolt out of the blue. Why not have health insurance cover manicures, back massages, carrot cake and nannies?

Liberals huffily ask why it's so important to the Catholic Church not to pay for insurance plans that cover birth control, but the better question is: Why is it so important to liberals to force them to? (Wait until they have to buy coverage for vibrating butt-plugs!)

The answer is: They want the government giving official sanction to birth control and, later, abortion. That comes next. They want it for same reason gays want gay marriage -- it's purely symbolic.

Following Betty Friedan, gender feminists believe the pill is so central to what we are as a nation that it must be paid for by all, i.e. by insurance. The argument for fully subsidized abortions will be: We don't vote on a basic human right!

Whether or not it's a "right," it's not an area for "insurance." Abortion is an elective procedure. No families are going bankrupt because they had to pay for an abortion -- which costs about as much as a haircut for John Edwards or Bill Clinton. Can't we limit the health insurance we are all required by federal law to purchase to financially ruinous, actual medical problems?

No, that is not in the cards. Just as liberals have turned the Constitution into a vehicle for achieving all the left-wing policies they could never get Americans to vote for, now they are going to use "insurance" for the same purpose. Their new method doesn't even require them to get votes from five justices on the Supreme Court.

The secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, will do it all on her own.

Anything close to the beating heart of feminism is about to become a mandatory part of insurance coverage: fertility treatments, chemical sensitivities, a year's leave of absence for fathers after the birth of a child, attention deficit disorder, massages, aromatherapy, watching MSNBC, sex change operations, gender reassignment surgery, gender re-reassignment surgery.

And then, once every single insurance plan in the country is required by federal law to cover one million liberal causes having nothing to do with medical problems, Democrats will be happy to let us purchase health insurance across state lines. Sure, buy your insurance from Utah or Kentucky. Every insurance plan in the country, by federal law, will be identical.

The contraception diktat is only the beginning of the government controlling your life under ObamaCare. There are approximately 100,000 more decisions the HHS Secretary will have to make under ObamaCare that you will not be able to appeal.

The bill should have been called "Kathleen Sebelius' Dream Journal."
As we have seen, Sebelius is not a go-with-the-flow kind of secretary. She is a doctrinaire feminist who thinks it's important to make a statement by ordering something that has only a tangential connection to health care but will have the effect of costing everyone more money.

Are you getting why this isn't a Catholic issue? So what if some "compromise" is reached that makes the Catholic bishops happy? They supported ObamaCare to begin with! They ought to be forced to live with the consequences of the totalitarian regime they helped foist on the rest of us.

Maybe they'll get a waiver from the contraception mandate on religious grounds -- just like unions and Obama-friendly corporations got waivers on the grounds that they realized ObamaCare would suck and they didn't want to be a part of it.

What about the rest of us? You know, the ones who didn't support ObamaCare? We still have to live under the thumb of a nutcase gender-feminist with unlimited authority to ban whatever she doesn't like, subsidize whatever she does like and call it "insurance."

If Obama is re-elected this November and ObamaCare is not repealed, Republicans' only option will be to make Rick Santorum the head of HHS under the next Republican president (if we ever have one).

He can prohibit insurance companies from covering anything related to contraception, AIDS and substance abuse, and mandate that insurance plans pay subsidies to stay-at-home mothers, tuition for home-schooled kids and cover the purchase of his book, "It Takes a Family."

Those particular lifestyle choices have as much to do with "insurance" as contraceptives do.
MAYOR BROWN SAYS INVESTMENT IS BUILDING IN BUFFALO During the annual State of the City address, Mayor Brown also announced a new job building campaign to help improve Buffalo’s employment picture Mayor Byron W. Brown delivered the 2012 State of the City luncheon address before more than 1000 business and community leaders today at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, saying the state of the city is strong, with investment building in Buffalo. “I am honored to stand before you at a time of remarkable change in Buffalo,” said Mayor Brown. “We accomplished big things in 2011. We have even bigger plans for this year. I believe strongly that Buffalo is the economic engine for our region, bringing together the right people, in the right place at the right time.” Mayor Brown highlighted a number of the city’s achievements including Governor Andrew Cuomo’s billion dollar investment in Buffalo, the securing of an additional $100 million in state funding through the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Council, the continued revitalization of Buffalo’s waterfront, the restoration of two-way traffic along downtown Main Street, safer neighborhoods, and the completion of over $6.7 million in park improvements, representing the largest investment for parks in 20 years. Mayor Brown highlighted other accomplishments during his speech, including: Investment in Buffalo’s Future Cut residential property taxes by over 15% since 2006 The city’s credit rating is at its highest level in 30 years – with Fitch giving Buffalo an A+ for the past two years! Created property tax certainty by pledging not to raise property taxes through 2014 Buffalo has its lowest tax rate in 20 years Mayor Brown worked regionally to help secure $100 million in state funding for 96 projects; 24 Buffalo projects received $41 million in awards; employed 1,876 youth from the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program Strengthened the downtown core by securing $15 million in federal grant funding for Cars Sharing Main Street; Committed an additional $12 million to downtown development Will complete and roll out the Buffalo Green code in 2012, the first major overhaul of the city’s zoning ordinance in sixty years Strengthening Public Safety Overall crime continues to drop in Buffalo, a 16% reduction since 2006 Buffalo’s homicide rate dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, down by almost 40% from 2010 A new class of 44 new police officers will join the department this year, bringing the total new officers hired since 2006 to 175 778 illegal guns removed from city streets in 2011, more than 8,400 illegal guns seized since 2006 42% decrease in arson fires since 2006, 29% increase in arson arrests A new class of 32 firefighters will be sworn in this year, bringing the total number of new firefighters to 150 since 2006 Improving Quality of Life Committed more than a half million dollars over the next three fiscal years to Say Yes to Education Stabilized and strengthened neighborhoods across the city through a new place-based development strategy, for instance, a more than $26 million revitalization investment in the neighborhood near Martin Luther King Jr. Park Completed over $6.7 million worth of improvements to parks city wide, representing the largest investment for parks in 20 years Opened several important housing projects, including Holy Family Senior Apartments, and St. Martin Village Removed 4,500 blighted structures since 2006, rehabbed and improved over 1,200 units Launched a new single stream recycling program, designed to initially save Buffalo $700,000 with increased savings after the city takes ownership of the totes During his State of the City Address, Mayor Brown also challenged the development community to help re-invent a prime piece of city-owned land, known as the Webster Block. This 1.9 acre site, located directly across from First Niagara Center, is the most sought after piece of land in the city. Later this month, Mayor Brown’s administration plans to issue a request for proposals for developers to present ideas on how to redevelop Webster Block, building off of the success of the waterfront. Mayor Brown also unveiled a new initiative to help improve Buffalo’s employment picture. ‘Hire Buffalo’ is modeled after a nationally recognized program created in Atlanta that successfully put people to work. “Too many city residents are struggling to find work,” said Mayor Brown. “That’s why today I am issuing a challenge to all companies in the Buffalo area to hire at least one new full-time Buffalo resident in 2012. Imagine if Erie County’s 22,000 companies each hired just one full-time Buffalo resident. That’s 22,000 new jobs for Buffalo residents.” Mayor Brown lauded Buffalo Business First for partnering with the City of Buffalo on this new initiative. Buffalo Business First plans to recognize those companies that hire a full-time city resident in a weekly ad, both in print and on the Business First web site. “Investment in Buffalo is building,” said Mayor Brown, as he concluded his speech. “Buffalo continues to move forward as a great American City – with the right people, in the right place, at the right time!” The 2012 State of the City was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, National Grid, Creative Structures Services and R&P Oak Hill Development. Others sponsors included Austin Air Systems, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Drescher & Malecki LLP, Hodgson Russ LLP, M&T Bank, Norstar Development, Nussbaumer & Clarke, Palladian Health, St. John Baptist Church, True Bethel Baptist Church, Uniland Development. Mayor Brown’s State of the City Address will be televised on City Channel 22, or log on to city-buffalo.com. PoliticsNY.Net: POLITICAL NOTES UPDATE: "Despite what anyone may say (Former Chairman, Mr. Lawicki, OP Republican Committee) I have never discussed stepping down early as part of a negotiating package for a cross endorsement. My 2010 campaign win was on merit and the many years my family and I have lived in the Town of Orchard Park. Furthermore, just recently I stated to all town residents and the local media that I have no intentions of stepping down before my term ends December, 2013. I am sure this is perhaps wishful thinking for many, especially now that there are candidates popping up. Which by the way is a beautiful thing. We live in a democracy that gives all the opportunity to run for election. I would love to see all party lines endorse candidate’s that care for the community and not for the politics. Who knows, maybe next year at this time I will decide to run again. But for now, it is just way too early to make any kind of commitment like that. I need to concentrate on the job that I have now, not the one I may have again." ... "It appears that Dr. Pat Keem has thrown his hat in the ring early for a 2013 run for Orchard Supervisor. There is a lot of discussion as to whether or not current OP Supervisor and Dem, Janis Colarusso will complete her term. As former GOP Town Chairman I can say that her original plan in trying to negotiate a cross endorsement was that she step down after 2 years in office and reaching retirement. That said some people think that current OP Councilman David Kaczor could be also interested in the job. The OP Village board recycled Judge Phil Marshall into the Village Attorney and appointed former OP town prosecutor Nancy Hart to the Village prosecutor at Monday night's Village board meeting." ... County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced Monday he will increase the county's eligibility rules to allow families who make up to twice as much as the federal poverty level to access subsidized child care, undoing cuts made by former County Executive Chris Collins. That means that a family of three will be able to make up to $37,060 this year and still qualify for the subsidy. Under the current rules, the family could make up to $32,427. Under the program, parents pay a portion of their child care costs depending on their income levels. ... Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sunday announced a measure that would schedule party primaries for local and state races for June 26, extending a long-running dispute with majority Republicans in the Senate who want an August date. The bill comes after U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe declared June 26 as the primary for Congressional races in order for the state to comply with a law governing timely access to military and overseas ballots." YNN It will be interesting how the Congressional lines break to finally see what Hochul's (D) district will look like. What surprises me is the interest in running against Hochul as compared to her colleague Brian Higgins. The larger question is what does Erie County Chairman Nick Langworthy, et al. do? We know that former County Executive Chris Collins is high on this race, as is Amherst Supervisor Barry Weinstein who never loses. Readers do not forget the possibility remains that Higgins & Hochul could still end up in the same district. Just as an aside I believe the State Legislature will scratch Tom Reed's (R) congressional district. ... The easier decision for GOP Chairman Langworthy is to cross endorse DA Frank Sedita (D) for reelection. No one is going to beat Sedita anyway he is that strong & that good in his job. ... Mayor Byron Brown & his Deputy Steve Casey will demonstrate their published position as two of the most powerful individuals in WNY, this according to a survey published in Business First, when the Mayor delivers his greatly anticipated State of the City speech. Of course the Mayor eclipsing his Deputy in his exercise of power as an elected official. My understanding the Mayor in his speech will announce continuation the fiscal path that the City is on. The City enjoying surpluses with no tax increases in the last four or five years. However, the excitement will come when the Mayor announces his job creation plans, an economic development strategy that should include Mayor Brown's partnership with Governor Cuomo in the use of that $1B in incentives. ... Joe Illuzzi    “Monday, the President unveiled a budget that included $6.1 million for a new simulator facility at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. This proposal is a victory for Western New York and a positive step in our continued efforts to protect and strengthen the base. By investing in NFARS, the President has indicated that our installation remains a critical component to our national and regional security. “I applaud Congresswoman Slaughter for her efforts to bring the simulator to the base. While this is a positive development for Western New York and NFARS, I will continue to work with the local delegation to ensure that the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station remains a vital part of both our military and local economy.” Kathy (what's her name again) oh yeah Hochul
HELIPAD OPENS AT BUFFALO GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER The newly renamed Buffalo General Medical Center has officially opened its helipad atop its roof on High Street. Two patients have been transported to the facility via Mercy Flight helicopter, one from Lockport Memorial Hospital and the other from Lakeshore Health Care Center in Irving. “Having a helipad is vital to our mission of providing the best possible care for critically ill patients throughout Western New York,” said Cheryl Klass, senior vice president for Kaleida Health and the president of Buffalo General Medical Center. “The helipad will provide improved access to the specialized services available at the Buffalo General Medical Center and the soon to be open Gates Vascular Institute.” Klass added that a helipad is standard for tertiary care centers like Buffalo General. Medical helicopter service will be a strong compliment for the burgeoning Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Prior to having a helipad, critically ill patients requiring urgent medical transport to the Buffalo General Medical Center arrived via ground transport or were first flown to Erie County Medical Center and then transferred into an ambulance to complete the journey. “The helipad is clearly beneficial to critically ill patients we receive who are most at risk and therefore can least afford any delays in receiving emergent care,” said Rob McCormack, M.D. “Being a tertiary care hospital, time is a critical element for many of our patients. Opening the helipad here at Buffalo General will allow for the physician to be at the patient’s bedside much quicker.” Services at the Buffalo General Medical Center patients in need will have improved access to via the helipad include the following: Chest Pain Center. Buffalo General received full Cycle III Chest Pain Center Accreditation with PCI from the National Society of Chest Pain Centers, making it the first hospital in New York State to successfully undergo review under the newest and most stringent standards. Senator Timothy M. Kennedy Senator Timothy M. Kennedy, D-58th District, commended State Police and local law enforcement agencies for cracking down on distracted driving and effectively enforcing the state’s new texting-while-driving law – which the Legislature passed and Governor Andrew Cuomo signed last summer. “In our fight to get this law passed, we made it loud and clear that we need to empower law enforcement with the tools they needed to crackdown on distracted driving. We armed police agencies with a strong law and stiff penalties, and they put the law to work,” said Senator Kennedy. “Distracted driving is a dangerous and too often deadly habit,” he added. “Families have suffered tragedies at the hands of distracted drivers yet the behind-the-wheel distractions seem to continue. Empowered by the new texting-while-driving law, state and local police have stepped up their efforts to help send the message home. With their effective enforcement of the law and diligent pursuit of distracted drivers, law enforcement officials are working hard to make New York’s roads safer and ultimately save lives.” Since July 2011, law enforcement has issued 118,757 tickets for using a handheld device while driving, Governor Cuomo announced Monday. Of the 118,757 tickets, 7,495 tickets were written specifically for texting-while-driving law infractions and 111,262 for using any handheld electronic device while driving. In Erie County, police officials have demonstrated especially strong enforcement of the texting-while-driving law, issuing 662 tickets. That is the highest total of texting-while-driving tickets issued in any county outside of New York City. By percentage, Erie County wrote about 17 percent of all texting-while-driving tickets outside of the five boroughs of New York. As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Kennedy made strengthening the law against distracted driving a top priority last year. Kelly Cline, a parent advocate from West Seneca who lost her son in a texting-while-driving accident in 2007, joined forces with Senator Kennedy last year to bring supporters together as one strong voice under the Families Against Texting While Driving banner. “Kelly Cline and Families Against Texting While Driving have fueled this effort, constantly pushing forward in our fight to end distracted driving,” Senator Kennedy said. “Without Kelly’s relentless advocacy, this legislation may have never made it through the State Legislature.” When Albany failed to deliver in the past, Cline worked with then-County Legislator Kennedy to pass a ban on texting while driving through the Erie County Legislature. Taking the fight back to Albany last year, Cline and Kennedy provided a critical boost to efforts to get a texting ban passed through both chambers of the State Legislature. The law carries a fine of $150. Governor Cuomo also amended state regulations to strengthen the penalty for using a handheld electronic device while driving from two to three points on a driver’s license. Draft Tom Golisano for President Frank Morano I've started a committee to draft Tom Golisano for President as the candidate for "Americans Elect". The link is below. If you haven't already done so, please sign up to be a delegate and click support. In order to qualify for the next stage of the process, we need to demonstrate support from at least 1,000 supporters in at least ten states. I hope you'll help spread the word. What makes Tom Golisano so special? In a word.....everything. At a time when our country is drowning in debt and government is clearly broken, we need a man who has a successful track record as a businessman and has a history of making and keeping a budget. Tom is a self made Billionaire and has demonstrated the kind of ambition, creativity and competence that our country needs. With our government owned by special interests and run by lobbyists, we need someone as President who is a dedicated independent reformer. Tom Golisano was a reformer before it was fashionable. In New York State, which was named as having the most dysfunctional legislature in the country, Tom invested a substantial amount of money, time and talent in offering a blueprint for reform, years before the media and government leaders even recognized there was a problem. It were these solutions and the public awareness that Golisano helped to create that paved the way for the changes New York State is currently undergoing. While NY still has a long way to go, without Tom Golisano, we wouldn't have even gotten out of the starting gate. Whether it's leading the fight to reform the electoral college, standing up for the rights of property tax payers, or speaking out against this country's absurd policy on medical marijuana, Tom Golisano has been a leader at a time before it was fashionable on a host of good government issues. In terms of the economy, Golisano has spoken out and been a leader on everything from unfair trade deals to the unsustainable debt the country is mired in. Golisano's contributions as a philanthropist are also without peer. On causes ranging from children with special needs to education, Golisano has demonstrated that his priorities are in the right place and he's willing to do the work necessary to do what's right. Join me in encouraging Tom Golisano to run for President. PoliticsNY.Net: Political Notes Saturday, February 11, 2012, Henry "Hank" Pirowski, passed away. Hank was instrumental in working with City Court Judge Robert T. Russell, Jr. to establish the very first Drug Court in Buffalo, New York; the second in the country. Hank and Judge Russell travelled the world together lecturing on Drug Court. Drug Court's are now located nationally. Hank was also instrumental in helping to establish Buffalo's Mental Health Court & Buffalo's Veteran's Court. Hank is survived by his wife Gloria, and their son Henry Pirowski, Jr., who was just sworn into office in January as Council President for the City of Lackawanna. God Bless his Immortal soul & those he leaves behind. ... As we have discussed everything remaining equal with respect to the maps released a couple of weeks ago with Grisanti all in Erie County, including North Buffalo, many insiders opine the guy that could beat him in a general election is North Councilman Joe Golombek (D). I have to recheck but if the district includes Hamburg we cannot forget Hamburg Supervisor Steve Walters (R), that would be a primary. Then again Steve could run against Higgins. ... Talk about a surprise result former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll on Saturday, a major symbolic victory as he tries to convince Republicans that he is sufficiently conservative to win the GOP nomination. Romney won 38 percent of the CPAC straw poll votes, with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum coming in second at 31 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) picked up 15 percent of the votes and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who won the straw polls in 2010 and 2011, received only 12 percent of the vote. ... "State Sen. Mark J. Grisanti was punched in the ribs and back of the head, and his wife was beaten about the head in a confrontation with some Seneca Nation members after a black-tie gala Friday night in the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel Events Center, several sources said Saturday. The beating occurred as Grisanti tried to calm down two Seneca Nation businessmen who were arguing in a downstairs bar after the event. At least one of them then criticized the Buffalo Republican for his supposed lack of support for the Nation, sources said." Full story ... Erie County Legislature Chairwoman Betty Jean Grant has empanelled a "Minority/Women Business Enterprise Committee" that will deal strictly with issues of diversity & fairness as they relate to awarding RFP's & County Bidding contracts. Former Buffalo Councilman Charley Fisher has been hired to Chair this Committee. ... Sources say, "the Erie County Legislature, specifically the Democratic caucus, has reached NO no consensus yet on the Interim Comptroller appointment. ... Preface: I do believe this is a first amendment issue. Look readers let me write that I have been reading the Bible everyday for the last twelve years. I have actually read the Bible cover to cover at times. I have yet to glean a prohibition on birth control for married couples, Old & New Testaments. Please note the Catholic church says pretty much anything goes in the marriage bed except contraception, what the hell does that mean? However, in God's perfect Kingdom sex is intended to bring God's new creations into this world. Adam and Eve were God's original intention, unflawed as of yet, and had no reason to view nakedness as vulnerability, wrong, evil, shameful, etc. They were given instructions to be fruitful and multiply. Contraception is a non secular issue particular to specific religions, a man made prohibiton. What I did read in the Old & New Testament is all about God's prohibition on abortion & the homo sexuality. Homo sexual marriage is completely beyond the pale. If only we "Christians" will come together in the same fashion on these issues as the Catholic Church, et al. have with respect too contraception maybe, just maybe, abortion would NOT be legal in this country. New York & other states would not passed so called "marriage bills' allowing same sex individuals to marry. ... The RUMOR with respect to the Erie County Comptroller election in November is that Legislator Ed Rath will run. Of course Rath coming from one of the great families in the annals of Erie County politics. His dad former Supreme Court Judge Edward Rath & his mother former NYS Senator Mary lou Rath. The other name prominently mentioned is Legislator Lynn Dixon. However, the concern is will one or the other make the run, Dixon is a question mark. Whoever runs if that individual should win will have to run again in 2013. Interesting developments because Nick Langworthy, according to sources, believes the GOP has agreat chance of winning back the Comptroller's office. ... Citing a “failure to communicate,” U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe has tossed out a calendar proposed by Republican elections commissioners because it does not follow the federal MOVE Act. The move means potential candidates for federal office can file fewer petition signatures in order to achieve ballot status, giving non-incumbents a leg up in a compressed political calendar. Sharpe, who previously ordered that New York’s Congressional primary should be held June 26 so that military and overseas voters have timely access to the ballot, wrote the plan submitted by Republicans on Board of Elections “erroneously interprets the prior order.” “Indeed, these submissions remind the court of Strother Martin’s admonition to Paul Newman: “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.” Sharpe in Thursday’s ruling adopted the Democratic-backed plan, which calls for fewer signatures on petitions. Now candidates seeking to get on the ballot for House seats would need 938 enrolled voters on a petition as opposed to 1,250. Potential U.S. Senate candidates would need 11,250 signatures instead of 15,000. Under the plan, the petitioning would begin March 20, just two days before the Legislature says it can wrap up the state budget. ... Joe Illuzzi “I spoke to him (Grisanti) Sunday, concerned about his wife. And it’s my understanding that he was attacked, that his wife was attacked. She has a concussion. And certainly I don’t know exactly what happened, but if it was my wife, and I had to defend her. I would defend her.” Nobody said he hit anybody. The incident is that he was attacked. He was attacked. She was attacked. And that’s the bottom line…I don’t believe any of that will be shown. I believe what Mark Grisanti said is that he was attacked. His wife was attacked. She was knocked down on the floor. They beat her head against the floor. She has a concussion. She has bruises, and I think that was an indication that she was attacked.” Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos “Any time an elected official is involved in a bar brawl, it’s not helpful. Leonard R. Lenihan, County Democratic Committee. “It sadly reflects poorly on each and every member of the Seneca Nation. We have a number of issues that we’ve had on the table for several administrations and have been trying to get some attention and get the administration to address those. This just comes at a very bad time.” Leslie Logan, a spokeswoman for the tribe. "Friday night my family and I attended the Seventh Annual Seneca Diabetes Foundation Chairman's Ball at the Seneca Niagara Hotel in Niagara Falls. This was a wonderful event raising funds for a great cause. We also had additional interest in the event because my daughter was performing on stage with the world-famous Scintas singing group. Later in the evening, two men from the Seneca Nation were in a heated argument that appeared about to turn physical when I stepped in, introduced myself and tried to calm to the situation. One of the men then physically attacked me. My wife, Maria, was then also attacked and I moved to try to protect her. As a result, my wife was injured and was subsequently treated at a local hospital. Maria is doing fine today and resting comfortably at home. We were stunned by the incident and truly relieved nothing worse occurred. I appreciate the quick response of Seneca Niagara security and particularly the professional actions of the Niagara Falls Police Department. My family and I are also thankful for the support we have received from the community and the compassionate apology from Seneca Nation of Indians President Robert Odawi Porter. This isolated incident by a few people must not detract from what was a successful event that raised funds to support diabetes education outreach, prevention awareness and research to improve the lives of Seneca Nation members and non-Native Americans affected by diabetes." NYS SENATOR MARK GRISANTI    ECMC, Kaleida Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Care Apply to state for new psychiatric and chemical dependency health facility Erie County Medical Center and Kaleida Health announced a joint state application for funding to help consolidate mental health and drug dependency treatment in one $35 million Regional Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at ECMC. The new center, a physician-driven collaboration between ECMC and Kaleida, would create a state-of-the-art, comprehensive psychiatric emergency program and new inpatient facilities to serve mental health patients in the Western New York community. Dr. Yogesh Bakhai, ECMC Clinical Director of Psychiatry and Dr. Maria Cartegena, Medical Director, Buffalo General's Department of Inpatient Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, at Kaleida will be the physicians leading this initiative. “The region has needed a Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health for years”, said Dr. Yogesh Bakhai, ECMC Clinical Director of Psychiatry, “Not only do we need to expand our facilities to meet the growing demand, we need to bring together the talents of the region to focus on creating a better model for our patients.” “This project is solely about the needs of patients. We recognize that creating exceptional quality care for our patients is not necessarily about a particular location, but about the dedication and expertise of the treatment team", said Dr. Maria Cartagena, Chief of Psychiatry, Kaleida Health and Medical Director, Buffalo General's Department of Inpatient Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, at Kaleida. “As a regional center for psychiatric care, ECMC has the facility and the room to expand our comprehensive services. Additionally, this would allow us to bring the expertise of our physicians and staff together with ECMC's experienced physicians and staff to create a true collaborative effort. The development of a center of excellence in Psychiatry would most definitely improve the quality of care for behavioral health patients for generations to come.” The consolidated model will combine the resources of the ECMC and Buffalo General Medical Center behavioral health programs and will create one 180-bed inpatient psychiatric program, as well as continue ECMC’s current 22 detoxification beds and 20 inpatient chemical dependency rehabilitation beds. The plan also calls for continuing ECMC’s and Kaleida’s Main Street outpatient clinics, along with clinics in Lancaster and North Buffalo. The total cost of the Center, $35 million, would be supported largely by the request to the state for Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law-21 funding totaling $25 million. ECMC Corporation and Kaleida Health will fund the remaining $10 million. The new center, planned to open in March 2014, would expand ECMC’s current emergency behavioral health facilities from 6,500 square feet to 16,000 square feet. “The vision for this collaboration is driven by a desire to help our patients by creating a Center of Excellence for treatment of the mentally ill and chemically dependent. This is precisely the sort of collaborative thinking that will advance this community,” said ECMC CEO Jody L. Lomeo. “It also provides an opportunity to develop cost-effective, consolidated programs of emergency, outpatient, and inpatient services with one focus: the patients. It will be state of the art, and will deliver the care the mentally ill in our community deserve.” Mental health care in Western New York, like the rest of the state, is fragmented and costly to the state’s Medicaid payment system. In the last 20 years, the Buffalo Psychiatric Center went from 1,200 beds to 160 and the Gowanda Psychiatric and West Seneca Developmental centers closed. Other inpatient facilities downsized or closed in recent years and while outpatient services exist, there is a lack of coordination among community providers. Psychiatrists are also in short supply throughout the region. It has created a crisis for mental health patients and their families in Western New York. Mentally ill and chemically dependent patients in crisis are, many times, forced to find care in crowded hospital emergency rooms, which leads to more costly episodic inpatient care and unsafe conditions for clinical staff. “This important collaboration is a creative solution to delivering care that benefits patients and brings them the very best care,” said Kaleida CEO James Kaskie. “This is yet another tangible example of leveraging the talents, infrastructure, clinical expertise of both ECMC and Kaleida to benefit our community and the patients we serve. “ The integrated model will combine the current outpatient volumes of 44,300 annual visits at ECMC and Kaleida’s 68,829 annual visits with services provided onsite at ECMC and at their community-based locations. Currently, ECMC has 132 licensed inpatient psychiatric beds with 2,297 annual discharges in 2011 and 57 inpatient rehabilitation/detoxification beds with 1,621 discharges in 2011. Buffalo General Medical Center has 91 licensed inpatient beds with 2,307 annual discharges. This consolidation represents the third major initiative of Great Lakes Health System of WNY to merge the services of ECMCC and Kaleida Health. The first being the creation of the Gates Vascular Institute on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in collaboration with the University at Buffalo and the second being the Regional Center of Excellence for Transplantation & Kidney Care on ECMC’s campus, both HEAL funded initiatives to restructure and right size health care in WNY.
BALD EAGLES REUNITED IN WNY (REALLY) An absolute must read & watch
WGRZ CHANNEL #2 Wendi Pencille has operated the Bless The Beast Wildlife Center for almost 25 years and in that quarter century she had never taken in an injured bald eagle, that is until this past May. She received a call about a bald eagle down about a block from her home. She's had plenty of calls reporting eagles hurt, but they always had turned out to be hawks. So she and her son Noah went out to check this one out, taking along a small pet carrier. When Wendi got there, sure enough, it was a female bald eagle that had apparently hit a power line. She picked it up and brought it back to her car, and the pet carrier that was far too small for the 10lb. bird. She placed the eagle on the front seat and drove carefully. Full story with video ###
ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY OF BUFFALO, NY THE ATLANTIC: The Surprising Architectural Legacy of Buffalo, New York. I've been thinking about Buffalo, New York lately. Part of it is that the National Trust is holding (and promoting the heck out of) its next annual preservation conference there. And another part is that my friend Barbara Campagna, a preservationist and green architect of some significance, just set up shop there. Barbara believes that "reusing what we have buildings, landscapes, communities is the best way to make the biggest impact in controlling climate change," and I couldn't agree more. (BTW, go here for a nice personal essay about Barbara's evolution as an architect.) Full story ### Joe Illuzzi

BUFFALO SCHOOLS: ITS WHITE & BLACK!   by Joseph J. Illuzzi I published this column eleven years ago. There have been some marginal improvements in the District. However, my thinking has evolved to the degree where there is NO doubt in my mind that this crisis cannot be resolved unless there is direct INTERVENTION in the lives of these children from conception, prenatal care. The idea its Williams fault or the Board of Ed or both is just stupid. While there is shared blame, the failure of parents too parent is the real issue; this is a multi generational crisis. Imagine being born into a family of relative stability, middle class, having the extras, home, car, etc., then all of the sudden it all disappears for one reason or another. You realize you simply are not prepared for the socio-economic shock of moving into an arena of such great upheval & uncertainty! Bethlehem Steel, et al., began downsizing, eventually closing its doors. The resulting well paying manufacturing jobs for the most part simply became a chapter in the history and folklore of both Buffalo & Erie County. Now if you are white & living in Erie County in the 60¡¦s and 70¡¦s, you probably did not have to deal with these kind of issues. But if you're Black (minorities) and lived in Buffalo & Erie County, you most certainly were/are confronted with these issues. Blacks in great numbers began to realize something was wrong ... they lacked the skills, as a result of not having the appropriate educational background, to move fluidly from an environment of relative stability, finding other employment, too one of instability & uncertainty, unemployment. Blacks found themselves in the social and economic abyss, no money, no job, no prospects a real conundrum. Concurrently, whites seemed to be moving into other areas of employment with little or no difficulty. Whites for the most part were able to maintain their middle class standard of living. The reasons: While both Black and whites were working at Bethlehem Steel, et al., times were good. There existed "economies of scale" in both the white and Black areas of the City. No one was paying attention because everyone had a job. Blacks realized in a very short period of time, after things changed, there was one unique difference, among many differences, between them and their white counterparts, schools! The schools in the Masten, Fillmore, and Ellicott Districts, were in no way equivalent to the schools in the Delaware, North, South, and Lovejoy Districts. The teachers in the classrooms seemed not to be the equivalent or as focused as those in the white districts. The school buildings in the Black Districts always were in a state of disrepair. The manor in which supplies, e.g. text books, were distributed seemed to favor the white districts, thus the great revelation. There was a great divide between the Black and white experience in the classrooms of the Buffalo School District. Blacks, in great numbers, in fact were/are an uneducated, underclass, in Buffalo & Erie County. Not only not educated on the same level as whites but regulated to specific geographical areas of the City with little ability to move up and out, especially in the 50's and 60's. Blacks certainly did not move to Amherst or Cheektowaga. As a matter of fact there were signs put up, "No N..... Allowed". This racist behavior led to the great social upheaval in the late 60's, rioting in the streets etc. I know because a round or two went thru my bedroom window at East Ferry & Fillmore next to Colson's gas station. However, while Blacks around the country seemed, on the surface, to become more socio-economically mobile, in Buffalo & Erie County Black circumstances remained stagnant. Blacks remained an uneducated, underclass. Here it is 2011 Buffalo & Erie County remain one of the poorest, most segregated Cities & Counties in the Nation. 25% of Black males graduate. Now the result of all this is many Blacks in the city were/are unemployed. The most troubling ramification, of many, the lot of a Black child was and remains severely impeded, esp in our our schools. Not only because of the upheaval in the home, but the political climate, and the failure of the Black leadership during this era as well. White Democratic politicians found race an avenue for election and reelection in Buffalo, esp. by separating the races, i.e. separate & unequal. Some referred to the behavior as, "polarizing the City along racial lines", esp. under the 16 years of the Griffin administration.

The political problem was exacerbated because Black leaders told their constituents to vote one way, democratic. The reason Black leaders told their constituents to vote one way? Black leaders found they also could be elected and reelected as well on that line, number one. Number two: Get wealthy pimping all of the poverty programs of the late 60¡¦s - 70¡¦s & early 80's. Actually, this kind of thing goes on too this very day.

The result: Grassroot Blacks remain to this day an underclass in Buffalo & Erie County.

Unless things change dramatically in our attitudes, the body politic, esp. the classroom; the Black experience in Buffalo & Erie County would not and did not change. Albeit, there are obvious marginal improvements in the lives of some Blacks in the City/County. This is to say: Things are changing but the results of decades of socio-economic disparity remain the same for many, if not most, Blacks living in Buffalo & Erie County. There remains a plethora of very serious issues in the Buffalo School District. Also, it goes without saying with teachers in the classroom via discipline and student performance, the drop out & graduation rates.

Part of the lingering problem is during the 60s, 70s, and 80s most teachers in the classroom were middle class, white, and female, not trained to deal with children with such horrible discipline problems. (Dr. Williams is right the system was not set up to teach poor Black children & immigrants.) Problems became much worse as a result of changing dynamics in the home, i.e. single unemployed parents, drugs, crime, and the resulting violence, not to mention teen pregnancy and infant mortality. The ramifications from this behavior, in the aggregate, found its way into the classroom. To this very day the denial of the reality of these issues by media, many of our private sector and political leaders is also a problem that weighs heavily on our ability to redress these issues. The fact is 26% of the adult population, Blacks and Hispanics (70%) for the most part, in Buffalo do not have high school diplomas. The illiteracy numbers among all minorities, immigrants, in the City is very troubling. Unless we deal with this phenomenon, things will never change. Just stop and think! Ask yourself why taxes are so high in NYS & Erie County? The answer is quite simple because we are paying for our sins of the past, reparations? Not as a result of slavery; but our benign neglect of a race of people, esp. children in Buffalo & Erie County, over the last decades. Thus our welfare costs, e.g., Medicaid. The cost to taxpayers for public safety, the resulting cost to build and maintain prisons. Every cent we pay in taxes one way or another, except for the obvious, e.g. the infirmed, elderly, goes to the Masten, Fillmore, Niagara, and Ellicott Districts for one entitlement or another.
So, What if the Bible Really Is True? Part I by David Limbaugh I'd like to challenge you to consider that the "good news" we celebrate during the Christmas season really is true. You may choose to believe the Bible is merely a book of fables with nice moral lessons, but there is more abundant and accurate manuscript evidence for the New Testament than any other book from antiquity. Moreover, the number of witnesses to Christ's life, death and resurrection, as well as the nature of their testimony, is strong evidence of the reliability of the scriptural accounts, as are the corroborating secular testimony and archeological evidence. In fact, the New Testament writers had every temporal motive to deny the resurrection occurred. Why would they fabricate and stand by a story that would lead to their being beaten, tortured and murdered? So next time you read your Bible, consider that you're reading the inspired word of God and that Jesus really did say and do what the Bible reports, beginning with His claims about His own divinity: He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you know Me, you will also know My Father. ... The one who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:6-8). He also said, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am" (John 8:58). Here, Jesus claimed not only to have pre-existed Abraham but also that His pre-existence was eternal, as would have been the case had He said, "I was." More significantly, "I AM" was a name for God. He further identified himself as the God of the Old Testament, when proclaiming, "I am the light of the world" (Psalm 27:1 says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation") and "I am the good shepherd." (Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my shepherd.") When responding to the high priest as to His deity, Jesus said, "I am and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:62). Jesus also fulfilled Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah: He was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, in the line of Abraham and David; He was rejected by His own people; His hands, feet and side were pierced, but no bones were broken; and He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Jesus claimed to have authority to forgive sins. He told the paralyzed man, "But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." He said He was the judge of mankind (John 5:25-29). Jesus claimed honor that is only due God (Isaiah 42:8), when He said, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began" (John 17:1) and "Honor the Son, even as they honor the Father" (John 5:23). Jesus invited prayer in His name: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name" (John 14:13). He accepted worship (Matthew 8:2, 14:33, 15:25, 20:20, 28:17), though the Old Testament clearly forbids the worship of anyone but God (Exodus 20:1-4; Deuteronomy 5:6-9). Even the angels refused to be worshipped (Revelation 22:8, 9). Jesus said He would give us things that only God can give. "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it" (John 5:21). Jesus told us not just to follow His teaching but also to follow Him (Matthew 10:38). Jesus performed many miracles, the greatest being His resurrection, which He predicted (John 2:19, 21) and was attested to by all four Gospel writers and, among others, by Paul, who said Jesus was seen by more than 500 eyewitnesses, most of whom were still alive and could have contradicted him if untrue (1 Corinthians 15:4). His Apostles also claimed that He was God: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God" (John 1:1); Jesus was the "first and the last" (Revelation 1:17, 2:8, 22:13); and, "For unto us, a child is born ... and his name will be called 'Wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Matthew 1:23). Jesus, who claimed and proved to be God, affirmed the divine authority of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18) and promised that the Holy Spirit would inspire the New Testament revelations (John 14:26, 16:13). New Testament writers also attested that all Scripture is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Once we conclude the Bible is the word of God, we will delight in the Scriptures (Psalm 119:92) and, as one writer put it, acquire "that great sense that we are living in the sphere of eternal security." Eternal security, indeed, for Christ died so that by repenting and trusting in Him, we could live. Now that's the true meaning of Christmas and the best news of all.     So, What if the Bible Really Is True? Part II by David Limbaugh If I had to single out one thing that played the greatest role in initially convincing me of the Bible's authenticity and the truth of Christianity, I'd choose the Old Testament prophecies, especially those concerning the Messiah. The specificity of some of the individual prophecies is powerfully probative, but the odds against so many of them being fulfilled in the person of Christ by coincidence are utterly breathtaking. In about 700 B.C., the Prophet Isaiah specifically named the king (Cyrus) who would rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, some 114 years before Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it and some 150 years before Persia conquered the Babylonians and its king (Cyrus) issued the decree to rebuild the Temple. Josh McDowell summarized it this way: "Thus Isaiah predicted that a man named Cyrus, who would not be born for about 100 years, would give the command to rebuild the temple which was still standing in Isaiah's day and would not be destroyed for more than 100 years." Biblical scholar J. Barton Payne cited 574 Old Testament verses containing messianic prophecies, and countless others have listed and explained them, but my favorite compilation is by McDowell, who highlights some 60 of them as unmistakable predictions. Let me give you just a sampling with the humble suggestion that you read and contemplate these verses yourselves. The Messiah would: reconcile men to God at painful cost to Himself; come from the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15); be a Semite (Genesis 9:26); descend through Abraham (Genesis 22:18), Isaac (Genesis 21:12) and Jacob Numbers 24:17) and be from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10); be a prophet, like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), a priest (Psalm 110:4), the judge (Isaiah 33:22) and king (Psalm 2:6); descend from Jesse's line (Isaiah 11:1) and David's line and be eternal king (2 Samuel 7:13); be God, the Father's Son (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14); ransom men and restore their righteousness (Job 17:3); exist before time began and be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and young children would be killed (Jeremiah 31:15); be given gifts (Psalm 72:10; Isaiah 60:6); be called Lord (Psalm 110:1); be "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14); be anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2, 42:1); have zeal for His Father's house and reproach those who would violate it (Psalm 69:9); be announced in advance (Isaiah 40:3); begin his ministry in Galilee; heal the blind, deaf, dumb and lame (Isaiah 35:5,6); teach in parables (Psalm 78:2); enter the Temple (Malachi 3:1); enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9); be a stumbling block to the Jews (Psalm 118:22, 8:14); be a light to the gentiles (Isaiah 60:3); be resurrected (Psalm 16:10); ascend (Psalm 68:18) and sit at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1); be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:19) and sold for 30 pieces of silver, which he would throw into the Temple and which would be given for the potter's field (Zechariah 11:12-13); be struck, causing his disciples to scatter (Zechariah 13:7), which Christ affirmed and repeated (Matthew 26:31); be falsely accused (Psalm 35:11); stand silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7); be wounded and bruised for people's sins (Isaiah 53:5), smitten and spit upon (Isaiah 50:6) and mocked (Psalm 22:7); be crucified with thieves and plead for those killing him (Isaiah 53:12); be thirsty (Psalm 69:21); ask God why He had forsaken Him (Psalm 22:1); commit His spirit to God (Psalm 31:5); and be buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9). Darkness would fall over the land (Amos 8:9); His hands, feet (Psalm 22:16) and side (Zechariah 12:10) would be pierced, but none of His bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20); His own people would reject Him (Isaiah 53:3) and hate Him without cause (Psalm 69:4); His friends would witness His ordeal from afar (Psalm 38:11); and people would cast lots for his clothing (Psalm 22:18). McDowell notes that the Old Testament was completed in about 450 B.C., but if you won't accept that, you can verify that the Septuagint (Greek translation) was begun during the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus (285-246 B.C.), which means the Hebrew version had to have been completed at least 250 years before Christ was born. He also notes that while it's true that Jesus could have arranged to fulfill some of these prophecies, He could not have orchestrated the place, time and manner of His birth, that He would be betrayed, the manner of His death, people's reactions to His crucifixion, the piercings and the burial. The statistical odds that any man might have fulfilled all eight of those prophecies, let alone 61 (or 574) of them, are 1 in 10 to the 17th power. If you're not yet amazed, study Daniel 9:24-27, which many believe predicts, to the precise year, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Who do you say that He is?

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