Buffalo 2005

As I posted recently, I think 2004 was a pretty good year for this region. Will 2005 shape up to be even better? I'm echoing Buffalog Craig's post, but what the hey? AFAIC, this is story #1. New York State in general, and WNY in particular, cannot continue on with business-as-usual. It's killed us. It's sucked us dry. It is driving people away. It is time for real leadership. It's time for real change. To whom shall we look to such leadership? How do we break the stranglehold that the power-hungry triumverate running Albany have on us and our political discourse? Do we New Yorkers just let things go on as they have, or do we insist on change? How do we bring it about? To whom do we look to implement, say, the Brennan Center's suggestions for reform? FixAlbany.com, run by Nassau CE Tom Suozzi is one place to look. Two years ago, a google search for "reform Albany", just about nothing came up. Let's face it - on most fronts, WNY will rise or fall based on what happens in Albany - not Washington, not even locally. How do you attract people to Buffalo? How do you attract people to upstate in general? - reform Albany - lessen our onerous tax burden - make our government responsive and responsible - streamline regulations and make compliance easy. - stop punishing businesses and taxpayers. Let's face this, too - people in Tri-State don't know or care what's going on in Albany. They can all name Mayor Bloomberg, but challenge someone in Westchester, Rockland, or Nassau to name their State Assemblyperson or Senator. People will come to NYC no matter what. Not so in Syracuse, Buffalo, Schenectady, or Rochester. There are good things happening in Buffalo. There is momentum for positive change. Visit www.revitalizebuffalo.org. Join the WNY Coalition for Progress. Sign Gaughan's petition at onebuffalo.com. Buffalo can be great again. It can grow again. It's on its way.