Masiello Muscle

Tony M. is flexing and representin'.

"It would be irresponsible to support something that does not fix the problem," Masiello said. "I'm not convinced this does that." The mayor, who is familiar with what the commission will recommend, offers some hope the panel will still heed his objections. Nevertheless, he is sharpening his criticism, which has become more pointed over the past few weeks. Because the plan ignores "core problems" like increasing the city's tax base or dealing with expensive state mandates like Medicaid, Masiello said the recommendations of a panel headed by former University at Buffalo President William R. Greiner offer little benefit to the city and result only in the merger of two weak governments. With Erie County's own fiscal problems expected to continue, he wonders what benefits will result. "If I thought this new entity would create excitement and investment in the core of our region, I'd be inclined to support it," he said. "But until you fix Medicaid or fix the ability to control fringe benefits and pension costs of the city and county, you just have the problems of two governments."

My, how the tables have turned. How the mighty have fallen. This time last year, King Joel could do know wrong, and poor Tony M. was the court jester, presiding over a dying, broke city. King Joel has, essentially, overthrown himself. There was a palace coup - King Joel the purported reformer replaced himself with Joel of Business-as-Usual. Joel blames all his woes on Medicaid. Everyone knows that's just one piece of the puzzle. Joel's mismanagement, cronyism, nepotism, and ego round out the list. There's probably more I can't even think of. And Nancy, poor Nancy. The watchdog is nothing more than a lapdog. Signing King Joel's checks, while auditing and criticizing ever-too-little, ever-too-late. King Joel has even done the unthinkable, the unforgivable - he's rended the local GOP asunder, separating the old-school-Dems-in-Repub-clothing Giambracrats from the real Republicans. Kevin Gaughan - a guy who's not from here. A guy who has actually lived under local administrations that are professional and know what the hell they're doing. A guy who got himself an Ivy League education and is obviously no dummy, has been the driving force behind regional government. He has a plan for regional government, and has been working on it for nigh on 5 years. Go to www.onebuffalo.com to see what an educated professional proposes. Since Giambra's ego refuses to let him be a tag-along guy on anything, he petulantly refuses to sign on to Gaughan's plan (just like he won't sign on with Suozzi's FixAlbany.com). Oh, no - he has to make his own plan - one that (more likely than not) maintains just enough status quo to ensure that the marginally competent Victor Getzes of the world can continue to get their highly paid, barely-show jobs. So, Tony M. and Joel had to start their own commission to merge city and county governments. Tony M. wants off the sinking SS. Giambra. And fast. Can't say I blame him. The city's fiscal situation is in better shape than the county's now. Giambra has lost his last trump card - he can't positively compare county government to the city's anymore.