State of the City

A year ago, who'd have thought that Tony Masiello would be in better political shape than Joel Giambra? Who'd have thought that County government would become the laughingstock, while City government was lurching, reluctantly, into fiscal resposibility and solvency? Bizarro World, indeed. So, Masiello gave his State of the City yesterday and one thing leaps out (scroll down or click link to read). Tom Baker, outgoing Control Board chief, thinks that Masiello has every reason to be proud, and the City is on the right track. How 'bout that? While I agree to a certain degree with Donn Esmonde, who says that the city is getting better despite Masiello, rather than because of him, I think Buffalo is getting the help, attention, and resources it needs to become great again. Let me put it this way: in a sick way, I'd like to see more traffic jams on the way to downtown.

The mayor was introduced by his wife, Kate, who described him as a leader who has delivered 'change without chaos.' His speech was preceded by a slick video that highlighted various examples of development, including work on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Noticeably absent in the speech was any mention of a controversy swirling around the forthcoming release of a proposal to merge the city and the county. The issue surfaced only during a brief question-and-answer period when former Lovejoy Council Member Norman M. Bakos called for more public input in shaping the proposal. Masiello reiterated his view that the consolidation plan drafted by a commission that he helped to form will not address the region's real problems, including a shrinking tax base and urban sprawl. The mayor outlined challenges faced by the city, including a 'right-sizing' of the Fire Department, cracking down on unscrupulous real estate investors who 'eat away' at housing stock and continuing to push for changes in Albany that would help cities such as Buffalo. At one point, Masiello acknowledged that the city does not have all the answers or enough resources. He said those realities underscore the importance of forging partnerships with other entities to pursue development initiatives. Masiello also touched on finances, asserting that the city is meeting its obligations to the state financial control board for reducing projected deficits and shrinking the city's work force. Departing control board Chairman Thomas E. Baker attended the event that was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Buffalo, Working for Downtown and the Greater Buffalo Building Owners & Managers Association. He said he thinks that the mayor's upbeat presentation was warranted. 'The mayor is very optimistic, as he should be. TThere are a lot of positive things going on," Baker said, agreeing with Masiello that the city is showing some signs of vitality.

Things are looking up. Now if only Albany would fix State government to make the State-at-large more attractive...