Tagged: Press Pass

The suicide of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer -- a student at Williamsville North High School -- attracted national attention in recent months.  Jamey was the victim of bullying over his sexual identity.  No criminal charges were filed in the case.  But last week, a number of students were suspended for their involvement in the bullying. 

On today's Press Pass, Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch said it would have been difficult to prosecute this case as a crime.

The contrasts between the candidates was clear in this year's race for Erie County Executive.  Incumbent Chris Collins and challenger Mark Polancarz shared little beyond a desire to win the election. 

Jim Fink of Business First in this week's WBFO News Press Pass interview said he expects those differences to be equally evident once County Executive-elect Poloncarz takes office and attempts to reverse some of his predecessor's unpopular policies.

The Democratic party win for Erie County Executive now leaves lingering questions about the future Buffalo's Democratic party leader Len Lenihan.

This week on WBFO's weekly Press Pass interview, Chris Jamele speaks with Artvoice editor Geoff Kelly about the future of the local democratic leader Len Lenihan and why the on-going Occupy Buffalo movement remains calm. 

A vacant library building has been shuttered for six years in Buffalo's Central Park neighborhood.  The Fairfield was closed as part of consolidation.  But Buffalo Spree editor Elizabeth Licata says neighbors are frustrated and the city doesn't seem to be revealing future redevelopment plans.

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley welcomes Licata to our weekly Press Pass interview line-up as they discuss Licata's on-going Buffalo Spree series called "Preservation Ready" that focuses on the Fairfield Library.

The marquis race in tomorrow's elections is the one for Erie County Executive, pitting incumbent Republican Chris Collins against Democratic challenger Mark Poloncarz.

On this week's Press Pass, Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch joins WBFO's Mark Scott for a preview. This is a race between two candidates who really are quite different -- Collins focused on limited government while Poloncarz sees a more expansive role for government.

Andriatch says that gives voters a clear choice.

The Buffalo Bills' played in Toronto over the weekend, but what began a few years ago as an exciting experiment has lost much of its enthusiasm. 

In the days leading up to it, the Canadian press, outside of covering the grumbling of some Buffalo players did not devote much space to the game at the Rogers Center. 

WBFO's Bert Gambini talked to Jim Fink of Business First about how fans on both sides of border feel about the NFL in Canada.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread across the country, including Western New York, with Occupy Buffalo populating Niagara Square.

WBFO's Chris Jamele speaks with ArtVoice editor Geoff Kelly about that protest during this morning's Press Pass feature, our weekly conversations with area print media members.

Opening the conversation, Kelly discusses the secrecy surrounding a Republican poll that County Executive Chris Collins believes shows him with a commanding lead in his campaign against Democrat Mark Poloncarz.

By Bert Gambini

Buffalo, NY – The arrival of food trucks in Buffalo created quite a buzz, especially for those who were familiar with similar businesses in other cities. But not everyone is as thrilled as the customers.

The idea of a mobile restaurant has raised questions as to how and where these trucks can do business.

Brick & Mortar restaurants are also asking if they're entitled to certain protections.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer is no longer the City Hall beat reporter. Meyer recently accepted a retirement buy-out. But Meyer agreed to remain part-time at the News as a general assignment reporter and is still writing stories about Mayor Byron Brown.

This week in our Press Pass conversation WBFO'S Eileen Buckley talks to Meyer about his article "Building the Brown Brand" and how city lawmakers are trying to stop music booming from cars to improve quality of life for residents.

By Chris Jamele

Buffalo, NY – The political atmosphere is heating up across the region as voters decided a series of primary battles last week, and some vacated seats were filled through special elections.

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – One of Western New York's most prestigious communities has joined the debate about whether to or not to merge services to hold the line on taxes.

That and politics around the region are in the discussion this week's Press Pass with WBFO's Joyce Kryszak and Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch.

He said it is not surprising that Orchard Park is talking about consolidating police services.

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – State lawmakers were busy this past session passing a slew of laws, including the property tax cap, that will have tremendous impact on New Yorkers.

While in Erie County, lawmakers failed to reach agreement on the biggest issue that was before them - reapportionment of legislative districts.

In this week's Press Pass, Joyce Kryszak talks with Buffalo News Suburban Editor Bruce Andriatch about the intended and unintended consequences of some of these measures.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Turnaround plans for just three of seven persistently low achieving Buffalo Public schools were submitted late last week, sparking some tough comments from a parents group leader.

That is the topic in this week's edition of Press Pass, our ongoing series of conversations with area newspaper editors and reporters.

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News City Hall reporter Brian Meyer discuss the controversy and what is ahead for the district and its troubled schools.

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Three controversial issues surfaced last week in the city of Buffalo, including the federal indictment against a former Common Council member.

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley and Buffalo News City Hall reporter Brian Meyer tackle the issues in this week's edition of Press Pass, our ongoing series of conversations with area newspaper editors and reporters.

By Christopher Jamele

Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Legislature is confronting critical changes as its membership faces downsizing from 15 members to 11 and new Census figures mandate a redistricting.

Monday's edition of Press Pass, our on-going discussions with area print media members, brings WBFO's Chris Jamele into conversation with ArtVoice Editor Geoff Kelly about who is influencing this reconfiguring.

Kelly also gives his take on the latest with the Peace Bridge process.

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – President Obama is coming to Buffalo Thursday. There are high expectations for the visit. We explore some of them on this morning's Buffalo Rising Roundtable as Mark Scott sits down with Christa Glennie Seychew and Newell Nussbaumer.

What does Newell hope the President will take home with him? And Christa asks Buffalo Rising readers about where the President should grab a bite to eat in Buffalo.

Buffalo, NY – Armed with the art of improv and energizing the blues with a new power, Todd Eberwine and his band continue to carve out their space in the world of blues/rock music. Buffalo Rising Magazine writes, "Todd Eberwine and his band qualify for membership in that small group of players who are helping to evolve the blues. He has a style and presence that keep audiences on their feet."