By Greg Conley:
A great series was on TV in the fall that a lot of Buffalonians might have an interest in watching. It flew under the radar for most TV viewers, but it was certainly a captivating, real example of how cities work. Buffalo has quite a bit in common with Newark, New Jersey, otherwise known as "Brick City." It's been plagued by high crime rates, little investment, and too many cronies. Most importantly though, this city has a dynamic mayor by the name of Cory Booker.
From the Sundance Channel:
"Created and directed by the award-winning filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, BRICK CITY, is a five-part documentary series that captures the daily drama of a community striving to become a better, safer, stronger place to live. Against great odds, Newark's citizens and its Mayor, Cory A. Booker, fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption."
The documentary covers a portion Mayor Booker's time in office and ends at about the time of the 2008 election season. What is quite noticeable in contrast to Buffalo is Mayor Booker's enthusiasm. He has an obvious confidence in him that Newark will be a great city again. It shows you the importance of good leadership. Another thing about Booker is that, his rise to mayor was not predetermined, but earned. He worked and purposely lived across the street from a project in Newark. As a lawyer, he fought on the side of those in poverty. In some cases, he represented those who lived right across the street in the project. In terms of Education, Booker attended Stanford, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and Yale for law school.
"Brick City" puts you into an almost real world version of "The Wire." you fall into the shoes of Police Director Garry McCarthy, Central High School Principal Ras Baraka, and other active members of the community.
I encourage you to watch the series and gain insight about cities other than our own trying to overcome similar challenges.
"Brick City" won a Peabody in 2009, and also was a 2010 Primetime Emmy Award Nominee.
Mayor Cory Booker is a part of this year's UB Distinguished Speakers Series. He will be at the Center for the Arts, on March 30th.
Giving you a trailer would do this show no justice. Instead, here are two clips to give you a feel of how it goes.
This is a ten minute webisode.
You can check out this show on Netflix or The Sundance Channel. Season two starts on January 30th.
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A great series was on TV in the fall that a lot of Buffalonians might have an interest in watching. It flew under the radar for most TV viewers, but it was certainly a captivating, real example of how cities work. Buffalo has quite a bit in common with Newark, New Jersey, otherwise known as "Brick City." It's been plagued by high crime rates, little investment, and too many cronies. Most importantly though, this city has a dynamic mayor by the name of Cory Booker.
From the Sundance Channel:
"Created and directed by the award-winning filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, BRICK CITY, is a five-part documentary series that captures the daily drama of a community striving to become a better, safer, stronger place to live. Against great odds, Newark's citizens and its Mayor, Cory A. Booker, fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption."
The documentary covers a portion Mayor Booker's time in office and ends at about the time of the 2008 election season. What is quite noticeable in contrast to Buffalo is Mayor Booker's enthusiasm. He has an obvious confidence in him that Newark will be a great city again. It shows you the importance of good leadership. Another thing about Booker is that, his rise to mayor was not predetermined, but earned. He worked and purposely lived across the street from a project in Newark. As a lawyer, he fought on the side of those in poverty. In some cases, he represented those who lived right across the street in the project. In terms of Education, Booker attended Stanford, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and Yale for law school.
"Brick City" puts you into an almost real world version of "The Wire." you fall into the shoes of Police Director Garry McCarthy, Central High School Principal Ras Baraka, and other active members of the community.
I encourage you to watch the series and gain insight about cities other than our own trying to overcome similar challenges.
"Brick City" won a Peabody in 2009, and also was a 2010 Primetime Emmy Award Nominee.
Mayor Cory Booker is a part of this year's UB Distinguished Speakers Series. He will be at the Center for the Arts, on March 30th.
Giving you a trailer would do this show no justice. Instead, here are two clips to give you a feel of how it goes.
This is a ten minute webisode.
You can check out this show on Netflix or The Sundance Channel. Season two starts on January 30th.
Interesting story I just heard about Corey Booker.
During the recent snow storm someone tweeted that they were snowed in and the city was doing nothing about it on his street. Booker went to the street shovel in hand and met the persons wife and kid who were shoveling and proceeds to respond on twitter "I'm with your wife and kid shoving your driveway. Where are you?"
He is definitely a boots on the ground type of guy. I always thought he would run for Senate when Frank Laughtenburg retires, but I'm not sure if that would be his style.