Gee, you think that there is any way the politically connected Drew Eszak IS NOT given that job permently? Give me a break. What did the guy do for Erie County will in the Department of Environment and Planning that was so profound and positive? He must not have been too good because Collins removed him. Anyone who actually is worth anything or has accomplished anything certainly wouldn't have been removed form that critical position. And don't call it politics, very good commissioners were left in place when Collins took over, take a look.

Joke the City of Buffalo is.

The Planning Director position vacated by Tim Wannamaker has not been advertised ANYWHERE: not the city Web site, not the Upstate NY or American Planning Association Web sites, not portals for professional planners like Cyburbia and Planetizen.

I'm a Buffalo-born, raised and educated urban planner that really wouldn't mind returning to Buffalo, despite its faults. However, finding planning work there is IMPOSSIBLE. Most local governments don't have planning agencies. Those that do require political connections or previous residency just to be considered for a job, and there are very seldom openings with the private planning firms in the area (Peter J Smith, Cannon, etc.). There's some economic development work, and the rare (woefully underpaid) feelgood community development position, but that's about it.

In reply to Thinker, Drew Eszak did do most of the work for the Framework for Regional Growth, so I do think that he did a lot of good work. Maybe Collins let Eszak go because he wasn't as anti-Buffalo as Collins was.

The Planning Director position vacated by Tim Wannamaker has not been advertised ANYWHERE: not the city Web site, not the Upstate NY or national American Planning Association Web sites, not portals for professional planners like Cyburbia and Planetizen.

I'm a Buffalo-born, raised and educated urban planner that really wouldn't mind returning to Buffalo, despite its faults. However, finding planning work there is IMPOSSIBLE. Most local governments don't have planning agencies. Those that do require political connections or previous residency just to be considered for a job, and there are very seldom openings with the private planning firms in the area (Peter J Smith, Cannon, etc.). There's some economic development work, and the rare (woefully underpaid) feelgood community development position, but that's about it.

With no political connections, I fear I'll forever be an expat.

It would be great of Mayor Brown to list all City of Buffalo employees, thier position, address and phone number.