Can We Get Out Of Our Own Way?
This just in: SaveBuffalo*, a group of concerned activists, has just posted an online petition asking that City Hall practice what it preaches. It appears that the intention of the group is to gather public support in order to call The City to task on a few outdated policies. The group's first charge is to gather signatures from taxpayers who feel that City officials should be footing the bills for their own forms of transportation. Whether that means shelling out for a car or Metro Rail fees, SaveBuffalo feels that it's time that people put their signatures where their mouths are. Instead of making you appear before the Common Council to voice your opinion, SaveBuffalo is willing to carry your voice for you. If you agree, click here to cast your vote on their online petition. From SaveBuffalo:
To: Buffalo Common Council
We the undersigned City of Buffalo Citizens in good standing do hereby petition that the following motion be submitted to the Common Council of Buffalo for their approval or disapproval, with all urgency:
Whereas City owned Vehicles are granted for use by elected officials is an abhorrent practice in every way contrary to the purpose of public service and of advancing Buffalo Socially, Economically, and Financially and as a means of promoting Buffalo to external stakeholders. .
Sincerely,
While some City residents mull over the idea of Car Sharing, maybe it's time for City Hall to trim a little fat as well.
*Save Buffalo is a collaboration of political and community activists, businesspersons, and persons from various walks of life, dedicated to making Buffalo a viable place to live and work.
Photo: The Automobius from Joe's Service Station - with the Seal of the City superimposed onto it of course.
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Comment Options
WholeLottaJibbaJabbah
I have one car, I don't drive it, my wife does. So I ride my bike to work since I work in the city. Tough for these politicians/city workers, they can afford their own gas & cars. My taxes should not be paying for their automobiles.
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Hoss
As our leaders, to set a good example, they should all be taking public transportation, or biking every day. I bet the subway system would be expanded pretty quickly. We'd probably also have bike lanes aplenty. They'd probably even be plowed properly in the winter.
Can someone tell me why School Superintendent Williams has not only a vehicle, but a well paid driver as well? It's not that far from City Hall to the Chop House, is it?
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RaChaCha
Whole and Hoss, I agree, and confess to some pride that my own mayor is setting an example that will be followed by the rest of City Hall staff here in My Fair City. You may have caught the article about this in the Buffalo News (here: www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/404461.html).
But it seems clear from the article that Buffalo's City Hall isn't planning to follow suit any time soon - or perhaps without more public pressure. So I hope that this petition drive helps with that.
I believe Mayor Bloomberg takes the subway - I wouldn't mind seeing all our leaders exchanging their municipally-owned car keys for transit passes. I agree with Hoss that the rest of us would then see service and facilities upgraded in short order!
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Hoss
Yeah, I read that RaChaCha. Good for you guys. As far as I'm concerned, your Mayor can officially kick our Mayor's you know what. I also know about Mayor Bloomberg's morning subway ride. Sadly he gets driven from Gracie Mansion to the train, but symbolically, it says a lot.
If Mayor Brown rode a bike down Main Street 5 days a week, we'd have bike lanes put in like yesterday. These are especially important in a city with such a high rate of poverty, and ill health. If he hopped the train every morning, he'd get all kinds of respect. Respect that not only would garner some good karma points, but also maybe get him some votes next time around.
I'd also like to see a pronounced recycling effort at City Hall here in Buffalo. Just one single multi-bin in the lobby would make a point for others to possibly follow suit. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it's cash in the bank. That's a fact.
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onestarmartin
After signing the petition, which I believe is a pretty good cause considering how city employee's waste tax dollars in the untold millions, I read the signatures and comments. Villages all over the world are missing their idiots, as they are here in Buffalo.
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ElmwoodBoy
A fleet of these cars and clowns getting in and out all day long...this is my vision of government!! Who will make the video?
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Kernwatch5
Sadly, this effort at an on-line petition has again been sabotaged by anonymous 'grafitti', a major problem plagung both BfloRising & SpeakUpWNY. It began with "signature" #13 & went downhill from there.
Almost every serious thread on SUWNY is also quickly diverted by such anonymous vandals, who are often among the heaviest volume posters, creating a very cynical anti-reform tone.
Indeed, when I compared the serious problem on SUWNY to this survey, somebody added "my" name (#74) to the list of pathetic attempts at jokes.
Obviously, many potential serious signers were driven away by how embarassing the list of 81 "signatures" had become.
Blogs such as BfloRising & SUWNY have great potential to inform & reform, but only if anonymous sabotage can be better controlled.
COPY:
18. Sis Boom Baah rah rah 14202 17. Mayor Brown Where can I buy a bus token? 16. Jesus Christ When my father finds out what I did, He's gonna crucify me. 12345 15. Bruce L. Beyer 688 Clinton St. 14210 14. Glen Gramigna meet me at I love Lenny.com 14200 13. Vinny Boom Botz He should ride a bicycle to work 14200
74. Dick Kern I left the city on my hover round. Uses less gas than Byron's private vehicle
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