For this week’s podcast, we literally shanghaied Buffalo Public School Superintendent Dr. James Williams on his way from an event in Allen Hall, with just a half hour to get to his Dr.’s appointment. The clincher was when I told him he’d only wait at his appointment, thinking that he could have spent the time with us and WBFO News Director Mark Scott up in Studio B. Oddly enough, it worked, and what we have is a good, frank discussion about the direction of the schools. We also touched on the recent illness of a student who has since died of the swine flu epidemic. Dr. Williams, in this podcast, elaborates on the protocol the BPS follows as dictated by Federal law and Erie County Health Commissioner, Dr. Anthony Billitier.
Newell joined the conversation after Dr. Williams’ departure to talk about the Hertz Garage (the former Miller’s Livery Stable) where a skid steer got stuck in a 1.5 foot hole caused by rotted floor boards last week. The good news is that it had no impact on the structural integrity of the building, and owner Mark Croce has every intention to rehabilitate the space. We went on to talk about Rocco Termini’s new conversion of the former AM&A’s Building.
Dare we say Wingate? We talked about the design choices, and Mark listened as Newell and I debated from two different sides. Is it going to be built? If the answer is yes, how can we make it the best it can be? (Be sure to weigh in on the poll at the upper left of this page, keeping in mind that the Wingate is likely to be the only choice.)
Next, Newell and Mark discuss the virtues of street cleaners. We have the carts, it would be great to get them out there, though I’m rethinking the whole idea of high school students manning them.
Mark ended by calling the show unique; that’s politesque for odd, I think.