“What kind of shape is Buffalo really in?”
That’s what Investigative Post Editor/Executive Director Jim Heaney is asking.
While numerous segments of the city are experiencing positive changes, there’s still a lot of work to be done. The East Side of Buffalo, which is essentially half the city, still suffers from serious disinvestment. According to Heaney, these are the important issues that we didn’t hear when Mayor Byron Brown recently offered a “rosy picture” in his recent State of the City address.
On Wednesday, February 24 (7pm), Heaney will present his own “Real State of the City” address at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Avenue.
“Buffalo is clearly on the upswing, but not to the degree the mayor and other politicians would have us believe,” Heaney said. “My presentation will offer a fact-based analysis of Buffalo’s progress and continuing problems.”
In order to keep this city moving in the right direction, Heaney feels that a number of problematic issues must be addressed, including eduction, crime, economic development, population trends, civic engagement and municipal taxes, finances and services. For almost 40 years, Heaney has been working in the field of journalism. Much of that time was spent as an investigative journalist, which gives him a direct insight into political issues that few others have.
“Buffalo continues to be plagued by poor leadership. And until that changes, the problems affecting the city’s poor – including crime, schools, the lack of economic opportunity – will not be effectively addressed.”
Admission to the event is free, but tickets must be reserved at investigativepost.org/events.