A Question
Which is Buffalo and WNY’s bigger problem?
The poor quality of substantive policy decisions, or the process and its utter lack of meaningful merit or transparency? Or is it simply that the process is the direct and intended result of poor policy, thus making the whole thing an interconnected, overcomplicated mess that help keeps government acts and omissions from adequate public review and scrutiny?
This is an interesting question. I have just completed an analysis of every resolution filed by Buffalo Councilmembers and Erie County Legislators in 2012. It is shocking how little initiative is taken by our elected leaders to address substantive policy matters.
Our elected officials have an open floor every two weeks when they meet by way of filing a resolution to raise new ideas and substantive policy concerns. Our County Legislators use this opportunity to troll for votes by recognizing people who have passed away, honoring community organizations and passing symbolic resolutions calling for the state or federal government to take various actions.
Buffalo Councilmembers spend a great deal of their time addressing individual citizen complaints and very little time focusing on big picture policy issues.
All of these things keep our elected officials busy but not busy on policy related items.
It seems most elected officials in WNY are reactive not proactive when it comes to our community. They are rather proactive when it comes to spending our tax money though 🙂
Total lack of vision by those in leadership positions… To quote resident idiot, Sam Hoyt in a recent Buffalo News article:
“We
are going to have a beautiful, landscaped buffer between the plaza and
the neighborhood in the short term,” said Sam Hoyt, a member of the
Peace Bridge authority board. “We’re going to send a message [that]
you’re not entering a ghetto when you cross into the great city of
Buffalo.”
This visionary moron chooses to hang a sign on our front door, proudly proclaiming “YOU ARE NOT IN A GHETTO.”