May
17

Eric Mower says ‘no mas’

  A public relations firm cast in a bad light by its no-bid contract with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority that paid up to $325 an hour is walking away from the work. Eric Mower + Associates sent the BMHA a letter today (Friday) saying it won’t compete for the new contract the authority put out to [...]

May
16

Housing authority’s no-bid PR contract

More than $90,000 later, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority decides to put its public relations work out to bid. Which raises the question: “Does the authority require such high-priced help?” Jim Heaney discusses with WGRZ’s Scott Levin.

May
14

Buffalo finally hires recycling coordinator

Buffalo has its first recycling coordinator in four years. Commissioner of Public Works Steven Stepniak has selected Susan Attridge for the job that has been vacant since 2009. Attridge was hired May 2 at an annual salary of $54,500. She lives in Hamburg and will have to move to the city as a requirement for all Civil [...]

May
14

Election law cops shrug shoulders at apparent violation

The crime – or at least the appearance of one – is out there in plain sight. The intended victim is prepared to testify. But the investigators are nowhere to be found; not even curious, they say. Prosecutors and Board of Election officials agree that state election law prohibits the offering of public employment in [...]

May
13

Dodging reporters at $325 per hour

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, whose executive director said wasn’t paying for public relations consultants, has shelled out more than $90,000 for such services through a no-bid contract. Authority officials, meanwhile, continue to stonewall Investigative Post in its efforts to obtain related documents under the Freedom of Information Law.

May
04

Peace Bridge tensions escalate

A female engineer assigned to manage work on the U.S. side of the bridge told Investigative Post of a sexual harassment charge she lodged in December against a Canadian board member after he introduced her as the “governor’s concubine.” Canadian officials, meanwhile, continue to dispute claims they aren’t cooperating with their American counterparts.

May
04

Q&A: Economist Craig Rogers

Craig Rogers is an associate professor of economics at Canisius College. Beyond his academic credentials, he has a wealth of experience in urban economics thanks to his stints with the college’s Center for Entrepreneurship and  the Office of Urban Initiatives. Rogers, 47, is a native of Niagara Falls. He earned undergraduate degrees in economics and business administration [...]

May
01

Housing authority ignores recycling mandate

By Jeremy Izzio and Dan Telvock The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, the city’s biggest landlord, is ignoring a City Charter requirement that mandates recycling at apartment buildings and other multi-family housing units. As a result, roughly 500 tons of recyclable materials end up in a landfill each year, costing the city both money and an [...]