Latest

Oct 6

2024

They’re not knocking down their Frank Lloyd Wright

Published by

We knocked down our Frank Lloyd Wright office building nearly three-quarters of a century ago. Oklahoma still has one, although it’s not doing well, lacking an anchor tenant and up for sale after several failed revitalization efforts.  An architect, writing in 1949, has this to say about the demolition of our Wright masterpiece:  The Larkin Building set a precedent for many an office building we admire today and should be regarded not as an outmoded utilitarian structure but as a monument, if not to Mr. Wright’s creative imagination, to the inventiveness of American design. The destruction of all but one pillar[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Oct 3

2024

Lifetime health insurance for OTB’s departing Wojtaszek

Published by

When Henry Wojtaszek, the president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., steps down at the end of the year, he’ll take a gold-plated health insurance plan with him. The plan features no deductibles, a $25 copay for doctor, specialist and testing visits and drug copays between $5 and $40. Wojtaszek, according to the buyout agreement obtained by Investigative Post, can participate in one of two plans beginning Jan. 1. Wojtaszek’s employment contract states both he and his family can participate in the insurance plan. The buyout agreement lists no date for when Wojtaszek’s ability to use the health[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Oct 2

2024

Nepotism involving OTB boss Wojtaszek

Published by

OTB President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek, left, Chairman Dennis Bassett, center, and Wojtaszek’s son, Jack, right, during a golf outing last month. Facebook photo.  Henry Wojtaszek’s Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. has hired his 23-year old son for a job paying $52,000 annually. The hiring of Jack Wojtaszek comes as the elder Wojtaszek plans to step down as OTB’s president and CEO on Dec. 31. A copy of Jack Wojtaszek’s application for a state gaming license, which he submitted in June, shows the North Tonawanda native works as customer relations specialist at Batavia Downs. Employees in that position are “responsible[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Oct 2

2024

$10 million plan to tackle Buffalo’s lead crisis

Published by

Erie County is expected to play a larger role in battling Buffalo’s lead poisoning crisis under a new state program that is pouring millions of dollars into health departments across much of New York State. While the state program won’t be fully operational until late next year, Erie County has already been told it can expect an additional $1.9 million in each of the next five years. The Erie County Department of Health plans to use the money to beef up its lead inspections unit, bringing on eight more inspectors as well as clerical staff to supplement its 18 existing[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Sep 30

2024

Brown announces he’s leaving City Hall

Published by

Mayor Byron Brown at Monday’s press conference. Photo by Garrett Looker. With Byron Brown officially announcing he’s leaving City Hall within the next few weeks, additional information is starting to emerge about his new job. To begin with, a $295,000 salary as president and CEO of the Western Region Off-Track Betting is only part of Brown’s compensation package. He’ll also be getting an $800 monthly car allowance to use as he pleases, according to two sources familiar with Brown’s contract. That’s enough to rent a high-end car. Or, since Brown’s had a driver during his almost 19 years as mayor,[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Sep 30

2024

Apparently, crazy politics sells

Published by

The crazier Donald Trump gets, the more Americans lean toward the GOP. The Daily Beast just reported that an analysis of Gallop poll results found 48 percent lean Republican, vs. 45 Democratic. For perspective, back in 1992, Dems held a 52 to 40 percent edge, narrowed to 48-43 percent in 2000.  Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center reported in April a dead heat among registered voters, with 49 percent leaning Democratic compared with 48 percent Republican. Pew’s benchmark year of 1994 found Republicans held a 51-47 percent edge. Pew last week reported polling results that included 88 percent of Republicans favoring[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Sep 30

2024

Unpacking Byron Brown’s move to OTB

Published by

Byron Brown is as good as gone from City Hall.  It’s good for the city, given his nearly 19-year reign of error. Mayor-in waiting Chris Scanlon is an unproven commodity, but he’s got to be an improvement. But Brown getting a raise to take command of the troubled OTB certainly doesn’t represent good government. Here’s my take: Brown is making the move, as reported by J. Dale Shoemaker, for a couple of reasons, starting with money. The mayor is getting a huge bump in salary, from $178,518 to $295,000 next year and the possibility of still more in 2026 and[...]

Posted 8 months ago

Sep 27

2024

More newsroom cuts at The Buffalo News

Published by

Lee Enterprises is taking another bite out of the newsroom of The Buffalo News.  A big bite. Sources tell me Lee has mandated that 10 jobs be cut from a newsroom that has an estimated 55 positions. Five of the cuts will come via either buyouts or layoffs. In addition, five vacant positions will be eliminated altogether. We’re talking downsizing approaching 20 percent, in one fell swoop. And it’s not just a loss of bodies, which translates into less coverage of our communities, but the loss of institutional knowledge when veterans walk out the door. Keep in mind that peak[...]

Posted 8 months ago
Investigative Post