Entries from November 2007 ↓

Tonight I went to “The Church” for the presentation of “Keep it Made in America”.

I’ll have more to blog about from the notes taken, for now I wanted to share pictures of tonight’s event.

John Ratzenberger plays a kazoo that was not only made in America…. it was made in Western New York.

I don’t know Lynn DeJac, I just know what I’ve seen unfolding on the news, my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family today. We can only imagine where life will go from here…. so I am wishing her the best.

From the Buffalo News:

‘The first day of her new life’
Calm demeanor erupts into tears as judge orders release
By Jay Rey
Updated: 11/29/07 8:27 AM

Lynn M. DeJac stood calm, almost stoic, inside the crowded courtroom, until she heard the words from the judge granting her release from prison.

Then, she broke down and cried. She left court Wednesday afternoon without comment, leaving others to interpret her private thoughts.

“Today is like the first day of her new life,” said her husband, Chuck Peters. “It’s time to start over.”

Hours earlier, Erie County Senior Judge Michael L. D’Amico ordered she be given a new trial in the 1993 strangling of her daughter, which landed DeJac behind bars more than 13 years ago.

But on Wednesday, DeJac, 44, was set free, while she awaits the new case against her.

Now older and grayer since the last time she was in a courtroom, De- Jac turned from the bench, as an Erie County sheriff’s deputy fumbled to unlock her handcuffs. Her cries became sobs.

As she was escorted out, DeJac locked eyes with her supporters. She stopped and, without a word, embraced her family, her husband, teenage twin sons and sister, among them.

A horde of media in pursuit, DeJac darted into an elevator, and once outside jumped into a waiting cab that whisked her away — her first taste of freedom in more than a decade.

It was the conclusion of a dramatic day for DeJac.

“It’s just going to be a period of adjustment for everybody,” Peters said.

“She wants time to regroup,” said her attorney, Andrew C. LoTempio. “She knows the world has changed a lot in 13 years.”

In light of new DNA evidence in DeJac’s case, D’Amico on Wednesday morning granted Lo- Tempio’s request for a new trial, which is expected four to six months from now.

DeJac got word of the judge’s decision just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday while in the Erie County Holding Center.

Buffalo police Detective Dennis Delano — a member of the department’s Cold Case Squad who has publicly professed DeJac’s innocence — was visiting with her, when he received a cell phone call about D’Amico’s ruling, Peters said.

Peters, meanwhile, was on his way to see his wife when a television reporter told him the news of a new trial.

“She gave me a hug when I first walked in there,” Peters said, “and she just cried for two or three minutes.” “I’m sorry I’m crying,” she told Peters. “That’s OK, let it out,” he told her.

DeJac and Peters were married six years ago, while she was serving time at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. The couple has two 13-year-old boys, Keith and Douglas, who were born in 1994, the same year she was imprisoned.

Late Wednesday night, DeJac was at her brother’s house on Troupe Street in Lovejoy — a home decked out with Christmas decorations and, inside, warmed by the company of family and well-wishers, as well as reporters.

DeJac, beaming, initially didn’t want to talk to the media but later had a change of heart. Her first order of freedom:

“I came in here and plopped right into the bed,” she said. “I haven’t felt a normal bed in 14 years. I’ve been sleeping on a cot with a mattress about ‘this´thick,” she said, gesturing with her fingers.

Her husband also treated her to steak at the Outback Steakhouse.

“I had a steak. . . . Oh my gosh — it was like normal,” she said.

She had yet to visit the grave of her slain daughter, Crystallynn Girard. She decided to save the visit for a more private time, out of the glare of media attention.

“I haven’t been able to go there in 14 years,” she said. “I didn’t mourn normally.”

“I’m overwhelmed, I’m numb,” said DeJac, who looked forward to a bath and waking up with her children Thursday morning.

“I don’t know what that’s going to be like,” she said.

Prior to DeJac’s release Wednesday, Peters visited his wife at the holding center for about an hour in the morning.

Confident a new trial would clear her name, the two talked about moving on with the next phase of their lives.

Peters went on to describe a little bit of their private conversation.

“I have to buy new clothes. I don’t have any clothes,” she told him. “Do you have a car?”

“No,” he said.

“Well, we’ll have to work that out,” she said.

In the days leading up to the Wednesday’s ruling, DeJac had been confident she would be granted another trial — this time the DNA evidence proving her innocence.

“I’m surprised at her composure to this point,” LoTempio said Wednesday. “She has been saying over and over again, that the facts will set her free.

“In her mind, she needs to be exonerated,” Lo- Tempio said. “She wants to walk away with somebody either dismissing the charges because there’s not enough proof or a jury [acquittal].”

Her release Wednesday, so soon after the judge’s ruling, was anything but certain, though.

In fact, LoTempio visited with DeJac late Tuesday night, and couldn’t assure her that she would be set free on Wednesday.

News Staff Reporters Gene Warner and Maki Becker contributed to this report.

Don’t let Christopher Byrd know that I’ve never been to the Broadway Market. Hard to beleive, I lived in Buffalo all my life and have never there.

See the great video here.

If you’re like me and missed the Broadway Market Christmas Food Fair, you still have a chance to attend one of their “Savor the Flavor” events at the market on December 8 or 15.

I really wanted to come to the rally protesting the toll increase this morning but under unfortunate circumstances, I couldn’t.

From Channel 4’s website, it looks like some positive has come from the march:

Groups Demand Removal of Grand Island Toll Barriers

(November 24, 2007) - - Two groups are sending a message to Governor Spitzer and the Thruway Authority: Remove the Grand Island tolls. News 4’s Rob Macko has more on Saturday’s protest.

The effort to remove the Grand Island tolls is gaining momentum, but is the Thruway Authority listening?

Saturday, toll opponents presented 7,800 signatures on a petition to state lawmakers.

Two groups came together in Niagara Falls Saturday morning to demand the removal of the Grand Island tolls.

It costs $1.50 to drive from Buffalo to Niagara Falls and back, or vice versa.

Brigitte Shackleton, vice chair of LaSalle Pride, said, “With the gasoline and all of the other expenses that have gone up in today’s living standard, to some people, that is quite a hardship.”

LaSalle Pride, a neighborhood group from Niagara Falls, joined forces with Rus Thompson’s No GI Tolls group to send a message to the Thruway Authority and Governor Spitzer.

Thompson said, “As we make a statement by walking across the bridges, we want him to come here and explain to us why we have to keep these tolls! And I don’t think there’s a reason he could give us why we have to keep these tolls.”

They were joined by State Senator Antoine Thompson and Assembly member Francine Del Monte.

Thompson, (D) 60th District, said, “I think that more activism like this from residents always makes government work better for the people.”

The group walked from Niagara Falls across the north Grand Island bridge to the toll barrier.

LaSalle Pride collected 1,000 signatures from toll opponents.

Rus Thompson has collected more than 6,800 on paper and on his web site, nogitolls.com.

He calls the tolls an unfair commuter tax, and says toll barriers cause traffic back-ups, create hazards for drivers, and cause environmental pollution from idling vehicles.

Thompson said, “We don’t have an alternative route. You can’t get on Niagara Falls Boulevard and drive down Niagara Falls Boulevard. It’s already overloaded. It’s time to get rid of the tolls. We have no other alternative route. It’s just time to get rid of the tolls, and I’m hoping that Governor Spitzer actually does something about it.”

Group members are asking the Governor and the Thruway Authority chairman and executive director to meet with them in Niagara Falls and justify the tolls.

Click here to see the review on WNYmedia.net.

Since I’m still having a problem with my own comments being marked as spam… this is something I can’t let go.

I was asked to wait 4 months after Chris Collins is inaugurated to question the kind of ethics he’s showing prior to being sworn into office:

How about we make a little deal here. Lets wait until April 1st (an appropriate date) to assess the work of Mr Collins and his team. Unless they do something incredibly outlandish, get arrested, or something of that nature, we don’t rag on, or cheap shot him. That will give him around 4 months to show his stuff. Whaddaya say girl?

When I wrote the post about a guy Chris Collins picked, it wasn’t a cheap shot, but more an informative look at how big contribs attached to his name has landed him a spot in Erie County government. Why wait until April to write that?

I can’t agree to not saying a word about a how Chris Collins would like for the citizen of Erie County to think he’s going to have a business-oriented office yet picks a guy with thousands of dollars in contributions attached to his name. It’s how the republicans call democrats out, why not see how the shoe fits on the other foot for a while?

Like I said in a previous post, this isn’t a (one-time) $25 pizza party fundraiser we’re talking about. There are no cheap shots here. Just a difference of opinion. To say the least, I am more offended I was politely asked to keep quiet for a while.

Now that I’m thinking about it, waiting until after April to question our County Exec-elect’s government practices is unlogical to the point of people in 5 months saying…. “o well, there’s nothing we can do about it now.”

Sorry guy, I’m not a sucker.

———

My reply to comments since I can’t leave it in as a comment:

Let those without political connections cast the first stone.

First, I am without political connections. I am unbeholding to any political and I have a place where I can make my words known. This guy’s name/company name is attacted to contributions, this guy got picked by our County Exec-elect. That’s not throwing any stones, that’s pointing out the truth & patronage. I’m sorry if that bothers you.

The fact that there are thousands of dollars in campaign contributions & then gets picked for a postition outweighs any type of job performances when it comes to government. He could have an outstanding company, but the list of contribs attached to his name puts him in the position of being picked for what he’s donated over the years. Yes, he bought his way into Chris Collins’ selections. Still not a cheap shot, just the obvious that some would rather not accept, but still had asked me politely to keep quiet for the next 5 months.

I shouldn’t be asked to wait 5 minutes to state my opinions, cite facts or tell a different view because people like you think your thoughts are above anyone else. If it sounds like I’m pissed off…. it’s because I am. I’m still very offended that I was asked to be quiet until April of next year.

——-

My reply to comments (again)

You can throw all the stones you want. I have chucked a few myself. But if you judge solely on contributions, then that is your choice. I choose to wait until I know more about someone before I judge them.

Chris Collins is not on our dime as of yet, he will be though, and when he has picked someone with a list of heavy campaign contribs attached to his name, you can’t help but to wonder what will our County government look like other than more of the same. That’s not throwing stones, it’s give a difference of opinion, that’s giving readers a choice in what to think. But waiting 5 months to speak until after Chris Collins’ “new” government is in full-swing will only lead to people saying “o well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

If Chris Collins is picking such people whom have large campaign donations attached to their names, what’s the point in waiting to say something about it? That’s what I don’t understand.

I didn’t give names for the reason of “what’s the point?” His team has already been picked, it’s got some patronage, long-standing political names and whomever I think would be a good choice is moot. Seeing a list of thousands of dollars in “donations” attached to a guy’s name and then he’s picked for a position is more than enough to pass judgement on the County Exec-elect who said he was all about changing Erie County. Nothing is going to change so far.

As for the spam problem I’m having, (not to pauldub, but in general) you’d think that when you email someone asking about it that they’d get back to you & try to help fix the problem. I don’t insert any url’s when leaving a comment even on my own blog…. that’s what makes this a bigger problem. It sucks that I can’t leave comments on my own blog!

I am still pretty disturbed by the article in the Buffalo News the other day citing the new “team” to change Erie County as we know it. The first four in the list are known politicals.

Then we find out County Exec-Elect has appointed patronage to his newly formed cabinet. The article tried to play-up these people as business savvy, but underneith it all Collins is none the better. See this name? Dan Gernatt, the chief executive of Gernatt Asphalt Products.

However, the Buffalo News didn’t tell you about his campaign contributions:

Gernatt, Donald Mr. Jr. (Gernatt Asphalt Products/Vice Presi), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE on 09/07/04
Gernatt, Dan (self/self employed), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to NEW YORK REPUBLICAN FEDERAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE on 10/28/03
Gernatt, Derrick Mr. (Gernatt Asphalt), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC on 01/09/03
Schmitz, William Mr. (Dan Gernatt Gravel Products Inc./Sa), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC on 01/28/03
Saraf, Dianna Ms. (Dan Gernatt Gravel Products Inc./Qu), (Zip code: 14034) $300 to NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC on 02/20/03
Schmitz, William Mr. (Dan Gernatt Gravel Products Inc./Sa), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC on 01/14/04
Saraf, Dianna Ms. (Dan Gernatt Gravel Products Inc./Qu), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC on 01/22/04
Gernatt, Dan (Gernatt Asphalt Products/President), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to QUINN FOR CONGRESS on 02/07/03
Gernatt, Dan (Gernatt Asphalt Products/President), (Zip code: 14034) $900 to QUINN FOR CONGRESS on 03/01/04
Gernatt Jr., Dan (Gernatt Asphalt/President), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to REYNOLDS FOR CONGRESS on 06/12/03
Gernatt Jr., Dan (Gernatt Asphalt/President), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to REYNOLDS FOR CONGRESS on 04/22/04
Gernatt Jr., Dan (Gernatt Asphalt/President), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to REYNOLDS FOR CONGRESS on 06/01/04
Gernatt Sr., Dan (Gernatt Gravel/President), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to REYNOLDS FOR CONGRESS on 06/01/04
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 14034) $2000 to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 07/03/03
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 12/08/03
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 12/15/03
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 14034) $100] to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 12/30/03
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 14034) $100] to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 12/10/03
GERNATT, DANIEL R. MR. SR. (GERNATT ASPHALT/C.E.O.), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 (PRIMARY) INC. on 12/15/03
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE INC. on 12/30/03
GERNATT, DAN MR. JR. (GERNATT ASPHALT), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE INC. on 12/10/03
GERNATT, DAN JR (GERNATT ASPHALT), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to FRIENDS OF HOWARD MILLS on 03/31/04
Gernatt, Dan Mr Jr. (Gernatt Asphalt Production/Owner), (Zip code: 14034) $1000 to NANCY NAPLES FOR CONGRESS on 06/30/04
Gernatt, Dan Mr Jr. (Gernatt Asphalt Production/Owner), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to NANCY NAPLES FOR CONGRESS on 08/19/04
Gernatt, Dan Mr Jr. (Gernatt Asphalt Production/Owner), (Zip code: 14034) $500 to NANCY NAPLES FOR CONGRESS on 10/07/04

That’s how you get a job in County Government.

The things we have everyday are the things we are most thankful for. My home, family, friends, my job. My community both on & offline.

As we soon sit around the table and share in some great food, prayers to those who are without and to our servicemen & women who are over seas, or just away from their families.

Where ever you are, Happy Thanksgiving.

If you caught Christopher Byrd’s radio show tonight, yeah that was me as his special guest. It’s always a pleasure hanging out with Chris. We can talk about everything and never tire of the conversation. Well, he talks more and I just say “uh huh… uh huh…” a lot Oh, and we like joking around a lot too.

One of many things talked about…. the impact blogs can have in the communities and how Rus Thompson has faught the tolls along. Another was the “Chris mas” post I made (whereas I hope a lot of what I said doesn’t bite my in the ass down the road). Speaking of roads, we talked about Cazenovia Street being repaved.

Other topics that comes up a lot between us is music & movies. As diverse in music as he is, Chris has never heard of Paul Pope or Molkie Cole. Wow! This is the sound I know he would love. I just know it. I’ll make him a fan in no time.

I am such a fan of Kevin Costner, Chris knows it, and off-air he said he saw “upside of anger” and I got to tell him that I watched “Mr. Brooks”. These are two very different roles for Costner to play, but they were both great movies.

At some point tomorrow, in case you missed tonight’s show, Christopher will have a podcast available for your listening pleasure. The good news is, I wasn’t banished to Sloan. lol.

(Not that there’s anything wrong with Sloan,NY )

That’s “Chris mas” (minus the T) because I read an article in the Buffalo News today: Collins adds 10 to transition team

• Former state Attorney General Dennis Vacco, who was among the Republicans who thought Collins would make a good county executive. After serving a term as attorney general, Vacco became a lobbyist and was accused by the state Lobbying Commission of irregularities in the way it filed documents. Vacco’s wife, Kelly, is the GOP’s preference for a vacancy on the Erie County Water Authority.

• Former state Motor Vehicles Commissioner Nancy A. Naples, who as Erie County comptroller in 2004 said the government was not running a deficit when it was, as outside auditors would prove. She resigned as comptroller in 2005, before her term expired.

• Lobbyist Marina Woolcock, a former aide to County Executive Joel A. Giambra. Woolcock is president of the firm Government Action Professionals Inc. It includes former Buffalo Mayor Anthony M. Masiello and former Deputy County Executive Carl Calabrese.

• State Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville, who helped Collins campaign and is the daughter-in-law of the first Erie County executive. Her son, Edward Rath III, will join the County Legislature in January.

• Alphonso O’Neil-White, president and chief executive officer of HealthNow New York, the county’s health care provider.

• Dan Gernatt, the chief executive of Gernatt Asphalt Products, which has been a vendor on county road projects.

• Anne Leary, an activist instrumental in preventing a Wal-Mart from landing in East Aurora.

• Mark Celmer, former president and chief executive of Multisorb Technologies.

• Paul Harder, chief executive of the Cliffstar Corp., a private-label juice company in Dunkirk.

• Robert Sadler Jr., vice chairman of M&T Bank.

The top 4 are old-school politicians. Nice gift for County Ex-elect to give by appointing these people to his new cabinet. As if Bob Wilmers isn’t enough, he’s added someone else from M&T Bank. How can we expect this company to “clean up” Erie County when they can’t handle the maintance of their own branches, and hire security for more than two days a week?

Alphonso O’Neil-White is on the board of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, which I’ve been told is anti-union and not helpful to the small businesses of our area.

Dan Gernatt, Gernatt Asphalt Products is a big-time campaign contributer to the Republican National Committee, Reynolds for Congress, the Bush/Chaney campaign 2004, and Nancy Naples to name a few.

Paul Harder, We can all sing: “It’s a small world afterall” now…. Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder worked for Cliffstar Corp., a private-label juice company in Dunkirk.

I got this in an email today & I’m going to do what it takes to get there.

March across the north Grand Island bridge.