At the risk of sounding like the old guy down the street that yells at the kids to stay off his lawn, the holiday shopping season is rapidly going to hell in a handbasket.
Gone are the days of searching for that simple gift for friends and loved ones, the days of spending a day soaking up the spirit of the holidays.
Armageddon.
Shoppers wait in line for the latest junk, pepper spray other shoppers for an edge on an Xbox, and trample each other just for the hell of it.
I do find it interesting that the majority of incident happen at Wal Mart. I didn’t hear of anything happening at one locally, but I was witness to the aftermath. I went to the one in Niagara Falls to pick up some socks. Which is what I would have literally had to do if they had my size. Everything was on the floor. There were carts everywhere of ripped open and damaged merchandise. Seemed like there was a concerted effort by employees to do a little damage control.
But there is hope. Small businesses are starting to get some holiday attention. Do yourself a favor and check out the shops in your town. Elmwood, Clarence Center, Webster Street in North Tonawanda. Find something different. It is easier, less stressful, And I can guarantee that the gift you get Uncle Stan will not have to be returned because someone else already got him one.
My Personal Grinch Starts
November 27th, 2011Hardwick Finally has a Plan and Another Mailer
November 3rd, 2011He hasn’t forgotten me. Another mailer:
After one term in the can he tells us he wants to reform county government,, eliminate waste? Where the hell has he been the past two years? He must be salivating over this one. Cut jobs! Save money! Put the disabled out of work!
If he wants the county to deliver quality services and eliminate waste he should just bail now and let Zellner take over.
Hardwick Mailers That Miss
October 27th, 2011It’s getting deep here.
First, we’ll deal with the one called “The Hardwick Record”. According to this one:
Kevin voted 154 times to stop higher taxes.
Don’t know about you but this one screams for examples. Like “Stopped higher taxes by voting against supporting Libraries” or something like that.
Fought the politicians in court to ensure voters could vote on downsizing Legislature.
My memory is fuzzy on this one. Was he party to a suit? Which politicians? did anybody see him do this?
Led the fight to downsize the Legislature, saving taxpayers over half-a-million dollars.
Led? LED???? Jeebus. I can’t even pile it that high. He may have been there, but I would mention a guy named Gaughan before I would get to Kevin’s name.
I’ll get this scan thing down one of these days..
Alright. This one from Kevin (sort of) is titled “Who’s pulling Jeremy Zellner’s strings?” Note the nifty little marionette blocks.
The fact that Jeremy holds a position in the local Democratic Party is not exactly breaking news. Trotting out the old “He’s part of the party, they’re pulling the strings” begs the question – who is pulling Kevin’s strings? It’s a throw-shit-against-the-wall-and-see-if-it-sticks routine. Expected it sooner or later. I know Collins runs Hardwick.
So let’s give a hand to the NY Republican St Committee, the folks who keep sending me these little gems.
Hardwick awakens to find Zellner signs
October 19th, 2011The Erie County legislature does not serve much of a purpose, with the exception of the occasional comic relief. So when I didn’t see or here anything about Hardwick’s campaign, or any opponent for that matter, I started checking the paper to see if they had decided to do the complete downsize. No such luck.
Then I started to get flyers from a newcomer (sort of, does the democratic committee thing right now) by the name of Jeremy Zellner. You know the drill – home town boy, homeowner, wants to serve the district where he grew up. All nice guy stuff, family photo in the first mailer. His signs started popping up around town.
Nothing from Hardwick. Now I haven’t seen or heard squat from him since he took office. The only way I knew he did anything in my town was when I saw something in Facebook. No signs, no commercials, Nada.
Until yesterday. He was in my mailbox!
He reduced the size of the legislature! He eliminated additional district offices! He stopped runaway spending!
Kind of like the Buffalo Niagara Partnership – claims credit for everything that happens while he is there.
The part I like is “He stood up to the politicians and party leaders for what’s right, not what’s easy”
He did stand up to the politicians – sort of. If you can assume an upright position with your lips planted on the cheeks of Chris “I’m not a politician” Collins. And what party leaders is he talking about?
Zellner flyer Two:
forgive the crappy reproductions by the way…
According to him, Kevin didn’t eliminate expensive additional offices, he shut down your office.
Kevin didn’t stop runaway spending, he killed your libraries, let the roads and bridges rot and killed culturals like the award winning American Legion Band of the Tonawandas! That Band is from our district!!!!
Then the kill shot – we lose community services because the money is going to patronage salaries (no specifics given)
I remember Hardwick’s big I won speech mentioned backing Chris Collins as his main goal. I think he mentioned serving his constituents once. Maybe.
I liked Kevin’s old radio show. I thought his format and guests were informative and provided a service to the community. And as one of his constituents, I feel safe in stating that that was the last time he did anything positive for the community.
I’m willing to give the new kid a shot.
Hey, Stupid!
September 14th, 2011You would think somewhere there is a politician exhibiting common sense. If there is, they are being pushed aside by those clamoring to show idiocy.
Take the name of Buffalo Mayor Steve Casey Byron Brown being placed on 8 new firetrucks in Buffalo.
“Historically, with the Fire Department, the only names that go on the rig are [those of] the members who sacrifice their lives for the citizens of Buffalo.”
Those even dimly aware of hizzoner’s record knows he has done nothing for the city except cause grave embarrassment to its citizens.
In the Independence Party primary (yes kids, they actually hold their own primary – just plug in the republican candidate, an unknown, and voila!) Chris Collins won 60% of the vote. From the Buffalo New’s crock reporter’s regurgitation of whatever Collins’ camp feeds him:
“This huge victory for Chris Collins is a major blow to an already struggling Poloncarz campaign,” said spokesman Stefan Mychajliw. “Chris Collins won key battleground suburbs like Lancaster by a two-to-one margin, which shows the county executive’s strength with [Independence voters] and like-minded voters across Erie County.”
A little over 1200 voters checked in and that triggered Stefan’s prophecy of Poloncarz’ fate.
And no offense, but Lancaster is a key battleground suburb?
One piece of good news. Clarence Councilman and resident pinhead Joe Weiss had his ass handed to him on a silver platter. For more on Joe’s shenanigans, See Alan’s place.
Thursday Stuff – Multiple Thoughts Edition
September 1st, 2011We’ll start off with the Mark and Chris show. My little Island has been sprouting Poloncarz signs here and there. No Collins signs yet. I even drove around the McMansion divisions to see if the little guy had made any inroads there. Nada.
My first beef that comes to mind is when he tells me he’s saving me money.
My taxes have not gone down, I have not received a refund.
If I give you money in the form of taxes to provide a service, and you do not provide the service AND you do not return the money,
You stole my goddam money.
Second. When your opponent smacks you in the face with your own ad (See Parks, County, poor condition), you have to come up with something less lame than “Oh Yeah?”. I am beginning to think Stefan has a bit of the masochist in him. From Buffalo Public Schools to Collins. Oy.
Ralph Wilson Stadium Will have rational parking. If you want to park with your pals, stick together. If you have to walk a couple of rows, suck it up. You probably can use the exercise.
Niagara Falls has been running a campaign to cut down on car break-ins. Simple strategy. Remember to lock the doors. Don’t leave valuables in the open. This guy had the right idea, but didn’t, well think things all the way through. From the Gazette:
Officers are looking into a car break-in in the 600 block of 24th Street. A 25-year-old man told police that sometime between 10:21 and 11 a.m. Monday someone broke into his ’99 Oldsmobile Intrigue by reaching in through the locked doors with open windows. The victim said a GPS system, an iPod and the faceplate for the vehicle radio were taken.
Last stop for the day is a little Rodrigo y Gabriela:
Enjoy!
Thursday Stuff – Being Old Edition
August 11th, 2011Going to be a Grandfather again, Thanks to Son of Dub and his wife. I’m pretty excited about it. First grandson will now have a cousin to get into trouble with.
So now I realize I’m getting old. Don’t feel it, but I know. You can tell when you go to a wake and do the quick comparison between your age and that of the guest of honor automatically.
But getting old doesn’t mean you grow more passive. From the Gazette:
NIAGARA FALLS — A Falls man was arrested after hitting another man with his cane and then threatening to kill him with a large knife.
Pasquale V. Bucci, 77, 720 10th St. Apt. 604, was charged with second-degree menacing and second-degree harassment.
A 67-year-old man told officers he was sitting on a bench in the 700 block of 10th Street at 9:20 a.m. Monday, when Bucci approached him and hit him in the back with his cane and then threatened him with a knife. Police say they recovered the knife from Bucci’s walker.
It also doesn’t mean you can’t expand your horizons, or start a new career:
That’s the job I want when I retire.
And This guy is 87 (I think)
And he’s on the road almost as much as he’s home, does every festival around every summer, and drives his wife to distraction just because it’s fun. Father in Law sets the bar high, and I am determined to try and keep up.
This song should be back in rotation.
August 9th, 2011Steppenwolf’s 69 release Monster was one of my prized possession in high school. The lyrics of the title track were relevant then, and are still alarmingly relevant now.
Take a listen.
Wednesday Stuff
July 20th, 2011First – for ANY of you whining about the heat, a friendly reminder:
Feel any better?
I don’t mind the heat, I work in air conditioned comfort. Sort of. Every once in a while it forgets to shut off. Last Thursday it was fifty – nine in my office. The windows were fogging up.
Anyone that complains about nothing to do around here in the summer is freaking lazy. Canal Fest this week in the Tonawandas. I recommend the Sikaflex challenge boat race for much viewing pleasure, and of course the ever popular “I Got It” game of semi – skill.
Summer brings out the sheer genius in the local miscreants as well. From the Niagara Gazette:
• STOLEN VEHICLE: Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Green Road address Saturday afternoon for a report of a stolen car. A resident said someone took his ’95 Chevy Blazer. He said the vehicle was unlocked with the keys in the ignition but wasn’t registered nor did it have license plates. Deputies noted that a Chevy Blazer with no license plates led police on a low-speed chase shortly after midnight Saturday. The truck was ditched on Upper Mountain Road near Green Road after one of its tires blew out. Deputies also said the resident matched the description of the suspect who fled the scene.
Finally, Julie Newmar. A truly stunning woman. 5′11. 37-23-27. IQ of 135.
Okay. Audio – shaky. But Julie Julie Julie…
Uncle Donn and Politics
June 13th, 2011Dateline Downstate: This Weiner guy does the “publicize the package” routine, goes through the alibi, lie, confession, leave of absence, and the slow fade. Media heads out looking for fresh meat.
Suddenly Uncle Donn at wakes up. A story! Dadgummit, he’s not going him off that easy! Donn is on the job. He will hound the wicked. He will make sure there will be accountability. Pretty easy to do when your target is long distance.
But when it’s a little closer to home, not a peep. Not one.
Admittedly This is not Mr. Esmonde’s strong suit. More of a community issue guy.
I guess we’ll have to deal with it until they start working on the Casino again.
Then Donn will be on familiar turf with his complaints.