Is Congressman Higgins’ waterfront taking precedence over infrastructure frustration?
By: Cindyk. I got my copy of the South Buffalo News in the mail today, in it is an article expressing how Congressman Higgins is applauding $3 million in waterfront money.
From his list of legislation issues, you can see where waterfront is its own link.
Congressman Higgins is on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which you can click here to read about this committee.
From a few simple pictures though, you can see the infrastructure frustration that is becoming of our area. (the problems don’t end with these pictures, there are many more streets that look like these, and worse)
The question has to be asked: Is our Congressman ignoring the infrastructure that has been neglected for too long?
waterfront access can stimulate the economy far more than paving some roads in south buffalo. hence his priorities.
Comment by Mark — April 3, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Such “priorities” like the waterfront takes precedence over the crumbling of streets within his district? What about the economy of other areas outside of the waterfront location?
Comment by CindyK — April 3, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Those are some pretty horrific looking streets.
Comment by Jay — April 3, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Unfortunately, far too many in the Congressman’s own (neighborhood) district, and while he sits on a Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Comment by CindyK — April 3, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
the economy of south buffalo doesn’t generate and doesn’t have the potential to generate a tax base that waterfront-driven development can with smart infrastructure improvements. so he sees that as being more important.
Comment by Mark — April 5, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Part of the problem we have with the economy in South Buffalo is the result of our politicians’ lack of interest to regenerate the tax base of our area. My idea has always been, if you live in a nice looking neighborhood, you feel better about the neighborhood. When you have a neighborhood that is ignored by what the politicians can fix, of course the interest of business is going to be considerably lower. The infrastructure of our streets are something that can be fixed… if/when there will ever be an interest. From years of neglect, the only interest of Congressman Higgins seems to be what the waterfront spells out for him for votes of his next election. Sorry to say, he’s definately not earning any brownie points in (his hometown) South Buffalo.
If money can be found to pave a way for a brand new road down on the waterfront, don’t you think that same money can/should make it’s way into the neighborhoods outside of the waterfront, of which the politicians represent as well?
I don’t find it acceptable, of what they (the politicians) have ignorned, is good enough to not take care of our streets and infrastructure. It’s been far too long a road of neglect to just sit by and watch it anymore.
Comment by Cindyk — April 5, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Lack of priorities in our neighborhoods has gone on far too long. Our elected officials have been pondering and spending 100’s of millions on waterfront and downtown development, only to find it has become a ghost town. At least taxpaying residents live in South Buffalo, and deserve a return on their tax dollars in the place where they work, live, raise their families and pay those high taxes and FEES.
I only see TAX BREAKS going to developers on the waterfront. What??? maybe “New Jobs”??? …probably entry level, like all those call center jobs our politicians gave a “TAX BREAK” to, only to find those jobs going to India. Our elected officials keep giving breaks to companies that wind up leaving in the long run. What benefit will a waterfront be if nobody is left here to enjoy it?
You only have to ask yourself one question. What has been delivered to our district (South Buffalo) where I live? That is where the priorities should be.
Comment by John K — April 5, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
John, I was reminded of something very important the other day…. “They work for us, not the other way around.” Why do we have to beg our politicians to do their job? I feel you are right, millions of dollars in waterfront development is pretty useless as the population of Buffalo is on the decline. It’s also good to remember that the people who are leaving are the taxpayers taking their tax paying elsewhere. Do you really think any road in Hamburg could look as bad as Seneca Street does right now without the residents putting up a fight? Higgins’ notoriety as a good ole South Buffalo boy is shrinking due to his staunch supporting base moving outward from South Buffalo, and his lack of recognizing the infrastructure frustration we’re left faced with everyday outside of his “waterfront district”.
Comment by Cindyk — April 5, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
I get the same press info that the South Buffalo News puts out every week. Can someone answer honestly… besides funding for the waterfront, fire departments (not that there’s anything wrong with that), his flood insurance program and the “Congress On Your Corner” Schedule for Chautauqua County, what has Brian Higgins done for South Buffalo lately?
Comment by Cindyk — April 6, 2008 @ 8:47 pm