Openness and Transparency have always been at the forefront of what we do here at WNYmedia.net. So much so, that it’s starting to become our own worst enemy. It’s also why some eyebrows are being raised over $3750 Mark Poloncarz paid me, Marc Odien,  for work I performed for his campaign against Chris Collins.  It’s also the reason I haven’t written anything about Chris or Mark in more than 8 months.

I CANNOT BE MORE CLEAR ABOUT THIS. Since we started this little piece of the web in 2004:

• NOT ONE  WRITER HAS EVER BEEN PAID TO WRITE A STORY
• NOT ONE WRITER HAS EVER BEEN TOLD WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT
• NOT ONE WRITER HAS EVER BEEN TOLD HOW TO WRITE SOMETHING

Believe it or not, it’s the truth. Ask them all.  They signed on to write on this website, knowing the only way they would make a dime is if they sold their own advertising.  We have gone through hundreds of writers over 8 years in business and only two have taken up this offer (Alan Bedenko and Kristen Becker). And when they are paid posts (like the West Herr videos for example) they are clearly marked as such. 

A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON ON WNY MEDIA NETWORK and WNYMEDIA.NET

Since I started this website venture in 2003 with a close childhood friend (2004 as WNYmedia.net), our mission statement and goals have never changed: 

The Western New York Media Network is a social media outlet which enables regional, political and cultural progress through advocacy journalism by providing a platform for you, the audience, to:

• Advocate for causes you believe in
• Entertain the reader with fun and viral content
• Inform people about news, events and organizations
• Opinionate on the news and issues of the day
• Unite people with a common cause 

Our mission is to make Buffalo and Western New York a better place to live by making positive contributions which affect real and significant change.

We don’t want to simply advertise the good works of others, we want to join them and to inspire others to join us!

We serve as a means to build a bridge between what Buffalo is today and what it can be in the future.

The problem is that until recently, WNYmedia.net never made enough money to support itself let alone allow other people to make a living. In this new media world, experts will tell you that other revenue models are needed to keep the doors open.

This venture is no different. Which is why I created a “Media Services” division of the WNY Media Network. Suprisingly enough, selling web, video and other social media services has allowed me to make a living while keeping the “news/social media part” of the network, WNYmedia.net, online for more than 8 years.

It’s not unusual.  Every Local TV channel has a production services unit that make commercials and other video services for people who pay them.

Over the last 8 years, it’s obvious the website has had its ups and downs.  We tried some things that were well before their time and failed. We have tried different partnerships, different revenue models, different writers, and somehow, we are still standing tall through it all, providing you with factual, newsworthy, and important information on a daily basis that you can do whatever the hell you want with.

And now in 2011, both sides of my business are stronger than ever. Which, oddly enough is the problem.

LLC VS. LOYAL FOLLOWING

Shortly after my departure from Channel 2 in 2006, I met Chris Smith and Alan Bedenko with whom I shared my ideas of a new multimedia news outlet for Buffalo and WNY that would include an online radio station, video gallery of weekly stories and posts from various people throughout the community who were passionate enough about something to write about it.

We quickly got a group of 5 or 6 people together who were interested in tackling this idea and each put a couple thousand dollars into creating Convergence Media LLC.  Shortly after we began, life seemed to get in the way for almost all of the initial group of investors. Four of them suddenly had babies on the way. Parents passed on leaving one with a family run business to attend to, and I got commissioned to create a year long documentary on Italian Americans in Buffalo.  We had a web designer we paid with almost all of the initial seed money, who fucked us over with the black site of death while being threatened with a lawsuit by another local web company.

All of these factors lead to us dissolving the LLC in or around 2008. We dissolved the LLC, closed our office on Elmwood Avenue, paid off our debt and I went back to having my sole proprietorship of  The WNY Media Network.

From that point on and to this day, the website just became a “thing” that was neither separately managed nor funded. I purchased new equipment from the proceeds of my production work while others have been busy plugging away on the site. Over the last couple years, Alan and Chris have been “the face of WNYMedia.net” both publicly and amongst politicos while I was busy taking care of the video company, technical stuff and paying the bills. Neither of them asked for, nor received, a dime while doing so.

So, here we are in 2011.  Years have passed and our audience continues to grow, but to this day we still have no formal structure. We have content that people like and trust. We still know how to draw a crowd and we still no how to make a stink. We have a website that is strongly supported by great people who do what they do because they love to write. I have a video business that generates revenues from all sorts of different projects and happens to closely share a name with the website.  THAT IS ALL THEY DO.

BUFFALO’S 2 DEGREES OF SEPARATION

If you don’t already know, Buffalo is the biggest small town in the country.  If the norm is six degrees of separation in most parts of the country, Buffalo is within 2. You can’t go anywhere in this town without running into a former colleague, an old friend, a family member or other acquaintance.  The business, media and political communities are no different. Its a fact of life about doing business in Buffalo and WNY, you WILL wind up doing work for your friends and family.

I started this venture when I was miserable but still employed at channel 2, making award winning stories with the current Chris Collins PR guy Stefan Mychajliw. Stefan and I then carried our friendship and working relationship to the Buffalo Public Schools where I, along with another business partner were awarded a series of media consultant contracts up until October of last year.

When Stefan told me a few months ago that he was leaving the Ken-Ton Board of Education to start his own PR firm, I couldn’t be happier for him. One of the first things we talked about was working together, but I knew exactly what that meant.  It meant that I would be making videos for a political ideology and candidates that I do not personally believe in (AKA Chris Collins). In a few more words, I basically told Stefan that I was not interested and to call me in November.

I HATE REPUBLICANS

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to many of you, but it’s true. I wear my “liberal political operative” like a badge of honor. As time goes by, I continually despise just about any elected official with an (R) after their name.

I am fortunate that through the “media services” side of my business, I have been able to more or less pick and choose my clients. I have been approached by numerous Republicans over the years and have always declined. They are more than happy to advertise on WNYmedia.net, but I will not make them look good through a website or a video.  Its not that their money is any less greener than anyone else, its just that I have chosen to do political work for only the candidates that “I fully support”.  If Stefan came to me with a large check from Chris Collins to do media work for them, I would tell both of them to stick their check up their ass.  It’s how I am and will always be.

Over the last 36 months I have done a lot of work for a lot of local politicians, none of whom have EVER asked for any type of publicity, negative or otherwise on WNYmedia.net. It seems like lately, the two sides of the business have been crossing paths. When they do, I have always tried to be open and honest about it, even going so far as not to write stories about my video clients on wnymedia.net. Like a board member would do if a perceived conflict of interest occurs, I just simply step away and let Chris or Alan handle it.

For example, the Kathy Hochul Congressional Campaign bought an ad on our website. Not out of her personal pocket but through a media buyer in Washington, D.C. because I had our sales guy contact the media buyer directly. I never spoke to Kathy about it.  Not once. The advertising buy was a decision of a third party media buyer. It had nothing to do with the idea that I made the commercials for her 2nd run as Erie County Clerk. The other guys supported Kathy on WNYmedia.net because she is a great politician and trustworthy person, not because she hired me to shoot a lousy commercial for her.

If you head to our services site, you can openly see most of the projects I have done over the last 36 months.  It’s no secret.  I do good work.  The list goes on. Yes (gasp…) they are almost all democrats.

ON MARK POLONCARZ AND HIS MONEY

Like Kathy, we support Mark Poloncarz because we believe in his politics and because we all consider him a friend. Not because he gave me a few thousand dollars to make him a website and a few videos.

I met Mark Poloncarz shortly after I moved back to Buffalo in 2002, long before Mark was a “politician”.  I liked him.  We had similar beliefs in politics and government. So like Alan, I too became a member of his “WNY Coalition for Progress”.  Over the years we became friends. We’ve shared a few meals, a few beers, and I even let him score on me once in a while when we play hockey together on the weekends.

Mark’s $3750 was for his current website and two videos I produced for him.  Half of which went to two different outside consultants for work on the website that I was unable to complete. 

Through the years Mark has NEVER asked me for anything other than the services I provide as a company, even though he has supported my idea of WNYmedia.net long before he became an elected official.

We support him in his attempt to be our next Erie County Executive for the same reason. If my writers have the same opinion and happen to think Chris Collins is the devil, then that’s the way it is.  Not because someone told us to think so, but because of Chris Collins’ attitude towards women, running government like a business, coupled with his destructive policies and ineffectual governing. Those things really do still matter!

THE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PART

Back in March when Mark approached me about doing video and web work for him, Chris, Alan and a few others warned me that I might want to finally and officially “separate the businesses” before this became an issue for Mark and his campaign.

Truth is I didn’t listen. I got lazy. I never did it. By separating the businesses, it seemed to me like we were just trying to hide something rather than stick to our mission of being open and transparent about what is being exchanged for what. For accounting and tax reasons I billed Mark’s campaign under my actual business name WNY Media Network.

Maybe because I underestimated or our website’s role in the political and media landscape of WNY, or maybe because my good friend Stefan doesn’t want us to be the headache we will become to his new client before November 8th (most likely). Either way, the issue of Mark’s money has now been raised publicly and I need to take responsibility for it before these people turn it into a bigger issue, not for my business, but for my two close friends Alan and Chris. If not for them, the site would of probably died years ago. Now their names are being dragged through the mud needlessly because I failed to see the difference in separating, if even just on paper, my creation.

We are talking about a rebranding effort, but I honestly don’t think that is necessary. Like they say, you can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig.

A few weeks ago I finally made the effort to separate the “WNY Media Services” from the daily news services offered at WNYmedia.net so that this perceived conflict of interest can be more transparent on paper. But it’s still me who does the WNY Media Services stuff. ( have you seen those two yield a video camera? Geesh…)

It’s still Alan and Chris who are the real face of WNYmedia.net. My involvement with the website is what it’s always been. Make a few videos and to make sure when I wake up in the morning  afternoon, that the site is still online, filled with additional content and new ideas to help it grow. If a conflict of interest arises, I will continue to do what I have done for the past 8 years… get the hell out of the way.

Truth is we’ve had a great summer for advertising revenue and we have trimmed the fat on the news side to the point where WNYmedia.net, should be able to fully function as its own entity very soon. When that day comes, we will deal with how people get paid. Until then, they do it for free or do it somewhere else. END. OF. STORY.

PAID TO WRITE  vs. WRITING FOR FUN

This nonsense about being “paid by politicians to write positive stories about them” is absolutely ridiculous. Alan and Chris, as with all my writers, do so because they enjoy writing, bickering with commenters and making their own difference in the community. Not because someone pays them money to do so. Ask them! They still put up with my nonsense not because they are paid to, but because it’s actually fun for them (I know! Weird, right?)

My writers write about Mark, Kathy and other politicians because they believe in them and their candidacy. or don’t.  Not because someone tells them or because they are paid to do so. 

They are the reason I spent one of the last beautiful Sunday afternoons of the summer drafting this post. For them. Not for a “regularly out scooped” Buffalo News reporter and a homophobic blogger who would rather jump to conclusions rather than pick up a phone and ask a few questions.

Truth is, our writers blow most of these professional politicians and journalists out of the water with their writings and ideas. The best part is they do it for free. I’m genuinely humbled that these 30+ people have put their trust in me and spend their time and resources to continually support my idea of a new media portal for WNY. I love them like family.

The bottom line to the haters, “journalists” and other political “dipshits” who like to try and make up conflicts and drama… go fuck yourself.

I know the model we have created over the last 8 years isn’t perfect. I also know that it is a direct threat to a lot of people and their way of life.

Because of us, someone won’t be elected because they send pornography to their friends. Because of us, a professional journalist might one day lose his job to someone willing to write a story for free. Because of us, a website publisher wont be able to extort money from a politician to pay his child support.

I get it. And I don’t care.

WNYMedia.net is where it is today because we have built our reputation on honesty, openness and transparency.  Nothing will change as we continue to grow in new directions. I can only suggest that others do the same. (I’m looking at you Bob McCarthy!)

Served two terms as governor after seven terms as congressman from Brooklyn.

For those of us who live in the city, finding a decent beach can be tough - at least one that's close by. Just outside the city limits, right around where the wind turbines are found, restaurateur Tucker Curtain has opened a pretty cool beach bar called Woody's (named so because it is located at Woodlawn Beach). Woody's is fairly close in proximity to Tucker's original waterfront success, Dug's Dive.

We stopped by the beach bar yesterday to take a look around - to see what Tucker's new bar and grill had to offer. If you've never been to Woodlawn Beach, you'll be surprised to find an expansive beach that rivals even the best pristine beaches on the Canadian side. The sand is raked each day before colorful lounge chairs are set out. Woody's has its own fencing in the sand, which delineates the area where people can order drinks from servers who actually visit beach-goers' chairs (normally from 11am to 11pm, depending on time of year, weather and crowd). When we arrived to the beach it was mainly overcast and the clouds were just beginning to break. At around 3pm we found ourselves pretty much alone on the beach, drinking beers and relaxing. The volleyball net sat off to our right and a substantial children's playground was also nearby, though on the other side of the beach fence (perfect for families with non-swimmers).



The sand at Woody's is perfect. There's plenty of room for lots of people without getting crowded. There's a tiki bar on the beach and all of the water access that one needs. Plus, there are tons of state park amenities too, including a general store, bathroom facilities and a naturalist room with all sorts of wildlife displays and facts. Woody's also has a bonfire pit that 'beach patrol' lights up at dusk. It's located away from the water, up a sandy path, right next to the beach club. The club serves Mexican food such as mahi mahi tacos, chips and salsa, a cactus quesadilla, grilled skewered shrimp... and for the gringos there are dogs and burgers, fries and rings, etc. Of course the main reason that people belly up to the bar is the drink selection, serving up everything that a good taqueria should.

It's mind-boggling to think that all of this is located so close to the city. For years people have complained that driving to Micky Rats and Sunset Bay was too far. Now, a short boat ride from Downtown lands you at a beach lover's paradise!

Find Woody's on Facebook. Lead photos by Jose Rodriguez and Woody's

 

Advocates point to recent ones, including those in WNY, as proof more needs to be done.

Have you ever played the game Sim City? It's an interactive simulation program that allows you to construct and manage a city. Sim City has been around for a long time and has gone through many evolutions. The best part of the game is that it allows us all to become urban planners - good or bad - in order to attempt to create our dream cities. Most of us would never know where to begin if someone asked us to create a real life city... or even part of one.

Community activist, Peg Overdorf (Valley Community Center), has been busy creating her own Sim City right here in Buffalo. She started with River Fest Park on the Buffalo River - a place that has already surpassed all expectations. You would think that that would be enough... that Peg would hang her hat on the project and let someone else run with the ball. Nope. Peg is energized. So energized that she's taking the Buffalo River by storm, literally transforming dormant parcels of land into public access points, all interconnected by bike trails. To start, Peg is planning on landscaping an untended triangular median next to River Fest Park where a digital sign will one day announce the arrival times of freighters. That's just the beginning.

Not far from River Fest Park on Ohio Street is a plot of land located directly next to the Ohio Street Bridge. That's where she's conversing with adjacent property owner Bison City Rod and Gun Club and the City of Buffalo to build a landscaped river overlook with park benches and flowers. There are some old sheds located on the property (owned by The City) that would need to be removed - not a hard task, but still in need of participation from The City. From there, Peg is looking at procuring land for a bike trail that would run along South Street and the Buffalo River where 'Elevator Alley' is located. She has identified parcels along the route that would be perfect for cleaning up for use as river observation points.


^Clockwise starting top left: Identifying possible bike trail along Elevator Alley. The Angry Bees leave the hive in Allentown every Wednesday in search of nectar at McCarthy's in the old First Ward. Future observation point at corner of South and Hamburg. Potential park identified next to Ohio Street Bridge if shacks are eliminated.  

At the corner of South and Hamburg, at the site of a former rowing club (long gone), a foundation for a building is being laid. This is where a replica of the old rowing boathouse is being constructed, along with a museum dedicated to the history of the neighborhood. There will also be a concession stand at the museum. To sweeten the pot, a small craft launch is being constructed where kayakers will be able to place their crafts on rails and effortlessly glide into the waters of the Buffalo River. Kayak and canoe storage is also a key component to this plan. A rain garden, landscaped trees, and Medina sandstone features along with plenty of green space will turn this park into one of the more unique waterfront destinations around. Nearby a small amphitheater with stage is being designed. This is the same place where the ice boom is now being stored. It's also where the 'G' tugs are docked - Peg even fought to keep the tugs at that location to add to the historic surroundings. Down the road, Peg is hoping that The City will give permission to add docking for motorboats - a small ask when compared to the magnitude and scale of what is being created.

It is these types of initiatives that are changing the landscape of our waterfront. Soon all of these parks, including the ones found at the Outer Harbor, will be connected by bike lanes, allowing people to spend an entire day exploring, boating and lounging amongst the backdrop of Buffalo's industrial heritage. Combined with businesses that are already located within the old First Ward, such as McCarthy's, Cooks and Swannie House, these waterfront advancements are a welcome change to the previous 'don't rock the boat' mentality. This new grassroots model is working - it's a dream that goes beyond Sim City and continues to unfold in front of our eyes thanks to the determination of a woman who will not take 'no' for an answer.

Brian Wheat is about to shuffle off from Buffalo. But the singer-songwriter couldn’t leave before celebrating the release of his terrific new album “Looking Alive.”

Hiring of outside groups has delayed state Education Department verdict.

Senior Sports Columnist Jerry Sullivan was joined by The News' Tim Graham to field your questions on the Bills and a variety of other topics.

First Niagara CEO spurs institution's meteoric rise.

Mohamed A. Mohamed is back at his old job at the New York State Department of Transportation after nine months as prime minister of Somalia.

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library staff review by Patricia Covley:

It seems like every time you turn around there is another book about a cute dog and its owner.  Journalist Glenn Plaskin lives in downtown Manhattan opposite the World Trade Center.  After years of thinking about becoming a dog owner, Plaskin decides to adopt Katie, the runt of a litter of cocker spaniels.  Pearl, an elderly woman who lives down the hall from Plaskin and Katie becomes a sort of mentor to Plaskin.  She greatly misses her own cocker spaniel who died two years earlier.

 Katie soon becomes a fixture in Plaskin's apartment building.  Where previously residents had passed pleasantly but fleetingly, they become friends with Pearl acting as matriarch to their sort of family.

What sets this book apart from other dog titles is its description of what happens to the "family" during the tragedy of September 11.  Plaskin becomes separated from Pearl.  What happens then makes Plaskin rethink the definition of family.

We're not just books anymore! Your free Buffalo & Erie County Public Library card is your ticket to millions of free resources - e-books, downloadable music, research databases, genealogical materials, our complete catalog, and of course, more than 3 million book titles. All of this is at your fingertips at any Library in Erie County or from your own computer - check us out at www.buffalolib.org.

Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit animal rescue group serving the Western New York area.  Their goal is to help place homeless animals while simultaneously helping interested individuals find a new furry companion.  Every Sunday, we run a homeless pet spotlight to help these animals find a good home with a loving family. Please consider adopting an animal...

The Boys Want a Home!   Lex and Luther are brothers who came to Second Chance from another shelter when they became full.  These 12 week old kittens are sweet, loving and love to play.  They also have two sisters (Lulu & Lavender) who would like to also find a new home.  All the kittens have been spay/neutered, are negative for feline leukemia/FIV, had age appropriate vaccinations, dewormed, had flea control applied, are micro chipped, and come with one month of complimentary pet insurance.  To put in an application, please call 652-6051.  More adoptable animals can be seen on our website:  www.secondchanceshelteringnetwork.com. 

Culinary Arts Specialties mulls location of planned second plant … here or elsewhere?

Corn husks and kernels were flying as contestants competed for cash prizes in cornhusking and corn-eating contests — staples of the 48-year-old Eden Corn Festival.

Former No. 1 pick out of Penn State has not earned much playing time during his Bills tenure.