BREAKING: Sabres Sign Sam Hoyt
on June 30th, 2011
Jersey will sell like hoyt cakes...
In a stunning announcement that rocked both the worlds of Buffalo sports and politics, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt has quit the NYS Assembly and has signed a 10 year, 40 million dollar contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
A veteran politician, Hoyt has served in Albany since 1993. Sabres owner Terry Pegula said that Hoyt’s strong commitment to Buffalo coupled with his devastating defensive abilities makes him the perfect choice to bolster the Sabres’ defensive line. Says Pegula:
“Hoyt is not afraid to get up in the rush offensively, and is downright dangerous on the power play, and awesome with the one timers (and maybe two timing as well…)”
While some in the sports/political community question the viability of Hoyt over the next tens years (Hoyt will be 50 next January), others question where that leaves the NYS Assembly. Governor Andrew Cuomo can either call for a special election, or exercise an 8th round draft pick on a player such as Antoine Thompson, whose puck handling skills are meager at best, but is probably better suited for pay to play politics than sports…
Concussions in contact sports: What’s being done?
on June 30th, 2011
Concussions in contact sports are a hot topic and many states are putting laws in place to make sure players of all ages are safe. Our Rachael Paradis has more.
Judge orders evidence exchange in Facebook case
on June 30th, 2011
The case of a Wellsville man claiming a majority stake in Facebook moved forward Thursday as a federal judge ordered the two sides to exchange key pieces of evidence.
Witness Describes Night Carlos Cardenas Was Arrested
on June 30th, 2011
The man accused of killing his teenage sister-in-law back in January appeared in Orleans County Court on Thursday. A judge is determining whether or not statements Carlos Cardenas made to law enforcement a month after her murder will be admissible during his trial.
Statement on My Resignation
on June 30th, 2011
Governor Cuomo has offered me an exciting and important opportunity within his administration, a senior position with the Empire State Development Corporation, about which more details will be available tomorrow. I have accepted his offer with enthusiasm, which necessarily means that I will also be stepping down after 19 years of service in the New York State Assembly. After the most productive legislative session I have experienced – both for me personally and the Legislature as a whole – I can hardly imagine a better moment to make this transition. The last few hours of this last session were by far the most thrilling I have been a part of in all of my years in the Assembly. I was proud to help Governor Cuomo pass key elements of his legislative agenda including SUNY 2020, the strongest property tax cap in the nation, and most historically, marriage equality for all New Yorkers, an issue I have advocated for years.
While the work of the Legislature will never be finished, this session marks the successful completion of many of the projects I have worked on throughout my career. One of my primary goals has always been revitalizing our upstate cities, with a focus, of course, on Buffalo. In the past three years, I have authored and passed into law three bills in particular that I believe will have a transformational impact on our upstate cities. They are the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, the State’s first Smart Growth law, and most recently the Land Bank bill that was passed by both houses just two weeks ago. These three pieces of legislation have the potential to make a significant impact on the repopulation and revitalization of Upstate New York.
Over the past 19 years, I have worked hard to represent the interests of the people of the 144th District, not just in Albany but here at home as well. For me, elected office has been about more than legislation alone. It has been about helping the people in my district when they need it the most, and about making Buffalo a better place to live and work. Over the years, that has meant things like helping protect and preserve the historic H. H. Richardson Complex, stopping the closure of Children’s Hospital, and fighting for community-driven projects like the Jesse Kregal Bike Path along Scajacquada Creek and Black Rock Canal Park. It has also meant hours and hours of constituent service, helping the people of Western New York straighten out bureaucratic problems with Medicaid or unemployment insurance, lending a hand to block clubs in their efforts to clean up problem properties in their neighborhoods, and fighting to ensure that above all, the government works for the people.
Of course in my duties as a Legislator, I have also worked hard for my legislative successes. From the Protections for Health Care Workers Act to the Local Government Consolidation Law to Race to the Top education reform to the Main Street Grants Program and more, I have consistently fought for economic and social justice legislation that would benefit all New Yorkers. All of this work has culminated in the great accomplishments of this most recent legislative session.
It is no coincidence that the Legislature’s most successful year coincides with Governor Cuomo’s first year. I have long felt a sense of partnership with Governor Cuomo, indeed long before he was Governor. There has been no daylight between his priorities and my own. It has therefore not been difficult to conclude that the best way to advance those priorities further on behalf of Western New York and the entire state is to join his team.
I was first elected to the Assembly under sad circumstances – the seat opened upon the premature passing of my father, Bill Hoyt. My initial motivation was to continue the family legacy – that of both Bill and my mother, Carol of progressive leadership. During the ensuring two decades that motivation has married well with the needs and aspirations of the people of Buffalo and Grand Island, who I have had the honor to serve. And while I enter this new phase under much happier circumstances, those motivations will continue to inspire me every day I will be working for the most dynamic leader this State has seen in generations.
Although this moment marks the end of my career in the Assembly, it is far from a goodbye. More than anything else, every success attributed to me has been a team effort. I am so grateful for the many dedicated staff members I have had over the years who made enormous personal sacrifices to serve along side me to help improve the lives of the people of the 144th District. Both in Albany and throughout the district, they worked long hours behind the scenes on legislation, local projects, constituent service, and beyond. It is through their efforts that I was able to represent the interests of the people of Western New York, and for that I am thankful.
All of you have been my partners in so many of those efforts as well, and Governor Cuomo and I will continue to need your support going forward. The future has never looked brighter. I am grateful for this new opportunity to get to that bright future, and I am eternally grateful for your help, support and friendship in our shared goal of getting there together.
NHL Free Agency Live Chat
on June 30th, 2011
Join us for a live chat that will start at 10 a.m. and run for as long as you want.
Nick Mendola will be on the air at noon for the start of free agency followed by Brad Riter at 3 p.m. Phone lines will be open, but this chat will be another way to talk about the latest roster moves from around the league.
The Twitter feeds of the big-name hockey journalists you all know will be integrated right into the chat, so hopefully this will be a one-stop shop for Sabres fans.
You’ll be able to get to the chat through this link, too.
AP Source: Sabres, D Ehrhoff reach a 10-year deal
on June 30th, 2011
A person familiar with negotiations has told The Associated Press that defenseman Christian Ehrhoff has agreed to a 10-year contract worth $40 million with the Buffalo Sabres.
Riter Radio 6/30/11
on June 30th, 2011
Listen to Brad Riter live on weekdays from 3-6 p.m.
Hour One: On the bold new world the Sabres are operating in.
Download audio file (063011br01.mp3)
6/30/11 Brad Riter Hour One
Hour Two: Scott Wilson drops by as he and Brad discuss what acquiring the rights to Christian Ehrhoff means to the Sabres and what could plausibly happen tomorrow when free agency opens up.
Download audio file (063011br02.mp3)
6/30/11 Brad Riter Hour Two
BREAKING: Sam Hoyt Resigns from NYS Assembly
on June 30th, 2011
Sam Hoyt, a Member of the NYS Assembly since 1992, has resigned his seat. Hoyt was elected to the seat right after his father, William Hoyt, left the seat. His father represented Buffalo in the Assembly from 1975-1992. In other words, this will be the first time since 1974 a Hoyt will not be representing Buffalo in the NYS Assembly.
Hoyt, in reference to his time in the Assembly, said "I loved every minute of it" and went on to say "but it's a great opportunity and I'm excited about the next chapter." The next chapter is a position in the Cuomo administration in a senior position with the Empire State Development Corporation.
Hoyt has released a full statement on the news:
Dear Friends:
Governor Cuomo has offered me an exciting and important opportunity within his administration, a senior position with the Empire State Development Corporation, about which more details will be available tomorrow. I have accepted his offer with enthusiasm, which necessarily means that I will also be stepping down after 19 years of service in the New York State Assembly. After the most productive legislative session I have experienced - both for me personally and the Legislature as a whole - I can hardly imagine a better moment to make this transition. The last few hours of this last session were by far the most thrilling I have been a part of in all of my years in the Assembly. I was proud to help Governor Cuomo pass key elements of his legislative agenda including SUNY 2020, the strongest property tax cap in the nation, and most historically, marriage equality for all New Yorkers, an issue I have advocated for years.
While the work of the Legislature will never be finished, this session marks the successful completion of many of the projects I have worked on throughout my career. One of my primary goals has always been revitalizing our upstate cities, with a focus, of course, on Buffalo. In the past three years, I have authored and passed into law three bills in particular that I believe will have a transformational impact on our upstate cities. They are the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, the State's first Smart Growth law, and most recently the Land Bank bill that was passed by both houses just two weeks ago. These three pieces of legislation have the potential to make a significant impact on the repopulation and revitalization of Upstate New York.
Over the past 19 years, I have worked hard to represent the interests of the people of the 144th District, not just in Albany but here at home as well. For me, elected office has been about more than legislation alone. It has been about helping the people in my district when they need it the most, and about making Buffalo a better place to live and work. Over the years, that has meant things like helping protect and preserve the historic H. H. Richardson Complex, stopping the closure of Children's Hospital, and fighting for community-driven projects like the Jesse Kregal Bike Path along Scajacquada Creek and Black Rock Canal Park. It has also meant hours and hours of constituent service, helping the people of Western New York straighten out bureaucratic problems with Medicaid or unemployment insurance, lending a hand to block clubs in their efforts to clean up problem properties in their neighborhoods, and fighting to ensure that above all, the government works for the people.
Of course in my duties as a Legislator, I have also worked hard for my legislative successes. From the Protections for Health Care Workers Act to the Local Government Consolidation Law to Race to the Top education reform to the Main Street Grants Program and more, I have consistently fought for economic and social justice legislation that would benefit all New Yorkers. All of this work has culminated in the great accomplishments of this most recent legislative session.
It is no coincidence that the Legislature's most successful year coincides with Governor Cuomo's first year. I have long felt a sense of partnership with Governor Cuomo, indeed long before he was Governor. There has been no daylight between his priorities and my own. It has therefore not been difficult to conclude that the best way to advance those priorities further on behalf of Western New York and the entire state is to join his team.
I was first elected to the Assembly under sad circumstances - the seat opened upon the premature passing of my father, Bill Hoyt. My initial motivation was to continue the family legacy - that of both Bill and my mother, Carol of progressive leadership. During the ensuring two decades that motivation has married well with the needs and aspirations of the people of Buffalo and Grand Island, who I have had the honor to serve. And while I enter this new phase under much happier circumstances, those motivations will continue to inspire me every day I will be working for the most dynamic leader this State has seen in generations.
Although this moment marks the end of my career in the Assembly, it is far from a goodbye. More than anything else, every success attributed to me has been a team effort. I am so grateful for the many dedicated staff members I have had over the years who made enormous personal sacrifices to serve along side me to help improve the lives of the people of the 144th District. Both in Albany and throughout the district, they worked long hours behind the scenes on legislation, local projects, constituent service, and beyond. It is through their efforts that I was able to represent the interests of the people of Western New York, and for that I am thankful.
All of you have been my partners in so many of those efforts as well, and Governor Cuomo and I will continue to need your support going forward. The future has never looked brighter. I am grateful for this new opportunity to get to that bright future, and I am eternally grateful for your help, support and friendship in our shared goal of getting there together.
Sincerely,
SAM HOYT
FC Buffalo tops Bedlington in a friendly soccer match
on June 30th, 2011
International-style football got a hardy reception Wednesday from a crowd of 3,800 at Robert E. Rich All High Stadium, as the FC Buffalo Buffalo Blitzers took on the visiting Bedlington Terriers in what is quaintly called a "friendly." The result: FC Buffalo 5, Bedlington Terriers, 1.
Showstoppers — in the garden
on June 30th, 2011
Head-turning flowers and shrubs can make any garden grander.
Drug raids net seven arrests
on June 30th, 2011
Seven people were arrested Thursday on drug conspiracy charges in raids in Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
Sabres Sign Christian Ehrhoff
on June 30th, 2011
The Buffalo Sabres have signed former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. Ehrhoff, a 29 year old, has played with the San Jose Sharks and Canucks during his 7 year NHL career.
The Sabres traded a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft to the New York Islanders for Ehrhoff's rights.
Ehrhoff, 6'0 and 200lbs, registered a +55 rating over the past two seasons in Vancouver with 28 goals and 94 points. He's also tallied 34 points in 73 post-season games.
Organic 3 Cafe: Healthy cuisine, ‘Zen Modern’ look on Elmwood
on June 30th, 2011
This new cafe on Elmwood boasts an organic juice bar, an espresso bar plus a menu that offers soups, sandwiches and salads made right on the spot.
Getting down to Thursday at the Square at the waterfront
on June 30th, 2011
A quick lay of the land and guide if you’re coming down to the first Thursday at the Square show at the Central Wharf.
