If Mark Hamister wants the people of Western New York to rally behind his demand (it's not really a request, is it?) for taxpayer money to assist in his purchase of the Buffalo Sabres, he might try a new tactic — being straight and up front with those people about the details of the purchase. And that means being very specific, number-wise, about two basic issues — the extent of his investment in the team, and the dollar amount he expects in public money.