Archives for January 7, 2003

'Brian Davis, Buffalo Common Council Ellicott District: “For the most part, those things can be worked through except for the ground rent. I think the Council took a harsh stand today that we are not in support under any circumstance of waiving any portion of the ground rent that's due to the city of Buffalo due to the financial times that we're having."'

'Tuesday, Hamister formally asked the city to give up a half million dollars in ground rent as part of the aid package, but the lawmakers refused because the city is strapped for cash. Council Majority Leader Rosemarie Lotempio said, "With the cuts we've had to make, temporary closing of firehalls, with the cuts going forward into the next budget, we cannot possibly do that and give away 500,000."'

‘As you may have already heard on WGR Sports Radio 55, we have obtained a copy of the Tom Golisano bid to purchase the Buffalo Sabres. The entire 10 page proposal bid is online for public viewing.’

'In a perfect world, the Sabres would go to the investors who can best afford to pay for them with their own money. But thanks to Hamister's careful cultivation of a political support structure eager to help him realize his dream, it looks like we're all going to be going into the hockey business with him. Again, whether we want to or not.'

To shamelessly borrow from comedian Dennis Miller, isn't being the best player on the Buffalo Sabres sort of like being named valedictorian in summer school? Forward Ales Kotalik recently earned Head Coach Lindy Ruff's nomination for that dubious distinction, but it also sounds as if he's considering a makeup exam. “(Kotalik) is close to our best player,” Ruff said after Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory in Ottawa, in which the rookie forward scored both goals. Dan O'Brocta writes…

'"To be a goalie you've got to have that little bit of cockiness where you're in charge of your ability," Biron said. "You don't want to be overconfident, but you don't want to have it be shaken just because things have been just OK. I'm still confident that I can work forward instead of working backward."'

'The Buffalo Niagara region's state legislators prepared a letter that's expected to be sent today to Gov. George E. Pataki, to support the $33 million package.'

'Taylor Pyatt has one point in his last 19 games and is minus-7 over that span.'