Every week Buffalo sewers overflow and spill millions of gallons of rank sewage into the rivers, creeks and harbors we depend on. With such a public health and safety issue exposed one would think local politicians and the big guys in Albany would be investigating and funding a program to reduce such a hazardous overspill. Is it really going to take a pandemic of sick swimmers and a river of three-eyed fish to drive government leaders to act?
While untreated sewage poisons our needed waterways, Rep. Brian Higgins is seeking $158 million of government-owed money for waterfront bridge development. Coincidently a water cleanup project, which would lessen the amount of sewage runoff, would cost the city a minimum $165 million. Although there is a $7 million difference, money that would go towards bridges could go towards the much needed waterfront restoration. Instead of building bridges over the flowing garbage, local politicians should tap into their rarely used common sense and clean up our waterways, rather than just covering them up.
There are 58 sites of sewer overflow in the Buffalo area, all in which are labeled with a sign naming the area as an 'Outfall.' The occasional English major or national spelling bee winner will know not to swim in the area due to the possible contamination, but overall the average mother and her screaming kids will not realize that 'Outfall' is really a site where raw sewage flows into public waterways. Even if the money doesn't come immediately, it would be affordable and beneficial to hang subtle, readable signs; ones that clearly state 'water may cause an uncomfortable burning sensation' or 'feces and oily street runoff water, swim at your own risk,' so that those without their handy pocket-dictionary can be properly informed.
With neighborhood kids diving into popular swimming-holes, crew teams dipping oars into channels and fishermen casting out into the Buffalo River, area waterways are a big health and safety priority that need to be addressed immediately. Your Brita water filters aren't going to help you here, Buffalonians, because the problem is much bigger than a quick fix. The government has to find the money for this problem, and they need to find it now.
Let sports be sports
The football12th man should not be silenced
Loud, unruly and sometimes embarrassingly awkward football fans make football what it is, but with Ralph Wilson Stadium stepping-up noise control with a supped-up crowd control force, the old days of downing cheese dogs and screaming "DEFENSE" until you're light-headed may never be same again.
At Sunday's home opener against the Jets, fans saw an overwhelming amount of security. Fine hundred and twenty-five lime-jacketed security officers served out ejection cards to unruly fans, and fans (narks) had the opportunity to call the fan hotline if they needed to notify officials of wild behavior. Of course fan physical violence should not be tolerated at a game, but anything short of that should be fair game. It is not a crime to scream or to do the wave, and let's hope we never reach the day when wearing a 64-ounce beer helmet and painting your chest red, white and blue is a tasteless crime.
Let football fans be football fans. If someone is blowing an obnoxious horn or spilling peanut shells on your head, either tell them to knock it off or join in the rowdy fun. Crowd noise is one of the biggest factors in home-field advantage, and no one should underestimate or hinder the power of the 12th man.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
