Tremendous prospects are in sight for Buffalo as UB President John B. Simpson and his administrative cohorts make significant headway in generating a better, brighter future for UB and Buffalo.
It's about damn time.
UB and the Greater Buffalo area are way behind regions of similar size when it comes to competing in the knowledge economy.
Why is it that SUNY's flagship university wasn't leading the way 10 or 15 years ago? And why is Buffalo in such a poor state of affairs?
Among others, you can thank our political leaders.
For years county government threw tons of money at outdated industry - the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, for instance - thinking that the region's economy could stay afloat by keeping with its manufacturing heritage.
Just plain foolish.
On top of that, Buffalo and Erie County big-wigs were known to give UB the runaround, especially when it came to designating a site for what is now the North Campus.
Where's the county now? Struggling, to say the least.
Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown thinks that James P. Keane - a former Deputy Erie County Executive - is the ideal candidate to clean up current exec Joel Giambra's mess.
We think it's time for a fresh face.
Other than age and residency, there's practically no prerequisite to run for political office. Therefore, even though he's new to area in the last few years, The Spectrum thinks Simpson is the right man for Erie County.
Don't let his size fool you - this guy is easily carrying the millstone that has been weighting Buffalo down for ages.
Simpson's attitude toward ending our slump and his appealing public persona have won the hearts of many local leaders who are now backing the university's expansion plans. In terms of leadership, this guy is one of the greatest things to hit Buffalo since sliced weck.
It's a long shot, but we think it's one worth looking into. After all, Millard Fillmore dabbled in the US presidency during his reign over UB.
The best of the best
Squirmin' Thurman named to the Hall of Fame
Four Super Bowls, four losses. Spirits lifted, hearts broken.
The early '90s were an emotional rollercoaster to say the least for Bills fans.
On Saturday, news came that even though we never won, we did come close - and the glass is at least half full.
Thurman Thomas, one of the NFL's legendary running backs, was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Squirmin' Thurman was the backbone of Buffalo's running game and helped spur a golden era of football in Western New York. In short, he did Buffalo proud.
Along with such greats as Jim Kelly (also a Hall of Famer) and Andre Reed (who hasn't made it in... yet), Thomas helped bring the Bills to their unmatched run of consecutive Super Bowls as part of his 13-year-long career.
Oh, the good ol' days.
Bravo, Thurman Thomas, for helping make it all happen. For your years of service to the Bills and to the Buffalo community, your place in the Hall of Fame is unquestionably deserved.
