For all those cultured enough to know what Boris Yeltsin looks like, picture him standing atop an armored vehicle in the streets of Moscow after putting down a takeover attempt.
That's the picture that graced page two of Tuesday's Buffalo News, and that is how the world ought to remember this revolutionary leader.
Understanding, of course, that with success came failures.
Yeltsin, who before leading his political revolution was a lifelong communist, led the drive for a democratic government in a country that hadn't legitimately elected a leader in over 1,000 years. Though in the wake of his successes came outbreaks of violence, poverty and difficult times for Russia, the charge he led should be remembered as a necessity. Yeltsin's humanitarian shortcomings most likely won't be forgotten, but should always be recalled in the shadows of his drive to do what he saw as reasonable and right for his nation.
Yeltsin was a revolutionary at heart. He was not the fittest leader for the young Russian Federation, but he lead as best he could.
Spitzer's new task force shows promise and ambition
Commission includes UB Regional Institute director Kathryn Foster
The cost of living in New York State is one of the highest in the nation, and Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer has set out to tackle what can easily be considered our state's biggest downfall: high taxes.
Spitzer made a bold move when he recently announced the formation of commission on government reform. The object of the panel is to eliminate waste and duplicated services within local governments. Doing so will provide for greater efficiency and less cost for taxpayers.
While it may seem like a moot triumph compared to the excitement of the last full week of classes, the formation of this panel of local figureheads from across the state, including Prof. Kathryn Foster of UB's Regional Institute, can significantly impact the future of life in New York.
Across the board (and especially in Erie County) local elected leaders have sat idle as municipal regions across the country have instituted reform policies fostering intra- and inter-municipal efficiency. Spitzer's move is an excellent way to kick start reform at the local level from Long Island to Niagara Falls.
The adoption of intelligent government structure could significantly impact the taxpayer in the form of a reduction in property taxes - localities earn most of their tax revenue from property taxes.
In addition, new life may find itself stirred back into a community whose business owners could use a break.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
