Message for Former Buffalonians

[PromoTheRobot]

There is also realizing that every place has its own problems, and that in many cases if you asked people from many different areas to list all the problems their cities had, throw them all in a hat and randomly draw them, you find a couple of things out.

 

First, you'd find out that everywhere has problems.

Second, you'd probably wish you had your list of problems back instead of the one in front of you.

 

I know firsthand the grass isn't always greener on the other side...

 

You are right that every place has its problems. But putting on a happy face and whistling Dixie doesn't magically make Buffalo economic woes disappear. We can debate this all day long, but the indicators are all there. Buffalo is a great place in so many ways but economically, for a number of reasons, it's the pits.

 

On a side note: I'm driving down a local street when a NH state tooper pulls up next to me at a light and gestures fr me to roll down my window. He smiles and says he doesn't give tickets to Bills fans. You never know where you'll meet an ex-WNY-er.

 

PTR

[Chef Jim]

I know firsthand the grass isn't always greener on the other side...

 

I found that not only is the grass greener but the skies are bluer, the water's warmer and the women are a hell of a lot hotter.

[Ramius]

Buffalo is a great place to be from. However there are many greater places to live. Everyone I know, work with or work for know I'm from Buffalo. I'm proud of my roots but even prouder I took a risk many years ago and moved elsewhere.

 

I agree 100%.

 

I am proud of being from buffalo, and will defend it tooth and nail when any outsider trashes the city. However, being proud of my roots and liking the city where i grew up doesnt mean that everything is fine and dandy there. Buffalo still has multitudes of economic woes. The city is still sinking. Theres not much sign that an improvement is going to happen anytime soon.

 

So yes, i love buffalo and i love being from buffalo. Everyone around me knows where i am from and gets my full fury when they take shots at the bills and sabres. However, IMO, there are better places to live. and no, i have no plans to return anytime in the near future. Theres nothing there economically to bring me back.

[Sen. John Blutarsky]

I lived there until I was 18 and I travel back once or twice a year (and am going back for the 4th this year). There are a great many things which I love about the city and the area in general, not the least of which being the people. I wear my Buffalonian nature on my sleeve and I am proud to fly the colors whenever possible.

 

That being said I've been away fromt he city long enough tobe objective about and seperate myself from the romantic image of what I'd like the city to be. i love to visit there and I have a lot of fun but I honestly don't think I could ever live there again. For one the job market is terrible and the tax situation downright sucks and the weather blows (winter is bad, but spring is worse)..but those are the common responses.

 

The real problem is the city is stuck in a cycle of failure and self-destruction. It certiainly isn't the only city like that but until it breaks the cycle things will never improve. Until the political hacks are thrown out they will continue to protect their own jobs and patronage at the expense of everyone else. Until the unions start realizing that they, in many ways, are leading to their own destruction (though certianly not exclusively) there will be no progress. Until the area realizes that every little town does not need its own entire government complete with police, fire, water, and highway departments and allow for reasonable and economical considation, there will be no progress.

 

I am proud of where I'm from but when I come back I am increasingly saddened by what I find. Every trip back it's just a little bit worse. It's frustrating to know that the people whom I love in the area are both the best, and worst thing about it at the same time. Interpersonally they are terrific. i have never been to another place where people go so far out of their way for others. But at the same time, it's those people who vote to protect the patronage, and block consolidation, and have NIMBY protests, etc.

 

The area I live in is pretty far from perfect and we have our own share of political stupidity, and the Philly unions are no peach to work with (example, the new Comcast tower in Philly has water lines run to all of the urinals even though they are waterless urinals and are not connected to water. Why? because the union wouldn't work on the building unless they did it.). Even with all that things get done here. yeah they're more expensive than they should be because of the graft and the waste and the parochical politics are a which are nightmare, but they get done. All of the impediments to progress down here are similar, it seems that the mindsets are different in that everyone evenutally sits down at the table and gets SOMETHING accomplished because there is no money for anyone if they don't. As sick as it sounds, there no kickbacks to be taken if there are no contracts given. Again, it's not perfect. But in Buffalo the barriers are all in opposition to one antoehr protecting their little fiefdom rather than allowing the fiefdoms to work together to grow the kingdom.

 

The Peace Bridge is a big joke up there now and it seems that even the people who live there have written it off. Rather than standign up and DEMANDING that a bridge get built we seem content to squabble about which West Side neighborhood will be infringed upon and whether customs belong on the Ft Erie side or not. Meanwhile the world goes on around us but Buffalo is stuck in its own little world, like Brigadoon, arguing about a bridge, which at this rate will never be built. Mark my words, soemone willr ead this and think (if not type) that West Side neighborhood isn't important to you ebcause it isn't YOUR neighborhood. If you are that person anayzle that thought and you'll realizer that it illustrates my point. It's more important to you to protect the fable of what your neighborhood was than to help the city, which you profess to love, to survive and flourish.

 

Like I said. I'm proud to say where I'm from and I love the fable to, but until the reality starts to catch up Buffalo is a fading mirage on the horizon and it makes me very very sad.

[atlbillsfan1975]

Thanks all you guys for the nice words. We are definetly working on The Royal. Its was my old mans favorite. We always would have to stop at John and Marys place before we went anywhere.Then it was onto Demitres for some "sliders" not my fav but my dad loved them. I still go to those places when i go back home and have a slider for dad. I personally like Teds and my wife loves hot dogs so i always take her there when we go back. Got to wash everything down with a logan berry and have an Andersons for desert. No wonder i am fat. Buffalo has the best food. I always tell people the city of Buffalo has the best food in the world and you can get it at anytime of day. Not like here where you got to go to Waffle House late. Oh and i like taking my whole family out to a nice Italian Meal in Buffalo complete with wine...everyone eats an awesome meal for like $200 try doing that anywhere else.I have always been a guy that thinks whats on the plate matters most. Could not care if i am eating it on a white table clothe or newspaper lined tables. Thats what the city is all about substance not so much style.

[obie_wan]

I lived there until I was 18 and I travel back once or twice a year (and am going back for the 4th this year). There are a great many things which I love about the city and the area in general, not the least of which being the people. I wear my Buffalonian nature on my sleeve and I am proud to fly the colors whenever possible.

 

That being said I've been away fromt he city long enough tobe objective about and seperate myself from the romantic image of what I'd like the city to be. i love to visit there and I have a lot of fun but I honestly don't think I could ever live there again. For one the job market is terrible and the tax situation downright sucks and the weather blows (winter is bad, but spring is worse)..but those are the common responses.

 

The real problem is the city is stuck in a cycle of failure and self-destruction. It certiainly isn't the only city like that but until it breaks the cycle things will never improve. Until the political hacks are thrown out they will continue to protect their own jobs and patronage at the expense of everyone else. Until the unions start realizing that they, in many ways, are leading to their own destruction (though certianly not exclusively) there will be no progress. Until the area realizes that every little town does not need its own entire government complete with police, fire, water, and highway departments and allow for reasonable and economical considation, there will be no progress.

 

I am proud of where I'm from but when I come back I am increasingly saddened by what I find. Every trip back it's just a little bit worse. It's frustrating to know that the people whom I love in the area are both the best, and worst thing about it at the same time. Interpersonally they are terrific. i have never been to another place where people go so far out of their way for others. But at the same time, it's those people who vote to protect the patronage, and block consolidation, and have NIMBY protests, etc.

 

The area I live in is pretty far from perfect and we have our own share of political stupidity, and the Philly unions are no peach to work with (example, the new Comcast tower in Philly has water lines run to all of the urinals even though they are waterless urinals and are not connected to water. Why? because the union wouldn't work on the building unless they did it.). Even with all that things get done here. yeah they're more expensive than they should be because of the graft and the waste and the parochical politics are a which are nightmare, but they get done. All of the impediments to progress down here are similar, it seems that the mindsets are different in that everyone evenutally sits down at the table and gets SOMETHING accomplished because there is no money for anyone if they don't. As sick as it sounds, there no kickbacks to be taken if there are no contracts given. Again, it's not perfect. But in Buffalo the barriers are all in opposition to one antoehr protecting their little fiefdom rather than allowing the fiefdoms to work together to grow the kingdom.

 

The Peace Bridge is a big joke up there now and it seems that even the people who live there have written it off. Rather than standign up and DEMANDING that a bridge get built we seem content to squabble about which West Side neighborhood will be infringed upon and whether customs belong on the Ft Erie side or not. Meanwhile the world goes on around us but Buffalo is stuck in its own little world, like Brigadoon, arguing about a bridge, which at this rate will never be built. Mark my words, soemone willr ead this and think (if not type) that West Side neighborhood isn't important to you ebcause it isn't YOUR neighborhood. If you are that person anayzle that thought and you'll realizer that it illustrates my point. It's more important to you to protect the fable of what your neighborhood was than to help the city, which you profess to love, to survive and flourish.

 

Like I said. I'm proud to say where I'm from and I love the fable to, but until the reality starts to catch up Buffalo is a fading mirage on the horizon and it makes me very very sad.

 

This is a really good post.

[JPicc2114]

SLU...I was a Billiken

 

I go to UMSL... faily close to SLU

[Dwight Drane]

I am back in Buffalo part/full-time after being gone for 10 years. While it has not been on the upshoot in a long time, these past few years have signaled a possible turnaround.

 

I give little to no credit to the politicians. The unions bled this place dry, and keep it on the critical list. However, the Buffalo area is quicly becoming an alternative to high end or low end white collar jobs. The banks are moving jobs up here from NY and Chicago, and this is a hotbed for call centers. Why ship the job to India when someone in Buffalo will do it for $8 + commission?

 

Here is where Buffalo rebounds in a big way. If the country starts to slip into an extended recession/depression. This place is recession-proof. The last 2 years real estate prices are up for the most part. There is plenty of farmable land, fresh water and transportation outlets, a railroad infrastructure much better than most cities, cheap power source with Niagara Falls......we are a self-sustaining city if oil runs dry. Companies will continue to look to move jobs to more affordable locales as profits are blown up and costs need to be cut. Amherst can become a hotbed, and downtown will start to see vacant office building snatched up at a quick pace. Once again, the politicians will not have much to do with this, and the tax problem will still be a problem as the state loses all kinds of revenue from Wall St cutting jobs and losing profits, but I can see where Buffalo becomes viable again over the next 5-15 years as a well-rounded resource stocked city.

 

My biggest disappointment since coming back is that you really notice the blow-hard/hard luck attitude. This probably has to do with the fact that most of the city is 55+ and 21 and under. I am a Mr Magoo at times as well, but it almost seems that the city has given up thinking on it's own and just takes the status quo or what is told to them as fact. The passion to learn new things, or question the establishment is almost zero. Not a shocker. The people are still 10x nicer than most other places, and they rally around each other in a personal or group crisis.

 

One more thing. The Bills have a very good chance of staying here if economic conditions are flat to down for the country going forward. If teams start to see revenue down, and valuations come down 20-30%, there will be 3 or 4 teams in much worse shape than the Bills. Money may be dry enough that the Wilson family has to take the tax hit and hang on for a while through an equity loan.

[Eric in Va]

End Zone:

 

I think you are way off base. Most of the transplant folks who come onto this website do so because we love the Bills and the Western NY area. Just because we left for personal reasons does not give you the right to assume that we do not like the area and that we talk negative about it.

 

I have been gone for approximately 15 years and still love the place. Through out my travels across America I find very few Buffaloians who speak negative of their hometown..but with that said I can not say the same about some of the folks who have remained. I frequently speak to people back home who complain about the winters being too long, the politics being crazy, and the fact that they can not build a new bridge or sporting goods store.

 

We all follow our own paths to do the best thing for our family and should never need to answer to anyone else for our decisions....Personally, I think EndZone needs to look at himself in the mirror and determine whether the venium he is spewing at his displaced brothers is warranted and accurate. I find your comments short sighted and reactive. Your comments would not be support by Tim Russert or any other transplant that have moved from the area.

 

Get over yourself and holy than thou attitude since you choose to remain in the Buffalo area for what ever reasons were best for you and your family. I found that with my career and family situation that moving was right for me. Enough said.

 

Eric In VA (Heart in WNY).

[EndZoneCrew]

End Zone:

Personally, I think EndZone needs to look at himself in the mirror and determine whether the venium he is spewing at his displaced brothers is warranted and accurate. I find your comments short sighted and reactive. Your comments would not be support by Tim Russert or any other transplant that have moved from the area.

Get over yourself and holy than thou attitude since you choose to remain in the Buffalo area for what ever reasons were best for you and your family. I found that with my career and family situation that moving was right for me. Enough said.

 

Eric In VA (Heart in WNY).

 

Well, obviously you have a hard time comprehending the english language. All I said was it seems that many people on this board have nothing but negativity regarding the Buffalo/WNY area. I came to this conclusion, based on the following facts:

1) Everytime something is posted regarding any new developments/businesses in the WNY area, many "uninformed" out of town members on this board say "What good is that", "It won't help", "Why bother", "What difference will that make"....it just seems that they "get off" by shitting on any good news that comes this way. That was my point. It seems you have some supressed anger as it pertains to this issue.

[mcjeff215]

My biggest disappointment since coming back is that you really notice the blow-hard/hard luck attitude. This probably has to do with the fact that most of the city is 55+ and 21 and under. I am a Mr Magoo at times as well, but it almost seems that the city has given up thinking on it's own and just takes the status quo or what is told to them as fact. The passion to learn new things, or question the establishment is almost zero. Not a shocker. The people are still 10x nicer than most other places, and they rally around each other in a personal or group crisis.

 

Oh good lord that's the truth. I called HSBC about a mortgage up there a while back while we were contemplating moving back. Her response?

 

"Why would you want to move back here?"

 

When we talked to a realtor?

 

"Why would you want to move back here?"

 

Old Friends?

 

"Why would you want to move back here?"

 

If I hadn't lived there before and had perhaps been a transfer, they would have talked me clean out of it.

[RayFinkle]

Everytime something is posted regarding any new developments/businesses in the WNY area, many "uninformed" out of town members on this board say "What good is that", "It won't help", "Why bother", "What difference will that make"....it just seems that they "get off" by shitting on any good news that comes this way. That was my point. It seems you have some supressed anger as it pertains to this issue.

It is the same song and dance local encumbant politicians have been giving since the "out of towners" were "in towners". When development other than a pretty picture or tough talk happens, let us "uninformed" folks know.

[EndZoneCrew]

When development other than a pretty picture or tough talk happens, let us "uninformed" folks know.

 

Dulski Building

 

Commercial Slip Opening

 

New Courthouse

 

Waterfront Village Apartments

 

Cobblestone Offices

 

Buffalo Creek Casino

 

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Expansion

 

UB 2020

 

These are all projects that are in progress or near completion....These projects are more than Buffalo has had in the last 30 years combined (in terms of development)......No...we will never be a Chicago, or New York, or Toronto...and thats fine with me....but for Buffalo, I believe this is a huge step in the right direction and it is more than obvious that there are GOOD things going on!

[pBills]

That is great news. I love the fact that Buffalo is moving forward. Hopefully these movements will bring in new jobs. I would like to move my family to Buffalo, however I just can't make the same amount of money there as I do here in DC.

[obie_wan]

Dulski Building

 

Commercial Slip Opening

 

New Courthouse

 

Waterfront Village Apartments

 

Cobblestone Offices

 

Buffalo Creek Casino

 

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Expansion

 

UB 2020

 

These are all projects that are in progress or near completion....These projects are more than Buffalo has had in the last 30 years combined (in terms of development)......No...we will never be a Chicago, or New York, or Toronto...and thats fine with me....but for Buffalo, I believe this is a huge step in the right direction and it is more than obvious that there are GOOD things going on!

 

This is typical Buffalo thinking - any thing will do.

 

Noticeably absent from your list are 2 key projects to re-building the area.

 

1. US-Canada commercial bridge

 

20 years ago Buffalo was one of 2 major gateways to moving goods from Southern Ontario (Toronto) to the US and ppoints south. Now Buffalo is an after thought and most traffic goes thru Windsor because Buffalo couldn't get out of its own way to build a bridge to handle the truck traffic and related business. They are no closer now to even starting this project than they were 20 years ago.

 

2. comprehensive water front plan.

 

Buffalo sits on lake Erie with miles of undeveloped shoreline. It is criminal how this asset has been wasted and under-utilized.

 

 

But then again, how much can on expect when the area is run out of NYC by a control board because the locals proved to be incredibly incompetent.

[Gordio]

It is the same song and dance local encumbant politicians have been giving since the "out of towners" were "in towners". When development other than a pretty picture or tough talk happens, let us "uninformed" folks know.

 

 

But stuff is happening & I think it rubs guys like endzone & myself wrong that guys like you who are 1,000 miles away continuously say nothing is happening in the city. Just as I look out my building I see construction workers building the foundation for the Casino, the inner harbor project & the high rise condos we have been talking about. But everytime someone brings this up one of the out of towners can not resist making some snide remark about how the city will f*ck it up or the kiss of death is that a picture was put in the buffalo news about it.

 

& for Eric in VA, obviously you have not been reading these boards this offseason. It has been constant bashing of buffalo from many of the outoftowners that actually posted in this thread.

[don_of_manhattan]

I would like for every Buffalo "transplant" to take a good look at how they portray their former city, either in person or in a medium (message board) like this. Tim Russert left the area to take a position to better himself professionally, just like many people on this board have. However, in a disturbing trend, many of those same former Buffalonians have nothing but negativity and sarcasm at the city that they grew up in. Tim Russert epitomized Buffalo and never, ever spewed negativity about the city that he loved. I for one would hope that many of you who mourn his loss would look in the mirror and maybe, just maybe, think about why so many people loved him. Not only for what he accomplished, but for what he did to the morale of the people who live here. He constantly told people about what a great place Buffalo, NY is and he was damn proud of his roots. I would hope we would all do the same. You will never be forgotten Tim! Go Bills!

I haven't lived in Buffalo since 1982. My immediate family also moved away that same year. I have always been proud to be from Buffalo and have many fond memories of growing up and going to school there. I don't get back there very often, but I still order Bocce's and wings occasionally and on my first trip back earlier this year to attend my uncle's funeral, Bocce's on Bailey was my first stop (I grew up going to the one on Clinton Street). I am a HUGE Bills fan and living in NJ, finally got over my bitterness about SB XXV enough to root for the giants over the pats this year. I don't know hockey so well, but I root for the Sabres. I went to the following schools: PS #53 (k-5); PS #81 (6-8); Bennett High (9-10) and Williamsville North (11-12) and spent a year at Buff State before transferrring. I have lived in DC, Florida, Michigan and have lived in Northern NJ since 1991. In all honesty, I can't say I want to come back, but my heart is with Buffalo and I always want good things to happen for the city - I am truly a product of the city.

 

don_of_manhattan

[EndZoneCrew]

Forgot to mention......Another Waterfront Village Tower Planned for Next Year.....I think that more options downtown near the water will help create spinoff in many different places...especially the waterfron!

[Sen. John Blutarsky]

But stuff is happening & I think it rubs guys like endzone & myself wrong that guys like you who are 1,000 miles away continuously say nothing is happening in the city. Just as I look out my building I see construction workers building the foundation for the Casino, the inner harbor project & the high rise condos we have been talking about. But everytime someone brings this up one of the out of towners can not resist making some snide remark about how the city will f*ck it up or the kiss of death is that a picture was put in the buffalo news about it.

 

& for Eric in VA, obviously you have not been reading these boards this offseason. It has been constant bashing of buffalo from many of the outoftowners that actually posted in this thread.

I agree that it is somewhat heartening to see that the Aud is finally going be be torn down and that there does seem to be some new construction going on. I hope that the city has actually turned a corner and has, once again, figured out how to accomplish something. Given that, lets not forget that the casino we are discussing is pretty late to the table because the politicans spent a decade getting in the way, the Aud stood empty for a decade during which saleable assets inside were destroyed, this is the umpteenth waterfront proposal that has been started, and the Peace Bridge is still conceptual art. If I'm a bit skeptical it's from experience. I certainly hope all these things succeed, but my experience tells me there will be problems.

 

While we're discussing these developments one of the area's biggest politcal footballs, ECMC, is getting kicked around with everyone figuring out how to avoid losing their either patronage board position or how to avoid giving up their ridiculous county benefits in order to work for a private company and have benefits which are more on par with what the real world has. The whole point of that discussion was to consolidate and eliminate unnecessary hospital beds and surplus staff, not to figure out how to maintain the status quo through new creative funding. yet, that's what seems to be happening. The taxpayers end up footing the bill during the frankly obnoxious arguing back and forth. Mark my words, at the end of that process there will be some sort of deal structure in place wherein the county taxpayers pony up money in order to cover some sort of disparity in labor costs or "operating expenses" Whereas if the county lawmakers and ECMC board had done wha tthe state told them to do and truly consolidate the hospitals the taxpayers obligations would be opver. We can't have that, there are too many BS administrative jobs at stake. The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same.

 

The new county exec seems to be saying the right things and I hope that he has the politcal juice to cut through the layers of political red tape that are in his way. The area has far too much government and needs to start eliminating it and Yes Virginia, that means some people are going to lose their jobs, possibly a lot of people. But the only way to loosen up the tax burden is to cut the expenditures of government and government controlled agencies. Some if it is largess such as county cars for people who don't need them (which frankly is just about everyone), huge office staffs and expenses for county legistators such as assistant associate vice sub coordinator of paper clips positions which are created and exist solely to reward politcal cronies, some of it is parallel agencies that do the same job.

 

Example? Why do Kenmore, the Town of Tonawanda , and City of Tonawanda all have their own police departments with fleets of cars and police chiefs (who by the way don't police squat and are expensive) when one regional PD would do the job, particularly given that those areas are also policed by the NYS Police AND Erie County Sherriffs? You know how many PDs my town has? One. State Troopers, that's it. The Borough next door has one part time officer who writes traffic tickets. The County Sherriffs (which is the oldest county sherriffs dept in the country BTW) only work in the courts and do prisoner transport. There is no local PD at all (though some towns do have their own PDs, especially bigger towns). There's nothing saying that those cities and towns can't contract with the county sherriff for policing. Grand Island used to do that and stupidly stopped to have their own, parochial PD. The crime rate is the same, it's just more expensive to do it that way. or, on the other hand, if all the little towns WANT to have thier own PDs, why are the county sherriffs necessary for anything other than prisoner transport and court duty? I live in a suburban county without any big cities and we have about 450,000 people spread over 760 square miles. Erie County (minus the City of Buffalo) has about 650,000 people spread over 1175 square miles. My county has 592 people per square mile, Erie County minus the city has 553 per square mile. The point is, we are able to police that way and we have an exceedingly low crime rate. If the County Sherriffs either were the only police in the suburbs, or ceased to exist eintirely, it is very likely that you would never notice the difference but you would eliminate a huge level of bureaucracy and unneeded expense. You can probably save 400k - 500k tomorrow in Kenmore and the C and T of T by eliminating 2 chiefs and their assistants and givng the third a raise if you factor their fringe benefits such as benefits and cars into the equation and that doesn't even consider eliminating ANY officers on the street or cars from fleets due to redundancy. You can have exactly the same number of police on the street only half a million cheaper per year. now ask the hard question, how likely is that to happen? not very. All the police unions would pitch a fit and tell everyone that Charles Manson will be at their door if they eliminate a police department, advocacy groups would be all over the place campaigning to keep their cops, some brilliant person would tell us all about the terrible economic impact of eliminating all those good quality jobs and bemoaning the fact that people will have to work in service industries, etc, etc, etc, etc.

 

Amherst sort of has the right idea in that Sweet Home, Amherst, Eggertsville, East Amherst and Williamsville all operate under the Amherst PD. Amherst is large enough that the PD operates like a regional PD and the size of Amherst is comparable to the 2 EC Tonawandas and Kenmore combined.

 

I recently read an opinon piece about a guy up there who is campaigning to town boards to downsize or dissolve themselves. North Wales brought him in and was very interested and good for them i hope they follow through. Blasdell brought him in to talk about downsizing but specifically barred him from discussing dissolution of city gov't in public session. If anyone in the room can explain to me why Blasdell needs a government and what services they provide which could not be equally provided by a larger, more regional authority I will get off the topic. As I see it the only people who benefit from ANY specific local government in Blasdell are the people drawing salaries from it, and therein lies the problem.

[ax4782]

Forgot to mention......Another Waterfront Village Tower Planned for Next Year.....I think that more options downtown near the water will help create spinoff in many different places...especially the waterfron!

 

There are two other projects going on that you didn't mention including a proposed 40 story tower that will be the highest building in Buffalo ( see this website http://www.buffalo-city-tower.com). There is also another proposal for 33 Gates Circle for a 22 story condominium and residential tower that I believe has been approved. To find more information about the project type in 33 Gates Circle Buffalo to Google and click the link.

 

This is typical Buffalo thinking - any thing will do.

 

Noticeably absent from your list are 2 key projects to re-building the area.

 

1. US-Canada commercial bridge

 

20 years ago Buffalo was one of 2 major gateways to moving goods from Southern Ontario (Toronto) to the US and ppoints south. Now Buffalo is an after thought and most traffic goes thru Windsor because Buffalo couldn't get out of its own way to build a bridge to handle the truck traffic and related business. They are no closer now to even starting this project than they were 20 years ago.

 

2. comprehensive water front plan.

 

Buffalo sits on lake Erie with miles of undeveloped shoreline. It is criminal how this asset has been wasted and under-utilized.

 

 

But then again, how much can on expect when the area is run out of NYC by a control board because the locals proved to be incredibly incompetent.

 

As to the water front comments that were made, the City is trying to make some progress. I don't live in Buffalo, but I make a concerted effort to check in on the city. Buffalo is going to get rid of the skyway, for any number of good reasons, and build a new road. There are plans in place to work on the border crossings, but wherever you get the idea that Buffalo is not a center for Canada-US traffic, that source is completely wrong. Taking all three bridges that go into the Niagara Falls/Buffalo area, that is the busiest border crossing with Canada. Taking all of the crossings between canada and the Detroit area (where I live currently) that makes up 42 percent of the trade that crosses into the United States, which makes that the single busiest crossing. However, that is five crossings in a seventy mile span. Buffalo/Niagara has only three crossings in about 20 miles of each other. Buffalo is still a major entry way into the United States from Canada. Any shipments going from Toronto to an east coast destination go through Buffalo, not Windsor. Check your facts before you start spouting off. There are plans in effect to make some changes to the waterfront, but it takes time to go from a completely industrial waterfront to one that is commercially and residentially based. It isn't "anything will do" thinking that is the problem with Buffalo. To get a city back from the depths of an economic hell, you have to get investment, in whatever form it will come. If that means bringing a WATERFRONT casino, and federal dollars and international investments in the form of Buffalo City Tower (see above) then I say go for it. All of these things help to change the look of Buffalo and get investment to the area. Perhaps you should take a look at exactly what is happening in Buffalo before you criticize. You are exactly the type of person that EndZone was talking about.

[EndZoneCrew]

There are two other projects going on that you didn't mention including a proposed 40 story tower that will be the highest building in Buffalo ( see this website http://www.buffalo-city-tower.com). There is also another proposal for 33 Gates Circle for a 22 story condominium and residential tower that I believe has been approved. To find more information about the project type in 33 Gates Circle Buffalo to Google and click the link.

 

Good call.....I did not mention them because those are both in the developmental stages....I wanted to give some examples that actually have begun or are near finished

[Sen. John Blutarsky]

There are plans in effect to make some changes to the waterfront, but it takes time to go from a completely industrial waterfront to one that is commercially and residentially based.

There are two keys things there. The first one is plans. I think we are all up to our ascots in plans for the waterfront, what's really needed is some actions on the waterfront, such as actually tearing down the Skyway, not just talking about it, or planning to talk about it.

 

Second. You are absolutely correct that it takes time. We are working on what 30, 35, 40 years since industry pretty much died in that area of town. Just for a comparison, in 1945 every major city in Japan was a smoldering pile of sometimes radioactive rubble. By 1985 they made nearly every piece of electronics in the world and were well on their way to making most of the cars. In 1968 Buffalo's industry was well in decline, today in 2008 absolutely nothing has happened to change that.

[Tcali]

I would like for every Buffalo "transplant" to take a good look at how they portray their former city, either in person or in a medium (message board) like this. Tim Russert left the area to take a position to better himself professionally, just like many people on this board have. However, in a disturbing trend, many of those same former Buffalonians have nothing but negativity and sarcasm at the city that they grew up in. Tim Russert epitomized Buffalo and never, ever spewed negativity about the city that he loved. I for one would hope that many of you who mourn his loss would look in the mirror and maybe, just maybe, think about why so many people loved him. Not only for what he accomplished, but for what he did to the morale of the people who live here. He constantly told people about what a great place Buffalo, NY is and he was damn proud of his roots. I would hope we would all do the same. You will never be forgotten Tim! Go Bills!

 

I love Buffalo and always praise it. --I am however baffled at how stuck in the past and uncreative the city and county leaders are re: this economy.

They should be advertising nationally--BEGGING corporations to locate here...saying that they will do everything and anything to get them here.Advertise on Rush limbaugh.Oprah,The superbowl..whatever it takes. Because this economy is just causing most of the young people to flee.

Its either high tech or power generation that is gonna revive Buffalo. I hope they build several nuke plants and do a serious windpower project(not the couple hundred windmills they have now).let Buffalo become a powwer center for the US.Why not???

We need to stop being so damn cynical. We need to start taking some risks in this city/county. We need to stop being afraid of making mistakes.

I have been away for almost 25 years...and I visit often.Its painful to see the lack of progress here.

Yes the people here are hardworking...but Buffalo needs entrepeneurs with big power and big bucks to come in.What is Buffalo?? the second worst economy in the United States for Metro areas above 1 million people???(and we may dip below 1 million if we keep going like we have).

In spite of all this--I still oiove this city and it still has much to offer........but this slowness,this inflexibility,this cynical know it all attitude cant continue...unless we want to become Youngstown Ohio.

[Cornerville]

Well, obviously you have a hard time comprehending the english language. All I said was it seems that many people on this board have nothing but negativity regarding the Buffalo/WNY area. I came to this conclusion, based on the following facts:

1) Everytime something is posted regarding any new developments/businesses in the WNY area, many "uninformed" out of town members on this board say "What good is that", "It won't help", "Why bother", "What difference will that make"....it just seems that they "get off" by shitting on any good news that comes this way. That was my point. It seems you have some supressed anger as it pertains to this issue.

 

That is true EndZone, but it works the other way when people take a sh-- on topics such as 'don't take our water, I'd rather see you suffer from no drinking water, FU California and other Western states'.

 

I LOVE Buffalo and will always do so, and will defend it to the end. BOTH sides need to take a step back from this issue.

[erynthered]

I would like for every Buffalonian to take a good look at how they portray their city, either in person or in a medium (message board) like this. Tim Russert left the area to take a position to better himself professionally, just like many people on this board have. However, in a disturbing trend, many of us Buffalonians have nothing but negativity and sarcasm about the other cities that former Buffalonians live in now. Tim Russert epitomized Buffalo and never, ever spewed negativity about the cities other people live in that they love. I for one would hope that many of you who mourn his loss would look in the mirror and maybe, just maybe, think about why so many people loved him. Not only for what he accomplished, but for what he did to the morale of the people who live here. He constantly told people about what a great place Buffalo, NY is and he was damn proud of his roots. I would hope we would all do the same. You will never be forgotten Tim! Go Bills!

[BackNBlo]

Been a lurker for awhile, just moved to Buffalo after moving away for five years. My wife was able to actually get substantial raise to come home and I'm making pretty much the same. It's a great idea to get out of town and build your resume experience and accomplishments then try to get a job or start a business in Buffalo. It worked out for us. Also we laugh at the prospect of a mortgage payment here that can be half of paying $1500/month for a crappy boring Washington DC apartment like we did.

 

Also, while living in places like South Florida and visiting Vegas and other boomtowns lots of the people, and really the youth, just seems to be off a bit. Quite a statement I know but let me explain. We pursued the move home because we wanted our children to shovel snow at 5AM, live in an underdog town (in so many ways) and appreciate what they have. It's tough when it's 80, sunny everyday and jobs fall from the sky to grow up tough and able to handle adversity. Growing up here just gives you that added chip on your shoulder to take through life.

 

Just my observations from some of the places that I lived and traveled. I talked to so many former Buffalonians at Bills bars and other places throughout the country who agreed with me. One guy said it kills him that his kids are growing up with southern accents, and don't understand why he gets so wrapped up in the Bills and Sabres, and the outcomes of the games.

 

Plus, underatted but our airport is great and getting better. It's cheap and can get you anywhere quick and increasingly non-stop. I belive Buffalo is a great home base and I'm glad to be back.

[ax4782]

Good call.....I did not mention them because those are both in the developmental stages....I wanted to give some examples that actually have begun or are near finished

 

At least accoring the to Buffalo City Tower Website, the building is approved and they are going to break ground on the building very soon. It looks like a spectacular building. Also, don't forget about the Statler Hotel Renevation project.

[Sen. John Blutarsky]

At least accoring the to Buffalo City Tower Website, the building is approved and they are going to break ground on the building very soon. It looks like a spectacular building. Also, don't forget about the Statler Hotel Renevation project.

You did of course notice that that infomation was posted last August. They start excavation yet?

 

-edit- On second thought, you know what, you're right, that was snarky of me. I really hope they build that and everyone works together to get it done for a change because if you compiled a collection of conceptual art that got approved and never built Buffalo would look like an ultra-modern metropolis. Buffao DESERVES to have buildings like this and the stupid people who throw roadblocks in the way need to be dealt with post-haste.

[SouthernMan]

BUffalo is a great city. It is where i am from. I moved away when i was kid to Atlanta but never lost my love for the Bills and the city. My grandfather worked for the Bills in the 70's and 80's. We have stayed friends with Hojo the head trainer even still today. 8 years ago my father and i opened a Pizzeria in Atlanta because we got so tired of not being ablo to get good Buffalo Pizza. Our menu is totally based on all Buffalo foods we even have beef on weck. So in a way you can say Buffalo is how i make a living.

I lost my own father 4 years ago much the same way Luke lost Tim. My father suffered a massive heart attck while i was on vacation and died at the restuarant. Today is a hard day for all of us sons who have lost our fathers. My heart goes out to Luke who must be so scarred, hurting, and confused today.

My life as gone on and late in 2007 i opened another restuarant and business has been great. There are so many people from Buffalo that live here and i get to talk about the Bills everyday. These southerners love good Buffalo food. I still go back every year for one home game and to see my family that live in Kenmore and Tonawande. Buffalo has probably the greatest people in the country that live there.But unfortunatly they also have some of the worse Politicians. if every one could ever get on the same page and develope the water front Buffalo could restore its national pressence once again. Till then we have the Bills,our great food, and our pride in our city.

 

 

So, I'm reading this thing here, getting hungry for a beef on weck.

 

Long story short...I had to stop near downtown Roswell Monday - think to myself, "Mrs. Southern Man is running her mom around tonight, so hey, what the hell, I'll just come up Pine Grove to Shallowford and stop at Gallas and get me a Buffalo-style B.O.W." Sounds like a plan - right?

Having the phone number programmed into my mobile phone, I call ahead. It's about 4:30 pm - ok - trying to beat the 5 o'clock rush.

Some guy answers, sounds half asleep.... "Gallas". He sounded really enthused. I thought maybe the guy was a janitor or something, answering the phone - I had to ask if they was open. Thought maybe Monday was an off day. Guy monotones, "yeah, we're open".

 

I asked if they would go ahead and make me a Beef on Weck. I'm about 5 minutes east, heading west on Pine Grove, so naturally I ax the guy, "how long will it take?". Guy says "15-20 minutes". WTF? I'm not gonna sit there for 10-15 more minutes waiting for speedy to make me a friggin' samwich. I tell the guy, "forget about it" - half expecting he'd reply, "oh....we can have that in about 10 minutes". I'd have been ok with that. Instead, Mr. Excitement just says, "ok". Click. Was that the guy who used to play for the Bills? One head-slap too many?

 

So Bob, what's up with that?

 

The good news is I'll be up there in July and September and get my Buffalo grub fix, big time. My poor mother can never understand why I don't want to have dinner with her. Like I can't get pork chops and string beans with julienned almonds in Marietta.

"See ya later ma, I'm going for a Mighty."

 

Anyway, I was gonna respond to your statement about "worse politicians" and I got all sidetracked.

You can blame the politicians all day long, but in the end, it's those damn Buffalonians who keep electing the talking bobble-heads. How's that Peace Bridge and the Waterfront thing coming along guys? Thought so. Maybe I'll just swing down to Bass Pro.....oh, nevermind.

THEY'RE ELECTED OFFICIALS! IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT THEY'RE STUPID!

Whose fault is it really that they're making decisions on the future of the Buffalo area? The constituency perhaps? Hell yeah. get rid of 'em.

 

BTW - Did you open the other spot in Buckhead? Mrs SM works there - said she saw one there?

[gmac17]

We pursued the move home because we wanted our children to shovel snow at 5AM, live in an underdog town (in so many ways) and appreciate what they have. It's tough when it's 80, sunny everyday and jobs fall from the sky to grow up tough and able to handle adversity. Growing up here just gives you that added chip on your shoulder to take through life.

 

interesting theory, never thought of it exactly like that. Though i don't think having a chip on your shoulder is something to necessarily desire, maybe more of a "can do attitude" or something.

[Tim Anderson's Lunch Pail]

Been a lurker for awhile, just moved to Buffalo after moving away for five years. My wife was able to actually get substantial raise to come home and I'm making pretty much the same. It's a great idea to get out of town and build your resume experience and accomplishments then try to get a job or start a business in Buffalo. It worked out for us. Also we laugh at the prospect of a mortgage payment here that can be half of paying $1500/month for a crappy boring Washington DC apartment like we did.

 

Also, while living in places like South Florida and visiting Vegas and other boomtowns lots of the people, and really the youth, just seems to be off a bit. Quite a statement I know but let me explain. We pursued the move home because we wanted our children to shovel snow at 5AM, live in an underdog town (in so many ways) and appreciate what they have. It's tough when it's 80, sunny everyday and jobs fall from the sky to grow up tough and able to handle adversity. Growing up here just gives you that added chip on your shoulder to take through life.

 

Just my observations from some of the places that I lived and traveled. I talked to so many former Buffalonians at Bills bars and other places throughout the country who agreed with me. One guy said it kills him that his kids are growing up with southern accents, and don't understand why he gets so wrapped up in the Bills and Sabres, and the outcomes of the games.

 

Plus, underatted but our airport is great and getting better. It's cheap and can get you anywhere quick and increasingly non-stop. I belive Buffalo is a great home base and I'm glad to be back.

 

Great post. Welcome back! Hope to see you posting more on the boards.

[ax4782]

You did of course notice that that infomation was posted last August. They start excavation yet?

 

-edit- On second thought, you know what, you're right, that was snarky of me. I really hope they build that and everyone works together to get it done for a change because if you compiled a collection of conceptual art that got approved and never built Buffalo would look like an ultra-modern metropolis. Buffao DESERVES to have buildings like this and the stupid people who throw roadblocks in the way need to be dealt with post-haste.

 

As to your edited comment, I completely agree. Buffalo does deserve to have a great building like that. Further, checking into the problem, the ground is set to be broken either in late 2008 or early 2009. Not to mention, the Federal Courthouse that they are building looks pretty cool as does the new Seneca Casino. Buffalo is starting to crawl back to its feet and everyone should be proud that at least some efforts are being made. However, things would be a lot better if groups who are blocking the progression would get out of the way and let Buffalo move forward. Buffalo is a great city and I think and hope it will only get better in the future.

[Buftex]

Funnny, I moved away from Buffalo when I was 21, and am now 43. In that time, I have lived in Baltimore, Atlanta, New York City, and now, Austin, TX. Over that time, in all those cities, I have met probably hundreds of transplanted Buffalonians. I can't think of but one or two times where anyone has said that they hated Buffalo.

 

That usually comes from people who have never been there, or were there briefly, on their way to somewhere else. I will admitt, I always feel a certain amount of the comorodity (sp?) that transplanted Buffalonians share, seems to come from our shared experiences of harsh winters, tough nuns, and eeking out an existence. It is sort of that Irish thing of "victory in pain" that permeates us.

 

Most ex-Buffalonians I know are proud to have come from there, and wish there was just some way, they could make it happen, where they could go back. But, you get older, you meet other people. I would move back to Buffalo in a split second (though I mostly really love Austin), but it is a hard sell to my girlfriend. She grew up in the sun belt, and I believe her when she says she could never survive a Buffalo winter. She can barely stand to be in our place, if the temperature is under 80. The economy is bad...but you know what, I could care less. I love Buffalo, and I am not ashamed to say it.

[Chef Jim]

Funnny, I moved away from Buffalo when I was 21, and am now 43. In that time, I have lived in Baltimore, Atlanta, New York City, and now, Austin, TX. Over that time, in all those cities, I have met probably hundreds of transplanted Buffalonians. I can't think of but one or two times where anyone has said that they hated Buffalo.

 

I guess it's safe to say you never met them for coffee on certain Monday mornings in the fall and winter.

[Coby Fan]

This post has some great insights into what gets in your blood if you are from Buffalo, but also what breaks your heart when you return for a visit.

I left Buffalo at 18 to go to college in Rochester, moved on to Richmond, Virginia, Washington DC and now 34 years later am living in the Catskills and still answer Buffalo when asked where I am from.

I have listened to Sabres games late at night in my car in the garage when I happened to pick up an AM station and have had Bills seasons tickets for years despite a 5 hour drive to games. The Sabres being on MSG in recent years is great, but the Buffalo based ads makes it look like the growth industries in Buffalo are lawsuits and leg vein treatment.

I notice over the years that redevelopment in Buffalo looks like a zero sum game. I came back to ride the main street train and to see the redeveloped theater district a few tears back, only to see Deleware Ave looking very run down. (As a Canisius High Alum, this was distressing). More recently, Deleware looks better but Main Street looks empty.

I follow the news from Buffalo on line, and was very excited when there was a series in the News on going to a metro government. Nothing came from that as far as I can see. The Niagara River bridge debate is just silly.

It don't think that business brought in from out of town with tax breaks is ever the answer. Those businesses move on when the tax breaks expire. What Buffalo needs is to help some local people grow business with Buffalo roots. Setting up low cost space for start-ups with technical help from the University community would be great. I was hopeful that Govenor Spitzer was going to put the resources into UB to make it a true flagship center for education and research in New York State. Now once again, when the polititian get caught with the hooker, it is Buffalo that gets screwed.

[obie_wan]

This post has some great insights into what gets in your blood if you are from Buffalo, but also what breaks your heart when you return for a visit.

I left Buffalo at 18 to go to college in Rochester, moved on to Richmond, Virginia, Washington DC and now 34 years later am living in the Catskills and still answer Buffalo when asked where I am from.

I have listened to Sabres games late at night in my car in the garage when I happened to pick up an AM station and have had Bills seasons tickets for years despite a 5 hour drive to games. The Sabres being on MSG in recent years is great, but the Buffalo based ads makes it look like the growth industries in Buffalo are lawsuits and leg vein treatment.

I notice over the years that redevelopment in Buffalo looks like a zero sum game. I came back to ride the main street train and to see the redeveloped theater district a few tears back, only to see Deleware Ave looking very run down. (As a Canisius High Alum, this was distressing). More recently, Deleware looks better but Main Street looks empty.

I follow the news from Buffalo on line, and was very excited when there was a series in the News on going to a metro government. Nothing came from that as far as I can see. The Niagara River bridge debate is just silly.

It don't think that business brought in from out of town with tax breaks is ever the answer. Those businesses move on when the tax breaks expire. What Buffalo needs is to help some local people grow business with Buffalo roots. Setting up low cost space for start-ups with technical help from the University community would be great. I was hopeful that Govenor Spitzer was going to put the resources into UB to make it a true flagship center for education and research in New York State. Now once again, when the polititian get caught with the hooker, it is Buffalo that gets screwed.

 

Don't worry - Hilary the carpet bagger will fight for all that is right in upstate NY-

 

if she can find it

[bills_fan]

Lots of great posts in this thread, thanks EZC for starting it up.

 

I grew up in Buffalo, moved back after college for law school and lived downtown in Allentown for a few years, then moved down to NYC. I still consider Buffalo my hometown and identify it as such. I always take an empty cooler every time I return only to bring it back filled after trips to Charlie the Butcher, the Broadway Market and the Clinton Bailey market. I have my Bills season tix, head to little Buffalo (aka McFaddens) to watch the games and generally love being still connected to a community I love. Bought a palce in Ellicottville, just to have a place in WNY to stay connected.

 

As a South Buffalo, Canisius High grad, Tim Russert was one of my big heroes. I often thought I would like to move back someday. Another poster was talking about opening a business in Buffalo, I always had this juvenile-type fantasy that I would love to Bloomberg a campaign for mayor...meaning make a sh*tload of money, move back to an area I really care about, beholden to noone but my own checkbook, and run for mayor of Buffalo. Then set about trying to change things. Don't know if it would work, but hey, thats why its a fantasy.

 

You will rarely see Buffalo ex-pats down on the city or area. Too much nostalgia for that among ex-pats. Speaking realistically, yeah, Buffalo has had its problems and the special interests drag it down. I often said that a sad statement on Buffalo will be that the WTC was knocked down, cleaned up and rebuilt, with multiple government agencies stepping on each others toes and we will still be talking about what type of bridge to build, twinspan or signature. Just GIT ER DONE, to borrow a TBD euphemism.

 

Bigger problem is that when I talk to some of my buddies still living in the area a general sense of hopelessness or resignation has definately set in amongst them. Its hard to describe, but I live in a city surrounded by cynical optimism, but optimism nonetheless. Its hard to find someone who is optimistic about Buffalo and its future. That is sad. I ask them about projects taking place in the city and the area and you get a sense that noone believes in the area anymore. The values are still there, so is the work ethic, but the optimism and belief need to fuel that is slowly being dampened and extinguished. I am still not sure why.

[dhg]

You did of course notice that that infomation was posted last August. They start excavation yet?

 

-edit- On second thought, you know what, you're right, that was snarky of me. I really hope they build that and everyone works together to get it done for a change because if you compiled a collection of conceptual art that got approved and never built Buffalo would look like an ultra-modern metropolis. Buffao DESERVES to have buildings like this and the stupid people who throw roadblocks in the way need to be dealt with post-haste.

 

If I had a dime for every environmental impact study.

[Gordio]

Lots of great posts in this thread, thanks EZC for starting it up.

 

I grew up in Buffalo, moved back after college for law school and lived downtown in Allentown for a few years, then moved down to NYC. I still consider Buffalo my hometown and identify it as such. I always take an empty cooler every time I return only to bring it back filled after trips to Charlie the Butcher, the Broadway Market and the Clinton Bailey market. I have my Bills season tix, head to little Buffalo (aka McFaddens) to watch the games and generally love being still connected to a community I love. Bought a palce in Ellicottville, just to have a place in WNY to stay connected.

 

As a South Buffalo, Canisius High grad, Tim Russert was one of my big heroes. I often thought I would like to move back someday. Another poster was talking about opening a business in Buffalo, I always had this juvenile-type fantasy that I would love to Bloomberg a campaign for mayor...meaning make a sh*tload of money, move back to an area I really care about, beholden to noone but my own checkbook, and run for mayor of Buffalo. Then set about trying to change things. Don't know if it would work, but hey, thats why its a fantasy.

 

You will rarely see Buffalo ex-pats down on the city or area. Too much nostalgia for that among ex-pats. Speaking realistically, yeah, Buffalo has had its problems and the special interests drag it down. I often said that a sad statement on Buffalo will be that the WTC was knocked down, cleaned up and rebuilt, with multiple government agencies stepping on each others toes and we will still be talking about what type of bridge to build, twinspan or signature. Just GIT ER DONE, to borrow a TBD euphemism.

 

Bigger problem is that when I talk to some of my buddies still living in the area a general sense of hopelessness or resignation has definately set in amongst them. Its hard to describe, but I live in a city surrounded by cynical optimism, but optimism nonetheless. Its hard to find someone who is optimistic about Buffalo and its future. That is sad. I ask them about projects taking place in the city and the area and you get a sense that noone believes in the area anymore. The values are still there, so is the work ethic, but the optimism and belief need to fuel that is slowly being dampened and extinguished. I am still not sure why.

 

I work with alot of people from NYC & I always get a kick out of how they think they are living the good life & thinking there sh*t dont stink. It is funny though, when I actually talk to them about the quality of life. They usually say they live in a small apartment, pay 2 grand in rent. If they want to go golfing they usually say unless you belong to a country club forget about golfing. Most of them said their commute time was at least an hour, no matter where you had to go.

 

A few of my clients came in a few weeks ago. After work, I took them back to my house for a BBQ. They could not believe how nice the suburbs were in buffalo & when I told them how much I paid for my house in Lancaster 2 of them nearly fell off their chair.

 

Never been impressed with NYC, & I go there for business once a month. Too crowded, too much of a rat race. The people on the subways just look beat & miserable. You could keep your 6 figure salaries & your claim to fame that you made it in the city, I will keep my $80K salary & my high quality laid back life.

[Sen. John Blutarsky]

Another example of government at work in Erie County. Anybody wanna pull 30k from the Water Authority? No qualifications needed, but you hafta know (or better yet be sleeping with) a person who can influence the appointment. Anyone wanna take bets that Vacco stays on at the water authority and noone in the legislature takes the fall...ever...? It good to know that it was the Republicans "turn" to make an appointment for commissioner