MAX McGEE, HERO OF SUPER BOWL I PASSED AWAY
Max McGee, the unexpected hero of the first Super Bowl, died Saturday after falling from the roof of his home. He was 75.
Max McGee caught the first touchdown pass in Super Bowl history for the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay went on to win the game 35 to 10 over the Kansas City Chiefs. The year was 1967.
BILLS VICTORIOUS OVER RAVENS: 19-15
The Buffalo Bills beat the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens, who assumed they would be leaving Buffalo with a 5-2 record. Never underestimate our Buffalo Bills who played heads-up football.
The Bills are now in second place in our division, even with that 2-4 record.
TALK ON THE STREET: JERRY SCHAD IS A MUST FOR THE AMHERST TOWN BOARD
It’s evident that Jerry Schad’s campaign strategy has been very successful. He is clearly informing the voters of what must be done to shift our current snail-like Town Board into a working gear which will produce positive results. Schad isn’t holding back on the truth about what has caused the confusion and disrespect which members of our Town Board show each other.
Schad has been a refreshing voice among most of the candidates. He isn’t repeating the parrot prases of the other candidates. His views and ideas are backed with logical ways of getting things done in Amherst.
It’s rare to have a man of his integrity run for our Town Board. Why has Jerry Schad decided to help Amherst start on the road back to being a leader and not a laughing joke? It could be watching our Town Board mess up so many projects in the last 2 years, plus the huge waste of the taxpayer dollars, plus . . .
PLAINLY, A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PICK OF LIKE MIND
When I read the account of Michael B. Mukasey’s hearing I was reminded of Charles Durning singing his way through the Texas Capital building in the movie, “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.” He sings, “Now they see me, now they don’t, I’m here and gone.” He twists his head and his hat turns on his head; he double talks beautifully.
“. . . Senators questioning Michael B. Mukasey, President Bush’s nominee for attorney general, seemed so pleased at first to be receiving direct and unadorned answers that they appeared to be barely taking in what he was saying.”
“But in his two days of testimony this week, it became clear that Mr. Mukasey believes presidential power to be robust, expansive and sometimes beyond the power of Congress to control.”
“That is perfectly aligned with the Bush administration’s views, and if Mr. Mukasey was initially a refreshing presence to the Senate Judiciary Committee, it was only because he justified in plain terms what other administration lawyers have said in secret memorandums often cloaked in obfuscation.”
[read whole story]
SCHOOLS FOUND IMPROVING ON NUTRITION AND FITNESS
According to a new government survey, the nation’s schools have made, “considerable improvements” in nutrition, fitness and health over the last six years.
“”In some instances, the officials pointed out, progress toward healthier living and learning was notable only because so many schools had started from such low points.”"
“The survey, which is conducted every six years, shows that more schools than six years ago offer salads and vegetables and that fewer permit bake sales. More states and school districts insist that elementary schools schedule recess and that physical education teachers have at least undergraduate training. More states have enacted policies to prohibit smoking at school and to require courses on pregnancy prevention.”
“Perhaps most striking, 30 percent of school districts have banned junk food from school vending machines, up from 4 percent in 2000. Schools offering fried potatoes in their cafeterias declined, to 19 percent from 40 percent.”
[read whole story]
HEALTH PLAN USED BY U.S. IS DEBATED AS A MODEL
There are 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. Some presidential candidates are suggesting adapting the health care program that covers Congress and offer it to those Americans. Such a plan would be unlikely to cut costs.
“It makes for a compelling stump speech. And the leading Democratic candidates for president are all saying pretty much the same thing: adapt the health care program that covers Congress and offer it to the 47 million Americans currently without insurance.”
““The American people should have access to the same array of health care choices and benefits as the senators and representatives they elect,” Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said as she introduced her health care plan last month.”
“Mrs. Clinton’s main rivals for the Democratic nomination, Senator Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards, have made similar proposals to expand the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.”
[read whole story]
REMINDER: OCT. 22nd PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2008 TOWN OF AMHERST BUDGET
This Monday, Oct. 22nd, there will be an all important public hearing on the 2008 Town of Amherst budget. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Council Chambers Auditorium. This is the time for citizens to ask questions about our Town’s budget.
It is important for the public to discuss and learn how their tax dollars will be spent.
AS SENIOR POPULATION IN REGION GROWS SSA CLOSES OFFICE & PROPOSES CUTTING HOURS
Higgins Blocks Social Security Administration Effort to Cut Hours at WNY Offices Next Month
Following a meeting with top Social Security Administration (SSA) officials and a letter to SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue where Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) was critical of the announcement that the SSA plans to reduce hours at local Social Security Offices beginning November 5, 2007, the Congressman has learned that the SSA has postponed initiation of the pilot project. News of plan to reduce hours comes just weeks after the SSA closed an office in Erie County.
“I hope that the Social Security Administration takes this time to reexamine their policy and recognize the people in this region can’t afford more cuts in services,” said Higgins. “Instead of just cutting hours and closing offices haphazardly, the Social Security Administration should be improving face-to-face service to meet the needs of the growing social security population in Western New York,” Higgins said.
In a move that would further limit public access to caseworkers at field office in WNY, the SSA announced plans to embark on a pilot program in 5 cities, including the Buffalo region, where public hours in field office will be limited. Under the rule, offices in Buffalo, West Seneca, Amherst and Niagara Falls would close to the public every Wednesday at 1pm. The pilot was scheduled to begin on November 5, 2007, but shortly after the meeting today Congressman Higgins was notified that the SSA would hold off on plans for reduced hours until March 1, 2008.
Rep. Higgins expressed his strong opposition to the pilot program at a meeting with top Social Security Administration officials today in the Capitol. “I have 135,000 citizens in my district alone who receive Social Security benefits. These citizens have been paying into the Social Security system for most of the lives and deserve the basic dignity to have their questions answered face-to-face with field office staff.” Congressman Higgins said. “Internet and phone service is simply not adequate and citizens shouldn’t be forced to buy a computer to have questions answered.”
This is the latest blow in a string of cutbacks at SSA offices in the area. Last month the SSA merged the Cheektowaga and West Seneca offices, limiting the availability of field office staff in these two towns that have some of the highest numbers of senior populations in the state.
Rep. Higgins has also called on the Social Security Commissioner to address the critical staffing shortage in Western New York offices before any further cuts in public access are made. In a letter sent to the Commissioner today Congressman Higgins pointed out the existing severe backload of Social Security Disability cases, “According to press reports, the Buffalo office alone has an estimated 14,700 cases waiting for an appeal, and about 8,000 of those have been pending for more than a year. I believe this is a troubling trend, and I would also urge you to expeditiously consider proposals to increase the number of Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and affiliated staff to assist in processing these claims,” wrote Higgins.
HIGGINS RESPONDS TO FAILURE OF SCHIP VETO OVERRIDE
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) issued the following statement today after the vote to override President Bush’s veto of S-CHIP legislation failed by a vote of 273-156.
“I am deeply disappointed that the House barely missed the 2/3 majority required to override President Bush’s veto of healthcare for 10 million American children today. Since President Bush vetoed this crucial legislation two weeks ago, the overwhelming majority of Americans have supported the children’s health insurance program and an override of the President’s veto. Despite this broad public support, some of my colleagues chose to vote against this much-needed safety net to our nation’s most vulnerable children. I intend to continue to fight to get these children the healthcare they need and deserve.”
HOUSE SUSTAINS PRESIDENT’S VETO ON CHILD HEALTH
Supporters of a bill to provide health insurance were unable to convert a single House Republican who voted against the bill last month.
“The House on Thursday upheld President Bush’s veto of a bill to provide health insurance to 10 million children, but Democrats vowed to send it back to him next month, with minor changes, in the belief that they could ultimately prevail.”
“Despite a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign and intense lobbying by children’s advocates, supporters of the bill were unable to convert a single House Republican who voted against the bill last month.”
[read whole story]
