A review of a year of reader feedback
DAN MEYER Political Columnist
As we prepare to turn the page on the calendar to a whole new year, I thought it would be fitting this week to share with you some of the "fan mail" I've received in recent weeks as I once again take some time to clear off my desk, empty out my notebook, clean out my e-mail inbox and respond to messages left on my voice mail.

The following are just a few of the messages I received either via e-mail or handwritten letter regarding items discussed in this space. Enjoy:

• "I think your column is full of half truths and weak opinions. You're a real jerk."

• "Dan, your analysis of Chris Collins and the Erie County Legislature was right on. No wonder we are having such difficulty in retaining our best and brightest. Can't wait to see Collins duke it out with Lynn Marinelli and the rest of the misguided folks we unfortunately consider to be our leaders."

• "Mr. Meyer, many years ago, Norman Vincent Peale wrote a book called 'The Power of Positive Thinking.' In it he theorized that positive thinking makes good things happen."

"I believe negative thinking also has power and can prevent good things from happening."

"Unfortunately, the media in general, and your column of Nov. 28 in particular, feeds this negative thinking. By publishing the pessimistic views of some of your readers on the Peace Bridge, Bass Pro, the Skyway demolition and the Buffalo Bills, I believe you are actually helping to prevent good things from happening."

"Why not a column looking at all the good things that ARE happening here? For example, already underway are an $80 million renovation of the Statler towers, a complete facelift of the Dulski Building to include an Embassy Suites Hotel, conversion of the old Federal Reserve Building on Delaware Avenue to the New Era Cap Company's world headquarters, all the downtown residential development, and Uniland's many beautiful new office buildings that are fully occupied, including two or three inner harbor projects already completed including a start on re-watering the canal. As for the Bills, we should be optimistic about Jim Kelly and a group of local investors buying the team and building a new downtown stadium."

"Delay can be a positive thing. For example, there have been three Bass Pro plans proposed. The latest plan to demolish 'The Aud' and build

new Bass Pro store there shows that finally everyone is on the same page. Positive results came out of that delay."

"The Peace Bridge Authority wanted to build a twin bridge. If there hadn't been opposition, we'd probably have a second bridge already. But people with more vision opposed twinning the old bridge. They want a beautiful signature bridge, something this area can identify with, as St. Louis identifies with its arch. Again, delay has been good."

"It would be refreshing to see something positive under your byline once in awhile."

• "I loved reading the 'Future of Buffalo' thoughts. We have no one to blame but our Chamber of Commerce and politicians. In the early 1990s, my brother put together a marketing plan with Paul Snyder to revamp Buffalo like what my brother did to Cleveland in the 1980s. Our Chamber was old-timers who didn't want change. His ideas would have done wonders by now. The ideas included putting the rapid transit completely above ground and investing the difference into extending it to the airport and UB's Amherst campus, a retractable multisport domed stadium downtown so attendees have somewhere to go within walking distance to stay, shop and eat."

"Buffalo is soon to be the 'armpit of New York State.' I am embarrassed to tell my now out-of-town brother that the bridge talk is still that, just talk. It was also nice to see Niagara Falls beat Buffalo to the casino punch. More money lost thanks to the conservative relics that decide the future businesses and revenue losses. Why do you think our population is quickly diminishing? Our economy is horrific. The youth of today are relocating. I don't blame them. I will advise my kids to do the same. Thanks Buffalo!"

(Daniel Meyer is a columnist for the Weekly Independent Newspapers of Western New York. Comments on this column can be sent via e-mail to: meyersmusings@gmail.com. Opinions expressed here are those of the author.)