IMportant People

IMportant People 5/6/09: Swine Flu

Did you know that the symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to any other case of flu? How do you know that it's the H1N1 virus?  Did you know that consumption of pork products has nothing to do with swine flu? What's the best way to protect you and your family from this disease? As health officials across the nation scurry for answers and medical supply stores run low on surgical masks, many of us have questions just like these. That's why Buffalo.com has invited Dr. John Crane, Clinical Director of the Department of Infectious Disease, S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Attending Physician at ECMC and RN Elaine Roman, Public Health Planning and Information Officer for Niagara County's Health Department to join us for this week's IMportant People live chat. Join us on Wednesday at noon.

IMportant People 4-22-09: The Struggling Economy & Your Wallet

If the economy is on your mind, join the club.  Economic woes have filled headlines around the world and across Western New York. Economic indicators over the past week have been surprisingly upbeat, but is it a trend or a fluke?   How has what's happened nationwide impacted our area? Join us this Wednesday on Buffalo.com for an IMportant People chat with Buffalo News financial reporter David Robinson. We look forward to your questions and thoughts about the economy.

IMportant People 3-25-09: Women's History with Madeline Scott

Commemorate Women's History with IMportant People on Buffalo.com this Wednesday at noon when we talk with local historian and researcher Madeline O. Scott.  She's a native of Olean, but has lived in Buffalo for over four decades.  Scott traced her family's roots back to slavery in Maryland, West Virginia and Tennessee.  A descendant of free residents from Ohio and New York, she's also studied the Underground Railroad in WNY.  Scott's had numerous articles published in journals,  is a member of the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier and the Western New York Women's Hall of Fame.  To learn more about Women's and African American history in WNY and and get your questions answered check in for IMportant People on Buffalo.com.

IMportant People 3-11-09: Buffalo Niagara 360

Join Buffalo.com's IMportant People as we chat about careers and life for young professionals in Western New York with Ann Mestrovich, manager of Buffalo Niagara 360, a program for local young professionals. Buffalo Niagara 360 allows young professionals to connect and grow in stimulating work and social environments within Western New York. The program also gives employers a chance to identify, attract and retain high-skilled employees for the region’s future.  So, chime in Wednesday at noon on Buffalo.com's IMportant People to ask Ann your important questions, from Western New York’s job market to what young people can do on the weekends in Buffalo, and everything in between!

IMportant People Recap: Election Day 2008: 11/5/08

It was one of the most historic elections of our time.    On this week's IMportant People, we talked to a couple of political gurus who took your comments and questions about the outcomes of the races.  These guys live to talk politics!  The Buffalo News' political reporter Robert McCarthy and Canisius political professor Kevin Hardwick joined us for IMportant People.  Check out the recap:

IMportant People Recap: Election Preview: 10/29/08

Barack Obama, John McCain, issues of race, socialism, and capitalism – all these topics were discussed during Wednesday's IMportant People segment on Buffalo.com. Buffalo News Senior Washington Bureau Chief Douglas Turner joined us for the intriguing and somewhat controversial lunchtime chat. Here's a recap of this week's IMportant People:
 

Next week, we'll continue the political discussion with an election day recap.  Join us next Wednesday at noon for IMportant People on Buffalo.com.

IMportant People Recap 10/15/08: West Seneca Downsizing

Think government is too big in our area?  So does civic leader and "downsizing advocate" Kevin Gaughan.  In West Seneca, the issue has taken center-stage, and more than 4,000 residents recently signed a petition to let the voters decide on downsizing local government.  As Election Day fast approaches, now Gaughan and the town board are in the midst of a court battle.   Will downsizing local government mean a direct impact on town or village services?  We spoke to Kevin about all of this on the latest IMportant People on Buffalo.com.  Check out the recap:

IMportant People Recap: 10/1/08: Police & School District Pensions

The latest IMportant People focused on The Buffalo News ongoing series on pensions.  We spoke to Buffalo News Reporters Mary Pasciak and Susan Schulman about the high pensions and large retirement checks that local police officers and school district leaders receive. Check out the recap below.

Join us for next week's IMportant People at noon on Wednesday when we're talking Sabres, as they get ready for the season.  WGR 550 Sportsradio's Howard Simon and Nick Mendola join us for the live lunchtime chat. That's next Wednesday at noon.

IMportant People Recap 9/17/08: Finding a Good Job & WNY Employment Market

Finding the perfect job.  It's a task that may seem unsurmountable if you're one of the many scouring the want ads these days.  During this week's IMportant People, Dan Ryan, Director of Career Services at the University at Buffalo and John Kindelan and Joel French from The Buffalo News' Classified department joined us for this week's IMportant People.  They chatted about the local job market, the dos and don'ts of the job interview, and what it takes to land a good job in our area.  Check out a recap of the live chat below and mark your calendar for The Buffalo News Career Fest that's coming up on Tuesday, September 23 at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga from 9am-3pm.

IMportant People Recap 9/10/08: Political Chat with Robert McCarthy & Kevin Hardwick

Politics and a primary day wrap-up were the topics as The Buffalo News' political reporter and blogger Robert McCarthy joined Canisius political professor Dr. Kevin Hardwick for the IMportant People discussion Wednesday afternoon.  Here's a recap: