Tobe is out
Long in the making, as I reported in this blog in April, Rich Tobe is out as the city's commissioner of Economic Development, Permits and Inspection Services.
Mayor Byron W. Brown asked him for his resignation Friday. Initially part of the inner circle, Tobe has been on the outs for some time, and his fate seemed to sealed when Brian Reilly was brought on board in February as the city's chief economic development officer.
This is a sad day for economic development in the Buffalo Niagara region. Rich is one of the brightest, insightful and most importantly honest people involved in economic development. Hopefully Bob Wilmers will consider him for some important policy position in the Empire State Development Corporation. If that were to happen, Buffalo's loss would be the region's gain!!! In any event, I wish Rich the best. I have always enjoyed working with him even if we didn't always agree on the specifics.
Posted by: JIm Allen | June 23, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Tobe stunk. He is gone and a major obstacle to economic development in Buffalo is gone with him. You can't serve two masters, and Tobe is paid for by local foundations, westsiders, and no-growth interests. Brown had to put him in his former postion to pasify these interests that helped him get elected. Now Brown has is own power base and can move the city ahead. Good riddens Tobe, go work for the no-growth people full time.
Posted by: Nothing But The Truth | June 23, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Honesty, integrity, hard-working, the list goes on and on to describe Tobe's efforts. Cith Hall is an incredibly challenging environment with various stakeholders with divergent opinions involved in the process, and progress comes with a long sustained effort. I'm not sure this is the direction where are going. Look forward to working with him in the future.
Posted by: Chris Johnston | June 23, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Just another example of politics in action for Buffalo. Keep on putting egotistical, Napoleonic people in positions of economic authority and progress will continue to move at a snails pace.
Sad but true.
Posted by: Who Cares: | June 23, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Remember rumors last week about Mayor Brown's resignation?
Are these two events interconnected?
Sounds like it's only the beging of a show. Stay turn for otrageous and insides investigations. Expect great entertainment: drama and comedy with action. Enjoy the political show season.
Posted by: zanna vaida | June 23, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Just another of the many dynamic moves by this empty suit. You have a man in a position who is respected, knowledgeable, and works his *** off to do the right thing. Yessir Erkel, you and Lil'Mayor Casey are doing a bang up job. Stick to trying to find out who was wearing your son's jacket when they stole your car and bounced it off three other cars - with no charges !
Posted by: Silence Dogood | June 23, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Tobe was eased out of his position based on the unrealistic expectations of those higher than him. One thousand demolitions per year is a joke the way that it is being done now. What about the asbestos abatement? I don;t believe that Mr. Brown has a clue about that. How about demolishing all the houses in one area before moving onto the next? Milburn street off Broadway has 13 vacant houses with only one occupied. With these methods imposed on him, it's no wonder why Tobe was removed... Anyone who is interested should look at how asbestos abatement is done or not done in these buildings prior to demolition. Tobe tried to do it right and lost his job over it.
Posted by: Steven | June 24, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Rich Tobe is a good man whom I respect.
Posted by: Snidley Whiplash | June 24, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Can you say scapegoat for the Livery debacle??
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 24, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Shipping costs are skyrocketing due to soaring fuel prices. Manufacturing products in China and shipping them back to the USA is not as cheap as it used to be. The economic development advisors in Buffalo and all of NY state ought to be recruiting manufacturing jobs back to upstate NY. It's so sad that ALL the NY politicians are more concerned about playing the political game than actually getting anything accomplished....Read the story at this link:
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=5235731
Posted by: Paul | June 25, 2008 at 12:03 AM