5/03/2007

Smart City...This Weekend

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Smart City is a weekly, hour-long public radio talk show that takes an in-depth look at urban life, the people, places, ideas and trends shaping cities. Host Carol Coletta talks with national and international public policy experts, elected officials, economists, business leaders, artists, developers, planners and others for a penetrating discussion of urban issues.

This weekend...
  • Why do great strategies fail? That's the question Michael Raynor asks in his new book, The Strategy Paradox. Michael says the job of leaders is to embrace the inherent uncertainty of strategy and recognize that the future can't be predicted. Instead of making choices, leaders create options. Michael is a Distinguished Fellow with Deloitte Research in Boston.
  • Our second topic this week is a strategy critical to cities - how to leverage universities and other anchor institutions to contribute fully to urban success and, in turn, to their own. Dr. David Maurrasse of Marga is with us to talk about the challenges and rewards of these partnerships. David is on the faculty at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
Listen to host Carol Colletta - list of additional stations/times - 7pm Sunday on WNED - 970 in Buffalo, NY. Past Shows are archived and the newsletter is published regularly.
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Polis Realty Group is one of the biggest realtors in western New York. Yet according to T. Brisport, Director of Operations for Independent Sharing, Inc. “Polis does not seem to care about the people or the community of East Buffalo.”

Polis orchestrated a deal to sell property belonging to Ms. Bridges, a long-time Buffalo resident. Days before closing, Ms. Bridges attorney was forced to contact the buyer seeking relief. The contract had been negotiated by Polis, so that they would obtain 50% of the sale in realty fees. Ms. Bridges unable to sell is now in foreclosure procedures.

When confronted, CFO Mark Pagano, responded they have reviewed their documents and found no fault. Besides the very unusual standard of demanding 50% of sale, Polis finds itself in deals where it fails to verify ownership of property it is representing. “The unfortunate thing is this attitude results in homes left vacant and the people of Buffalo suffers,” Brisport says.

Buffalo is undergoing a period of transition but if you ask most east-side residents they would not know it. This is because the landscape is still dotted with vacant homes and lots. Some argue this is partly because of predatory realtors who seem to have no interest in the community.

Independent Sharing, Inc. is one organization that has been trying to reverse that trend. Brisport says, “we believe community revitalization must begin with home revitalization. “We support the Mayor’s plan to ensure decent affordable housing for all residents in safe and secure neighborhoods.”