Comments from readers on Moose, Jr’s list of 12 best local athletes
L. M. wrote: How did you forget light heavy weight champ Sugar Rashad Evans UFC?
What about pro bowler Pat Heally?
J. P. wrote: How could you forget Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks? From Buffalo. Won a Stanley Cup, given the Key to the city, brought the Cup to the Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist. He should have been on the list over Gronkowski. He didn't even get a honorable mention.
C.K. wrote: Interesting article although most of the athletes named did very little in high school. I would not include Gronkowski just yet. Although he has had a great run, he has been injury prone throughout his college and pro career. He could easily flame out. Besides, he moved to Pittsburgh for his senior year to face better competition so I don't think that he actually graduated from Williamsville East or has any real ties to that school. I assume that you didn't include Patrick Kane because he didn't technically go to high school in WNY. I might have given an honorable mention to Dave Hollins and maybe Cindy Breski. One thing this list illustrates is how WNY really has an embarrassing lack of quality athletes. Lanier, Maglie and Spahn are about it for first tier athletes.
J.C. wrote: You forgot Liz Johnson from Niagara Weatfield. Could be considered the best female bowler of all time.
Readers also responded to Ryan Wolf’s top 12 local music makers.
G. E. wrote: Nice job on the local musicians. While I'm sure there's a few others you might have overlooked, one is Thom Rotella. Grew up on Seneca Ave., played with several bands locally, but moved away at a young age to pursue a career in music. Great jazz guitarist and well known locally and nationally. Has around 9 CD's, played on numerous TV shows and movie scores. Has played, and still plays, in top jazz clubs from New York to California, where he now lives. Recently played Carnegie Hall. Other than Tommy Tedesco, probably the most recorded guitarist of the area. He's retooling his web site but you can still Google him. He's worth a story himself.
C.C. wrote: This was a great article. However, you left off John Valby aka “Dr. Dirty.”
A. D wrote: I reviewed the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” inductee list and did not see Tommy Tedesco’s name. I’m thinking, with you and the Niagara Falls Reporter’s help, we can begin the process of nominating Tommy Tedesco to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio.
P.S. I believe that one of the Gavin boys from Walnut Ave. near 12th St. in Niagara Falls played drums in the Charlie Daniels Band.
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I am a long time reader (since Mayor Elia days) and a first time writer. I love the work that you guys do at the paper. I appreciate how hard you work at being journalists and investigators. I love how you hold those in power under the light regardless of their political leanings. I wish there were more like you. I read your paper from front to back. Please keep doing what you do.
Mike Davidson
Town of Tonawanda
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The article about Mark Rivers, and the "Holiday Market" debacle, did pique my interest. Of course he had $ signs in his head, but I also firmly believe, he had an honest vision, of what could be. O.K. it was somewhat "lame," but last year I could look down and see all the people, the skating rink, which I had the opportunity to play hockey on, and a rather small "Christmas tree". But as I look down on Old Falls St now, I see an empty street with some trees, oh yes lights at night, a few parked cars, and no people.
Herein lies my problem with our local "officials", as you wrote, "We never checked him out before and we never did a serious audit after he left".
WHY NOT??? Same pattern of incompetence! So because of this, no holiday festivities this year? Thank God I have a passport and am quite able to travel to Canada and see how the "festival of lights" is going. It's too late now, but Christmas 2013 might be better?
John Lewis
Just read my latest NFR here in Florida. The main subject seems to be the casino and the problems caused by that giveaway of the century. Is there some sort of termination/renewal date for the casino? Even with the sweetheart deal they got, there should be some sort of reshuffle/review buried someplace in the fine print.
I was recently at the Hard Rock casino in Tampa, Fla. where there was a conversation among a group eating in the food court. When I mentioned Niagara Falls, two different persons said they had been there, and their remarks regarding the area were very negative. I find myself apologizing for our once-beautiful Niagara Falls, and attempting to explain the problems
We should not have to apologize… we should never, never have to apologize for Niagara Falls.
Don Soos |