Jim Heaney

Jim Heaney is editor and executive director of Investigative Post. He was an investigative reporter with The Buffalo News from 1986 to 2011 and a reporter and editor with The Orlando Sentinel from 1980-86. His coverage over the years has focused on economic development, local and state government, politics, education, housing and transportation, and he was an early practitioner of computer-assisted reporting. Heaney has won more than 20 journalism awards and was a finalist for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Jun 24

2012

Interview: Len Lenihan

Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney interviewed Len Lenihan, chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee, on a range of issues, including his plans to seek another term. Lenihan, in the interview, which aired on WGRZ’s Daybreak Sunday, said: He and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking Lenihan’s removal at the behest of Mayor Byron Brown, have not spoken directly in about a year. He is unwilling to declare, one way or the other, his intentions to seek another two-year term as head of the county party. The enrollment edge enjoyed by Democrats in the Senate district represented by Republican Mark Grisanti[...]

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 21

2012

Democracy and demagoguery

Kevin Gaughan is challenging Sean Ryan for the 149th Assembly seat. Good. I mean this as no disrespect towards Ryan. Rather, he was essentially handed the seat last year when Sam Hoyt stepped down to head up Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s economic development and political operations for Western New York. There were no party primaries for the vacant seat and Ryan cruised over a weak Republican opponent in the September special election. Sorry, but that’s not the way it’s supposed to work. Folks other than a handful of Democratic Party insiders ought to have a say in who holds elected office,[...]

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 17

2012

Interview: County Executive Mark Poloncarz

Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney interviewed Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on a range of issues, starting with lease negotiations with the Buffalo Bills. Poloncarz in the interview, which aired on WGRZ’s Daybreak Sunday, said: Poloncarz in the interview: Said he hopes the county and Bills have a framework of an agreement in place by the start of training camp next month. Details which services he has restored since taking over as County Executive including rodent control and the county parks. Discusses the need to reach across the border to encourage Canadian companies to expand to the Western New York area.[...]

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 17

2012

Complete Poloncarz interview

County executive on the Bills, Chris Collins, Len Lenihan and more. Interview with Investigative Post’s Jim Heaney.

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 13

2012

Have a question for Mark Poloncarz?

Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney is interviewing Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz Wednesday for a segment that will air Sunday on WGRZ’s Daybreak. If you have a question you’d like Heaney to consider posing, e-mail him or post a comment below by 1:30 p.m. today.

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 12

2012

Only in Buffalo

A proposed bill by Common Council Majority Leader Demone Smith would prohibit employers from requiring job seekers to disclose any criminal convictions on their application. Buffalo would stand alone among cities, towns or villages statewide in limiting the ability of private employers to make the inquiry. Employers would, however, be able to obtain the information as the application process moves forward.

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 10

2012

Complete Pridgen interview

Jim Heaney and The Rev. Darius Pridgen talk street violence, dysfunctional families, City Hall politics and mayoral aspirations.

Posted 12 years ago

Jun 10

2012

Interview: Rev. Darius Pridgen

Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney interviewed The Rev. Darius Pridgen, Ellicott District Council Member, on the problems of the inner-city and city government. Pridgen in the interview, which aired on WGRZ’s Daybreak Sunday, said: While statistics indicate crime is down, his experience tells him violence remains prevalent, much of it perpetrated by gangs and looser alliances of teens and young adults. The social fabric of much of the East Side is in tatters, due in part to irresponsible parents. He advocates a “Parent’s Court” to hold adults accountable. Despite speculation to the contrary, the Council’s appointment of Chris Scanlon to[...]

Posted 12 years ago