The Pressbox Powertrip

Reluctant and bad news

The Pressbox Powertrip — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:13:00 GMT

Hi folks, I've been putting this post off for a few days because I do it with much reluctance and a heavy heart. I'm not sure how to say this gently, so I'll just say it -- I'm shutting down The Pressbox Powertrip. I've thought long...(read more)

PAETEC almost DID drop naming rights

The Pressbox Powertrip — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:56:00 GMT

A source tells me that, for what it's worth, PAETEC Communications WAS actually considering withdrawing from its naming-rights agreement for the soccer stadium during the height of the Rhinos' recent financial crisis. The company even took steps...(read more)

Rhinos: Slow start won't affect attendance

The Pressbox Powertrip — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:39:00 GMT

Will the Rhinos' winless, and scoreless, start to the season hurt the team in the stands when the home opener comes around this Saturday? The team's front office doesn't think so. "I don't think it will affect the opener," team...(read more)

Donner and the Walk of Fame?

The Pressbox Powertrip — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:13:00 GMT

I've been meaning to get your thoughts about Bob Matthews' column last week in which he argued for Steve Donner receiving a spot in the Frontier Walk of Fame. Bob's arguments are very good ones, and certainly very legitimate. Donner has indeed...(read more)

A trio of tax warrants

The Pressbox Powertrip — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:58:00 GMT

On Friday, the state Department of Taxation and Finance issued a trio of tax warrants totaling nearly $72,000 in unpaid taxes against current and former Rochester Sports Group companies. Empire Professional Soccer LLC — the company DDE used to operate...(read more)

Local company in discussions to run arena

The Pressbox Powertrip — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:36:00 GMT

According to a very dependable source, the city of Rochester has had discussions with a local entertainment company about operating Blue Cross Arena. The city's contract with the company that currently runs the arena, Philadelphia-based SMG, expires...(read more)

Official: City always owned stadium

The Pressbox Powertrip — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:01:00 GMT

Sorry it's taken me a couple days to write a follow-up to my Thursday post about PAETEC Park. Thank you, by the way, for all your comments and all your thoughts. Keep them coming. This is your blog as much as it is mine. Anyway ... we found the deed...(read more)

The truth about soccer stadium ownership?

The Pressbox Powertrip — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:44:00 GMT

No one but the city of Rochester ever owned, possessed or sold PAETEC Park. Not DuRoss/Donner/Economides (DDE), not their company (Rochester Rhinos Stadium LLC), not NBT Bank, no one. At least, not according to the city’s own Tax Assessor’s office. Know...(read more)

Styres' timing is perfect

The Pressbox Powertrip — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:43:00 GMT

The American Hockey League's approval of Curt Styres' purchase of 60 percent of the Amerks (and Knighthawks) was impeccably timed, because on Monday the Amerks' credit rating continued to plummet. According to Dun & Bradstreet, the financial...(read more)

Don't gloat, Wings fans

The Pressbox Powertrip — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:10:00 GMT

Hey, I'm as optimistic as the next guy, but ... OK, I can't finish that sentence with a straight face. We all know I'm a pessimist, almost to an unhealthy extreme. That's why I'm not surprised at all that the Rhinos have started the...(read more)

Former CFO enjoyed his time with RSG

The Pressbox Powertrip — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:53:00 GMT

Good morning, folks. I'm writing this a little before 7 a.m., which is mind-blowing to me, because usually at 7 a.m. I'm either unconscious or functionally brain dead. I actually didn't believe people when they told me there's part of...(read more)

Lots of stuff to react to

The Pressbox Powertrip — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:34:00 GMT

Unfortunately, it looks like it's going to be a long night here at the Webster Herald — I might even miss all of tonight's Adult Swim, and I need my Harvey Birdman fix — which is bad because there's a lot of stuff to talk about. First and...(read more)

Working on stuff

The Pressbox Powertrip — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:53:00 GMT

Howdy all, I don't have anything for Monday morning, but I'll be working diligently during the day Monday and will hopefully have some good stuff up Monday night and Tuesday morning. As usual, feel free to contact me anytime at rwhirty218@yahoo...(read more)

Minarik's fingers in the ESL Centre pie

The Pressbox Powertrip — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:11:00 GMT

Documents recently obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that the ESL Centre has always had Monroe County Republican overlord Steve Minarik's fingerprints all over it. Ever since I began covering the financial troubles at the ESL Centre...(read more)

Businessmen in process of buying out ESL Centre

The Pressbox Powertrip — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:25:00 GMT

Should a community asset like the ESL Centre be completely owned by two businessmen whose long-term goal is profit? Like it or not, hat's precisely what's in the process of happening to the ice rink and recreation centre located on the MCC campus...(read more)