ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 http://www.lawjournalbuffalo.com/news/article/current/2012/01/09/103672/tobes-plate-fills-up-fast-in-return-to-public-sector Tobe's plate is already filling up. His first day in the new administration was Jan. 3. There are myriad economic development issues either in the pipeline or on the horizon, led by a widespread desire to see the county sign the Buffalo Bills to a new, long-term lease. The current lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park expires in July 2013, and the team is expected to ask for as much as $130 million in building renovations. Tobe was point man for similar talks with the Bills in 1998, the last time the lease was renegotiated. This time around, he said he has reached out to two key Bills officials, Russ Brandon and Jeff Littman. "In a perfect world, I'd like to get the lease done as soon as possible and have it for as long as possible," Tobe said. Right or wrong, he knows his return to the Rath Building and Poloncarz's political future are tied in large part to the Bills lease. Until it's signed, he'll be operating in a very public fish bowl. "The reality is the Bills may be a net loss leader but they are the psychological leader when it comes to this region," he said. "They help define that Erie County is a place to stay and move to." There's a little more about Richard Tobe in the full article, but the above excerpt seems to be the key part concerning the stadium lease negotiations. It's been previously reported that the County plans to seek bids from outside law firms to represent the County, but whatever law firm Erie County hires might wind up taking their directions from Tobe. For a few more details about Tobe, see: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/richard-tobe/a/447/956
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