ERIE COUNTY OFFICIALS "CONFIDENT" BILLS DEAL WILL GET DONE

          Erie County, NY, officials "believe they are on the
     verge of keeping the Bills in Buffalo," according to Marty
     York of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  Scott Brown, an aide to
     Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski, said officials "are
     prepared to meet [Bills Owner Ralph] Wilson's demands for
     stadium improvements, which would include new luxury boxes." 
     Brown: "We're putting together a package now that we feel
     meets the Bills' needs and at the same time protects county
     taxpayers" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 7/19).  In Rochester, Leo
     Roth reported that Gorski "blasted" a Toronto report which
     said the NFL had told Wilson that if talks break down in
     Buffalo "he's encouraged to relocate the team to Toronto. 
     Gorski: "Any views in regards to pessimism are misstated. 
     I've always been optimistic. ... We're in good position,
     notwithstanding the negative things that have been written
     or said publicly" (Rochester DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE, 7/19).