A good deal of our attention has been happily distracted from March Mayhem to March Madness.Â
Thank goodness for basketball. It temporarily shifts our focus away from the mayhem on local
roads and bridges once the spring thaw is in full swing.
Winter's fury and the relentless beating our infrastructure has taken from ice, snow, sand, salt
and heavy equipment are obvious to anyone who ventures out before the patching crews have been out
in full force.
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Erie County Legislators John J. Mills, 13th District, Edward A. Rath III, 15th District, and
Raymond W. Walter, 4th District, were prevented from voicing their opposition to the proposed 2009
New York State Budget at session today. In a procedural move, an item expressing disapproval of
the budget was referred to the Legislature's Finance and Management committee.
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Erie County Executive Chris Collins has started an online petition effort to encourage residents
to join efforts to stop the New York Power Authority's (NYPA) plan to raise rates and issue bonuses
to employees. Collins is asking rate payers and residents to visit StopNYPA.org and sign the
online petition to ask the Attorney General to investigate this unaccountable authority and stop
NYPA's plan to rob Western New York of even more economic development dollars.
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In anticipation of the State's payment to counties for partial reimbursement of legal defense
services, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) reaffirms its support for Governor
David Paterson's proposal to provide more flexibility with the ILSF.
Governor Paterson has proposed as part of his 2009-10 Executive Budget a provision to provide
counties and the City of New York with greater flexibility related to the ILSF.
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Between Bucky Phillips, Kevin Allen, and the newly-disclosed case of Rasheed Milton - a sex
offender and drug dealer who was mistakenly released from Alden only to allegedly rape someone in
Buffalo - there seems to be a dangerously sloppy incompetence going on at Erie County jails.
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The revised figures for the year-over-year period from January 2008 to January 2009 were
released today and they don't look very good.
The state Department of Labor says unemployment jumped to 9 percentin February, compared with
6.3 percent in January 2008 and 7.1 percent in December.
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The following statement was released from the County Executive's office in regards to
Comptroller Mark Poloncarzreport released earlier today:
"The Comptroller's investigation and subsequent report reaffirm the County Executive's position
that Volland Electric was the lowest responsible bidder and that this Administration acted in full
accordance with county law.
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A report form the Erie County Comptrollers office clears Erie County Executive Chris Collins of
any undue influcence in awarding a contract to a company that he co-owns.
The report also verifies that the contract, should of been sent to the Erie County Legislature
for approval before being sent to the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority
READ FULL REPORT
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Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz today released an audit of Erie County's (the "County")
Department of Probation ("Probation") for the period January 1, 2006 to September 30, 2008 (the
"Audit"). Among various areas examined, the Audit reviewed Probation's victim restitution account,
Probation's collection of probation fees from probationers, internal controls in Probation's
cashier's office, and Probation's multiple unlinked computer systems.
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The Erie County Legislature is looking into possible ethics violations involving the pending
approval approve a $90,000 contract from Volland Electric, a company in which County Executive
Chris Collins is part owner.
"As far as we know, any contract over $10,000 needs to come through the legislature.
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Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz today released an audit of Erie County's (the
"County") Division of Purchase ("Purchasing") for the period July 1, 2006 to
June 30, 2008 (the "Audit"). Among various areas examined, the Audit reviewed
internal controls over purchase orders, the sale of scrap materials and auction of surplus items,
including vehicles.
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For the benefit of the many taxpayers that are trying to determine who is on their side in the
current debate and litigation regarding the 2009 Erie County Budget, make no mistake. The
County Legislature is blocking the proposed Collins' tax increase – plain and simple.
It is the County Legislature that is looking out [.
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For the benefit of the many taxpayers that are trying to determine who is on their side in the
current debate and litigation regarding the 2009 Erie County Budget, make no mistake. The
County Legislature is blocking the proposed Collins' tax increase – plain and simple.
It is the County Legislature that is looking out [.
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In his first bold move as County Executive, Chris Collins announced today that he is removing Erie
County as a party to the two ongoing lawsuits attempting to block consrtuctuon of a permanent
Seneca Buffalo Creek casino in downtown Buffalo. "Casino gaming already exists in Downtown
Buffalo," said Collins.
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Five High Schools in Erie County, including three City of Buffalo Public Schools were recognized by
US News and World report in their "Best High Schools "rankings.
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Outgoing Erie County executive Joel Giambra announced today that he is leaving Erie County in the
black. His administrations 2007 Forecast results: Certain operating surplus of $12.2 million
Potential surplus of $15 to $20 Millio: Depending on December sales tax results
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The Erie County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution that urges the New York State Assembly
and Senate to pass bills that would end the practice of "File and Use" when increasing
rates for Heath Insurance Providers. Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma),
sponsor of the resolution, said, "Health insurance costs have far outpaced increases in [.
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County Executive Joel Giambra and the Erie County Legislature have agreed to forgive the 2006 and
2007 County taxes on property located at 300 Manhattan Street. The property is being conveyed to
the City of Buffalo as a result of a Federal Bankruptcy and will be used for the expansion of the
area around Bennett [.
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Erie County Executive-Elect Chris Collins has announced five key appointments to his
administration: Deputy County Executive – Mark Davis Director of Six Sigma – Alfred
Hammonds, Jr Director of Budget & Management – Beth Kornbrekke Commissioner of Parks &
Recreation – James Hornung, Sr.
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WNYmedia.net's Alan Bedenko and Chris Smith recently sat down with County Executive elect Chris
Collins to conduct a wide-ranging interview. The more than 40 minute discussion covered a host of
topics including his relationship with the legislature and control board, budget monitoring, the
waterfront, six sigma, and union negotiations.
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I sort of glanced over this the other day, but Dick Kern pointed out that this could be very
good news for Buffalo and trying to serve warrants out of Erie County. This is very belated but
very good news. Serving the outstanding warrant on merely one of the 1000 or so deadbeats could
possibly [.
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How many times do stories like this have to happen before we can officially rid ourselves of our
incompetent Erie County Sheriff? Kevin Allen, the 27-year-old inmate released from the Erie County
Holding Center last week by mistake, is now back in the custody of the Erie County Sheriff's
Department.
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We've been wondering where the washed up soon to be Former Erie County Executive was going to land.
Now its offifical: Senator Alfonse D'Amato is pleased to officially announce that Erie County
Executive Joel A. Giambra will be joining Park Strategies, LLC as a Managing Director effective
January 1, 2008.
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Erie County Executive-elect Chris Collins has selected Philip C. Ackerman and Philip M. Corwin to
co-chair his transition team. Led by Ackerman and Corwin, Collins' transition team will work
closely with the current administration to ensure a successful and smooth transition for the
taxpayers of Erie County.
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County Executive elect Chris Collins held his first press conference on the 16th floor of the Rath
building after a meeting with current County Executive Joel Giambra, to answer any questions about
the transition from the Giambra administration. As per the county charter, a few positions like
Personnel Director will remain on collins staff until there [.
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