LEGISLATOR KENNEDY ANNOUNCES IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA

In its final session before the August recess, the Erie County Legislature focused its vision on the many opportunities that exist both currently and in the future for the Town of Cheektowaga. I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss with you the advancements that were made in the Legislature through the Economic Development Committee that I have the privilege to Chair. There is no doubt that these advancements will benefit all Cheektowaga residents.

I'd like to begin by discussing the Dingens Street drainage project, one that has been long-stalled but has now gained momentum due to our efforts. We were able to arrange a meeting between the Town of Cheektowaga Supervisor Mary Holtz, the Erie County Department of Public Works, the Town Engineering Department, and others which resulted in the July 9th approval of $300,000.00 of County funds for this project, a perfect demonstration of intermunicipal cooperation. The residents of this neighborhood, who have long suffered drainage and other flooding problems, will soon see the fruits of our efforts in the form of an entirely new drainage system.

Another recent improvement is centered on William Street and Losson Road. The restriping of these two roads is a result of neighborhoods standing up for themselves, taxpayer groups communicating their needs to elected officials, and positive results happening for the community. Wear and tear had left the lines on these roads faded and missing in high traffic areas. Neighborhood taxpayer groups contacted both me and Councilmember Charlie Markel and we discussed this safety hazard. At my request, Erie County did what it should have done by restriping the lines and making maintenance repairs where necessary.

As a representative of the Town of Cheektowaga in the Erie County Legislature, I, along with the Economic Development Committee (which includes another Cheektowaga representative, Tim Wroblewski) have approved many more projects that will directly benefit the residents of Cheektowaga and which have been funded by Erie County. Some of these projects include the allocation of $6,295,000 to improve roads - those in Cheektowaga include the Pine Ridge/Genesee intersection and Cayuga at Genesee; Youngs and Aero Drive intersection improvements, a project that was awarded federal aid; highway fuel tank spill prevention control and countermeasure plans, which includes the maintenance plant at Harlem Road and Clinton Street; the transfer of mitigation funds to the Wehrle Drive reconstruction project, which will be used for signal improvements and turning lanes at Wehrle Drive and Youngs College Park Development; and reconstruction of the Cayuga Creek Road culvert and the George Urban Boulevard bridge.

Many of these projects have been on the wish list for the Town of Cheektowaga for years and I am proud to say that they are now becoming a reality.

As Erie County Legislator representing Cheektowaga, I will continue to take advantage of the opportunities that exist for the town and will ensure that they come to fruition for all town residents.

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