August, 2006
NOT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS OF CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION WILL REACH VOTERS IN NOVEMBER

The Erie County Legislature, at their July 27, 2006 session, went through the 37 recommendations of the Charter Review Commission and decided which changes would go before the residents of Erie County in a November referendum. It is very unfortunate; however, that the centerpiece of the 23 -member Commission's months of work will not reach voters in November.

A majority of Legislators did not support the proposal to transfer many of the County Executive's powers to an appointed, nonpolitical county manager. Creating a hybrid County Executive-County Manager form of government would give Erie County the opportunity to provide both strong leadership and professional management and remove political patronage from County government. I felt that the voters of Erie County should have the opportunity to decide how their government is managed.

Although the Legislature wisely adopted to put before the voters provisions to strengthen the powers of the Comptroller and transfer some of the County Executive's financial responsibilities to the Comptroller's office, the majority in the Legislature failed to take the necessary steps to diminish patronage and politics in County government. I, along with some of my colleagues introduced a Local Law on July 27, 2006, in an attempt to keep the proposal of a County Manager on the table for discussion.

It is disappointing that the full recommendations of the Charter Review Commission will not reach the public for their vote. As it stands only the changes adopted by the Legislature on July 27, 2006 will be put before the voters.

If you have any questions or comments about this or any issue concerning Erie County government, please feel free to contact me at my district office at 631-8695.