January 20, 2009

WROBLEWSKI MINDFUL OF THE CALL TO SERVICE

"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." These words were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. decades ago and were the genesis of what has become the national King Day of Service in the United States. During one of the most historic weeks in our nation's history, I want to draw a parallel between the importance of community service and the call to public service.

This week, we bore witness to a formal ceremony, the 44th Presidential Inauguration in our nation's history. We saw the highest-ranking representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial branches assemble peacefully as the reigns of federal executive power were transmitted from one president to another. This transfer of power was laid out by our founding fathers in a document - the United States Constitution - more than 200 years ago. Yet, this document is relevant today. Indeed, it is the very model of governance upon which the constitutions of the various states and even our county government, via the Erie County Charter, are based.

Just as our new President will share the governance of our nation with the House of Representatives and Senate, so too our County Executive shares governance with the County Legislature. Why do we need both a legislative and executive branch of government? Because, as our forefathers foresaw, the legislative branch offers a check and balance on the power of the executive - whether president, governor, mayor or county executive. Here in Erie County, the County Legislature's most important duty is to review and make changes to the annual budget as presented by the executive, to approve all borrowing and to levy taxes. It is the power of the purse, balanced by the power of the administrative duties of the County Executive.

However, in my experience as a county legislator, it is the duties performed below the radar to the media that compose most of my days as a legislator. On average through the course of a year, my district office staff and I address about 50 constituent inquiries weekly - whether by phone, e-mail, U.S. mail or personal contact in the community. Some of the questions require a short answer, perhaps referring a taxpayer to the right government agency - whether federal, state or municipal - for assistance. Others take far more time, research and advocacy to address, requiring a legislator to intercede with the county bureaucracy on behalf of a constituent.

To sum up, the Erie County Legislature is the "go to" branch of county government. A taxpayer can be reasonably assured of getting a return phone call from a legislator. That cannot be said of the executive, who represents nearly one million residents in Erie County. It is what makes legislative public service the sounding board for the voice of the people. It is a privilege to be the sounding board for my constituents in West Seneca and South Cheektowaga in the Erie County Legislature. The Erie County Charter is very much a reflection of both the state and federal constitutions. It is a model that works well in achieving a balance of power, and ensuring the concerns of the public are heard.

Two hundred years ago, a model of government was inaugurated that would come to survive the War of 1812, westward expansion, the industrial revolution, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War and the flood of new immigrants drawn to the light and promise and hope represented by the flame of Lady Liberty's torch. This model of government survived World War I, the stock marked crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the War in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and, in this century, 9/11 and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It will also survive an economic downturn not seen since the Great Depression.

Our nation will not only survive the current economic crisis, experienced by virtually every country across the globe, but we will be stronger after we overcome this challenge. However, each of us has been called by our new president to play a role in our nation's economic recovery, whether by answering a call to much-needed volunteer service, helping to rebuild a sturdy foundation for our country's credit and housing infrastructure, or for some of us, becoming involved in public service.

When it comes to public service, the legislature is the "go to" branch of government. But, at this most challenging time in our history, every one of us must become a "go to" person in the important roles we play as parents, employees, neighbors and citizens. Whether we serve as volunteer firefighters, coaches on little league teams, or members of churches or community organizations, we demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to answer the call to greatness by answering the call to service.

During this historic week, I want to thank everyone in our community who has brought service to every day of their lives.

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