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John J. Mills - District 13 March 14, 2007 Mills keeps billboards out of Orchard Park East Aurora, New York – Erie County Legislator John J. Mills has submitted a resolution to oppose placement of billboards on county property located in Orchard Park. On March 5, 2007, the Erie County Division of Budget, Management and Finance issued a request for proposals to erect billboards on three county owned properties. Two of the properties are located in Buffalo and the third is located in undeveloped land along Route 219. The determination to request proposals was made by the Division of Budget, Management and Finance following a study of all Erie County owned properties to determine appropriate billboard locations. "Frankly, I am baffled how this parcel of land could be determined to be appropriate for billboards. The residents of Orchard Park have spoken clearly that they do not want billboards in Orchard Park. The town has an ordinance to prohibit billboards. Four of the town's political parties have entered into an agreement to not post lawn signs, because its members want to preserve the beauty, character and aesthetics of Orchard Park," stated Legislator Mills. Legislator Mills cited the work of Orchard Park resident Robert Lennartz to have the section of Route 219 running from Orchard Park to Springville named "Erie County Veterans Memorial Highway" and the Western New York Scenic Byways Committee's application to have Route 219 declared a scenic byway. "In 2001, the Erie County Legislature helped to fund the Western New York Scenic Byways Committee to have Route 219 declared a scenic byway. Allowing a billboard to be erected in this location would not honor Erie County's veterans and it would be directly contrary to the efforts to preserve the scenic beauty along Route 219, efforts which the legislature has supported financially." Legislator Mills states that he understands the need for the county to identify revenue sources in its efforts to rectify its current fiscal situation. However, he does not feel that this particular proposal is appropriate. "Orchard Park has imposed certain community standards upon itself. That is part of what makes Orchard Park such a desirable place to live for those who choose to live there. Diminishing the standards would diminish the desirability of the community as a place to live. A better way to remedy the current fiscal situation would be by re-engineering county government to make it more efficient, effective and accountable to the residents of Erie County. For more information about the resolution to oppose the erection of billboards on County owned property in Orchard Park, please contact Legislator Mills' District Office at 655-5650. Back to District 13 Homepage