Press Releases: 02/28/08 Mills announces Additional Springville HEAP Outreach 02/28/08 Mills Announces Orchard Park HEAP Outreach 02/15/08 Mills Announces Springville HEAP Outreach 02/05/08 Bee Column 02/08 01/04/08 Mills announces HEAP outreach efforts

John J. Mills - District 13 May, 2007 Mills endorses County Manager Proposal On Monday, I held a press conference to discuss a plan to redefine the current position of Deputy County Executive as having the qualifications and responsibilities of a County Manager. This change is not just semantics. It is a substantial change in the way that Erie County does business. By requiring that the position be filled by an individual with the education and certification of county manager, Erie County will show that it values qualifications over politics. Further, it does not create a new position. Bigger government is not the answer; better government is. The Erie County Charter Review Commission recommended the creation of a County Manager Position after extensive deliberations of the commission. The concept is that the elected County Executive will continue to provide vision for the county, promote the opportunities for tourism and relocation to the county, manage intergovernmental cooperation and help review the need for new legislation at the county level. The County Manager, serving as Chief Operational Officer, would coordinate day-to-day operations of county government, including supervision of non-elected officials, hiring of department heads, budget development and implementation and tracking and reporting on management initiatives. This form of government has been successful in several communities across the United States. I agree with the Erie County Charter Review Commission that this form of government allows the elected County Executive and the appointed County Manager to focus on what he or she does best. Unfortunately, a majority of Democratic Erie County Legislators denied voters from voicing their opinion on this issue as part of the package of charter revisions passed by voters on the referendum last November. The feedback that I have heard from voters is that they want further reform, including eliminating politics from county government and replacing it with managerial experience. A survey conducted last year confirms the public's support for making this change. By redefining the position of Deputy County Executive as that of a County Manager, the legislature has the opportunity to reduce politics and allow Erie County residents to voice their input regarding this reform through a referendum. Erie County needs further reform. Part of reforming government is reducing politics. This proposal has bipartisan support. The Erie County Charter Review Commission is a bipartisan body that supports this proposal. Some Democrat Erie County Legislators supported this proposal when it was initially brought to the legislature last August. I call on my colleagues in the legislature give Erie County residents what they want – less politics, more experience and no increased costs. The voters deserve no less. Erie County needs less career politicians and more career managers. We need more individuals dedicated to public service, rather than winning elections. We need more individuals with experience in the field, rather than on the campaign trail. Redefining the Deputy County Executive position to act as County Manager meets Erie County's needs. I would like to hear your thoughts on reforming county government. Please contact me at my District Office, located at 431 Main Street in East Aurora. My telephone number is 655-5650. You can also reach me by email at jmills13@erie.gov. Back to District 13 Homepage