District Office:
Old Erie County Hall 92 Franklin Street Fourth Floor Buffalo, N.Y. 14202 Tel: (716) 633-0617 Fax: (716) 858-8818 Email: rathe@erie.gov	Find your local library!

Background

Ed was born and raised in Amherst and attended Williamsville public schools through 8th grade. Ed graduated from Nichols School of Buffalo and subsequently received his college degree from Syracuse University with a major Political Science and a minor in History. In 2005, Ed completed the Executive MBA program at Canisius College - Magna Cum Laude

For the past 19 years, Ed has been working in the energy industry in sales, business development and management. Amy and Ed make their home in Williamsville and have three daughters.

Community Involvement

Ed moved back to Western New York in June, 2003 and has volunteered for numerous philanthropic organizations.

• Ed is a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and has chaired two major fundraising events.
• Ed is on the Advisory Council of the Buffalo/Niagara Sports Commission.
• Ed is a member of the Niagara & Erie County Regional Coalition.
• Ed works on the Executive Committee of the Muscular Dystrophy Association - raising money and awareness for the MDA.
• Ed is a member of the Williamsville Rotary Club, and helps with the Children's Literacy program.
• Ed is a parishioner and volunteer at Calvary Episcopal Church in Williamsville.

Business Experience

Ed is currently employed by Gateway Energy Services and has worked in the energy industry for the past 19 years. Over that period of time, he has worked for a vast array of businesses from small family owned businesses to a Fortune 100 company.

Legislative Activities

As the Legislator that represents the majority of Amherst Ed has accomplished several things in his first two years:

• Helped secure funding and implement major road improvement projects in the 15th district such as Wehrle Road and Maple Road, Sheridan and Mill and Main and Cayuga
• Co-sponsored important reforms: Reduction of the size of the Legislature (from 15 to 11); elimination of unnecessary district offices (Erie County is the only County Legislature in NYS with these offices); Reduction in Legislators salary (Erie County has the highest paid Legislators in NYS).
• Lead sponsor of the “Property Tax Stabilization Fund” to serve as a dedicated rainy day fund to hold the line on property tax increases
• For the past 2 years, crafted responsible budget amendments that called for meaningful reform of Erie County Government, and the reduction of our incredible tax burden

Ed serves on the legislature's Economic Development and Community Enrichment Committees. His legislative agenda items include: Increased collaboration and dialog between all economic development agencies and the business community; Continues reduction and reform of County government to lower the property tax burden; more effectively use the bed tax to promote tourism and cultural assets; Re-adoption and reform of the Empire Zone and Power for Jobs programs; Continued investment in road and bridge improvement projects; Prioritization and adequate funding of Erie Community College; Examine mergers, consolidations, shared services and inter-municipal agreements which would benefit the taxpayers of Erie County and the 15th Legislative District.