I hope you all had a wonderful summer. It always seems to go by too quickly. As children head back to school, please remember to watch for them at bus stops and crosswalks, and always stop for school buses.
Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of organizations and see firsthand how county resources are being used in our community. I joined the East Aurora Police Department for a ride along, toured FeedMore WNY’s new commissary and warehouse, and visited Springville Youth Inc., among others. These experiences are important to me because they provide a clear picture of where county resources are going and the difference those investments make.
Recently, I also clocked in a letter to ErieNet’s Executive Director and the Commissioner of Environment and Planning demanding answers about the county’s broadband project. ErieNet was first announced in 2019, yet more than five years later progress has been minimal despite millions already spent. The cost has nearly doubled, deadlines have been missed, and the public still has no clear understanding of what has been completed or what the long-term costs will be. I have requested a public committee meeting to review their responses, because residents deserve transparency and accountability.
Concerns about ErieNet are part of a larger discussion as the County Executive prepares to present his 2026 budget proposal this fall. Budget season is always one of the most important times of the year, because it sets our priorities and determines how county resources are used. We already know borrowing is increasing, and the county has added new costs such as the purchase of the Westwood Golf Course from the Town of Amherst. The Legislature will also be debating the future of the Erie County Holding Center, which may involve consolidating operations at the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. These decisions will have long-term financial impacts, and it is critical that county government show restraint and act responsibly rather than continuing to grow.
As always, if you have a county related concern, please reach out to my office at (716) 858-8922 or by email at Lindsay.Lorigo@erie.gov. You can also follow me on Facebook at Legislator Lindsay Lorigo for updates and information.
