Legislator Mills
In the coming weeks, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz will be presenting us with his proposed 2027 budget. I hope that it is fiscally responsible. Erie County government has grown significantly on his watch; despite the fact we are not gaining in population. Taxpayers should not be expected to foot the bill for a bloated government.
My district contains many county roads, and with that comes the expectation that these roads will be properly maintained. I’m glad to see that work has been done on Webster Road, McKinley Parkway and Boston State Road, to name a few. However, significant work needs to be done on Sowles Road in Hamburg, and Old Chestnut Ridge Road, among others. In my final months here in the Erie County Legislature, I will continue to advocate for that work getting done.
The Erie County Parks have seen some real improvements in these last few years. My colleagues and I in the Republican caucus pushed for inclusive playgrounds several years ago. I am glad that they are now in our heritage parks for all to enjoy. We are fortunate to live in an area that has these true natural treasures. Proper maintenance of them to ensure future generations can enjoy these public spaces is a top priority of mine.
I continue with my farewell tour of the towns that I have represented for two decades. It has been my great honor. There are many great representatives in each of these communities, and I look forward to continuing to represent them for the next three and a half months.
The new Buffalo Bills stadium has received many positive reviews. While it is always bittersweet to see the place the team has called home for more than fifty years come down, the new stadium represents a new era for the team and for the region. In addition, there will be more than just football inside the new Highmark Stadium, with plans for concerts and other events. The trail that was developed around the stadium for public use has been a great addition. Many people have been taking advantage of this trail, which is wonderful to see. Perhaps this new home is where we can witness many playoff wins that will ultimately result in the long-awaited Super Bowl victory.
There is a veteran’s tax exemption for one-hundred percent disabled vets that is before the Legislature. I am in favor of this measure, and I hope we can get it passed. Those who sacrificed so much and who now find themselves fully disabled deserve more than our gratitude, they deserve to be properly taken care of. This tax exemption will do just that.
We recently commemorated 25 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Nearly three thousand innocent people died that day, with many more dying later of illnesses related to their efforts working on rescue and recovery. We were truly united as a country in the days and weeks that followed. May we never forget.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. If you have a county related issue, contact my office at (716)858-8850 or by email at John.Mills@erie.gov You can also keep up on county happenings on my Facebook page, Legislator John Mills.
