The Erie County Legislature returns to session as we begin to focus on the 2026 budget. Federal dollars that came to Erie County during the pandemic are long gone. Unfortunately, the County Executive spent that money in irresponsible ways, missing the opportunity to bring game-changing projects here. Instead, he added jobs and programs and made Erie County government even more bloated. That is fiscal mismanagement that any future County Executive will be left to clean up.
Speaking of which, I had the opportunity recently to tour the Erie County Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. The Holding Center was built almost 100 years ago. It has become very difficult for the Sheriff’s Office to meet current standards with a structure not designed to allow for that. The Correctional Facility, however, is in good shape and there is plenty of room to expand there. Combining the two facilities, rather than continuing to try and operate both, makes the most sense. Erie County needs to invest in more cameras at the Alden location and continue exploring designs that will work best for the long term. Had Mark Poloncarz used the federal dollars for projects like these, he could have paid more money up front, easing the burden on taxpayers. It is unfortunate that he did not take the opportunity to spend the Covid funds in a way that would have truly made a difference.
As we return to session, we also need to be wary of big legal settlements facing Erie County. Taxpayers should be kept apprised of the status of those settlements, including what it will ultimately be costing them.
I want to congratulate the Lancaster Fire Department’s Jerry Enser and Stephen Gaglione for being honored with Firefighter Recognition Awards at the Erie County Fair. Thank you for your service.
I joined Congressman Nick Langworthy last week for a visit to the Alden Senior Center. I appreciate all the good work they do, and I thank them for having me. I also stopped by the Lancaster Senior Center to check out the new Bingo Board. I was happy to help secure funding for the board, and I even had the honor of calling a game.
With children returning to school in a couple of weeks, I wish to remind everyone to be mindful that our community’s young people will be standing at bus stops or walking to school. Please keep an eye out for them and remember, when the school bus stops, you must also stop. Let’s have a safe, happy and healthy start to a new school year.
It was exciting to see the Buffalo Bills return for training camp and get the pre-season underway. I am more hopeful than ever that the team’s time has come. How fitting it would be for the Bills to go all the way in this stadium’s final year.
If you have a county related issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 716-681-2071 or by email Frank.Todaro@erie.gov
