One of the first concerns we heard about from constituents in 2024 was the move by the Administration and Erie County Parks Department to change the policies at Erie County owned golf courses, allowing leagues to play just nine holes rather than the 18 holes they’ve become accustomed to playing for decades. No one from the Administration first reached to these leagues for feedback. Some of these leagues have been in existence for 60 years, and they usually play early in the day on weekdays, when the courses are relatively quiet. My colleagues and I in the Republican caucus put forth a resolution to reject these changes. Unfortunately, the majority of our colleagues on the other side stood with the Administration.
It appears at least one county in New York State will be challenging the change to the election year calendar. Our state elected officials quietly decided to move local elections to the same years that state and federal elections are held. Local governments did not request this, their input was never sought, and even the New York State Association of Counties spoke out against the move. The decision to move the local election years was pure politics. The people you send to Albany didn’t take the time to listen to what your local governments thought about the change, and it was approved quietly, at the last session in June, 2023. Federal and state elections will receive all the funding and attention. Candidates for races like town supervisor will be pressed on issues that they have no control over, rather than the quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods where they can make a difference. I hope the lawsuit is successful.
A citizen’s salary review commission has been empaneled to determine whether the countywide positions of Erie County Executive, Sheriff, Comptroller and Clerk should receive raises, as well as the position of Erie County Legislator. Some suggestions would increase the legislator salary up to 80%. To be clear, I am absolutely opposed to this salary increase. Regardless of how much time we commit to the position, it is deemed part-time. As such we can, and most do, hold other jobs. In addition, the position of legislator allows you to become vested in the state pension system, and to access the quality health care packages made available to state employees. My Republican Caucus colleagues also oppose this raise. I would recommend you reach out to your legislator, and to the Majority Leader, Legislator Tim Meyers, and voice your opinion. This is supposed to be about public service, not about getting rich on the taxpayer’s dime.
I recently wrote to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul about local school districts not being reimbursed 100% for the cost of educating migrants. Oddly enough, I received a response from Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera. In that letter she says the proposed state budget provides additional funding for school districts like Maryvale. That is being a bit disingenuous as school districts across the state are receiving more money, regardless of whether or not they are educating migrant children. I’m still waiting to hear back from Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul.
If you have any county related issues, contact my office at (716)681-2071 or Frank.Todaro@erie.gov
