March 28, 2011 I am at the latter half of my seventh decade and have developed some simple political views. I believe open government and good management, cognizant of the lessons of the past, trumps all ideology. For two years, I have watched with growing alarm the dedicated ideology of County Executive Chris Collins that… Continue Reading
Category Archives: In the News
Tonawanda News: Government isn’t a business
March 28, 2011 By Eric DuVall Some quick food for thought: • Erie County Executive Chris Collins will run for re-election. I haven’t agreed with everything he’s done but I don’t think he’s been an abject failure by any stretch, either. But if his opponent stands up to him on one issue, let it be… Continue Reading
Buffalo News: Collins wins higher salary for appointee
March 25, 2011 By Matthew Spina Chris Collins should be allowed to restore a nearly $130,000-a-year job for one of his appointees, a majority of county lawmakers decided Thursday. The appointee, Michelle A. Mazzone, had served as the county executive’s director of real estate and asset management for a couple of years, but her salary was… Continue Reading
Buffalo News: Collins’ failed part-time idea costs county $450,000
March 22, 2011 By Matthew Spina Erie County taxpayers will surrender $450,000 to settle County Executive Chris Collins’ failed experiment to hire part-time workers for full-time jobs. Soon after taking office in 2008, Collins figured he could save money with an employment category called “regular part-time.” Regular part-time employees had usually worked about 20 hours a… Continue Reading
Buffalo News: Comptroller stops check to county’s new attorney
March 18, 2011 By Matthew Spina Erie County’s first paycheck to its new county attorney was halted Thursday by aides to Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz, who said the salary was never legally set at $150,000 a year, contrary to what County Executive Chris Collins contends. Collins maintains that he can pay Jeremy A. Colby the $150,000-a-year… Continue Reading