MIKE DESMOND
The race is only two days old, but the two candidates for Erie County executive have found a common theme.
The key issue in the race will be Chris Collins’ performance in the county’s top job.
Collins says he wants to “make sure the public understands there’s no promises being made now other than continuing for four more years exactly what we’ve done for three-and-a-half years.”
Poloncarz is attacking Collins’ record. He made his campaign announcement in front of his hometown library in Lackawanna, a facility donated by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who “believed that accessible libraries should be open to all,” said Poloncarz.
“Our County Executive, of course, believes that we should be shutting libraries for no reason other than he’d rather spend that money in other areas such as raises for his patronage appointees.”
Collins is defending his record.
He says in Erie County “25 towns grew. The (population) loss was confined to the city of Buffalo.”
Collins also says he’s redirected the ECIDA to focus on job creation through small business growth.
“We’re not looking at the ‘Silver Bullet’ solutions they used to look for,” Collins said.
The contest is expected to nasty and costly.
“I feel confident I’ll have the sufficient funds that I need to get my message out,” said Poloncarz.
“The people are speaking that they want new leadership and we’ve already seen donations come in substantial amounts.”
Collins says the area is undergoing a renaissance despite Albany’s high taxes and bad policies.
“The first budget of our new Governor has done nothing,” said Collins.
“It appears he’s content to continue to manage a decline of New York State.”
Some observers wonder if Collins’ political barbs will prompt Governor Cuomo to actively campaign for Poloncarz, his fellow Democrat.
“I grew up in Lackawanna,” said Poloncarz.
“Erie County is many communities, it’s not just the city of Buffalo, it’s not just Lackawanna. It’s rural communities like Alden, Sardinia and Brant.”
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