ERIE COUNTY, NY – Yet another stain on Chris Collins’ record is his failure to prioritize public health by gutting Erie County’s rodent control program. This summer, many county residents endured a growing rat population creeping into their communities while Collins dismissively refused to allocate funding for rodent control because it’s not a mandated service.
“Collins’ desire to gut every county service that isn’t mandated isn’t what the people of Erie County want,” said Peter Anderson, spokesperson for Mark Poloncarz’s campaign. “Rodent control is an issue of public health, whether in a commercial or residential area. As history tells us, rats spread disease and germs when they travel. Erie County must be proactive about rat baiting for the sake of public health.”
Collins completely eliminated rodent control funding in his 2011 budget. The Legislature fought to restore $70,000 for rodent baiting, but Collins dragged his heels in spending it all summer. Furthermore, his Budget Director stated in a letter that spending tax dollars on rodent control is a “losing battle.” This is not what the residents of Erie County want. Mark will fund rodent control by cutting the wasteful raises that Collins gave to his political cronies.
“It seems as though Collins is satisfied to kick back on the 16th floor of the Rath Building while the rats take over Erie County,” Anderson said. “Erie County deserves a County Executive who will be proactive about public health and safety while funding the services people want in the most efficient manner possible. Mark will fund services to the public, not big raises for insiders. Mark cares about the public health of his constituents and will be proactive about problems as they arise.”