Erie County’s new County Executive says his first order of business this week will be to issue several executive orders aimed at weeding out waste, fraud and abuse in County government.
WBFO’s Marian Hetherly reports on the swearing in Sunday of Mark Poloncarz.
“Today, County government is back in the hands of those who own it: the people of Erie County,” said Poloncarz.
With his parents by his side and a room full of supporters looking on, Democrat Mark Poloncarz took the oath of office as Erie County’s eighth County Executive at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
Poloncarz said “job one” will be job creation and economic development, and he pledged that his administration would be run by partnership, not partisanship.
“This is just the beginning of what will be the cornerstone of my administration: cooperation between branches of government while ensuring that we follow sound budgeting practices and fiscal restraints. We will work together to spend within our means without compromising the quality of service we provide,” said Poloncarz.
In stark contrast to his predecessor, Poloncarz said government is not a business, and should not be run like one.
“Instead of doing less, we’re going to do more and give Erie County residents a government that truly represents them, a government they can be proud of again. We’re going to do it not only by ensuring that government provides the services that the public needs and for that matter deserves, but we’re going to do it as efficiently and effectively as possible. We’re going to do it by spending your hard-earned dollars more wisely.” said Poloncarz.
Poloncarz said the executive orders he issues this week could alone result in millions of dollars in cost savings for County government.
http://news.wbfo.org/post/poloncarz-takes-oath-pledges-government-back-hands-people-erie-county