Mark with Sabretooth at Chestnut Ridge Park.
Mark with Sabretooth at Chestnut Ridge Park

Investing in the People’s Mandates –

Mark has made it a priority to restore funding for what he calls the “People’s Mandates,” which are the programs you, the public, demand be provided by our government. These include funding our parks, libraries, arts and cultural institutions and our vast road and bridge system. In regards to each of these, Mark has done the following:

Parks:
Erie County has more than 12,000 acres of parks, forests, golf courses and beaches to enjoy. Mark understands we hold our parks in a public trust for future generations and we must invest in them for today and tomorrow. As such, Since 2012, under the leadership of Mark Poloncarz the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry has invested nearly $30 Million into the Erie County Parks System to improve our vast park system, and that will continue to do so as long as Mark is YOUR County Executive.

Libraries:
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System is one of community’s greatest assets. Unlike prior administrations, Mark substantially increased funding during his tenure, all without increasing property taxes. Additionally, Mark has invested in new bookmobiles for the library system, supports the incredible exhibits the Central Library has displayed, and he pledges he continue to invest in our libraries as YOUR County Executive.

Mark and Shark Girl at Canalside, a succesfful public art project through a collaborative with the Albright Knox Art Gallery.
Mark and Shark Girl at Canalside, a successful public art project collaboration between the county and the Albright Knox Art Gallery.

Arts and Cultural Institutions:
Our community is blessed to have world renowned arts and cultural organizations. Mark understands these organizations not only enrich our mind, but they are a valuable sector of our local economy. As YOUR County Executive, since 2012, nearly $77.5 million in operational funding and over $35 million in capital funding has been provided to local arts and cultural organizations, as well as opened up assistance to many more entities. This includes major infrastructure projects of area organizations, such as $4.5 million for the Zoo’s new Arctic Edge Exhibit, $5 million for the Albright Know Gundlach Art Museum’s new building and gallery space, and supported the Museum of Science’s renovation of the Kellogg Observatory and restoration of its telescope with a $500,000 grant from Erie County. By doing so, Mark knows we are supporting not only our local arts scene, but our entire economy.

Road and Bridge System:
Erie County is one of the largest counties in New York, and has more miles of roads than any other similar county. In fact, Erie County has more than 2,400 lane miles of roads, which is more than the states of Delaware, Rhode Island and Hawaii each have. As YOUR County Executive, Mark understands the need to invest and rebuild our road and bridge system. During Mark’s tenure as County Executive, he has invested more than $500 million in our Highway Department’s efforts to repair our road and bridge infrastructure, and will continue to improve our road and bridge system as YOUR County Executive.

Continue to develop the Renaissance Commerce Park at the former Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna, thereby creating even more new jobs for the region. 

Begin construction of the Agricultural Industrial Park in Angola to support our local farmers and agricultural community. 

Continue implementation of Mark’s Live Well Erie poverty plan to help parents, families, and older adults achieve their full potential and leave no person behind.

One Response

  1. Needless to say, I am appalled at the idea and the possibility of a new jail at the gateway to our city. The very thought of showing our flaws to a prospective tourist defines our priorities and lack of sound judgment. Why would anyone want to do business with Buffalo knowing that there first impression is a holding tank for criminals? Let me suggest Kenmore or Lackawanna or even the remote sites in our surrounding communities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *