Buffalo News - Legislators may ask end to control board

By MATTHEW SPINA

Erie County’s control board is poised to leap into a more useful era today, but some of the county legislators it shadows argue it no longer is needed and say they might ask the state to disband it.

“If we do our jobs, it is not necessary,” said Legislator Thomas A. Loughran, an Amherst Democrat and one of the nine new legislators who want a chance to manage the finances without state appointees peering over their shoulders.

In a discussion last week, the Democrats who control the County Legislature reached the loose consensus that the $1.4 million in county funds that pay for the board would be better spent on county operations, with a sliver used to add a budget analyst to the Legislature’s staff.

Legislator Michele M. Iannello, a Kenmore Democrat, said the group should write a letter or statement asking state lawmakers and the governor to reconsider whether the county needs a control board. Legislator John J. Mills, an Orchard Park Republican, agreed with that approach.

“If I have heard a theme from so many new members, it is, “Give us a fighting chance here to do our work, instead of giving the public the perception that you need an outside force to come in and do what the duly electeds have been elected to do,’ ” said Legislature Chairwoman Lynn M. Marinelli, D-Town of Tonawanda. Read the rest here..

Last year Hevesi called for adult supervision and he was right then and that statement still stands today. Tell me what they have done that would prove they have grown up… Nothing, even with the new faces they have done nothing to build up any confidence in the people of Erie County.

The control board came in roaring like a lion but did nothing but talk, wasted taxpayers money, at that point I was ready and did say get out. I retract that statement because there is a change and they have now moved into another office without the excessive costs.

This state and county needs a control board, most of the politicans in this state are out of control, they get their marching orders from the party heads like Lenihan, Silver and Bruno.

Faces have changed, politics have not.