By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – It's been eight months since Congresswoman Louise Slaughter saw her mainly Rochester district extended into Buffalo. She now has to represent two urban areas, and a long stretch of rural countryside in between.
Late last week, Louise Slaughter brought some much needed federal funding for an east side human service agency.
Slaughter's folksy style was welcomed by the largely African-American senior who were waiting to eat lunch.
Two years ago, they probably didn't even know her name. But since January, Slaughter has traveled regularly to Buffalo, speaking out on issues or bringing cash.
Even though she now represents Buffalo as well as Rochester, Slaughter said she doesn't think the challenges the two cities face are all that different.
"Economic development is obviously the top issue. What we can do to bring jobs back to this region, and that's the same in Niagara County. The population loss that we suffered and the inability to entice people to come in here and set up their factories and not be going in the other direction, is a mammoth under taking - but it's going pretty well." said Slaughter.
It's been eight months since Congresswoman Louise Slaughter saw her mainly Rochester district extended into Buffalo. She now has to represent two urban areas, and a long stretch of rural countryside in between.
As part of her effort to get to know the western end of her district, Slaughter is spending three weeks at a summer home in the Niagara County town of Wilson. And she's opened district offices in Buffalo and Niagara County, in addition to Rochester.
Slaughter said that's put a strain on her budget.
"We got a little bit extra for this year- not much - but enough to maintain it," said Slaughter. "We have the same rent to pay as everybody else and the same equipment. All the employees are quite wonderful. I'm really proud of the people who work for us."
It may be hard work representing such a vast district, but Slaughter says she has no regrets. In fact, she says she plans to seek re-election again next year.