By Mark Scott & Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Most Erie County legislators have offices in their districts to better serve their constituents. But some are questioning whether that's an expense the county can afford while the county is in crisis.
WBFO News was unable to obtain a firm figure on how much the county spends on district offices. County Executive Joel Giambra thinks it's a lot. And he said it's a luxury the county can no longer afford.
"At a time of conservative budgeting, I don't think we can afford to have downtown and district offices," Giambra said. "They require fax machines, telephones and staff. To me, it's just a redundant, duplicative way of providing constituent services."
While most legislators are keeping their district offices, at least one legislator is not. And that's creating its own controversy. The county has sent a letter to the owner of a Hertel Avenue building that houses office space for Majority Leader Lynn Marinelli. The letter says the lease is being terminated immediately because there is no budgetary appropriation available for the office. The county attorney confirms a lease is subject to termination if the money is not budgeted. Yet, a source in County Hall tells us funding for district offices remains in the 2005 county budget.
Marinelli declined a recorded interview. But she said it was her choice to close the district office. Kenmore Republican Charles Swanick said he'll keep his open.
"I spend the majority of my time in my district office," Swanick said. "Each legislator has their own way of how they govern and work with the public. So, I'm not saying Lynn Marinelli decision isn't good for her. But for me, it doesn't make sense."
Swanick actually has two district offices -- one in Kenmore and the other on Grand Island. He said it's more convenient for his constituents to meet with him near where they live.