By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Executive Joel Giambra Thursday delivered a State of the County address to a sold out, but lukewarm, crowd at the Buffalo Convention Center.
Little that the County Executive said got any response at all. He tried nostalgia, returning to his old, campaign "lighthouse" theme.
"It's time to turn our blind anger into a clear vision," Giambra said. "I say let's get past this crisis."
Giambra says that means regionalism, and a replacement of any leader not willing to support it -- including Mayor Anthony Masiello if he chooses to run. He paused for a response, but the audience returned only silence.
Giambra also made another pitch for a regional police force. Amherst Town Supervisor Susan Grelick says no way.
"We've put a lot of money into public safety," Grelick said. "It's because we want people to come to Amherst, live in Amherst and locate their business in Amherst. People do not want to see their police services diminished."
The County Executive did take time out from his regionalism stump to offer a brief apology. Giambra says he should have raised property taxes, rather than asking legislators to fix the shortfall.
"I've made apologies in the past few months, and I'll continue to make apologies," Giambra said. "When I make a mistake, I'm willing to admit that."
Giambra says there will have to be an increase in the property tax to pay for services. He's also calling for a $35 a month fee for criminals on probation. And Giambra is working on a proposal for new fees to pay for services, such as for parks, culturals, and auto bureaus. Democratic Majority Leader Lynn Marinelli doesn't think the votes are there.
"People see fees as another form of taxation," Marinelli said. "They want to see their government being put into alignment. I think by doing the budget disclosure act and charter review, that's going to help build the public confidence."
Those recently passed reforms will also require the County Executive to submit monthly budget monitoring reports. Lawmakers hope that will give the public a lot more to applaud in next year's State of the County Address.