By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – After three terms in office, Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples is calling it quits. Word of Naples' decision not to seek re-election surfaced around mid-afternoon Monday.
Naples, a Republican, had come under fire in recent weeks for using a single, politically-connected underwriter for much of the county's borrowing. And late last month it was reported that she and her husband were late in paying their personal property taxes in recent years.
Naples did not return our phone call for comment yesterday. But up until now, she had given every indication she would be running for a fourth term.
"I have worked very diligently for the taxpayer during the last 12 years," Naples had told reporters in late March. "And I expect to continue doing so."
But the county budget crisis and the constant criticism have apparently taken their toll. As she walks away, local finance attorney Marc Poloncarz stands ready to take her place. He announced over the weekend that he'll seek the Democratic nomination for county comptroller.
"I know I can do a better job than the current comptroller," Poloncarz said. "I will work as hard as I can to insure that this community moves forward."
But Poloncarz may face a primary. "Buffalo News" Political Reporter Bob McCarthy revealed in his column on Sunday that former State Supreme Court Justice Robert Whelan is considering a run for county comptroller. He was once the city's top fiscal watchdog.
And the group Primary Challenge has offered up the name of Robert Stoklosa, who describes himself as a "smart" candidate -- "smart" standing for "save money and reduce taxes."