By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Legislature Thursday took care of some lingering business from 2005.
The Legislature voted to restore three controversial positions previously cut from the County Sheriff's Department. One of those positions was held by Sheriff Tim Howard's companion, Sue Darlak.
Howard had accused the Legislature of political retaliation when the positions were eliminated during last Fall's bruising campaigns. But now the Legislature says Howard can make the roughly $162,000 of cuts where he sees fit. Howard said two vacancies and several part-time road patrols will be eliminated to offset the restored positions.
"Our part-time positions were important to us. They were not as important as the positions that were eliminated," said Howard. "It seems a lot of concern has been given to this position, just because of my relationship with one of the three individuals whose position was eliminated. I certainly wouldn't consider those top positions, but they are very important positions to management."
In addition to Darlak's position, a public relations person and an equal employment opportunity specialist will be reinstated.