All the signs are there. Sales tax revenue took a severe drop recently due to the lethargic economy. The growth in Erie County’s real property values was not as great as anticipated. The outlook for aid from New York State and the federal government is uncertain at best. Yes, all the elements are converging for another County fiscal crisis.

Although Erie County by itself can do little to change the national economy, we can control much of our own destiny. To do so, we must react differently than County officials did in the red/green budget debacle of 2004-2005. Indeed, we must demonstrate that we have learned the lessons of that shameful period in our community’s history.

Lesson number one is that symbolism matters. In 2004 the then county executive urged legislators to raise the county’s sales tax by one percent to avoid his dreaded red budget that was supposedly pared to the bone. He probably would have succeeded had word not leaked out that he had a friend making $80,000 per year as his driver. The media then delved into his “friends and family plan” and all people could talk about was the pork and patronage in county government. When asked by a reporter whether he would cut his own pay, the county executive replied that such a cut would be nothing more than symbolism. Perhaps. But demonstrating a willingness to absorb some of the pain himself would have gone a long way. I am convinced that the current county executive will not repeat this mistake.

Lesson two is that cuts, should they be necessary, must be well planned. The federal and state governments heavily subsidized some of the positions that were eliminated in 2005. Cutting them, therefore, failed to reduce the amount of money the county needed to raise through local property taxes. Other positions, such as welfare fraud investigators, more than paid for themselves. Our leaders also failed to consider that existing union contracts required that many of the people terminated be compensated for accumulated vacation and compensatory time. So in order to cut a dollar from the budget, they needed to cut well more than a dollar in salary.

The most important lesson, though, is that leaders need to act like adults and work together for the good of our community. One of the sorriest aspects of the Red/Green Budget era was the spectacle of the county suing itself, as officials initiated lawsuits against one another. They did this not once, but over and over again. Each time, the taxpayers footed the bill for both sides of the suit. The only winners were the lawyers.

My hope is that sales tax revenues will rebound and severe cuts will prove unnecessary. If this does not occur, however, we would be wise to heed the lessons of the last county fiscal crisis.

Do you have a comment about the budget process? Please call my office at 873-3438 or e-mail Kevin.hardwick@erie.gov.

Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick, R-District 10, announces that during its July 22 session the Legislature unanimously accepted a $498,800 grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance operations of the County’s volunteer firefighters.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will be administered by the County’s Department of Emergency Services to implement a program that will enhance the ability of the County’s 94 volunteer fire departments to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.

“Over the years, volunteer firefighters have saved us millions of dollars while protecting our lives and property. This grant will help them continue to do so,” Legislator Hardwick said.

The funding will be used for personnel, and to purchase necessary services, and supplies and equipment. Fire companies face many challenges when attempting to recruit new members and this grant will help departments deal with some of those issues.

The grant was requested by the Erie County Department of Emergency Services-Division of Fire Safety, in partnership with the Erie County Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Organization.

“Securing grants such as this one is an important function of the County’s Emergency Services department,” Legislator Hardwick added. For additional information, or to speak with Legislator Hardwick, please call 873-3438 or e-mail Kevin.hardwick@erie.gov.

One of the things taxpayers complained about most when the red and green budgetary crisis brought Erie County to its knees was the presence of pork in the budget. Much of the pork was subsequently pared and the fiscal health of the county improved. Now, however, pork barrel politics may be returning to county government. We must not let this happen.

One of the misconceptions regarding pork is that it goes for projects that lack merit. This is not necessarily the case, as many of the products of pork barrel spending are popular in many quarters. The problem is that they would not be funded if voted on individually. Instead, they are bundled together in a bill containing something for everyone. This makes them irresistible to legislators looking to claim credit for “bringing home the bacon.”

It is similar to the situation faced by a couple where one spouse wants a new computer and the other wants the newest cell phone. Each knows the other would not approve of their purchase because their budget is already stretched to the limit. So they take a trip together to the big-box electronics store and use their credit card to buy the computer and cell phone simultaneously. Both get what they want and both are very happy … until the bill arrives.

This sort of thing happens in government way too often. One legislator cannot justify voting for a marginal program benefiting another legislator’s district. But if that same program is bundled with a program in his or her own district, it suddenly becomes much more appealing. Everybody gets something, and all are happy. The end result, however, is that taxpayers must pay for this spending spree.

A few weeks ago, the County Legislature took up a pair of pork barrel resolutions. One would have spent money that, although originally budgeted, was lost to state aid cuts. The other would have raided the county’s fund balance to the tune of more than $30 million. Both contained projects for my district, as well as those of many other legislators. This made them very appealing. I chose to vote against both, though, as supporting them would have inevitably resulted in higher taxes.

It is not that the projects themselves were bad. Many, including the ones slated for my district, had considerable merit. Instead, my objection was based on my belief that the process of bundling good projects with marginal ones for a “take it or leave it” vote results in the sort of overspending that is all too common in Washington and Albany and used to be the norm in Erie County. We must not let the politics of the pork barrel return to County Hall.

To reach Hardwick’s office, call 873-3438 or e-mail Kevin.hardwick@erie.gov.

We ran our campaign last year on the theme of “change” and our victory in November has resulted in real change. In my first 6 months in office I have consistently supported proposals to save taxpayer dollars and I am keeping my promise to give back a significant portion of my salary to deserving community organizations.

I plan to continue what we started, but I am also looking ahead to next year’s re-election campaign. Although I expect a stiff challenge, I am confident that we can win again if I can make my reform record known. This will require me to spend tens of thousands of dollars on mass mailings. Unfortunately, the balance in my campaign account is a mere $75.56.

That is why we are having a fundraiser on Thursday, July 15th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Fat Bob’s Smokehouse located at 41 Virginia Place in Buffalo. The menu includes pulled pork sandwiches, Fat Bob’s famous mac and cheese, snacks, cold beer, wine, pop and great company. The cost is $85 per person or $150 per couple.

You can sign up by by using the address below. You can also purchase tickets with your credit card via PayPal or pay at the door on the 15th. If you cannot make it to Fat Bob’s and would like to still make a donation, I would also be very appreciative.

We have come a long way in 12 months and I will be forever in the debt to everyone who made our success possible. My hope is that we will continue to work together to make Erie County a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Find out more about Fat Bob’s…click here—>

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Mail Check to:

Friends of Kevin Hardwick
153 Frederick Road, Tonawanda, NY 14150

Or use Paypal:

Individual or Couple

Individual $85.50 Couple $150.00

Vacations, traveling, and holidays have historically resulted in summer being a slow time of year for blood donations, but the need isn’t any less great. In an effort to get donors during this time of need, Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick, R-District 10, has partnered with Upstate New York Transplant Services to hold a blood drive at the Kenmore-Tonawanda Library.

“I recently heard some shocking statics related to blood donations, such as, odds are one in three that someone will need blood during their lifetime, but the odds are only one in 33 that someone is regular donor,” said Legislator Hardwick. “Donating blood can be an easy task that could truly save a life. One donor has the potential to save up to three lives.”

While the number of donations usually decreases in the summer the number of accidents and need for blood transfusions tends to increase. If all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a rare event, Legislator Hardwick said.

This is second of two drives planned this summer. Legislator Hardwick held a drive June 14 on Grand Island where he was one of 29 donors.

“A representative for UNYTS was thrilled with the number of donors who attended the Grand Island drive. Hopefully we can have as many, if not more, donors at this next drive,” Legislator Hardwick said.

The drive has been planned from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at the Kenmore-Tonawanda Library, 160 Delaware Ave. To register to donate, call UNYTS at 512-7940.

UNYTS ensures that local donations go to patients in need at local hospitals. Community blood banks concentrate on fulfilling the blood needs of a single region. Often as a result of this locally-driven operation, donation rates rise among the area population and costs decrease on the part of area purchasers. For additional information, visit www.unyts.org.

Legislator Hardwick can be reached at 873-3438 orkevin.hardwick@erie.gov.