Hardly a day goes by when the television doesn’t play someone’s adaption of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Whether played by George C. Scott, Bill Murray, Oscar the Grouch or Mr. Magoo, Scrooge is everywhere. As I reflect on the 2012 Erie County Budget, however, I cannot help but think about another of Dickens’ classics. [...]

Two roundtable discussions have been scheduled by Legislator Kevin Hardwick, R-Tonawanda, to gather the opinions of Tonawanda, Kenmore and Grand Island residents pertaining to the proposed 2012 Erie County budget. The discussion groups are open to anyone from Legislator Hardwick’s existing and new districts, on a first-come, first-served basis, who wish to participate. The roundtable [...]

Budgeting is all about making choices. Last week the county legislature made some difficult ones. During a marathon session I voted to restore funding to the public library system and several other agencies. But because we could not find enough cuts elsewhere, I did not vote to restore the vast majority of positions slated for [...]