Seems the top likes to protect themselves.

[WNYresident]

The full story in the Buffalo News

Little pain seen for top of county's totem pole
By MATTHEW SPINA
News Staff Reporter
11/11/2004

The county executive assures taxpayers that, even if they get strapped with a higher sales tax, the government's belt would tighten with the loss of maybe 200 jobs.
But if Joel A. Giambra gets his way and a sales tax increase is enacted, budget documents portray little pain for the decision-makers - the Erie County Legislature and the county executive.

Giambra's "green budget" - the one financed with a higher sales tax, a new tax on motor vehicles and healthy optimism - presents sacrifices that seem bearable for the Legislature and for Giambra's office on the 16th floor of the Rath County Office Building.

[Deerhunter]

at least they did a story on it. Usually those things aren't brought to light. Snooze rarely criticizes their boy Joel. I still can't believe there are over 300 take home cars in this county. That is BS, especially in these times. And Joel needs a driver ?? He should just call Curm, his little "Kato Calin" Curmie would drive him around, he has made so much money off of the Erie County residents. Curm, when ya go shopping for Joel, don't forget your astroglide.

[Green]

Rumor has it that the driver is getting transferred to a job out at ECMCC. The new ECMCC is nothing but top heavy with lots of cushy patronage positions at $150,000 & higher. It's a great big dumping ground for Joel. And when it comes time for layoffs out there, it's going to be the civil servants just trying to earn an honest living who are going to lose their jobs, while the high paid political appointees will go unscathed. Speaking of the hospital, sources say that the Dems have hired former hospital CEO Sheila Kee to help them with the 2005 budget.