Olma returns to county government

[cheekman]

Olma a politically-connected figure is slated to become the county’s new deputy commissioner for parks and recreation. The job pays $68,167 a year. is back into county government.. the county politicial machine moving right along hummm sound like the town of Cheektowaga and the holtz hiring machine.

Gregory B. Olma, the former Erie County legislator whose career in public office tanked more than a decade ago after he was accused of hurling racial and sexual slurs at two elections inspectors, is returning to county government.

Olma – who denied the allegations and wound up pocketing $25,000 from the county and $15,000 from the city to settle lawsuits he filed – is slated to become the county’s new deputy commissioner for parks and recreation. The job pays $68,167 a year.

Peter Anderson, a spokesman for County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, said Olma will begin in his new job Sept. 2. Prior to his appointment, the position had been unfilled, Anderson added.

In addition to Olma, another politically-connected figure has been tapped to join the Poloncarz team. Jonathan D. Rivera, the son of Niagara Council Member David Rivera, began serving as the county executive’s liaison to the Legislature earlier this month, Anderson confirmed Tuesday.

Buzz about the two appointments had been growing louder over the past few days.

During his rather tumultuous history not only in the Legislature, but within local Democratic politics, Olma emerged as a rather colorful figure who was just as famous for tiffs with opponents in his own party as he was for his battles with Republicans.

Despite never serving in elected office again after his Sept. 12, 2000, defeat in the Democratic primary, Olma remains a visible figure in Democratic party politics. He currently serves as a zone chairman for the party, and is widely respected for his political

[WNYresident]

county’s new deputy commissioner for parks and recreation.

Isn't there someone who has been working for us in parks and recreation that would be far more qualified than Greg for this position? How many people have applied for this position?

[4248]

Olma might just still have some campaign cash laying around - Rivera should be able to help contribute as well.

Come on folks - look at the big picture - Gorski, Dwahn and the rest - its all about who can bring cash into the Dems and push it up hill for the next election cycle. Don't you remember Alfreda Slominski - when ever they got desperate they used to roll her out for the media !

When Democratic candidate James Keane ran for County exec against Collins - he pushed over $365,000.00 local campaign dollars up the Dem chain to Washington. I

In 2016, election day will be November 8.

Please, this local stuff is just the "Local Dog and Pony show" to keep people occupied. Look at the bigger picture.

This is how its done - smaller locals or newbees cant raise and or spend that kind of cash. That's why before the next big dance - they dredge up the old faithful and well financed locals.

They empower the good old boys - they rub their heads and they gladly play - their ego's open their wallets and those of their family and friends. They cant help but feel "Needed"

For info on the $365, check campaign expenditures at Erie County BOE.

[cheekman]

Here it is lets make a deal...



It turns out that former Erie County Legislator Gregory B. Olma wasn’t given a $68,000-a-year job in the county Parks Department because of his knowledge of beaches and bike paths or, necessarily, even as a political patronage payoff.

Instead, Olma was named deputy parks chief this week to settle a wrongful-termination lawsuit he filed after being ousted from his job as a grants administrator in 2008 by then-County Executive Chris Collins.

The settlement stipulates that Olma – who served four terms in the Legislature and also remains active in Democratic Party politics – be given $10,000 plus a county job in exchange for dropping the suit.

The lawsuit, which contends that Olma was the target of political retribution when his job was eliminated under the Collins administration, had been winding its way through the courts since it was filed in 2011.

[dgrzeb]

...and the vicious circle of "same old, same old" continues... smh...

[WNYresident]

Here it is lets make a deal...



It turns out that former Erie County Legislator Gregory B. Olma wasn’t given a $68,000-a-year job in the county Parks Department because of his knowledge of beaches and bike paths or, necessarily, even as a political patronage payoff.

Instead, Olma was named deputy parks chief this week to settle a wrongful-termination lawsuit he filed after being ousted from his job as a grants administrator in 2008 by then-County Executive Chris Collins.

The settlement stipulates that Olma – who served four terms in the Legislature and also remains active in Democratic Party politics – be given $10,000 plus a county job in exchange for dropping the suit.

The lawsuit, which contends that Olma was the target of political retribution when his job was eliminated under the Collins administration, had been winding its way through the courts since it was filed in 2011.

Could not any "appointed" position who is let go when a new administration is elected say they were terminated because of "political retribution"?