Collins rejects $1.4 million state grant to fight drug abuse

[Yorku]

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/301242.html

It is quite refreshing to have forward-thinking people in office.

[mesue]

I just read that article. I was most impressed with the following statement

Collins administration officials reasoned that county caseworkers already focus on drug abuse, as do numerous not-for-profit organizations. The county also was expected to provide an office and computer equipment for what was going to become a new unit, so the program was not totally free to Erie County taxpayers.
Further, Collins and Davis did not want the 20 new unionized employees, to be represented by Local 815, Civil Service Employees Association, to become the county’s responsibility if the grant money dried up after the first three years, the aides said.
“Under the grant, New York State dictated how the program would run,” said Collins spokesman Grant Loomis, “and the administration does not feel those terms make for an efficient program.”

Why would we want to double/triple services already provided and get stuck with a bill larger than that which the grant would cover? The office space, computer equipment, which isn't even covered can be very costly. 6 months of salary with union benefits could be more than a puny 1.4 million dollars. 1 million dollars doesn't go as far as it used to.
I applaud Collins for looking out for us and not caving. I hope he keeps this up.

[slothrop]

Let me get this straight - Collins turned down free money?

[PaulJonson]

Let me get this straight - Collins turned down free money?

No.

Go ahead and re-read the article.

[WNYresident]

Let me get this straight - Collins turned down free money?

He didn't turn down free money. IT'S tax payer money.

AND you know what? That money probally doesn't include the "money for the employees" to dish it out. They give you the funds but then locally we have to cover the cost of the employees who dish it out.

With all this money we get from the feds to cover these programs why do we have county taxes? WHY not use that money to also cover the actual cost of the employees? When it runs out then they are let go.

[cookie]

I hope he doesn't find too many of those kind of contracts that we're already in and can't get out of!
It always has floored me when I read about the County or the City taking on projects because it brings in Federal money, but costs local taxpayers more than what's coming in. Doesn't anyone know how to add and subtract anymore?
Or maybe it gives them a chance to rob Peter to pay Paul?
The term Block Grants comes to mind here.

[keyboard150]

This is a very interesting situation. A lot of people are going to disagree with Collins on this one, but I completely understand where he is coming from, and I applaud him.
This is the kind of thing that is going to save Erie County. I like this guy. He asks questions, demands answers.

1.4 Million dollars for a new program cant just be given to Erie County without assurances that it won't cost us more than that in the long run. I like this guy. He's smart and doesn't just take things because they are offered like every other politician in this area. He sees the BIG PICTURE, not the little one.

What are your thoughts on this? I think he's right. The county already does have drug counselors. It's been proven that drug prevention programs don't work, so why spend the money on something that won't? Instead, find another way.
This county doesnt need "new" programs right now. In fact, it needs to jettison many of its "old" ones. Hopefully one of his goals in the near future is to start figuring out what programs are wasteful and start cutting them.

Then our budget wouldn't be so bloated.
Then there would be money to spend.
Then maybe taxes could drop.
Then maybe more business will move in.
Then maybe we'll have a stronger tax base.
Then maybe we can build some cool stuff we've been wanting.
Then maybe Buffalo can shed it's poor image.
Then maybe we'll be happy.
Then maybe we'll be "TALKIN' PROUD" (sorry)

Then maybe I'll shut up.

[Yorku]

This is a very interesting situation. A lot of people are going to disagree with Collins on this one, but I completely understand where he is coming from, and I applaud him.
This is the kind of thing that is going to save Erie County. I like this guy. He asks questions, demands answers.

1.4 Million dollars for a new program cant just be given to Erie County without assurances that it won't cost us more than that in the long run. I like this guy. He's smart and doesn't just take things because they are offered like every other politician in this area. He sees the BIG PICTURE, not the little one.

What are your thoughts on this? I think he's right. The county already does have drug counselors. It's been proven that drug prevention programs don't work, so why spend the money on something that won't? Instead, find another way.
This county doesnt need "new" programs right now. In fact, it needs to jettison many of its "old" ones. Hopefully one of his goals in the near future is to start figuring out what programs are wasteful and start cutting them.

Then our budget wouldn't be so bloated.
Then there would be money to spend.
Then maybe taxes could drop.
Then maybe more business will move in.
Then maybe we'll have a stronger tax base.
Then maybe we can build some cool stuff we've been wanting.
Then maybe Buffalo can shed it's poor image.
Then maybe we'll be happy.
Then maybe we'll be "TALKIN' PROUD" (sorry)

Then maybe I'll shut up.

What are our thoughts? I agree 100%.

I don't think we've ever had a CE with foresight like Collins does.

[crabapples]

What are our thoughts? I agree 100%.

I don't think we've ever had a CE with foresight like Collins does.

You are right, as was keyboard.

The former CE's and those politicians who want to be CE have two things they are concerned about: getting re-elected and being a kingmaker in terms of making political appointments.

Refreshing to see this kind of thought process working in the County. Now if we could only get clowns like Tom Mazur and Bob Reynolds out of the Legislature! Reynolds created a $4+ million deficit in the Hamburg School District and then became a legislator before the budget gap was announced. And this guy wants to tell Collins and everyone else what to do?

Then you have Tom "sexual harassment" Mazur who was fired from his job as an ECC instructor due to sexual advances on a 20-year old student. This is his second stint on the CL. Nothing has changed with him. He is a joke who unfortunately benefits from a ridiculous Dem advantage in his district.

[keyboard150]

You are right, as was keyboard.

The former CE's and those politicians who want to be CE have two things they are concerned about: getting re-elected and being a kingmaker in terms of making political appointments.

Refreshing to see this kind of thought process working in the County. Now if we could only get clowns like Tom Mazur and Bob Reynolds out of the Legislature! Reynolds created a $4+ million deficit in the Hamburg School District and then became a legislator before the budget gap was announced. And this guy wants to tell Collins and everyone else what to do?

Then you have Tom "sexual harassment" Mazur who was fired from his job as an ECC instructor due to sexual advances on a 20-year old student. This is his second stint on the CL. Nothing has changed with him. He is a joke who unfortunately benefits from a ridiculous Dem advantage in his district.

Well, let's organize a PISS off protest outside County Hall before they override Collins on this. He can't run this county by himself, and it's obvious that he's going to start sticking his nose where these politicians don't want him to. If we don't support him, they will find a way to snuff him out just like they do to anyone else who has a genuine interest in fixing the region.

[crabapples]

Well, let's organize a PISS off protest outside County Hall before they override Collins on this. He can't run this county by himself, and it's obvious that he's going to start sticking his nose where these politicians don't want him to. If we don't support him, they will find a way to snuff him out just like they do to anyone else who has a genuine interest in fixing the region.

Amen to this.

[bornandraised]

I agree with what the County executive did to reject this grant. As noted above, this is not free money it is tax payer money. These are the types of grants that should be looked at across the county and state to stop i.e. if you already have a program that covers this type of work, a 2nd or 3rd duplicate grant should not be offered/allowed

[keyboard150]

Who is Lee Chewoniac or however you spell it....and why is he posting an editorial on this Web site OPPOSING Collins plan?

It seems to be a little against the views of the board.


How should we organize this piss off protest?

[hazel]

This pilot program was approved by the Control Board in July of 2007 before it was even passed by the Legislature in the same month. The money was a grant from OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) to aide in substance abuse programs for youth. Why wait 3 months into his term to pull the plug? The County already spent some of the additional expenditure toward this program since ECMCC and DSS thought it was a go! That money will never be recouped.

Why not stick with the program for the three years and then lay off the additional employees once the money is gone? The CSEA contract allows layoff based on seniority. Last one hired...first one fired!

[keyboard150]

This pilot program was approved by the Control Board in July of 2007 before it was even passed by the Legislature in the same month. The money was a grant from OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) to aide in substance abuse programs for youth. Why wait 3 months into his term to pull the plug? The County already spent some of the additional expenditure toward this program since ECMCC and DSS thought it was a go! That money will never be recouped.

Why not stick with the program for the three years and then lay off the additional employees once the money is gone? The CSEA contract allows layoff based on seniority. Last one hired...first one fired!

Or we could just not bother with all that waste at all and refuse the program. It's not going to benefit anything anyway.