Poloncarz: Smaller plow forces still cover county roads

[NY The Vampire State]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says now more than ever he’s working with less resources while covering the same territory. When officials from across the county met Thursday, this was a topic of contention between highway superintendents and Poloncarz. Superintendents wanted more help for their area and their county roads during November’s deadly snowstorm, but Poloncarz says that will take more employees, or at least better equipment. And that costs money, he says.

Legislators recently passed a new 2015 budget which cuts taxes for its Erie County residents. Poloncarz said this comes at a cost.
“The only way to be able to plow the road to the pavement at the same time would be to add thousands of workers and thousands of plows,” Poloncarz said.


In a series of tweets, Poloncarz reinforced what he said at their meeting. He noted between 1988 and 2014, the work force which operates plows has decreased to 68 people; it’s nearly been cut in half.
Erie County Legislature Chairman John Mills prefers investing in newer technology and equipment instead of manpower. He wants more modern trucks to replace some antiquated ones on the streets today.
“I want to aggressively evaluate things before we add any more people to that department. I think we can get by with maybe what we have or maybe just a few more individuals,” Mills told News 4’s Al Vaughters.
Mills is willing to discuss hiring more people but not until after a top to bottom study to evaluate how to be more efficient is conducted.

I'm getting sick of this political HACK, Mark Poloncarz

He has all this money to give to the artists and the hippies but they can't take care of the roads in summer or winter.

Why doesn't Poloncarz ever address the fact that virtually every dime of property tax goes to social welfare? If you really want to compare 1988 to today lets look at WHERE all this tax money is being spent. Poloncarz says that the new budget with the tax cuts comes at a cost. Someone needs to remind little Marky that we live in one of the HIGHEST TAXED COUNTIES IN THE US! All the money is there for you clowns to take care of the roads. You continue to PISS it away and then cry for more year after year. Please FIRE Mark Poloncarz, he is just a political hack.

Not once did this guy acknowledge the private contractors utilized during the big storm cleanup. He couldn't accept the fact that the gov-mint wasn't able to handle this storm by itself and broadcasting it to the public would hurt his pompous image. HACK

[WNYresident]

I'm getting sick of this political HACK, Mark Poloncarz

He has all this money to give to the artists and the hippies but they can't take care of the roads in summer or winter.

When Mark's brother-in-law was hired they moved him to the board of elections when he didn't qualify for the original position. Couldn't the money given to board of elections for that position be used for another truck driver instead?

[grump]

Buffy, do you really believe he works that hard?