Two years later- has anything changed?

[PromoTheRobot]

Erie County grades a `C+' on Government Performance Project

Published: January 29, 2002
------------------------------------------------------------
Management of Erie County under the Joel Giambra administration
has been
graded a `C+' according to the Government Performance Project
(GPP), a
study of 40 counties across the United States.

The annual survey measuring the public management of county
government
is administered by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public
Affairs
of Syracuse University (

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/gpp

) and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Fairfax County, Virginia and Maricopa County, Arizona received the
highest grades, `A-.' The lowest grades were given to Nassau
County, a
`D-' and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, a `D.' Two years ago the
Maxwell School and Pew did a similar study on 35 U.S. cities,
including
Buffalo, which received a grade of `C-.'

In sizing up Erie County, the report notes residents are
"draped in
multiple governments providing a sort of security blanket of jobs
and
bureaucracy." The report goes on to say residents have grown
used to the
situation but it is also inefficient and very expensive.

Carl Calabrese, deputy county executive, provided information on
behalf
of the county for the Maxwell School.

"When this report card was put together, our administration
was here
about a year and a half. The report does say that the building
blocks
are in place to produce some new results over the next couple of
years,"
said Calabrese. "And I would agree, given what's on the table
now and in
the pipeline."

While County Executive Joel Giambra seeks to alter the political
landscape, including a call for a merger between the County and
City of
Buffalo, the report notes "few have joined him in supporting
that step
so far."

"Generally, County Executive Joel Giambra's administration
has brought a
new perspective on government, particularly in terms of how the
county
manages its assets," said Michele Mariani, one of the study's
authors.

The Maxwell School study looked at five areas: Financial
Management,
Capital Management, Human Resources, Managing for results and
Information Technology.

Erie County's top grade was in Information Technology, where it
received
a `B.' The county was cited for having "an impressive
structure to
deliver technology including good strategic planning, an executive
committee to analyze large projects and improving training."

The county's lowest mark came in Human Resources Management, a
`C-,'
based on the county's "weak long-range planning and strained
labor
relations."

"It's no secret, there are strained relations,"
Calabrese said. "The
County Executive continues to meet with union leaders and make the
case
that the old ways don't work anymore."

The other grades were a `B-' for Financial Management, a `C+' for
Capital Management and a `C' for Managing for results.

The GPP study noted the Dennis Gorski administration "placed
an
artificially tight ceiling of $20 million on annual bonding, which
kept
debt levels low but also prevented local infrastructure from
getting
proper maintenance. The capital budget has increased to $80
million in
2001 from $30 million in 1999.

"It will take time to see results, but county infrastructure
is
receiving much more attention now than in the past, thanks to
millions
more in capital funding and a Public Works commissioner (Maria
Lehman)
dedicated to decreasing the backlog of repair projects," said
Mariani.

Calabrese hopes the authors do a follow up study to see whether
Giambra's plan of action takes hold.

"I would be very comfortable if this organization were to
come back in
two or three years and take a look at how we've done in all these
issues," he said. "And I would be fairly confident that
you'd see a
better grade than `C+' because I know what's in the pipeline and I
know
what foundation the County Executive is putting in place to make a
lot
of these `C' and `C+' grades `B's' and `B+'s."


Copyright(c) American City Business Journals Inc. All rights
reserved.

You can view this article on the web at:
http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffa...8/daily15.html

[PromoTheRobot]

From the article:

------> Calabrese hopes the authors do a follow up study to see whether
Giambra's plan of action takes hold.

"I would be very comfortable if this organization were to
come back in
two or three years and take a look at how we've done in all these
issues," he said. "And I would be fairly confident that
you'd see a
better grade than `C+' because I know what's in the pipeline and I
know
what foundation the County Executive is putting in place to make a
lot
of these `C' and `C+' grades `B's' and `B+'s." <----------


I wish they would come back too! We know it ain't gonna be an A!

[Curmudgeon]

In sizing up Erie County, the report notes residents are "draped in multiple governments providing a sort of security blanket of jobs and bureaucracy." The report goes on to say residents have grown used to the situation but it is also inefficient and very expensive.

I'm sick of the "labor vs. management" conflict in WNY govt. It's two sides of the same coin to me. Bloadted management, bloated labor jobs. inefficient & very expensive.

[WNYresident]

In sizing up Erie County, the report notes residents are
"draped in multiple governments providing a sort of security blanket of jobs and bureaucracy." The report goes on to say residents have grown used to the situation but it is also inefficient and very expensive.

Carl Calabrese, deputy county executive, provided information on
behalf of the county for the Maxwell School.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sort of sizes up our local goverments in WNY doens't it.

[PromoTheRobot]

Spooky.

That paragraph jumped out at me first thing too.

[Curmudgeon]

one thing HAS changed - there's now a control board. It's a good first step.

[citymouse]

what does the control board have to do with Erie county goverment? Other than the fact they are Giambras puppets.

[Curmudgeon]

more of a cultural change for the leadership. A shot across the bow of leaders, labor, etc. The state is saying "if you drive your city or county into the ground, we'll take over". Happened to Nassau county, why not Erie county (if nessessary)?

[PromoTheRobot]

Originally posted by citymouse
what does the control board have to do with Erie county goverment? Other than the fact they are Giambras puppets.

There was no getting out of it- Joel came in with an agenda and got the grease he needed from whatever wheel he could get it from. In this case Pataki in Albany was just the ticket, don't think the "paybacks" won't be enormous and cost us dearly!

[Curmudgeon]

It's funny how the people who are most concerned by "the control board costing us money" are the very same people who stymie any meaningful fiscal reform every time... Why is that?

[citymouse]

Why is the control board any different than any other political hand out these nit wits set up. Granted they are not getting paid, but the staff is, and pretty good might I add. The staff is appointed by the control board who was appointed by politicians. Two even sit on it, two who made the mess to begin with.
So we have a group of political appointees on staff being paid with public funds. So they owe somebody thier jobs.
Now lets get to the board itself. not quite a cross section of the community, is it. Like I said you have two of the worst old school politicians we have seen in years on this board, does that make sense to you. One could be under investigation any day if things at the county don't get swept under the rug.
Who's intrest does the board serve? you have all fiscal conservatives on there with the possible exception of Carl Mcall.
What do they have to gain by breaking labor agreements and going with private contracts. Can you say kickbacks?
Wilmers has been advocating raping the taxpayer for private gain for years. He is nothing but a front man for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the one's who play the tune Joel dances to.
Croonies, political hacks payed out of public funds, while pushing the agenda of the politically conected.
Don't expect much from these jokers.
.

[Curmudgeon]

Who's intrest does the board serve?
The taxpayer.

you have all fiscal conservatives on there with the possible exception of Carl Mcall.
It's about time - the tax-n-spenders have destroyed the economy of WNY and now it's come to this.

What do they have to gain by breaking labor agreements and going with private contracts.
Substantial reduction in public expenditures.

Wilmers has been advocating raping the taxpayer for private gain for years.
Considering WNY has the 3rd HIGHEST TAXES in the nation, I think it's time to try something different.

Don't expect much from these jokers.
I expect big things from these guys. It may not be to YOUR liking, though....

One could be under investigation any day if things at the county don't get swept under the rug.
At first I was deeply concerned that Giambra was a thief. I'm starting to think it's a big charade by people who wish he were gone. I'm still waiting for a smoking gun. Where is it? Was he apparently tactless and stupid on the office furniture thing? Absolutely. Was he controlling whatever abuse of public resources may have ocurred at Aurora? I don't think so.

Seems to me, the civil service beauracry doesn't like a new guy coming in and saying "I'm going to make you do things differently around here because I'm the boss".

There needs to be a substantial showing of evidence that Giambra is a crook or you people will have squandered your credibility entirely. If you have dirt, better get it out now.

[citymouse]

Originally posted by Curmudgeon
Who's intrest does the board serve?
The taxpayer.
Not Quite, they serve the intrests of the politicians who appointed them and the private sector fat cats who sit on it.

you have all fiscal conservatives on there with the possible exception of Carl Mcall.
It's about time - the tax-n-spenders have destroyed the economy of WNY and now it's come to this.
They will still tax and spend only, it will be for thier benefit.

What do they have to gain by breaking labor agreements and going with private contracts.
Substantial reduction in public expenditures.
Hardly, They won't spend anyless they will just send it in thier own direction.

Wilmers has been advocating raping the taxpayer for private gain for years.


He has an agenda, to break organized labor and reduce the quality of life for thousands of hard working men and women in WNY. he dosen't mind them working he just wants it on his (And the Buffalo Niagara Business Partnerships) terms.


Considering WNY has the 3rd HIGHEST TAXES in the nation, I think it's time to try something different.
Like what? putting taxpayer dollars in thier pockets?
Don't expect much from these jokers.
I expect big things from these guys. It may not be to YOUR liking, though....

I think it will be the other way around.

One could be under investigation any day if things at the county don't get swept under the rug.
At first I was deeply concerned that Giambra was a thief. I'm starting to think it's a big charade by people who wish he were gone. I'm still waiting for a smoking gun. Where is it? Was he apparently tactless and stupid on the office furniture thing? Absolutely. Was he controlling whatever abuse of public resources may have ocurred at Aurora? I don't think so.

I don't think he knew, or that he had a part in it. I just think that once he found out the truth, he did nothing, As the situation deepened he tried harder and harder to cover it up therby becoming part of the problem. I think he was reluctant to let his pals go and from what I have been hearing came down on, thru his henchman, any one who came forward with the truth, so he would not look bad for hiring thieves and trying to protect his buddies.

Seems to me, the civil service beauracry doesn't like a new guy coming in and saying "I'm going to make you do things differently around here because I'm the boss".


Giambra is not new, he is a career politician from the old school who has been on the scene for over twenty years.He talks a new talk but walks the old walk

There needs to be a substantial showing of evidence that Giambra is a crook or you people will have squandered your credibility entirely. If you have dirt, better get it out now.

Leave it to the Grand Jury and the voter to decide.

[WNYresident]

Curm:
One could be under investigation any day if things at the county don't get swept under the rug.
At first I was deeply concerned that Giambra was a thief. I'm starting to think it's a big charade by people who wish he were gone. I'm still waiting for a smoking gun. Where is it? Was he apparently tactless and stupid on the office furniture thing? Absolutely. Was he controlling whatever abuse of public resources may have ocurred at Aurora? I don't think so.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Curm there's too many people pointing at stuff to say you dont think it has happened. Looks at hte system and the complete lack of accountability without our local/county goverments. You can hire clowns as long as you word it right and once they are in you can't get rid of them. Unions or not it's a joke.

And as the furniture thing, either way it's wrong. You go to BID period or look at competing products wether you know the guy or not. THat's how it was when i dealt with purchasing 18 years ago. No shady business period.

And curm, no matter how well you think giambra is trying to fix WNY it doens't excuse any wrong doings.