By Dan Miner/minerd@gnnewspaper.com The Tonawanda News
As of Thursday, Cheektowaga will be using the tax money of all Erie County residents to clear brush left over from the October Storm.
County lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the action, a request of County Executive Joel Giambra, at Thursday’s regular meeting. But it wasn’t without debate.
“It looks like pork to me,” Minority Leader John Mills, R-East Aurora said. “This county is not responsible for picking up brush on county roads. The towns and villages I represent take care of their own.”
The action, which would give the town $49,000 in county funds to rent a massive wood chipper to clear brush on two county roads, was blocked at a June 7 meeting by Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Williamsville. But 11 of the 14 legislators present took the side of the project, arguing that it was a way to break down parochial barriers and begin better working relationships with each other.
“The debris is piled up higher than traffic coming through, and it’s adding to the rodent problem, not just in Cheektowaga, in Erie County,” Tim Kennedy, D-South Buffalo, said. “Because of politics, there are those who want to block this.”
At the legislature’s May 17 meeting, lawmakers passed a blanket law inviting town, village and city officials in Erie County to consult with them about needed funding for the October Storm cleanup. Democrats argued this is a rational continuation of that law.
“I’ve been on the fence regarding this issue,” said Michele Iannello, D-Kenmore. “But at some point, we have to stop being parochial.”
Iannello also pointed out the municipalities she covered, including part of the Town of Tonawanda, Kenmore and the City of Tonawanda, took care of the problem without county help.
“This is a public safety issue,” said Thomas Mazur, D-Cheektowaga, who was instrumental in acting as a go-between for Cheektowaga officials and Giambra. “It’s something that should be done for the constituency as a governmental body.”
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