Published: August 08, 2007 12:46 pm      

ERIE COUNTY NOTEBOOK: Bar association rates judicial candidates

Most people have a firm idea of who’s getting their vote for county executive or legislator before they walk into the booth, but fewer know much, if anything, about judicial candidates.

The Erie County Bar Association is trying to help remedy that situation, releasing ratings on candidates running for judicial offices.

The committee coming up with the ratings is comprised of 29 practicing attorneys, chosen with an effort to ensure a careful balance of political affiliations and legal expertise and with an eye to geographic, ethnic and gender diversity, according to the bar association’s press release.

To complete the ratings, the group contacted local attorneys and court personnel who come into contact with the candidates, interviewed each candidate in person and gathered information from sources like the Attorney Grievance Committee to determine whether the candidate has been subject to any disciplinary action or citizen complaints.

Candidates were then rated Outstanding, Well Qualified, Qualified or Not Recommended. Candidates for the position of Erie County Judge were rated as follows:

• Thomas P. Franczyk — Outstanding

• James A. McLeod — Well Qualified

• Molly Musarra — Qualified

Return of the DMV call center

The DMV’s call center, axed due to budgetary concerns in 2005, is getting new life this September.

The inability to call for DMV information has become extremely frustrating to customers, said County Clerk Kathy Hochul.

“That is the one wish I hear over and over as I talk to the customers,” Hochul said in a press release. “Well, as of Sept. 10, that wish will be granted.”

The auto bureau, still down 40 employees since 2005, will dedicate two people to working the phones fielding questions from customers. Phone lines and equipment are being installed for the new center, which will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number will be published and appear at www.erie.gov/clerk before the opening date of Sept. 10, according to Hochul.

County drawing lenders’ interest

The comptroller’s office received 15 responses from financial institutions looking to serve as underwriters for the county’s 2007 bond issuance of almost $51 million.

That is nearly double the number that responded last year, which is a sign that the county’s reputation is getting back on solid ground, said Mark Poloncarz, Erie County comptroller.

“The large number of responses and the financial institutions that responded demonstrates yet again that Wall Street views Erie County as a good investment,” Poloncarz said.

Under the legislation creating the county’s control board, the lender selected by the comptroller must request and receive the approval of the board before engaging in any borrowing.

Contact reporter Dan Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.