Legislators close district offices

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - Erie County Legislators Lynne Dixon (12th District), Dino Fudoli (5th District) and Raymond Walter (4th District) join Legislator Edward Rath (15th District) as movers finished emptying his district office Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 11:00am.

The legislators formally announce the closure of their Legislative district offices as well the rollout of a constituent service outreach program. "This past year, many of us campaigned on bringing real reforms to the Erie County Legislature, and we are keeping our promise," said Legislator Rath.

Closure of these five legislature district offices will save county taxpayers nearly $5,000 per month in rent and utility expenses and thousands more in service savings. This is the equivalent to the cost of three new playground sets in our parks or 100 new computers at our libraries every year. "This is the right thing to do. In a year when we will be asking department heads to cut spending and make tough choices, we are leading by example," said Legislator Kevin Hardwick, who never accepted a district office, saving taxpayers money from day one.

The Legislature's District Offices have long been the topic of debate between members, but now, for the first time, the debate has reached a point of action. "In the age of instant access to information, we have experienced a decline in the popularity and necessity of district offices," said Legislator Walter. He continued, "Certainly, being accessible in the neighborhood is important, but that doesn't mean I need a brick and mortar operation there."

Legislator Walter and his colleagues have released, and continue to publicize, their district outreach schedules. These schedules provide the details of a citizen services outreach program that extends into nearly every municipality in Erie County, proactively taking services taxpayers pay for to the communities where taxpayers live.

"This is a program that respects the taxpayers' dollars and brings constituent services directly to them, at no additional cost. This is a win-win," said Legislator Lynne Dixon. "In a district as large as mine, it's impossible to have a district office that is convenient for everyone I represent," said Dixon. The newly announced outreach program brings the Legislator and knowledgeable staff into libraries, senior centers, and town and village halls across the County, rather than forcing the residents to travel to one location, which in some districts, could be a 30 minute drive.

"District office closures bring the services you pay for closer and more convenient to you, and it also opens up prime real estate in our towns and villages for new business growth and development," said Legislator Dino Fudoli.

DISTRICT OUTREACH SCHEDULE

Hon. Raymond W. Walter, District 4, Serving Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Akron, & Newstead

March 24, 2010 - 1-4pm - Newstead Library
March 25, 2010 - 9-4pm - Newstead Town Hall, 5 Clarence Center Rd., Akron, NY 14001 - (HEAP Outreach)
March 30, 2010 - 9-4pm - Clarence Town Hall, 1 Town Place, Clarence, NY 14031 - (HEAP Outreach)

Hon. Dino J. Fudoli, District 5, Serving Alden, Lancaster, Marilla, Elma, Holland, Wales & Sardinia

March 3, 2010 - 10-12pm - Lancaster Library, 5466 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086
March 10, 2010 - 9-12pm - Elma Town Hall, 1600 Bowen Road, Elma, NY 14059
March 17, 2010 - 10-12pm - Lancaster Library, 5466 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086
March 24, 2010 - 4-6pm - Holland Town Hall, 47 Pearl Street, Holland, NY 14080

Hon. Kevin R. Hardwick, District 10, Serving City of Tonawanda, Kenmore, Tonawanda & Grand Island

March 2, 2010 - 12-5pm - City of Tonawanda Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150
March 9, 2010 - 9-12pm - Kenmore Municipal Building, 2219 Delaware Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217
March 16, 2010 - TBD - Kenmore Municipal Building, 2219 Delaware Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217
March 23, 2010 - TBD - Grand Island, TBD
March 29, 2010 - 6pm - Tonawanda Senior Center, 33 Main Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150

Hon. Lynne Dixon, District 12, Serving Hamburg, Eden, Evans, Angola, Brant, Farnham, Boston & North Collins

February 24, 2010 - 9:30-12:30pm - Boston Town Hall, 8500 Boston State Road, Boston, NY 14025
February 24, 2010 - 2-5pm - Eden Library, 2901 East Church Street, Eden, NY 14057
March 3, 2010 - 10-1pm - Hamburg Library, 102 Buffalo Street, Hamburg, NY 14075
March 3, 2010 - 2:30-5:30pm - N. Collins Library, 2095 School Street, N. Collins, NY 14111
March 9, 2010 - 9:30-11:30am - Brant Town Hall, 1294 Brant-North Collins Rd, Brant, NY 14027
March 10, 2010 - 1-4pm - Evans Town Hall, 8787 Erie Road, Angola, NY 14006

Hon. Edward A. Rath, III, District 15, Serving Amherst & Williamsville

March 2, 2010 - 8-12pm - Village Hall Community Room, 5565 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
March 2, 2010 - 1-5pm - Audubon Library, 350 John James Audubon Pkwy, Amherst, NY 14228
March 9, 2010 - 8-12pm - Amherst Town Hall, 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221
March 9, 2010 - 1-5pm - Clearfield Library,