WIVB CBS-4
Revisiting Regionalism
(October 26, 2006) - - A new study says government in Erie County is
too big and costs too much. So what can we do about it? Here's News
4's Alysha Palumbo.
Is big government too big in Erie County's towns and villages -
that's what a report by Buffalo researcher Kevin Gaughan examines.
Regionalism advocate Kevin Gaughan said, "We have, here in Erie
County, 439 politicians - that's more than what represents all of
America in the U.S. Congress. They get by with 435."
Gaughan and several U.B. law students researched the salaries, health
care benefits, and pensions of the county's politicians.
Kevin Gaughan said, "As a region, spending $32 million dollars a year
- that's more than a quarter of a billion dollars over the past
decade - is too much."
Gaughan has a proposal for each municipality.
Kevin Gaughan said, "Reduce their number of councilmembers by two
just through attrition - not by putting anyone out of work - just the
next two times someone retires, I propose we don't fill it."
Many people say his theory makes sense.
Richard Hemann said, "It could cut down on costs and it could also
increase the efficiency."
Jane Wiercioch (Depew-Cheektowaga Taxpayers Association): "Maybe it's
time we look at alternatives, because we're not going to be able to
afford to live here much longer if this keeps up."
Others see it as a new way to try to accomplish an old idea.
Alan Bedenko (Western New York Coalition for Progress): "There have
been talks about regionalism in the past and that's sort of fallen to
the wayside, and hopefully this is an opportunity for that
conversation to be rekindled, and from a different perspective."
Gaughan says with less politicians, the area would not only save
money, but potentially complete projects that have been choked by
political tug-o-wars. But he says it will take a grassroots effort to
achieve it.
Kevin Gaughan said, "If our politicians were going to change this
system, they would have already. This is going to take the will of
the people."
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