CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. - In a press conference at Erie County Hall on Thursday, July 07, 2005, Erie County Comptroller candidate Mark Poloncarz called on the Erie County Legislature to take action against violations of the February 14, March 3, and June 14, 2005 budget amendments. These resolutions prohibit any re-hires or filling of vacancies without prior formal approval by the legislature. The Giambra administration has ignored the legislature and illegally re-hired a number of former patronage employees.

"Clearly Giambra won't stop the patronage," said Poloncarz. "If the legislature is to regain its credibility with the citizens of Erie County, the members must enforce the hiring freeze that they enacted on three separate occasions."

Giambra's friends and family plan is costing Erie County hundreds of thousands of dollars. The recent illegal re-hires include his brother-in-law Salvatore Campobello and Republican political strategist Michael Beeny to the City Parks Division, family friend Cheryl Murphy to Senior Services, and Dan Neaverth, Jr. to Emergency Medical Services as the Strategic National Stockpile Coordinator.

As a truly independent comptroller with no ties to the Giambra Administration, Poloncarz will not tolerate patronage within county government. As part of his ten point action agenda, Poloncarz pledges to perform monthly reviews and report on all proposed County Legislature and Executive appropriations. If the legislature or county executive seeks to spend county funds in an inappropriate or reckless manner, Poloncarz says he will refuse to sign the checks.

Mark Poloncarz is a business and finance attorney in the private sector with a vision of new leadership for Erie County. He is endorsed by the Democratic, Independence, Working Families and Save Jobs Parties. For a current list of endorsements or more information about his campaign, please visit www.markpoloncarz.com.