BUFFALO, N.Y. - Mark Poloncarz, the Democratic, Independence and Working Families Parties' Candidate for Erie County Comptroller commented today on Erie County Executive Joel Giambra's proposed 2006 Budget.

"The 2006 Budget proposal reflects years of gross mismanagement by County Executive Joel Giambra and is unfortunately more of the same failed tactics he has engaged in the past," said Poloncarz.

Poloncarz noted that among the hundreds of positions being restored in the budget proposal are some unnecessary positions that were previously occupied by Giambra political appointees. Those positions include Management Consultant, Deputy Commissioner of Parks for Recreation, DISS Director of Support Services, Fleet Director, and Director of the Center for Cooperative Economic Growth. "My concern is that Mr. Giambra is trying to restore his friends and family to the County workforce. That is inappropriate and unacceptable," Poloncarz stated.

Poloncarz said, "while Giambra adds patronage positions, he failed to restore any auditors to the Office of Comptroller, thereby guaranteeing that the next Comptroller cannot effectively do his job. Moreover, and perhaps more telling, Giambra deleted an associate deputy comptroller from the office thereby rejecting Comptroller James Hartman's recommendation to keep that position - which just happened to be the only deletion of any management level position in any elective office in the County. Why would Giambra want to further weaken the powers and effectiveness of the independent Comptroller's Office?"

Poloncarz stated: "Independent oversight must be restored through the Office of Comptroller. Instead of deleting positions from the Comptroller's Office we should be adding auditors who will work to create more efficient government, thereby saving county taxpayers money in the long run. I look forward to Comptroller Hartman's independent review of Mr. Giambra's budget proposal. I also urge legislators to conduct a careful and deliberate review at these hundreds of restored positions, especially the political appointees, and to examine their cost and purpose. The taxpayers demand no less."

"As Comptroller, I will never hesitate to sound warnings and will do everything in my power to stop dishonest, improper or questionable actions or policies in Erie County government. I will serve as the independent watchdog," concluded Poloncarz.

As a truly independent comptroller with no ties to the Giambra Administration, Poloncarz will ask the tough questions that need to be addressed. As part of his 10-point Action Agenda, once elected he pledges to conduct a thorough independent annual review of the County Executive's budget proposal, to make that review public and to communicate his findings to the Legislature and work with them.

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.