CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. - Responding to the announcement that New York State will create a fiscal oversight panel for Erie County, comptroller candidate Mark Poloncarz believes the establishment of a control board is an opportunity to move the county forward.

The New York State Governor, Senate and Assembly announced an agreement today to create the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority (ECFSA) to oversee and monitor the county's finances. The proposed control board is the state's response to State Comptroller Alan Hevesi's recent call for "adult supervision."

"Unfortunately we cannot trust our elected officials to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people of Erie County," said Poloncarz. "If Joel Giambra had exercised proper fiscal management and the County Legislature exercised greater oversight, we would not be in this position."

Poloncarz believes that Erie County does not need a control board. However, he notes that the failure of Erie County's elected officials to address the County's deficit of $118.4 million has made outside assistance and supervision necessary.

Poloncarz states that when elected, he will work with the ECFSA and County officials to help bring fiscal stability and accountability to Erie County government.

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 and Working Families Parties. For more information about his campaign, please visit www.markpoloncarz.com.