The Collins Era Begins

   County Executive-elect Christopher C. Collins seemed relaxed and ready to go Tuesday after meeting with outgoing County Executive Joel A. Giambra in the Rath County Office Building, even if he did acknowledge that life from now on will be different.

   "I've found out I won't be the anonymous person buying popcorn at the movies any more, he said. "But I'll be all right with that."

   For sure, the incoming county executive seems to be all for change. He reiterated his "run government like a business" theme Tuesday after a cordial meeting with Giambra. After Giambra said he felt the voters made the "right choice" last week in electing him, Collins said he will find only the best and brightest for county positions.

   But beginning today when he names the co-chairmen of his transition team, the hard part begins. He said he will try to entice foundations to finance a nationwide search for a deputy county executive to act as a chief operating officer, as well as to partially finance the position.

Though Collins reasons that a hefty salary will be needed to lure the best and the brightest into the deputy post, similar efforts in city government have proved controversial.

Will such a person be beholden to a foundation? Or should that official be beholden only to the taxpayers?

Those are questions to be debated in the coming days as Collins puts his stamp on Erie County government in a new era that is already proving interesting to watch.

-- Robert J. McCarthy

Comments

[Mark]

Thinking in the traditional political grid or box has gotten Erie County no-where in the past two generations. If Mr. Collins can get outside help to help finance effective government and government that is going to move the area forward so be it. Look what we pay state legislators and what did that get us?

[Barton Keyes]

Fair question. If my company is paying 10% of your salary as County Manager does that get me through the door to argue policy/adinistrative rules more often than the next guy? Will it mean the County Manager will listen more intently to that business man's arguments?
And can a union give money to such a salary fund? Or can only individuals and businesses? And if so, why?
Just like old ideas, new ideas need to be carefully examined. It's what a good CEO would do, right?

[MS]

Lets hope he can be a real leader that this area is craving for. We have had decades of poor government and false hopes. Dont just drink a glass of champagne on a back of a truck and drive through tolls to be brought down only to raise toll rates a year later. Lets see some real leadership.

[podbabes]

In todays Buffalo News the question is asked "HOW" can a successful entrepreneur transition as Erie County Executive. My first thought was can the Buffalo News and many within Western New York get past their negative mindset and actually visualize success? What may change Erie County is a full out "Attitude Change". The Law of Attraction should it be put to work, can itself turn around our area. If we all starting thinking that our area can get out of debt, be fiscally sound, with a growing economy, more efficient use of funds, tackling Medicare costs, providing a quality of life, feeling good about ourselves... all of this will "ACTUALLY" happen. But putting doubts out there, thinking it CANNOT be fixed, focusing on the negative attributes will only give us the same of what we have. Let's put our trust in Chris Collins, and start thinking like a winning county and believe it can happen. Things will get better, because Collins is going to make people believe it actually can! The magic is in what follows positive worthwhile thoughts.

[Barton Keyes]

Unfortunetly there is no blog directed at the Sunday News' lead story on Collins (not including blogs on lead stories is an unfortunate and persistent pattern at the News). I will, therefore, direct a comment on the Sunday story here.
The article includes the statement from his campaign manager Chris Grant that "Numbers don't lie... In God we trust. Everyone else bring data." First, we should observe the comment came from a campaign manager as opposed to a businessman or statistician. That should give all of us pause before we accept it as gospel. Second, numbers are like photgraphs; they have the comforting illusion of truth and objectivity. There is after all the even older saying that "there are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics."

[Joseph X. Martin]

I don't know Chris Collins, but I wish him well in his new role as Erie County Exeecutive. Whoever took over command at County Hall faced a Herculean task. Is it possible for any one person to succeed, in the face of a mountain of debt and growing obligations? Yes, I think so.

Governance is not an overly complicated proces to master. It does take men and women of vision and fortitude who will "do the right thing" when the situation calls for it. There in "lies the rub."

I think Mr.Collins needs all of our collective support right now, regardless of party. When you are listing 20 degrees to port and going down hard at the stern, its no time to argue over who gets to choose the dinner menu. All hands either lend a hand or we collectively sink.

It has been my great goood fortune to know much of the recent political leadership in Erie County. They have it within themselves to turn things around, should they focus on the task.For all of our sakes, I hope that they choose to do so.

My best wishes that they "see the light."

Vaya Con Dios,

J.X.M