Be careful what you wish for must be going through the minds of some of those residents and taxpayers in Erie County who voted for current executive Mark Poloncarz.
While not popular for his decisions or his demeanor, former Erie County executive Chris Collins was downsizing and reducing the cost of government in a county bloated by public payrolls. He was, in a sense, running government as though it were a business.
Poloncarz, in no real surprise, is not up to that task.
In releasing an Erie County budget proposal for 2013, Poloncarz is raising the county tax rate 3.4 percent in a $1.38 billion plan that increases spending by 2.1 percent. "If we were to try to do $8 million of additional job cuts, it would have destroyed county government as we know it," Poloncarz told The Buffalo News.
"Destroyed" county government? You mean the same government that became fatter in terms of payroll, benefits and employees over the last five decades while Western New York's population and business community has gotten leaner?
Who has really "destroyed" who?
By the way, Poloncarz is starting to parrot Chautauqua County leaders and lawmakers. While passing on increased costs to Erie County residents and businesses, he squawked "we control only 10 percent of our budget."
Oh brother! Start the violins and stock up on the Kleenex.
