Published: July 17, 2008 10:33 am         

LEGISLATURE: A common interest

The summer quarterly meeting of the Niagara Frontier Association of Village Officials convened at the Medina Shirt Factory Cafe Wednesday evening.

Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, provided the guest speech on the 2008 legislative session following a sit-down dinner.

More than 40 representatives were in attendance from Niagara and Orleans counties, making it the largest turnout in the organization’s recent history.

The association was formed more than 20 years ago as a networking opportunity for village officials, said Lyndonville Mayor Marc Scarr. Topics of discussion center around common issues each community faces.

This year’s legislative session was “one for the record books,” Maziarz began. Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer stepped down suddenly in March when news of his involvement in a prostitution ring hit the press, leaving Democratic Lieutenant Gov. David Paterson to fill his shoes.

Maziarz sat next to Paterson for 12 years in the state Senate, during which time he discovered Paterson to be a bit of a comedian — “like Larry the Cable guy,” Maziarz said. As lieutenant governor, Paterson’s job presiding over the Senate was akin to Barker’s Chief of Police, Maziarz joked. There was “nothing” to do.

In the conversational speech that followed, Maziarz touched on a few major items of interest.

He urged the officials present to plan for the winter ahead. Some experts are estimating the cost of fuel to heat homes could drastically increase by as much as 40 percent, he said.

“We have to be prepared in our counties for a catastrophe,” Maziarz said. He was appointed chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee earlier this year by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

With the help of local agencies, residents need to be made aware of government and private sector programs that are available to assist them, he said. The elderly and youth could be put at great risk if they turn to alternate means of heating their homes or turn their thermostats to dangerously low temperatures, he said.

The senator hopes to host an energy symposium conference in

October to address the issue further, he said.

Wilson councilman James Muscoreil agreed with Maziarz’ sense of urgency.

“We’re conscious of it,” Muscoreil said. “We’re already starting to prepare.”

On the subject of consolidation — an ever-present topic in local government today — Maziarz encouraged officials to explore the sharing of duplicate services. The state, he believes, should be careful when it comes to forcing consolidation, however.

Consolidation should be approached with the intent to improve efficiency, as, for example, evidenced by an intermunicipal effort between North Tonawanda, Lockport and Niagara Falls to consolidate water services, he said.

Talk of village dissolution is often associated with consolidation, Muscoreil said.

“I have a tough time with it,” he said. “I like sharing — but dissolving?”

The rising cost of conducting business, and with it, an increase in property taxes, has sparked consolidation talks. One proposed solution is a property tax cap. Maziarz called the proposal a “killer of economic expansion and job growth.” The freeze would allow schools to increase taxes by as much as 20 percent within a five-year period, he said.

Before turning the meeting over to association president Albion Mayor Michael Hadick, Maziarz spoke of his support for the state CHIPS program. The grant funding awarded to local highway and public works departments allows them “to do what they do best.” The City of Niagara Falls is a worldwide attraction, but contains roads in need of repair, burdening both resident and visitor, he said.

Maintenance of road and bridge infrastructure is important to maintaining community morale. The same is true of code enforcement. A deteriorating home will soon be followed by the block, and then the neighborhood, he said.

“It’s not easy being in public life,” Maziarz told the officials present. “All of you sacrifice. ... Thank you for the service that you give.”

Attendees at Wednesday’s meeting included officials from Lewiston, Wilson, Barker, Middlport, Lyndonville, Albion and Holley, among others.

The last meeting was held in April at Lyndonville’s White Birch Golf Course. The next will take place in Middleport.

Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 8227.