February 4, 2009
Story by Mike Desmond

BUFFALO (2009-02-05) Nearly two years into a fight which has left Erie County unable to borrow for capital projects, the struggle shows no signs of cooling off after a meeting of the County Control Board Wednesday.

The fight has left major repairs on county buildings,roads and bridges incomplete. Some companies have not been paid for work they performed.

It's a dispute between the control board and county government over which should borrow for long-term projects.

Control Board Member Joseph Goodell says if his agency can borrow a planned $89 million for 20-years, it can save a million dollars a year.

"It's clear, there's no question about it, " Goodell stated.

The board, however, saw its bid to borrow last year fall apart. County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz was able to step in and borrow the cash on short notice.

He claims the Control Board savings will be more like $100,000 a year.

"Every time we've had a debate over the numbers, my numbers have been proven correct, theirs have been proven wrong," Poloncarz asserted. "The county gave the control board the power to do a borrowing last year. They failed."

County Attorney Cheryl Green says the control board is on a power trip.

"It's certainly not a power struggle from the Administration's and the County's perspective," Green offered.

"I do believe it is a power struggle with respect to the Control Board. They're looking for a win in this community. They still don't have one."

Since the latest action by the control board is a request to county government to let the board borrow, the fight is expected to continue and the money isn't expected to flow.