Published: November 03, 2009 11:42 pm      

ELECTIONS: County follows downsizing trend

Voters on Tuesday approved a proposition that called for the size of the Niagara County Legislature to be trimmed from 19 members to 15.

Unofficial results from the Niagara County Board of Elections show the measure received overwhelming support, passing 19,118 to 3,973.

As a result of Tuesday's vote, legislative districts will be re-drawn based on population data from the upcoming 2010 U.S. Census. Members of the new-look, 15-member Legislature would be elected for the first time in 2011.

The move will trim four legislative salaries from the county budget. Lawmakers currently earn $15,075 per year.

Supporters of the downsizing plan hailed Tuesday’s vote as an indication that residents are ready for a smaller, more efficient county government.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” said downsizing supporter and Legislature Chairman Bill Ross, C-Wheatfield. “You’ve got to show people that you are willing to do more with less. If you don’t set an example for your employees, you’re going to run into difficulty.”

Critics of the downsizing initiative were troubled by the lack of details associated with this particular plan to reduce the size of county government. Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso, D-Niagara Falls, who voted in favor of a resolution calling for the downsizing plan to be presented to voters, had second thoughts about the idea leading up to Election Day.

“People generally support smaller government,” Virtuoso said. “I knew all along it would pass. I’m just worried that the voters weren’t given the information they needed before they voted.”

He campaigned against the measure, suggesting it was being pushed by Republican leaders in the county who were looking to eliminate seats in Niagara Falls, a city where the majority of voters are Democrats and one that will likely see a significant drop in population once the new census figures are released.

“I voted for it, but I’m worried that it’s going to hurt Niagara Falls,” Virtuoso said. “If it’s done equally and fairly then OK, but I don’t think they are going to play by the rules of the game.”

County lawmakers originally considered a plan to present the downsizing measure to voters in 2010 following the release of the census data. In June, they agreed to speed up the pace of the process by setting a public hearing date in anticipation of presenting the issue to voters this year. The original plan also called for the creation of a special committee to examine various issues related to the Legislature, including appropriate number of representatives and length of term.

Ross said he still may call for the formation such a committee but intends to run the idea by the rest of the Legislature before moving forward.

“I want to see if there is a the interest there,” he said.