Thank you for coming out to Volland Electric today.  I have been one of the owners of Volland for about 6 years now, and I am particularly proud of the great employees and great success we have had here.  Volland Electric is proof positive that a group of individuals can succeed even in a distressed economy such as Western New York. 

With the right management and the right employees working hand-in-hand, Volland has transformed itself from a company that was at one time in financial distress to a successful, profitable, and growing enterprise that employs 110 people here in Cheektowaga, New York. It is time that we do for Erie County what we have done here at Volland Electric.

That is why I am pleased to announce my candidacy to become the next Erie County Executive. 

As a longtime resident of Erie County and a business leader, I am concerned about a dysfunctional county government that has continuously resisted reform and failed to create economic opportunity for our residents.  With a hard control board managing its affairs, there has never been a darker time for Erie County.  We are at a crossroads, and we need a bold leader with a vision to reform County government.

It is time for a new approach to county government, one that doesn’t look to the past for answers, but instead looks to the future.  A future that puts taxpayers first.  A future that creates the economic opportunity Erie County residents deserve.  We need to turn county government around, just like we turned Volland Electric around.

After 30 years of building and managing businesses in our community, I know firsthand that Erie County offers a tremendous amount of potential -- an educated workforce, a great quality of life, a low cost of living and a good regional location. 

Unfortunately, county government has failed to turn these assets into new jobs and opportunities for our working families.  Instead, we have a bloated county government where the only answer seems to be to raise taxes or cut services in order to resolve problems.  And, when enterprise does succeed here, it is usually in spite of, not because of county government. 

Its time for a new generation of leadership that can and will do better.

As a business leader and entrepreneur, I know what it means to take troubled and failing companies in our area, companies that many thought couldn’t be saved, and make them profitable.  As a result of bold, decisive action, we saved and created over 500 jobs in WNY. Whether it’s been Volland Electric, ZeptoMetrix, Buffalo China, OGSI, Schlyer Machine, or Nuttall Gear, we have turned around failing companies and shown that with the right leadership, things can change in Erie County.

Just last week you probably heard the news that ZeptoMetrix, a company that was bankrupt 10 years ago, just landed a key contract from the CDC to be on the frontlines in protecting our nation and the world against the threat of another worldwide influenza pandemic. 

We all remember that 3 years ago Oneida shut down Buffalo China.  I partnered with the management team and reopened the factory as Niagara Ceramics, creating jobs for many of the workers that were no longer employed.  

Three years ago I stepped in to resurrect both Oxygen Generating Systems and Schyler Machine.   Now, both companies are operating out of a brand new 40,000 square foot factory, built on a remediated brownfield hazardous waste site, which was just certified as the first Green Factory in New York State.  We are exporting machines to Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East.  We are putting Buffalo at the forefront of a dynamic and new global economy

I believe it is time to take that same approach and apply it to county government.  That’s why we need a new generation of leadership that has a proven track record of success in the business sector.  I believe I am that leader and that is why I want to be the next County Executive of Erie County.

I’d like you to sit back for a minute and imagine our future once we start rebuilding our economy.

     Imagine a future when our community is vibrant and growing.
     Imagine a future when government works for you, not against you.
     Imagine a future when taxes are fair and reasonable.
     Imagine a future with real opportunities for our children and grandchildren.

That is the future I see.  That is the future the working families of Erie County deserve.  That is the future we can achieve with the right leadership in Erie County Government.

My campaign will focus on three R’s:

1. Reforming county government
2. Rebuilding our economy
3. Reducing our taxes

Just like the three R’s of education – Writing, Reading and Arithmetic provide a roadmap for a successful education -- my three R’s will provide a roadmap for true change and prosperity in Erie County.   

When we reform county government we will reduce the cost of government.  When we reduce the cost of government, we will reduce taxes.  By focusing on economic development, using my experience in the business world, we will bring jobs back to WNY and rebuild our economy.  Implementing my 3 R’s will propel Erie County to a bright future where we have jobs and opportunities for our children and grandchildren to stay right here at home.

The citizens of Erie County will have a clear choice to make this November – a choice between a chief executive or a chief politician. 

As the next County Executive, I will put my experience in turning around failed enterprises to work for taxpayers.  I will turn around the failed enterprise of county government.  I will ensure that taxpayers get value for their tax dollar.  I will leverage our community’s assets to create economic opportunity.  I will say no to bureaucrats, entrenched politicians and special interests.  I will say yes to working families and those who create jobs. 

Together, by focusing on our future, we will put aside the arguments of the past and our children and our grandchildren will have the bright future they deserve in Erie County. 

Thank you.