[00:00:01]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WE'LL GET STARTED WITH OUR WORK SESSION AGENDA. GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.
I HOPE YOU ALL HAD AN ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY.
TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR BARNES, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY MAJORITY LEADER MYERS.
THERE ARE NO TABLED ITEMS. NO ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION, AND THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING WILL BE UP FOR APPROVAL.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS AT THIS TIME.
TODAY, WE HAVE ONE PRESENTATION TO HONOR OUR COLLEAGUE, THE ESTEEMED, THE LIVING LEGEND.
NOW, YOU GET TO BE THE LIVING LEGEND.
JOHN IS GOING TO CALL YOU THE LIVING LEGEND.
LEGISLATOR HOWARD JOHNSON, MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1, AND CONTINUED ONTO PAGE 2 AS INDICATED. LOCAL LAWS.
LOCAL LAW, INTRO 2-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING LOCAL LAW, INTRO 5-1, AS INDICATED.
REPORT NUMBER 9 FROM THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MAJORITY LEADER.
>> REPORT NUMBER 8, FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MAJORITY LEADER, I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU STEP IN AS COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. REPORT NUMBER 12?
>> REPORT NUMBER 1, FROM THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIR BARGES.
>> THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR. CONTINUING ON LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS, INTRO 13-1, FROM LEGISLATOR BASKIN REGARDING ESTABLISHING THE STANDARD WORK DAY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE UP FOR APPROVAL.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE, NO SUSPENSIONS OF THE RULES AT THIS TIME, COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIAL.
COMMUNICATION 13E-1 THROUGH INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 13E-21 AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATION 13E-22 AND COMMUNICATION 13E-23 AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.
COMMUNICATION 13D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 13D-3, AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES.
COMMUNICATION 13M-1 AS INDICATED. ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? DOES ANYBODY NEED A BREAK? CAN I GAVEL IN AND START SESSION? GOOD TO GO.
LEGISLATOR TAARA EVERYBODY, GOOD TO GO? GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
[ ROLL CALL]
I HEREBY CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.THIS IS MEETING NUMBER 13 OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, JULY 11TH, 2024.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE THE ROLE.
>> FINAL. EVERYBODY IS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR THE INVOCATION LED BY LEGISLATOR BARNES.
AMEN. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY MAJORITY LEADER MYERS.
>> PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS IF YOU ARE ABLE.
TABLE ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
THERE ARE NO MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, THERE ARE NONE.
MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 12]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> THANKS, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL.
>> PROPER MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR BARNES ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MEETING MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, THERE ARE NONE.
[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1, CONTINUED ON TO PAGE 2.MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> PROPER MOTION TO CONSIDER MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOT BEFORE THE BODY.
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANKS, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ALL.
>> PROPER MOTION TO AMEND THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS TO MAKE THEM AT ALL MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW AMENDED.
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANKS, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS AS AMENDED MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, THEY'VE BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED AS AMENDED. LOCAL LAWS.
[ LOCAL LAWS:]
LOCAL LAW INTRO 2-1 INCLUDING LOCAL LAW INTRO 5-1 AS INDICATED.COMMITTEE REPORTS REPORT NUMBER 9 FROM THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.[00:05:01]
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE TO CONSIDERATION.
>> THERE'S BEEN A MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
REPORT NUMBER 8 FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. CHAIR MYERS.
>> THANKS, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL MADE BY COMMITTEE CHAIR MYERS AND SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE.
ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
REPORT NUMBER 12 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE BEFORE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
>> THERE'S BEEN A MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
REPORT NUMBER 1 FROM THE GOVERNMENT COMAS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. COMMITTEE CHAIR BARNES.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE REPORT.
>> THERE'S BEEN A MOTION MADE BY THE COMMITTEE CHAIR.
IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS INTRO 13-1.
[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
>> IT'S BEEN A PERFECT MOTION MADE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.
COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE. THERE ARE NONE.
DISCHARGE SUSPENSIONS OF THE RULES. THERE ARE NONE.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS,
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]
COMMUNICATION 13E-1 THROUGH INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 13E-23 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]
COMMUNICATION 13D-1 THROUGH INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 13D-3 AND COMMUNICATION FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCY COMMUNICATION 13M-1 AS INDICATED.[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]
WE WILL NOW TAKE A MOMENT BEFORE WE CLOSE ON OUR AGENDA, AND I WILL INVITE THE HONORABLE HOWARD JOHNSON JUNIOR UP TO THE DAIS.I'M GOING TO ASK THE MAJORITY LEADER TO JOIN ME.
WE HAVE HERE THE OPPORTUNITY, THE MAJORITY LEADER AND I TO HONOR OUR ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE, HOWARD JOHNSON JUNIOR, FOR HIS SERVICE AS ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR, AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
BEFORE I READ THIS PROCLAMATION WITH THE MAJORITY LEADER, I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN UP THE FLOOR TO OUR ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES WHO HAS HAD THE PLEASURE TO WORK WITH LEGISLATOR JOHNSON TO GIVE ANY REMARKS ON YOUR OWN BEHALF REGARDING HIS SERVICE, YOUR FRIENDSHIP, AND OUR GRATITUDE FOR HIS PARTNERSHIP AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I'LL CALL ON YOU AS YOU WISH TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED, LEGISLATOR BARNES.
>> THANKS, CHAIR. HOWARD, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS. IT'S WELL DESERVED.
PRIOR TO ME COMING TO THIS ALLEGE, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU BUT I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW YOU VERY WELL, AND YOU'RE A MAN OF HONOR, DIGNITY, YOU CARRY YOURSELF WITH PRIDE AND YOU REPRESENT YOUR COMMUNITY JUST WITH A FABULOUS JOB THAT YOU DO.
I'M PROUD TO BE A FRIEND AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU.
>> VERY SAD THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE LEAVING US, BUT GLAD FOR YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SOMETHING YOU'RE HAPPY WITH.
I JUST THINK I GET TO KNOW YOU WHEN WE WERE DOING THE TRAINING TOGETHER BACK WHEN WE FIRST WERE RUNNING HE STARTED, AND I IMMEDIATELY FELT REALLY WARNED TOWARDS YOU, AND I REALLY LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE A VETERAN.
YOU HAD A BEAUTIFUL JOB IN THE COUNTY GOV, YOU HAD A BEAUTIFUL JOB IN THE BANK.
I WAS AT SLOAN MONDAY AND MY SISTER-IN-LAW'S SISTER WAS WITH ME AND SHE LOVED YOU WHEN YOU WORKED AT THE BANK.
SHE SAYS, HE PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW ME, BUT I KNEW HIM, AND HE WAS ALWAYS SO NICE TO ME AND FRIENDLY TO ME.
YOU HAD A GOOD CAREER WITH THE BANK, HAD A GOOD FINANCE, YOU HAD A GOOD CAREER IN THE COUNTY IN FINANCE.
YOU GAVE UP A HIGH PAYING JOB TO TAKE THIS JOB IN ORDER TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU SERVED IT WELL.
AS YOU SAY KNOWING ALL THE ASPECTS OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR DISTRICT.
I THINK YOU'RE JUST A PERSON OF SERVICE AND INTEGRITY.
WE DIDN'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING.
WE AGREED ON ALMOST EVERYTHING, BUT I ALWAYS RESPECTED YOU AND ADMIRED YOU AND THINK YOU'RE REALLY GREAT.
I'M GOING TO MISS YOU IN THE NEXT YEAR.
>> WE CAME IN THE SAME YEAR TOGETHER.
I'LL REALLY MISS YOU. YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT COLLEAGUE AND A BETTER FRIEND. BEST OF LUCK.
[00:10:03]
>> GO AHEAD. HE'S TALLER. [LAUGHTER] BY A LITTLE BIT.
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR POSITION WE'RE GOING TO MISS HE HERE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IMPRESSED ME ABOUT YOUR PERFORMANCE HERE IS YOUR PASSION FOR YOUR DISTRICT.
VERY PASSIONATE AND HARD WORKING LEGISLATOR AND WE NEED MORE LIKE YOU IN THIS DISTRICT HERE.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOU LAY WELL WISHES FROM THIS LEGISLATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WHEN I CAME OVER HERE THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THE FIRST CALL I GOT WAS FROM PREVIOUS BERA COUNTY LEGISLATOR ED RA AND HE LOOKS IN THERE CALLS ME GOES, LISTEN, KRIS AND I'LL TELL YOU.
YOU WON'T KNOW IT FOR DAY 1, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.
IF YOU EVER WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH SOMEBODY OR HAVE A CONVERSATION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, HOWARD JOHNSON IS A VERY REASONABLE MAN. THAT'S ED RA.
I FOUND THAT WE HAVE BUTTED HEADS HERE, AND WE DEBATE REPULSION.
BUT WHEN THAT GABBLED HEADS, ALL THE POLITICS GO AWAY AND YOU ARE A TRUE GENTLEMAN.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT TO POLITICS SHOULD BE.
IT SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN TO HEART.
WE FIGHT FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN, BUT WE TREAT EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY AND YOU'VE DONE THAT.
YOU ARE THE TRUE ESSENCE OF WHAT PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ALWAYS BE.
CONGRATULATIONS, IN YOUR POSITION AND YOU WILL BE MISSED.
>> THANK YOU. HOWARD IT'S BEEN GREAT TO MEET YOU.
I I WANT TO REALLY THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.
I MEAN THAT PASSIONATELY BECAUSE WITH MY FAMILY BUSINESS BEING IN YOUR DISTRICT IN THE HEART OF THAT.
THE CONSTITUENTS, THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
YOU'VE MADE THAT IMPACT AND I WANT YOU TO HEAR THAT FROM ME BECAUSE I CAN SIT BACK IN MY LOBBY AND JUST LISTEN ABOUT POLITICS AND WHO'S THE OWNER OF THE SHOP? THAT'S THE LEGISLATOR. WELL, WE KNOW HOWARD AND HE DOES THIS FOR US.
THEN JUST TO SIT BACK AND LISTEN.
YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO MISS THESE ROBUST CONVERSATIONS IN THE BASEMENT PAD AND THAT'S A WORD THAT SHOULD BE TRADEMARKED NEXT TO YOU IN YOUR NAME.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR YOUR SITUATIONS, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH YOU.
I WAS TOLD GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOU BEFORE I WAS HERE AND I ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION.
I WANT TO ECHO WHAT THEY SAID, I LOVE WHEN WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS HERE, AND THEN WE CAN TALK ON THE MARK CARD ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON OR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE REAL WORLD, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT.
CONGRATULATIONS. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.
>> I'LL JUST SAY WHEN HOWARD FIRST GOT HERE, HE DIDN'T REALLY LIKE ME.
[LAUGHTER] I'M NOT EVEN SURE NOW THAT HE LIKES ME.
I LOVE HIM. IT'S SO LONG, BUT GOODBYE AND CONGRATULATIONS.
>> IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH THE LEGISLATOR.
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. I CRIED EVEN WHEN JUDGE LARGO LEFT THE LEGISLATURE.
[LAUGHTER] PARDON ME FOR NOT MAKING EYE CONTACT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT TOGETHER.
BUT I WILL SAY HOWARD FROM THE MASS SHOOTING TO EVERY LOCAL LAW THAT I WAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.
IT HAS BEEN SUCH A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HAVE AT MY BACK POLITICALLY, GOVERNMENTALLY, AND ON BEHALF OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CONSTITUENCY IN ERIE COUNTY.
I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE NOT LEAVING COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE TO SERVE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU STRIVE TO GREAT THINGS AS THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ADO, WHEREAS HOWARD JOHNSON JUNIOR IS THE SON OF JOANNE AND HOWARD JOHNSON SENIOR, A DEVOTED FATHER TO JOANNE JOHNSON, ATTENDED MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN BUFFALO, AND WHEREAS PRIOR TO HIS TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, HOWARD PROUDLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY AS A VETERAN IN THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL GUARD FOR 10 YEARS HONORABLE SERVICE.
WHEREAS HOWARD ALSO CARRIES AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN FINANCIAL SERVICES THROUGH HIS POSITIONS AT M&T BANK, HSBC BANK, AND THE ERIE COUNTY DIVISION OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT.
[00:15:05]
WHEREAS HOWARD WAS UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED AND SWORN INTO THE LEGISLATURE IN APRIL 2019 AS ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR OF DISTRICT ONE SERVING VARIOUS PARTS OF THE EAST SIDE AND THE WEST SIDE.>> WHEREAS AMONG HIS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS LEGISLATOR, HE PROVIDED STRONG CONSTITUENT SERVICE TO HIS DISTRICT AND HELPFULLY BESIDE CHAIRWOMAN APRIL BASKIN AND IMPLEMENTING THE CORRECTIONS SPECIALIST ADVISORY BOARD AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.
HE WAS THE LEAD SPONSOR TO INCREASE WAGES FOR ALL LEGISLATORS. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
[LAUGHTER]HE WORKED WITH CHAIR BASKIN TO ENSURE URBAN INITIATIVES NOT ONLY FOR BENEFITED RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, BUT ALSO IN OTHER AREAS SUCH AS LAKAA AND TONAWANDA.
WHEREAS HE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR IMPROVING LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE AND HELPING CREATE VITAL RESOURCES TO ALLOW RESIDENTS OF THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS TO ACCESS HIGH QUALITY GOODS AND SERVICES, TO LIVE HEALTHY PRODUCTIVE LIVES.
WHEREAS, LEGISLATOR JOHNSON WORKED HARD AND WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF HIS DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY FOR MINORITIES, BUSINESS OWNERS.
WHEREAS, LEGISLATOR JOHNSON HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT NOT ONLY IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THROUGHOUT HIS COMMUNITY AND HIS CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY ENDEAVORS, AND HAVING TO STICK THIS MINDSET TO USING HIS PHILOSOPHY OF ALWAYS DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE PAUSES IN HIS DELIBERATIONS TO HONOR HOWARD JOHNSON JUNIOR ON HIS DEDICATION, SERVICE TO THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF BUFFALO, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED.
THIS HONORABLE BODY THANKS LEGISLATOR JOHNSON FOR HIS INTEGRITY, HIS COMPASSION AND HIS WORK ETHIC AND SINCERE DEDICATION TO HIS COMMUNITY, AND WE WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVOR. [APPLAUSE]
>> CHAIR WOMAN BASKIN, MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO KEEP IT TOGETHER.
BUT I APPRECIATE THE BOND WE HAD SINCE YOU STEPPED INTO THE POLITICAL SCENE, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN AND A BIG SUPPORTER OF YOURS, AND I CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR YOU.
TO MY COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS.
A LOT OF THE TIMES WE DO THINGS BASED ON IDEOLOGIES, AND THE IDEOLOGIES IS FINE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, AND WE GET TO PUT OUR IDEALS TO THE SIDE AND JUST BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER.
I ALWAYS TRY TO OPERATE IN THAT CAPACITY, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT PERSON BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION THAT WE CAN'T ALWAYS BE CORDIAL OR TALK OR HAVE A FRIENDSHIP.
I SAID SOMETHING WHEN THE FORMER MINORITY LEADER LEFT, IRON SHARPENS IRON.
THIS IS WHAT THIS BODY IS ABOUT.
IT'S ABOUT SHARPENING EACH OTHER.
IT'S ABOUT US, LOOKING AT THE PICTURE OF THE WHOLE, FIGHTING FOR OUR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS, AND WALKING AWAY, SAYING, HEY, THAT WAS THAT, NOW WE MOVE FORWARD.
BUT I'M GOING TO MISS THIS PLACE.
I LOVE THIS. I LOVE THIS PIECE OF IT.
I LOVE THE LEARNING PIECE OF IT.
I LOVE ALL THAT. I LOVE THE DEBATES.
I LOVE ALL THAT SO THAT DISCOURSE.
I'M GOING TO REALLY MISS THAT PIECE ABOUT US AND SEEING YOU GUYS EVERY DAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING HERE ON THURSDAYS OR TUESDAYS OR WHENEVER IT WAS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING DOWN HERE BECAUSE I KNEW THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WERE GOING TO DO RIGHT BY THE CONSTITUENCY OF THE WHOLE OF ERIE COUNTY.
NOT JUST DISTRICT, BUT THE WHOLE OF ERIE COUNTY.
ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL TO LEGISLATOR HARDWIN.
I CALLED LUXURY BUT THE [INAUDIBLE] BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU TOO.
I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
I JUST WANT TO ADD YOU TO THE EQUATION AS WELL BECAUSE YOU WERE A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DID WHEN I FIRST CAME IN.
I'LL BE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND TAKING ON A NEW ENDEAVOR.
I KNOW SOME FOLKS SAID, WELL, IT HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY.
I'VE BEEN IN NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND THE TIME TO GO WAS WHEN I WENT.
[00:20:02]
I JUST COULDN'T PUT A TIMEFRAME ON A PICTURE ON IT OR HOW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.THE TIME WAS THAT TIME THAT I WANTED TO DO IT AND DID IT THE WAY I WANTED TO DO IT.
I KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO COME OUT OF IT, BUT I'M NOT MUCH ABOUT THAT. I JUST LIKE DOING THE WORK.
THIS ROLE I'M GOING TO ROLL INTO IS ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK, AND IT'S FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL OF ERIE COUNTY.
IN MY ROLE OVER THERE, I'M SERVING ALL OF ERIE COUNTY STILL, SO I LIKE THAT.
I'M NOT BUT A PUBLIC SERVANT AT HEART, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THIS BODY IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THE GOOD WORK.
I'LL SEE YOU GUYS. I'M NOT FINE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR KIND WORDS FOR OUR FRIEND.
[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]
ANNOUNCEMENTS, WE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT WEEK ON THURSDAY, JULY 18.THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
OUR NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE WILL TAKE PLACE ON JULY 25.
THIS WILL BE OUR FINAL SESSION BEFORE WE GO IN TO RECESS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE BODY? YES. THE MAJORITY CAUCUS DOES HAVE A NEW COUNSELOR, AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS A NEW PARLIAMENTARIAN.
JESSICA CULP ESQUIRE IS JOINING THE FAMILY.
WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR.
PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS. LEGISLATOR GREEN.
[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]
I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF BUD SMITH, 44-YEAR FIRE FIGHTER.
>> WE'RE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE, LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF ATTORNEY COSGROVE, WONDERFUL LONG TIME ATTORNEY FROM A WONDERFUL FAMILY BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER, WHO WILL BE MISSED IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY AND THE WEST MARE COMMUNITY.
>> OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR CASH.
>> OUR HEART IS WITH YOU, LEGISLATOR.
I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE. ANY OTHERS? LEGISLATOR MILLS.
>> YOU'RE MEMORY OF WAESPI RETIRE GEORGE PARK POLICE AND OUTSTANDING CAREER AND ALSO PIED BACK ON GEORGE PARK RESIDENT FOR MANY MANY YEARS AND OUTSTANDING DA. THANK YOU.
>> OUR HEART IS WITH YOU LEGISLATOR.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE GONE [INAUDIBLE].
AMEN. I'LL RETAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MADE BY MAJORITY LEADER, CITED BY LEGISLATOR GILMORE. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> WE STAND ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.