Republican Erie County Legislator Elise M. Cusack addressed the Political Science Undergraduate Student Association on Monday in Park Hall, speaking about the new elections, the legislation and new technology for older people.
Cusack represents the 14th district of Erie County, which encompasses portions of Amherst, Cheektowaga and parts of the Town of Tonawanda. She also serves as the chair of the Community Enrichment Committee of the Erie County Legislature.
Cusack spoke on her recently launched "e-Citizen" program, created to help her constituents realize the full benefits of governmental information available to them through the Internet.
"I believe as a government official the best thing I can do for my constituents is be a resource of information," Cusack said. "Really, what I'm trying to do is create a virtual office."
The program's main components include a newly designed interactive Web site; an "e-Newsletter," which provides participants with local governmental news updates; and an "e-Seniors" program, which educates the elderly on how the Internet can be used to their advantage.
According to Cusack, her "e-Citizen" program stands outside the borders of typical governmental concerns, but she finds the program necessary in order for people to learn about important issues.
Cusack said her new Web site, http://cusack14.com, is designed to give citizens easy access to information on current legislative events, including press releases and photos. It also provides a means for people to contact their representatives and find openings in civil service positions. According to Cusack, few governmental Web sites have these options.
The legislator encouraged her audience to vote in favor of Proposition No. 1 on Nov. 5. The plan, if put into effect, would reduce the number of Erie County Legislators from 17 to 15 in what Cusack described as an effort to more efficiently govern a reduced number of constituents.
"Unfortunately, the population has decreased in Erie County over the years, and we need to redistrict every 10 years, according to the census numbers," Cusack said. "We really feel that it only is smart government to decrease the size of the legislature."
Marla Greenberg, a Democratic candidate for New York State Senate and senior political science major, said she does not agree with Proposition No. 1, on the grounds that the Democratic Party needs adequate representation within the legislature.
"I don't agree with it because the Democrats are going to be cut," said Greenberg.
Paul Verzillo, a junior majoring in international studies, said the proposition is a positive step for Erie County because it will eliminate additional costs of salaries and campaign finance.
"$600,000 every two-year voting cycle will be saved overall by cutting those two positions," Verzillo said.
Cusack also discussed her involvement in the fight for the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law, which would require pesticide companies to inform residents before their area is treated with pesticides.
According to Cusack, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra recently vetoed the plan. Despite this setback, Cusack said she and other supporting legislators are going to take the idea back to the drawing board and try again.
She cited the inability of citizens to choose whether their neighbors use pesticides as a reason this legislation is necessary.
"You have a choice whether or not to go into a bar," she said. "You don't have a choice where your house is, and where your neighbor is, and who's spraying what. It's an important place for the government to play a role."
According to Bruce Sherman, president of the Political Science Undergraduate Student Association, Cusack was an underdog when she was running against the 26-year incumbent, William A. Pauly, but she still won the position.
"People said she was set up as a Republican pawn to be defeated," said Sherman.
While the Republican Party, including Giambra, was against the Pesticide Notification Law, she went against her party's stance on the law.
"She voted for the Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law," said Sherman. "I thought it was exciting that she went against (the Republicans)."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
