Changes in Niagara IDA Doubted.

In Tom Prohaska's article some very interesting information on the intent and conduct of the Majority caucus in the County Legislature. More proof that it is Time for a Change in the County Legislature.

It is time for a change when the Majority caucus circles the wagons and they continue to not do the right thing but do the wrong thing.

Niagara County Republican leadership makes the mistake of seeing legitimate criticism and violations of the public trust as merely political attacks. With this bunker mentality, good government is sacrificed for saving the politically connected.

"We're using IDA board members in this political game," said Legislature
Chairman Clyde Burmaster, R-Ransomville, following Saturday's caucus meeting.

Chairman Burmaster is making a very big mistake if he thinks this is just politics. He is ignoring his fiduciary responsibility to County Taxpayers. The majority Caucus insists nothing has been proven wrong. Then why did you all vote to sue the IDA? Why are you spending thousands to stop this PILOT with high priced attorneys?? Why aren't you doing more?

"Ross, C-Wheatfield, said there were "different factions" on the issue and no final decision was made, but he said changes now might harm the agency's mission. "

"If there was a lack of order at the IDA, would it scare new business away?" Ross asked.
Mr. Ross is very mistaken: the bulk of the work in promoting Nagara County business development falls on the shoulders of the IDA staff and the the Committee for Economic Development. Getting rid of the current Board after the lousy deal struck will not slow the other good work done by staff and will restore public confidence in the IDA going forward. More damage to the IDA's efforts is done by keeping the current Board in place.

If in any other business, a divisional Vice President were to negotiate and sign a contract that had no net benefit for your company but in fact lost the company $94 Million dollars, he and his assistants would be fired immediately. After they had been escorted from the building, you would then call the district attorney and then call your own attorney to sue those responsible.

Was the VP authorized to sign contracts- YES.
Does the law allow him to sign a bad contract that results in the loss or theft of company funds as a welfare check to others- YES he could sign it.
IS it morally right? - NO;
Is it ethical right? - No ;
Was it in the best interest of the company:?- NO;
IS it a legitimate reason to fire the individual? _ YES.
Does the company have too wait for a court decision?-NO

Continue to read Tom's article and you see how Burmaster and the majority just don't get it.
"It's America. We're innocent until proven guilty - every one of us," Burmaster said.

Hello !!! Mr. Burmaster, Your appointee to the IDA ( Mr. Sloma and friends), Knew you were going to vote to rescind the PILOT and signed the deal against the wishes of the Legislature. That alone is reason enough to fire someone. "innocence" refers to the criminal law not to crossing the line of Public Trust. Mr. Burmaseter you can plainly see that line was crossed by the IDA. It is your job to fire them.

They are responsible for overseeing that the tax money is spent wisely. Giving away $94.6 million dollars to a wealthy corporation that netted from the Somerset plant alone $190 million last year is a violation of the public trust. There is no need to wait for the court.

If the Legislature believes that their NCIDA should be allowed to make such deals where a large business only pays 1.4% of their business value in property taxes and forces Seniors and small business to pay close to 3%, then there is something terribly wrong in the County Legislature. If the Majority Caucus continues to hide from this issue then they should not be allowed back in office in November.