ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was sworn in for what will be his fourth and final term Friday, offering a positive reflection on his first three in office while cautioning of a "cancer" threatening the country.
Family, friends, elected leaders, and local officials gathered at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center to hear the County Executive deliver his final inaugural address.
Poloncarz began by thanking all those who have supported him over the years calling it a privilege to serve the people of Erie County over the past 12 years. He took office in 2012.
"If you remember, prior to my election county government had been run like a business abandoning the true owners, the people, when they needed it most and putting at risk this great community that we call home," Poloncarz said.
The County Executive recalled delivering his first inaugural address in 2011 in the same room at the Convention Center, noting its newly renovated status, courtesy of the county.
Poloncarz told 2 On Your Side during his election run against Republican and Conservative candidate Chrissy Casilio that it would be his last term if he won.
Back in 2011, "the kid from Lackawanna" said he was setting out to build a better community. He said that mission continues to this day.
"Yes we will build the stadium, finish ErieNET, continue to strengthen health and mental health access for all residents but we will not stop there. "We will continue to invest in our roads parks and libraries, make our community more climate resilient and water cleaner and we do it not only for today but for the generations to come so they can enjoy this place we call home," Poloncarz said.
The County Executive added that he saw an opportunity to finish work that was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Buffalo Mass Shooting.
"I want to finish that work and feel comfortable that I left the community in a lot better shape than when I took it," he said in an interview afterward.
Poloncarz said it is bittersweet but looking back he is pleased with what he and the county have accomplished, noting Erie County's population growth and property tax rate.
While the address was mostly uplifting, the Lackawanna native took a serious tone to express his concerns about the state of the United States and the republic.
"As a community and as a country we must never forget our time will pass and we will be remembered for the legacy that we leave behind a legacy that is not just the projects we build or initiatives we implement to create a better healthier community but one based on protecting the core principals of our democracy," Poloncarz said.
He referenced the high number of Erie County residents involved and/or arrested during the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and fighting those ideals means people need to get involved.
"And the extremism that exists in our county exists in our country and we have to work together Democracy is not a spectator sport so I thought it was important to get that message out," Poloncarz said.
Erie County Republican Chairman Michael Kracker said in a statement that today's speech failed to unify Erie County and further stoked division.
He added in part: "As much as it pains him, Mark Poloncarz was elected to represent this entire county, not just those who agree with his extreme progressive politics."
That full statement reads:
"In today's inaugural speech, Mark Poloncarz refused an opportunity to unify this community. Instead, he stoked further division and pointed fingers at the past.
The County Executive's remarks about extreme political rhetoric would have been better delivered to a mirror. The recent campaign exposed the public to the darker side of Mark Poloncarz, including allegations of domestic violence. And since being elected to a fourth term, Mark has continued to lash out at the people of this community with irresponsible and dangerous attacks.
The Poloncarz administration has also increased the cost of living for families and businesses, raising county property taxes by nearly 40% since taking office and recently enacting the highest county gas tax in New York State. Even the tax relief he boasts about was only made possible by a strong Republican caucus in the legislature.
As Mark begins his final term in office, the Erie County Republican Committee will work with our government partners to hold him and his administration accountable. As much as it pains him, Mark Poloncarz was elected to represent this entire community, not just those who agree with his extreme progressive politics."
You can watch Poloncarz's full remarks below:
