Posted on 05/04/2005 6:38:34 PM PDT by The Mayor
(Buffalo, NY, May 4, 2005) - - You're seeing this story first right here! He missed four meetings in a row, and News 4's Mylous Hairston has learned that Erie County lawmaker Chuck Swanick will soon hop a train and return to his old career as a railroad engineer.
After 25 years in County Hall, Chuck Swanick may be riding the rails out of the Erie County legislature. News 4 has confirmed the Republican lawmaker has a job lined up with CSX.
James Louis, chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Local 421, said, "Chuck Swanick has re-applied to come back to work as a locomotive engineer." Swanick has been on a leave of absence from CSX since he was first elected to the legislature in 1980.
Sources tell me his decision to return to the rail is tied to Erie County's budget crisis and poor polling numbers for re-election. His training locally is set to start within the next two weeks at a Kenmore railyard.
Louis said, "He is going through all the documents and the papers that he needs to do to fulfill that, and we expect him to be coming back to work on the railroad in the very near future."
Just five days ago, Swanick only had this to say about rumors he was training in Atlanta for a return to his train career that started in 1967: "I was on personal family business. It is unusual for me, I will admit, to be away."
James Louis confirms that Atlanta is a training site for CSX employees, and that Swanick has been been planning for a job outside the legislature for some time.
Louis said, "I believe this started, for Mr. Swanick, back sometime in February or March, when he first started to approach the carrier, so it's been going on for the last couple of months."
I made numerous attempts to contact legislator Swanick. He has not returned any of my calls regarding his future in the Erie County legislature. Sources tell me he is expected to make a decision on whether to seek another term by the end of the week.
Pressure has been building over the past few months as the Tax Revolt has gone into full swing here in Erie County New York.
We are spreading out and are now in Niagara County, and Western New York. Our focus is to come down on Albany like a ton of bricks.
Incumbents are starting to fall like dominoes!
New York PING!
Erie County and Niagara County ping!
Finest Ping!
Good, go back there.
Thank You for the update. Good luck to you, Mayor.
The pressure got to him. Swanick saw the writing on the wall. He doesn't have the *******s to cut stuff and bargain with the unions. Now I know why...he's a union member!
Mayor - my money is on you for the win!
Thank you Ma'am..
Thank you!
I only hope the republicans don't put someone else up..
Even so, I stand a good chance of winning. Ianello is as inside as they come, just another political hack.
This district is evenly split between Dems and Repubs but there is a big Conservative and Independent base.
There is no slowing me down Bob..
That explains why Swanick was so adept at railroading things through the Legislature for so many years...
Good Luck!
This is big for the county. Why? Because this could spell the beginning of the end of the stranglehold of corruption that has taken over this county. We are in a fiscal meltdown because of corruption - mismanagement, patronage, and unfunded mandates have converged to result in a bankrupt county that has had to go to an austerity budget - spending only on those items required by state law or county charter.
Now, maybe that doesn't mean much to you - but for those of us here, this is big. It means this county still has a chance.
Could very well be..
This story has been around for a couple months, I am still waiting to hear it from his mouth.
I will be at the Legislature meeting tomorrow and everyone till election day.
Hi, the post was removed, newbie, looks like a troll.
I looked at some of the posts in the forums and it won't be long before he/she is gone.
Good luck!
Wonderful news Mayor!!!! You just keep their feet to the fire up there--you are making a difference!
We are coming to a town near you!
Remember these two groups
http://www.freebuffalo.org and http://www.primarychallenge.org
Of course me too! http://www.RusThompson.com
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