| Swanick says no to another term One more victim of county budget crisis By ROBERT J. McCARTHY News Political Reporter 5/5/2005 |
|||
 |
|||
|
Considered by many an institution in county government and politics, the Kenmore Republican said he is ready to try something different after more than a quarter century in County Hall. He also said the drastic cuts and layoffs precipitated by the county financial mess represent just about all that can be accomplished on the local level. "It's just understanding that the county has done almost as much as it can do," he said Wednesday. "We don't control our destiny. Ultimately, this issue lies with the State of New York." In addition, the former Legislature chairman and Democrat-turned-Republican said public opinion is so divided that county politicians find themselves in a no-win situation. "No decision we make can be supported significantly," he said. "The community is divided between additional cuts or instituting a revenue source to assist the county." Swanick, 56, follows Legislators Raymond K. Dusza, D-Cheektowaga, and Steven P. McCarville, R-Orchard Park, as well as Republican Comptroller Nancy A. Naples in opting not to seek re-election this year. Several sources say polling data reflecting an anti-incumbent mood also weighed heavily in Swanick's decision. But he reiterated his criticism of state mandates that he said caused the county's fiscal situation, leading to some speculation that he may run for the State Legislature in the future. "Don't write his political obituary yet," said one associate. A Conrail engineer at the time of his 1979 election, Swanick spent part of his recent two-week vacation at an engineer training school maintained in Maryland by Conrail successor CSX. He said he decided to obtain locomotive recertification should he decide to return to the railroad when his term ends on Dec. 31. "It's part of the process," he said of the training. "CSX is not sure and I'm not sure (about returning). We'll leave the door open." He said he has not been offered any position in the administration of Republican County Executive Joel A. Giambra, a one-time foe who is not a close ally. But he said he would not rule out any option. "I have no position with the Giambra administration planned; I have no position planned," he said. Swanick earned a reputation as one of the area's most enduring political survivors, especially after serving as chairman of the Legislature as a Democrat, and then continuing as chairman after switching to the GOP in early 2003. That same year he lost a Republican primary contest to Canisius College political science Professor Kevin R. Hardwick, only to astound the political world by winning the November general election - the only candidate in Legislature history to prevail with only minor party support. But Swanick has also been closely associated with the budget stalemate that resulted in 1,500 layoffs and the drastic reduction in county services. And many observers say he suffered a severe blow when one local television station repeatedly played tape of him orchestrating a last minute resolution with Chairman George A. Holt Jr. during the confusion of the Dec. 8 budget adoption meeting. That action designated a New Orleans company to develop an incarceration alternative program for Erie County, and is now under FBI investigation. Swanik said he has not appeared before any grand jury following the FBI probe, but acknowledged he voluntarily met with federal agents immediately upon learning of their investigation in March. "The minute it became an issue I immediately went to the FBI," he said, adding he supplied agents with the county attorney's opinion indicating Erie County was not obligated by the resolution designating the New Orleans firm. Swanick launched his political career in 1979 after answering a newspaper ad seeking Democratic candidates for the Legislature. During his early years in County Hall, he built an image of independence, challenging Republicans and Democrats alike at innumerable news conferences in his trademark sweaters. In the 1980s, his Tonawanda and Grand Island constituents found him frequently at their door, and he scored points as "Chuckie Cheese," distributing government surplus cheese. He took his "maverick" image so seriously he named his son David Maverick Swanick. Though he feuded bitterly with Giambra in the early 2000s, he scored another political shock in 2003 by switching to the GOP. He crafted a Giambra-friendly "working majority" until Democrats regained control of the Legislature in 2004 and he was replaced by Holt. After contemplating leaving the Legislature as far back as 10 years ago, Swanick said he is now ready. "Whoever thought the ride would last this long?" he asked. "But 25 years is a long time, and after 25 years, it's the right time to leave."
|
||
good luck in the primary.