Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Republican candidate for Erie County Executive Chrissy Casilio called out incumbent Mark Poloncarz during a press conference on Friday regarding, what she characterizes as, his "lack of transparency" when it comes to handling the migrant crisis following the end of Title 42.
"Mark must be held accountable for his failed leadership, lack of transparency, content for public input and total submission to the will of New York City regarding the 400-plus migrants that have arrived in Erie County thus far," Casilio said. "The fact that the only response from the Rath building is a spokesperson deferring questions to the New York City Mayor's office is laughable and unacceptable."
Casilio, during her press briefing, referenced a recent headline from the New York Times.
"Yesterday's New York Times headline read, 'New York City Tells Migrants There's No Guarantee of Finding Help Here.' And the byline included: 'Mayor will begin discouraging migrants at the southern border from coming to New York City.' Mayor Adams is quoted saying: 'We have no more room in the city and our cup runneth over.' Yet, the Poloncarz administration is saying there's nothing to see here. There is no crisis. We don't know, ask the New York City Mayor. Mark has a particular aptitude for blaming mayors for crises he doesn't feel like dealing with, especially here in Buffalo."
Casilio believes there should be a vote in determining whether or not Erie County should be declared a sanctuary county and voiced a proposal.
"Let me be crystal clear about the genesis of the problem, this is Mark Poloncarz's fault," says Casilio. "While every one of our neighboring counties has had the courage to stand up and tell New York City "no." Mark Poloncarz rolled out a welcome mat and is giving us the bill. Mark should formally, through legislative action, declare whether he believes Erie County is a sanctuary county. And if he doesn't have the courage to do so, the legislators should vote on it. I'm calling on every elected official to show their cards on this matter. The legislature should declare a public hearing on the matter and allow residents impacted by this decision, a platform to voice their concerns. Following that public comment period, I'm calling on the ledge to vote on a resolution district by district as to whether or not they believe we should be a sanctuary county."
WBEN attempted to reach Poloncarz for comment and we were told there is none.
