Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For the first time in the 57-year history of the Erie County Legislature, residents of the county are now open to speak at its regular meetings in Downtown Buffalo.
While other Western New York county legislatures and most town boards have long provided opportunities for public input at their meetings, Erie County residents have been unable to speak at regular legislative sessions for more than five decades.
"I think an important part of democracy is having the ability to come observe your elected officials, watch what they do, but also for you to communicate with them, and for you to express your thoughts and concerns," said attorney Paul Wolf on Thursday with WBEN.
After bringing this issue to the Erie County Charter Revision Commission, the Commission recommended implementing a public comment period. The Legislature has now amended its meeting rules to allow public comments at both the beginning and end of meetings.
"I think it's long overdue," said Williamsville resident Todd Hariaczyi with WBEN. "When you look at other county legislatures in Western New York, I believe five out of eight have that opportunity to speak before the legislative body. We obviously didn't. If you look throughout Erie County, most towns, villages, municipalities afford their general public an opportunity to speak, either at the beginning of the session or at the end. But I think it's an important thing to have, because it's a bedrock of our democracy. It's something that is granted to us in First Amendment."
Wolf feels it was the right time to finally buck the trend of not letting the public address their county lawmakers in such a manner about topics before the Legislature.
"They only limit you to three minutes, so you got to be focused and to the point. But I think it's a good thing for the public, and I hope more people come to county legislature meetings to share their thoughts," Wolf added.
Meanwhile, Erie County Legislators are also in full support of providing the public a platform at their regular meetings, and not just whenever lawmakers call for a special public hearing.
"This is the house of Erie County, that is the taxpayers. They have every right, and it's nice to see the ability," said Republican legislator Frank Todaro with WBEN. "They can come in here, voice their opinion, talk about any issues openly to the public, and it's transparent. I have no reservations about it, and I've always been positive about it."
Democratic legislator Jeanne Vinal has long been wanting to provide this opportunity for residents, and she takes great pride in the fact that both Hariaczyi and Wolf are members of her district in Amherst.
"I love the fact the way that - this wasn't my idea, but it was our chair [Tim Meyers'] idea - to have the first group of speakers, the first 30 minutes, is people who are speaking just on budget items. Why have you speak after you already voted on something? So this way you can, like these people did today, add value to the conversation," said Vinal in an interview with WBEN. "And then the second half is adding people on any topic of public concern. So on that, I think it's really great, because then it gives us something to go home with and chew on to think, 'Hey, that's a great idea someone brought up.; It's a beautiful idea, and really well done that we can split up to have at the beginning of the meeting, people come to speak on the topics that we are going to be talking about."
Todaro feels this opportunity for the public should be more helpful for legislators to get a better perspective on issues from residents outside of their district.
"It always helps," Todaro said. "I would tell you, from my perspective, I'm always working District 8, so I get a majority of my concerns and questions from District 8. But it's good to hear from someone else in another district coming up here and publicly explaining how it's affecting them where they live. There are differences within districts, so it's a positive thing."
Going forward, both Todaro and Vinal urge residents to come make their voices known on whatever issue or topic that is of concern or they support before county lawmakers.
"Expand yourself beyond what's before us today, and really give lawmakers - myself included - ideas, suggestions, comments," Vinal said. "Some of the best things I ever did so far as a legislator weren't my ideas. They came from other people. So you're not limited to just what's on the agenda at that time, and to contact ahead of time."