Legislators debate over county suite use at new stadium

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz unveils his proposed policy for use of the county's suite at the new Highmark Stadium, legislators are debating about what should be in the policy

"I think the policy as it stands right now leaves a lot to be desired," says Legislator Lindsay Lorigo. She says it raises a lot of questions about what is missing from this policy, rather than what is in it. "Currently, there is no reporting mechanism that would be required for whoever is in this box to report to the legislature for a public document saying on this date, this people or these are the recipients that were in the box. I think that's really, really important. The other thing is, right now that politicians are still allowed in these boxes, I think it's not appropriate," adds Lorigo.

She says while she likes the idea of non profit organizations using it, the process also leaves much to be desired. "I don't think that a lottery should be up to the sole discretion of the county executive, as it is in his policy of who can apply to that lottery, who gets approved to apply and then put into the lottery. I think that that needs to be checked by the county legislature. I think all applications should come over to the county legislature before we put them into a lottery to make sure that they are treated fairly," adds Lorigo.

Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard says she's worked hand in hand with Poloncarz on this first draft. She says when it comes down to the lottery aspect of making sure there were this this suite reflects what the people's needs are and making sure that the people have access to the suite. Because this is not for us as government officials, is really for the community. "This policy not only allows nonprofits to use the suite two at the same time, but it has clear transparency rules of what's allowed and what's not allowed. And if you look at the end of the policy and says no political events can happen there, you if elected officials in there, they have to not only reimburse the ticket to the nonprofit, but they can't be there for free," explains St. Jean Tard.

St.Jean Tard says she understands the need for transparency. "There will be an open application process in a portal that people are going to be able to submit all the things that they need to qualify as someone who will be a part of this lottery, and then it's going to also be shown televised, whoever ends up getting this week," says St. Jean Tard.

The legislature will have the ultimate say in how the policy works.