Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz launched a seemingly blistering attack of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and City of Buffalo snow removal efforts during his daily briefing in the aftermath of the Christmas weekend blizzard.
"We will do what it takes," said Poloncarz in saying the county has taken over snow removal operations in about a third of the city and did so because the county could get in there and clean it very quickly.
Poloncarz went further in suggesting the county take over complete snow removal operations for major storms in the future. "I think it’s apparent it’s time for that to happen," he said, and added. "Storm after storm after storm after storm, the city is unfortunately the last to be open and that shouldn’t be the case."
Poloncarz said he has had the conversation with is staff and a similar discussion with New York State officials and said the county has the capability, money and can afford to hire contractors to get it done. "It’s embarrassing to tell you the truth.”
Shortly after the conclusion of the county briefing, Brown held his scheduled briefing and announced he expects the city to reopen Thursday.
WBEN asked Brown about the attack, which occurred only moments before Brown began his briefing, and he said it took him completely off guard. "I’m just going to chalk it up to someone feeling that pressure and crumbling under it," said Brown in response to our questions. Brown was unaware of the full context of the comments and simply said it's been a stressful week and added, "Some keep working, some keep trying to help the residents of our community and some break down and lash out."
Mayor Brown noted the storm lashed out with its most adverse conditions on the city and noted the progress made makes him feel confident the city can reopen Thursday.
Poloncarz also criticized the city for not being present at the county emergency operations center and for not having one of its own. "The city has been in the emergency operations center," noted Brown and said representatives from the police and fire departments have been present.
Poloncarz and Brown have had separate briefings before, during and after the storm, in some instances at the exact same times, but the feud between the two entities had not been publicly apparent until the Poloncarz comments Wednesday morning.
“I’m sick of it," exclaimed Poloncarz. "I’m a city resident myself. I live in the city of Buffalo and it pains me to see the other 25 towns and two small cities open in times when the city isn’t.”
Shortly after his briefing, Brown spoke on-air with WBEN's David Bellavia and said he was surprised by the comments from Poloncarz and pointed out that Poloncarz had not mentioned any of it to him personally or on the phone.
We reached out to Poloncarz to speak on WBEN and received the following response from a spokesperson; "Mark is in the middle of responding to this emergency. We will decline the invite at this time but appreciate you reaching out."
As the region emerges from a paralyzing blizzard and works to get the community back on its feet, it's now clear the two political leaders leading the effort aren't seeing eye to eye.
"I know the mayor’s probably not thrilled to hear it," Poloncarz said. "I don’t care anymore."