A tale of two Chrises

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

For Erie County Executive Chris Collins, it's the worst of times. Hoping to become the first Erie County resident to run for governor in over 50 years, he can't seem to keep his foot out of his mouth long enough to say anything impressive to average voters.

Sure, he's polling well among the tea-baggers of the world, but that's like having someone who claims they saw Bigfoot be the only one to believe you. Hardly re-assuring. Heck, he's not even beating David Paterson in a recent poll. And I firmly believe Paterson would lose the governor's race to a bag of rocks.

While I would normally want to see someone from the area do well in statewide politics, Collins is an embarassment to Western New York and I can only hope that he stays home and duct tapes his mouth before the rest of the state starts to think the rest of us are anything like him.

First he compared Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver – who's Jewish – to Hitler. Then he said it was a joke.

Then he allegedly offered his seat at the State of the State speech to a young woman in exchange for a lap dance. That, he says was a “private conversation that was completely and deliberately mischaracterized.”

I can only imagine what Collins will do for a third act.

As I said, I hope he stops talking before the rest of the state think we're all like that. And don't give me the whole 'but he's from Erie County. What do we care?' bit. You need to recognize that the rest of the state doesn't care that Erie and Niagara counties are different. Just like all your out of state friends assume you drive to Manhattan every weekend and can see the Statue of Liberty from your kitchen window. If Chris Collins runs for governor, he will be the face of Western New York.

Meanwhile, it's the best of times for another Chris from Erie County. Freshman Congressman Chris Lee is receiving accolades and making Western New York proud through his words and actions in Congress.

I'll be honest, Lee scared me at first. He was endorsed by his predecessor, Tom Reynolds, who I can only describe with words this paper won't print. Instead I'll use the words of a former listener. “Tom Reynolds is Dick Cheney without the warmth.”

Reynolds was the perfect example of what I don't want my kids to be when they grew up; cold, cruel, calculating and 100 percent partisan.

Lee has shown that he's no Tom Reynolds. And that's a good thing. He's also No Chris Collins.

The National Journal's Almanac of American Politics calls Lee a “rising star.” Politico refers to him as one of the “rookies of the year.” And Democrats and Republicans alike inside the beltway seem to say he's easy to work with. No one seems to say anything like that about Collins.

Last I had heard, Lee was still without an opponent in this year's mid-term elections – an astounding feat for a freshman congressman. While I typically hate seeing politicians go unopposed in elections, I can't currently think of any reason not to give Lee another two years in office.

If I were to advise the Democratic Party, I'd tell them to sit that race out and concentrate on other areas. Of course, if I were to advise the Democratic Party, I'd tell them to be Libertarians, so they probably wouldn't listen to me anyway.

In Western New York politics, it is the spring of hope. And the winter of despair. And I can only pray that hope comes out on top … and Collins fades quickly into the darkness.

Chamber should mind their business

The news that County Manager Greg Lewis is packing his bags and leaving when his contract runs up in December is not particularly surprising. Nor is it particularly upsetting, to be honest.

I've dealt with Lewis dozens of times during his tenure as county manager, and while I think he's a decent guy personally and has had some great ideas, he basically became a puppet for the supermajority Republican caucus of the legislature, which rendered him impotent.

Strangely, when I first met Lewis, I asked him if he was afraid such a thing would happen. I'm not sure if I've got ESP or if I just know how things work around here.

New blood is needed and I think Lewis stepping aside will be good for him … as well as for Niagara County taxpayers.

It seems the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce is pushing for the county legislature to start the search process for Lewis' replacement now. Ten months might seem like a long time, but in politics, it's no time at all. After all, the political arena makes molasses look like lightning.

So for the record, I agree with the chamber. Mark that on your calendars. It doesn't happen often.

What I don't agree with is that the chamber should have anything to do with the selection process. See, chamber president and CEO Deanna Alterio-Brennen says the chamber is ready and willing to assist with the process of finding a new person to sit at the helm of county government.

The concept frightens me.

I've never been happy with the way the chamber of commerce here in Niagara County dabbles in politics. They always seem to have an opinion on everything … and usually I find that opinion to be wrong.

For example, three years ago, the chamber supported the tax breaks for AES, despite the fact that it would raise taxes for county residents – including the small businesses they claim to hold so near and dear.

They referred to this as “advocacy,” saying in the long run it may help businesses cause all businesses deserve a tax break … and why not start with the one paying the most taxes.

But when the smoking ban was being bandied about in Albany, the chamber was mum. Restaurateurs far and wide were saying that the ban would hurt business. Where was the advocacy then? My guess would be that restaurant owners didn't have the cash to pony up to get their opinion front and center – unlike the coal plant in Barker.

Basically, I'm saying that the chamber of commerce is much more interested in the chamber part of their name than the commerce part.

Now this isn't some east end versus west end turf war for me. I know a lot of business owners in eastern Niagara County felt put out when the two chambers merged and Dave Kinyon ended up tossed on his ear.

I should mention here that the official story is the Kinyon left of his own accord for greener pastures.

Anyway, point being, I had no love for the Eastern Niagara Chamber or Dave Kinyon. I attempted to use them as a resource on several occasions when writing for Greater Niagara Newspapers and found them to be – frankly – inept. Aside from the Apple Festival, I never really got what they did.

No, for me the issue isn't provincialism, it's politics. I just don't think the chamber should be involved. When they figure out how to grow business in Niagara County – which should be their primary role – I'll consider listening to their opinion on politics.

Of course, they'll say the politics is one of the biggest hindrances to business in the county and in order to bring business here, they have to change the political landscape. Well, they wouldn't actually say that out loud. They're too busy sucking up to the problem; the politicians themselves.

I'd say leave the political decision making to the legislature, but I don't really like that option either.