September 12, 2008

MARINELLI ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO 21ST CENTURY COMMISSION

"Legislature Chair Taps Private Sector, Academic and Not-for-Profit Communities to Chart New Course for Erie County Legislature"

Lynn Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda), Chair of the Erie County Legislature, today announced the appointments to the 21st Century Commission. This volunteer group will be charged with studying and advancing its recommendations for the future structure and functions of the Erie County Legislature, subject to voter approval via the public referendum process.

Marinelli named Martha Lamparelli of Buffalo as Chair of the Commission. The Coordinator of Parent Services for the Central Committee on Special Education with the Buffalo Public Schools, Lamparelli is a respected professional in education and a community leader.

Joining Lamparelli on the 21st Century Commission will be Ruth Bryant, Assistant Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo; Kevin Donovan, Assistant Director of United Auto Workers Region 9; Marian Deutschman, Ph.D., Interim Director of the Office of College and Community Partnerships at Buffalo State College; Cheryl Howe, Executive Vice President for Health Services and Marketing Management at HealthNow; Michael Pliszka, Chief of Police Services and Domestic Violence Related Programs for the Erie County Sheriff's Office; Reverend Cathy Reilly-Goddard, Executive Director of Concerned Ecumenical Ministries; Sister Denise Roche, GNSH, Ph.D., President of D'Youville College; and Raymond Walter, an attorney with the law firm of Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP.

"This is an exciting moment for our community," Chair Marinelli began. "I am thrilled these individuals have agreed to serve. They have each brought community service to their respective work, and I appreciate their dedication to this issue. The Commission's important, forward-thinking agenda will afford the community an unprecedented opportunity to fashion a policymaking framework and direction for a transparent county government reform process."

"To achieve this goal, a comprehensive, non-partisan approach was called for, one that will examine virtually every reform measure regarding the size and scope of the County Legislature, including terms of office. The Commission's review will be completed well in advance of the constitutionally mandated redistricting that will take place in 2011," Chair Marinelli concluded.

The 21st Century Commission will hold its first meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008 in the Legislative Conference Room, Old County Hall – 4th Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo. The public is welcome.

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