Category Archives: Campaign News

In light of the recent revelations regarding the fiscal impact of the ongoing migrant crisis, Erie County Executive candidate Chrissy Casilio strongly criticizes the Poloncarz administration’s negligent approach to addressing this critical issue. After a comprehensive review of the situation, Casilio asserts that it is “delusional” for County Executive Poloncarz to avoid acknowledging the financial burden placed on Erie County taxpayers.

This comes in the wake of a disturbing report published this morning by City & State New York (https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2023/10/adams-admin-questioned-perplexing-migrant-costs/391450/), highlighting the perplexing management of costs related to the migrant crisis under the Adams administration. During a City Council oversight hearing, lawmakers questioned the administration’s utilization of emergency contracts for shelter and other services, as well as their staggering estimate of potentially spending $12 billion on costs associated with the migrant crisis between fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025.

As we find ourselves several months into fiscal year 2024, the city has already expended nearly $2.5 billion since the crisis’s onset in April 2022. Casilio insists that as this crisis persists in New York City, it is unrealistic to believe that Erie County taxpayers won’t bear the brunt of the migrant crisis’s financial burdens. Casilio stated, “We have only heard about a phone call and a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between Mayor Adams and County Executive Poloncarz, and that isn’t good enough. I don’t trust either of them, and their track record on this issue doesn’t exactly evoke confidence.”

Casilio firmly maintains her call for an indefinite emergency order that will block additional migrants from entering Western New York. She believes that such an order is essential to protect the interests of Erie County residents and prevent the further escalation of financial liabilities.

“It is our duty to protect the well-being and financial stability of Erie County and its residents,” Casilio emphasized. “We cannot afford to be complacent and trust an administration that has consistently failed to address the real challenges of the migrant crisis. It’s time for concrete action to protect our community.”

Casilio reiterated, “We remain one of the poorest communities in the country.  That’s indicative of the failed leadership of this administration, but it also reinforces the fact we simply cannot afford to handle additional costs associated with migrants.  It’s irresponsible, and it’s unfair not only to taxpayers, but also to those in-need residents already in our community who are struggling.”

Casilio said she remains committed to safeguarding Erie County’s interests, along with her determination to address the migrant crisis responsibly, which sets her apart as a dedicated and knowledgeable candidate for the position of Erie County Executive. As the election approaches, she continues prioritizing the best interests of the people she aims to serve.

“Mark Poloncarz has lied to our community from the beginning of this crisis. We were lied to about the number of migrants, the vetting process, ancillary costs associated with this situation, and the ability of the County Executive to define terms and implement his own plan and procedures. Mark has put Erie County families at risk.

Simply put, Mark failed to act when he had the ability to do so and then lied about it.

The lack of communication and incompetence of the Poloncarz administration is astounding and is government dysfunction at its worst. This is only achievable by a career politician focusing on furthering his career rather than keeping our community safe.

This situation has hit a critical mass, and as County Executive, I would be leveraging county assets, including our legal resources, file suit against New York City, and demand that the Governor, Mayor Adams, and DocGo place the migrants currently in Erie County, to a location that is equipped and prepared to accommodate this crisis.

It is abundantly clear that Erie County is not. Mark is not solving this problem; he is just moving it around.

His failure is unacceptable, and he does not deserve a 4th term.”

I commend Maryvale School Superintendent Joe D’Angelo for his comments and for navigating this crisis. The district has been put in a “No win situation,” and if reporting by WGRZ – Channel 2, Buffalo is accurate, “We’re also told that so far there will be no additional state funding for local school districts.” Then local taxpayers will be on the hook.

For months I have asked the media and Mark Poloncarz about the costs associated with this situation and what the plan was for school in the fall. I have been met with avoidance and gaslighting. This community deserves better.

I want to be extremely clear; migrant children are innocent in this crisis; they have been failed by the government of their home country and the failed policies at the federal, state, and county levels.

My anger and criticism are directed toward absent elected leaders like Mark Poloncarz. Cheektowaga and Erie County taxpayers shouldn’t have been put in this situation to begin with. They will now literally have to pay the price for Mark Poloncarz’s incompetence.

If elected, I will always be honest and transparent with the public. I will not let politics dictate how county government operates, and I will put the interests of county taxpayers first.

“From the beginning of this crisis, Mark Poloncarz has withheld information from the public because he either didn’t know the answers to questions or was afraid of how the public would react to the truth. I don’t know which is worse.

Mark has consistently been deceitful, avoidant, dismissive, and patronizing throughout his political career. He governs through fear and secrecy.

For the first time in his career, he is being held accountable for his failures, and the media and public should not let him off the hook or allow him to take credit for trying to fix a crisis HE created in the first place.

I have never been afraid to take responsibility or accountability for my decisions and actions and pledge to always give it to the public straight, good, bad, or ugly. That’s what leaders do.” – Chrissy

Erie County, August 14, 2023 – Chrissy Casilio sent a second inquiry to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz yesterday morning (Both letters can be found below) inquiring how the legal defense of the two accused migrants in recent sexual assault and rape charges will be paid. “Mark told us that New York City would be paying for the costs associated with this crisis,” said Casilio. “Taxpayers and residents deserve to know if that includes the legal defense of the accused.”

“People around the county are struggling with rising costs of groceries, childcare, gas, and its insulting to the hardworking families that are trying to make ends meet that resources could be going to fund the legal defense of non-citizens that should not be here in the first place,” said Casilio.

Last week, Casilio made a similar inquiry but has yet to hear back from the County Executive.

“I am repulsed to learn of a second incident of a sex crime committed by a migrant in our community on a woman reportedly working for a resettlement agency. Again, I pray for the victim of this heinous crime.

How many rapes and sexual assaults of women will it take for Mark Polancarz to take action? Mark invited this into our community, and the gravity of his failure as a leader has paralyzed him from taking action. While Mark has been taking photo opportunities around the county, I’ve been talking directly to voters – they are furious, afraid, and fed-up. Mark has put his own political career above our safety and well-being. His lack of action and refusal to answer questions show that he is as entitled as he is incompetent. The safety of our community will always come first in my administration. It comes down to people, not politics. Mark Polancarz has lost sight of this after 12 years and is not deserving of a fourth term. I am calling for an immediate halt of all migrants entering our community.

Chrissy Casilio took a blistering stance today as she criticized County Executive Mark Poloncarz for his handling of the migrant crisis following an alleged rape and now a Tuberculosis case among a group of asylum seekers currently being housed in Western New York. Casilio’s comments came after the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) identified an active case of Tuberculosis during routine screening and testing of individuals.

Casilio questioned County Executive Poloncarz’s response to the crisis, demanding he face the reality of the situation head-on. “I hope Mark enjoyed the Erie County Fair this week. What will it take for County Executive Poloncarz to address this crisis and call it what it is? How is it that the top executive in our government is in denial about a situation he welcomed to our community? Mark is proving that a feel-good photo op is more important to him than your safety and well-being, and he has failed at his most basic job responsibility he has, to keep us safe,” Casilio asserted.

Casilio emphasized that the safety of Erie County residents will be her top priority. “As County Executive, nothing will be more important to me than the safety and well-being of Erie County residents,” she stated.

Expressing concern about the ongoing situation, Casilio called for an immediate halt to the intake of self-purported asylum seekers, emphasizing the need to address potential health risks proactively. She also questioned Poloncarz’s claims about support from New York City in dealing with the crisis. “In a statement from ECDOH, it was said that ‘some of these individuals are school-aged, so these vaccines will also facilitate school attendance this fall.’ We still have not received any information on where these children will be attending school and what aid, be it from the state or local taxes, will be dedicated to educating these children,” Casilio pointed out. “There is clearly a problem. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams have begged the Federal Government for more assistance; why is Mark not out front doing the same?”

Casilio accused Poloncarz of being disingenuous in his communication and needing more courage to provide transparent information to Erie County residents. “Mark not only lacks the courage to stand up to New York City, he also lacks the courage to tell you, the tax-paying residents of Erie County, the truth,” she declared.

As Erie County prepares for its upcoming elections, Chrissy Casilio’s firm stance on public safety and accountability has resonated with many residents who are concerned about the current crisis. Her commitment to addressing challenges head-on and prioritizing the community’s well-being sets her apart as a formidable candidate in the race for Erie County Executive.

Cheektowaga, August 9, 2023 – Chrissy Casilio, candidate for Erie County Executive, sent a letter to County Executive Mark Poloncarz this afternoon, seeking clarity on whether Erie County taxpayers, through the assigned counsel program, will bear the responsibility for funding the legal defense of migrant criminals.

Casilio’s letter to County Executive Poloncarz conveys her resolute stance: “I don’t believe taxpayers should be responsible for this expense. If I were the County Executive, I would refuse to submit the invoice for the migrant rapist’s legal defense to the Comptroller for payment.”

This inquiry follows a disturbing incident where a 26-year-old native of Venezuela, Jesus Guzman-Bermudez, a self-purported asylum seeker, was arrested and charged with rape, unlawful imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. The alleged rape occurred in the presence of the three-year-old child of the victim in their shared hotel room.

Casilio expressed her concerns in a statement, stating, “As I said yesterday, I am speechless, sick, and heartbroken for the victim and family of this crime. I have two daughters, my youngest is almost three years old, and the thought of having an innocent child witness something so evil and brutal is unfathomable.”

“Following yesterday’s coverage of the alleged rape by a self-purported asylum seeker, our community is left with more questions than answers. Our County Executive continues to cower and shrink under the weight of this crisis. Erie County taxpayers deserve to know if they will be on the hook for the legal defense of the migrant rapist. Furthermore, as a mother, I cannot imagine the trauma and pain the victim and her 3-year-old daughter face. Every effort should be made to provide them with the necessary services and care during this difficult time. This is the reality of welcoming this crisis to our doorstep. Mark Poloncarz has been disingenuous and not forthcoming about what this situation means for our community,” she continued.

Casilio concluded, “I will always put the safety and well-being of Erie County residents first. Mark Poloncarz has been negligent in his duty and responsibility to keep our community safe. I won’t be.”

Candidate Chrissy Casilio Demands Accountability from Mark Poloncarz for Mismanagement and Lack of Leadership During Catastrophic Storm Response

Erie County, [7/27/2023] – Today, Chrissy Casilio, candidate for Erie County Executive, called on Mark Poloncarz to address the recent damning report by the Democrat and Chronicle, titled “How Buffalo’s catastrophic storm response failed a woman in life, then in death.”  The report exposes severe mismanagement, lack of leadership, incompetence, and dereliction of duty during the December 2022 Blizzard, which tragically resulted in the loss of nearly 50 lives.

“Like so many other crises, Mark has yet to take responsibility or be held accountable for his mismanagement during the Christmas Blizzard,” said Casilio. She continued to further highlight the multiple instances where Poloncarz’s administration has failed to uphold its duty to protect the lives and wellbeing of Erie County residents. “Whether it was his response to the catastrophic storm or his complacency in the current migrant crisis, his silence on NYS Covid-19 nursing home directives and his willful acquiescence in the NYS Cashless Bail initiative, which has led to rising crime; he has shown a consistent pattern of poor judgment and a disregard for the safety of his constituents. I want to be crystal clear in what I am saying… Mark’s failed leadership cost lives.”

The recent article presents a shocking account of how the County Executive’s failure to act decisively and efficiently led to tragic consequences for the people of Erie County. It was made clear that during a time of crisis, when leadership and effective decision-making are critical, Mark Poloncarz’s administration fell short in every aspect.

In a conclusive excerpt from the piece, Authors, Matthew Korfhage and David Robinson, exposed that “A team of USA TODAY Network reporters explored how the decisions made by officials before, during and after the blizzard left scores of people… to fend for themselves. The investigation spanned hundreds of pages of government emails, dozens of interviews, and reams of emergency dispatch data. It revealed A lack of cooperation between Erie County and Buffalo city officials hindered emergency response strategy and coordination, as more than 1,000 calls for help via 911 went unanswered for days. Fundamental flaws within the region’s emergency communication apparatus limited the effectiveness of heroic rescue attempts. Put simply, emergency management breakdowns cost lives.”

“Erie County deserves a leader who takes accountability and acts swiftly, responsibly and in the best interest of the people who’ve entrusted them with this responsibility in times of crisis,” said Casilio. “The people of this county need a County Executive who prioritizes their safety above all else, and that is what I am committed to delivering.”

Chrissy Casilio is urging Mark Poloncarz to address these issues publicly and take responsibility for the failures under his leadership. As a candidate for Erie County Executive, Casilio vows to prioritize the safety and well-being of the county’s residents and implement effective and proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.