MAKE AGENDAS PUBLIC

As an observer of Niagara County government, I offer thefollowing as the informational way our politicians can truly lead tothe future.

For representative government to work, the people need to beinformed and to easily be able to communicate with their countylegislators. The County Legislature's agendas need to be widelyavailable on the Internet and at Town and City Council meetingsprior to any Legislature session.

County legislators need to be present at town and city meetingsto discuss upcoming county issues so that they're informed of theirconstituents' opinions.

One must wonder how the votes would have gone on the legislators'salary increase and the $2 million tax-cut proposal had the peoplebeen informed.

Also, each legislator needs to be online with an e-mail address.

It also needs to be noted that the Niagara County IndustrialDevelopment Agency board is a nonrepresentative body. The only waywe can really have representative government in Niagara Countyrequires that any granting of a tax exemption be publicly voted onin open session by the duly elected bodies of the affected taxingauthority.

The finances of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency,a public corporation, and sub organizations, need to be available inpublic libraries along with county budget data.

DONALD G. HOBEL

North Tonawanda