Report shows low number of women on municipal boards
by NICHOLAS J. PRIMERANO Ken-Ton Editor and Jessica L. Finch Associate Editor

A quick survey of the members of municipal boards in Erie County and in Amherst shows a startling trend. Women are underrepresented.

In an age when women are making great strides in the private sector, asserting themselves atop corporate ladders, it would seem almost archaic that municipal boards are one-sided related to gender.

It may be more surprising for Erie County given that the chairperson of the county Legislature, Lynn M. Marinelli, D-Tonawanda, is the most powerful woman in Erie County.

The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women has released a report titled "Gender Distribution on Municipal Boards in Erie County, 2006," which reveals some striking numbers.

The report was intended to provide a survey of the balance of males to females in municipal capacities. The commission has been collecting this data since 1995. The report, which was updated in 1998 and 2002, is intended to encourage growth, as well as to advocate for public awareness for women to serve on public boards.

The report stated that 52 percent of the population in Erie County is female.

Niscah Koessler, who until Aug. 28 was the executive director of the commission, said the report came about after nearly a year of research in 2005.

"Obviously, there are a lot of decisions regarding women's issues that are made at the municipal board level," said Koessler. "Government is an important level to be in if you want to make changes. We've always emphasized to have women on municipal boards."

In the Town of Amherst, in 2005, there were only 48 women serving on municipal boards - out of a possible 153 seats.

"Based on those numbers, yes, women are underrepresented," said Ayesha Nariman, a member of the board for the Amherst Industrial Development Agency.

However, she doesn't feel that has affected her ability to perform on the board.

"I am a new member, so I am still learning at this point; I am taking steps to understand the process," she said. "That has more of an effect than the fact that I am a woman."

She added that the board is very receptive to her ideas and points. One of two women on the seven-member board, Nariman said she has felt no discrimination.

The county report said economic development was a 13-member board but the AIDA's Web site and office reported that it was a seven-member board.

Nariman said she feels the Amherst Town Board needs to take the numbers into account when looking at filling a vacancy.

"Women can do as good a job, or better than men," Nariman said. "They are more detail-orientated and conscious of issues affecting ordinary work folk."

The Amherst Town Board's seats are held by two women, Council Member Shelly Schratz and Deputy Supervisor Deborah Bruch Bucki, and five men.

Last year's election reduced the number on the Town Board from three to two.

"I think it is important for women to be involved. Balance is important," said Bucki, who in her position has attended many meetings where she was the only woman, or one of very few, at the table.

She added that when she appoints her representatives to boards and committees she chooses the most qualified. But the women applying, or in elective positions campaigning, can have a harder time getting involved.

Bucki said her attempts as a woman to get elected were slow because she found it hard to fund raise and to find the time. In her opinion, women are often kept busy with cooking, cleaning and other domestic responsibilities.

While women only make up one-third of the boards and committees, Bucki said the town has smart, capable women who haven't been reluctant to speak up and bring reasonable ideas to the table.

The areas in town where women are grossly underrepresented are assessment (nine men to two women), Zoning Board of Appeals (four to one), Planning Board (six to one) and traffic/ safety (12 to two).

On Sept. 30, the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, as well as the WB30 (Women Below 30), will be holding the 2006 Women's Empowerment Symposium beginning at 10 a.m. in Crosby Hall on the University at Buffalo South Campus.

The symposium will consist of workshops and keynote speakers throughout the day, as well as networking opportunities for women.

The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women can be reached by calling 858-8307.