Collins vs. Keane
St. Joe's hosts Erie County Executive candidate debate
by JILL SCHMELZER Ken-Ton Editor

Erie County Executive candidates James Keane and Chris Collins debated the Future of Erie County at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute Oct. 11. The college prep school conducts an annual debate. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Erie County Executive candidates Jim Keane and Chris Collins debated "The Future of Erie County" during a forum held Oct. 11 at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore.

A panel comprised of three students from the college preparatory school posed a series of questions to each candidate. The candidate then had one minute to answer, which was followed by a 30-second rebuttal from his opponent.

Keane's focus during the debate was on re-establishing fiscal responsibility and creating jobs suitable for college graduates.

"We cannot keep young people here on $10-an-hour jobs," the Democratic candidate said.

Collins took the stance that the county could and should be operated like a business, and as a businessman he is just the candidate for the job.

"I have turned around bankrupt companies and made them profitable," the Republican candidate said. "And I can do that here."

The debate opened with a question to Keane about Mayor James Griffin, who is of the same political party, and his endorsement of Collins.

"Name one Democrat he (Griffin) has supported," Keane said, noting that he stood up to the Buffalo mayor when they sat on the same council.

The next question went to Collins and focused on whether or not it was prudent for him to run for county executive with no political background.

"I will have no problem working with the board of directors of the Legislature," Collins said. "To say there would be is an insult."

Keane rebutted by saying he has already established relationships with the legislators and town governments.

The panel also asked Keane if his status as a career politician is an asset rather than a liability, in light of the fact that both the city and the county are led by career politicians.

Keane said he has dedicated his life to the community, which started when he was a Buffalo firefighter. After he was laid off from that job, he ran for office on the City Council and won.

"I have a record of getting results," Keane said.

Collins rebutted by stating he is coming into the election with a different approach and outlook on how the county should be run.

He again said it should be operated as if it were a business.

The panel also asked Keane the question that was on many minds.

"Mr. Keane, Paul Clark was your opponent in the primaries and has recently dropped out of the race and given you his support. Have you or the Democratic Party leader Len Lenihan offered him a future position for his support?"

"I don't make deals," Keane said simply.

Collins shot back that he didn't believe him.

"We'll let the voters decide, and then we'll see how it pans out," he said.

One topic the opponents did agree on was that there should be a two-term limit for elected officials.

In the closing statements Keane rattled off a list of items that he promised would get under way in his first term, if elected.

First, he said, the county needs to establish stability. Second, expand the Buffalo Niagara Medical Center so that $25-an-hour research jobs would be available to college graduates. Third, allow the University at Buffalo to expand its campus into the City of Buffalo, increasing enrollment by 10,000 students. He also promised to have the Peace Bridge project in its initial stages and complete the waterfront reconstruction by the end of his first term.

Collins ended the debate by saying he would send a message to outside companies that Western New York is a good place to conduct business.

"We need a resurgence of jobs," Collins said, noting the population would grow if Buffalo is put on the map as a lead contender in the business world.

"I want to make this a center of excellence in bio defense," Collins said, noting that he intends on building a New York State bio defense center.

"It was intense," St. Joe's senior, Ambrose Price III said of the debate, noting that he found it interesting.

"Coming into this, I didn't know what to expect," said Jonathan Rossi, also a senior. "Collins is a businessman and is pushing Erie County as a business. I think it could work. (Collins) has fresher ideas than Keane, but Keane has the experience."

Seniors Joe Vu and Robert Dobmeier leaned toward supporting Keane.

"Keane is focused on developing the waterfront and fiscal stability," Vu said. " I liked that Keane was more about the working class."

Collins and Keane both said the debate went well, and they touched upon the main points of their campaigns.

"St. Joe's should be commended for its tradition of debates," Keane said. "It involves young people in the political process. My hat's off to St. Joe's and the students."

The county executive election will be held on Nov. 6.