Canisius College political science professor and WBEN radio show talk host, Kevin Hardwick will challenge legislator Michele Ianello of Kenmore in this year's upcoming race for Ianello's Erie County Legislature seat.
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Hardwick, who has said in the past that the legislature needs to be downsized, will campaign for the 10th District seat held by Ianello at the request of County Executive Chris Collins, who is expected to help Hardwick with campaign costs associated with the run. More in this Buffalo News story.
Ianello has been branded an obstructionist by the Collins administration, while the legislator feels that the county executive has engaged in "political game playing" to the detriment of her constituents, particularly the senior community in her Kenmore District.
At present the legislature has a democratic majority, and of the 15 legislators, only 3 are republicans who most often vote in line with Colins' on a variety of issues. If elected, it can be expected that Hardwick will follow suit with the 3 republicans in support of Collins.
In a November 2007 interview with Buffalo Rising, Hardwick stated that being a county legislator was not a full time job and that the legislators were earning too much - more than 42 out of 50 state senators at the time. "The example is set by people at the top," Hardwick said. "If the boss is ordering lobster..." It will be interesting to see if Hardwick, who will retain his job at Canisius, while giving up his radio show, will be willing to come it at a pay cut or move to make amendments to present legislator salaries.
Ianello is the obstructionist. After she threw her fit on the Volland Electric bid and then Volland backed out.....
the work went to a company in PENNSYLVANIA. Sending income and jobs out of Erie County...one temper tantrum at a time.