Join Cliff and his supporters at a fundraiser on Tuesday, August 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Sea Bar on Ellicott Street, Buffalo.

A good friend called me a “Politician” the other day. I do not believe that the comment was meant to be pejorative in any way, but nevertheless I have been reflecting on that term. I don’t consider myself a “Politician” but rather I consider myself a Western New Yorker who is trying to improve our community.

The people of Erie County deserve a more responsive, effective and efficient County Clerk’s Office. For example, Erie County charges the highest fees in the State of New York for the work done in cooperation with the Office of Court Administration. Erie County charges the highest fees in the State of New York for recording mortgages and other real property documents. These fees add to the already outrageous tax burden placed upon our citizens because of an ineffective and inefficient government structure from Albany down to the smallest villages in Erie County. I will work tirelessly to change that inefficiency and to reel back these fees and other costs, so that we are competitive and not punitive. There is room for improvement, through culture change, employee mentoring, as well as through acquisition of technology not currently being utilized.

One of the hardest parts about running for office is fundraising. It is with great respect and with humility that I ask you for your support. The facts are, that even the best intentioned person can not and will not rise to an elected position without help. Campaigns are expensive, and I find myself in a tussle with a popular and well funded incumbent. Please know how much I appreciate the contributions made to my efforts and that I will strive to represent this community in a manner in which everyone can be proud. It is due to your generosity that we will make important changes for the future of Erie County.

Please view the full invitation online (PDF)

If you are unable to attend, donations are always appreciated online.

On Thursday, July 8, I announced my candidacy for Erie County Clerk on the steps of the Erie County Courthouse. With the endorsement of the Erie County Republican Committee, my campaign will recognize the needs of businesses and will promote ideas that will make the work of the Clerk’s office more efficient and responsive to the needs of Erie County’s citizens.

A great tragedy may befall Western New York within the next few days, and its impact could last decades. UB2020 may be the most significant economic stimulus package to ever be focused on WNY. It can help propel Buffalo and Erie County into the 21st century’s knowledge-based economy, and begin to refocus our citizens on the future rather than the mediocrity of our recent past. And yet, certain members of our own legislative delegation in Albany do not have the “common sense” to stand up for their own region. Even more surprising is the reluctance of these same members to stand up for their constituents in a year where their political futures may be on the line.
The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act was the vehicle in which our delegation could have regained it prominence and its influence in both Houses. It along with UB 2020 was presented to these men and women by an entrepreneurial University administration focused on the success of UB and the success of our region. UB offers the best education in New York State and we, as a community, need to speak up and remind our Senators and Assemblymen that we expect their allegiance to remain in WNY.
In many districts there are young, talented, and successful men and women looking to unseat comfortable incumbents. Many of these new comers are running because they believe we are worth more and that we should expect more from government. A common message can be heard from many of the candidates, “that effective and responsible” government must come from the pride that we have in our local communities. If our current delegation does not stand up today and vote to encourage prosperity in Western New York, then they should be replaced this November.

Author: Clifton M. Bergfeld, Esq. Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee for the UB Alumni Association and Endorsed Republican Candidate for Erie County

The men and women of Western New York who work and volunteer as firefighters are some of our greatest and most devoted citizens.  Over the last 5 years I have chaired a 5K run through the ECMC’s LifeLine Foundation to help bring attention to the efforts of these Western New York Heroes and to raise money to provide assistance in their recovery from injuries of sustained while protecting us.   I have also been involved in a private effort to study the need for additional Emergency Medical Services throughout Erie County.  What I have learned from these two efforts is that Western New York’s Volunteer Fire Companies are vital to our public safety and to the effective delivery of fire protective and emergency medical services throughout the county.

One June 16, 2010,  a report was released calling for an examination of consolidation focused on Erie County’s volunteer fire departments.  Creating efficiency and better managing tax dollars are important and should always be a focus of any elected official.  However, what the report failed to recognize is the possible costs to the community from these proposed consolidations.

If we are to spend tax dollars to investigate the consolidation and possible reduction in these services, we can not overlook the cost associated with the possibility of longer response times or insufficient equipment when a fire or medical emergency occurs.   Consolidation could be very costly, both economically and physically to Western New Yorkers.

Those costs could be especially high in our rural and sub-urban communities.  Just last Saturday I sat at a table of community leaders in Sardinia, New York and listened as they discussed the inequity between the services they receive and what services are available in the heart of the County. These business owners, engineers, farmers, and parents all stated that they believe some of our elected officials have lost touch with the needs of our rural and sub-urban communities which they also represent. To eliminate the local volunteer fire companies or to make essential emergency services less accessible in these communities is not just fiscally irresponsible but is also unconscionable.

I believe there are ways to create efficiencies and to create cost savings in every entity.  However, “Consolidation” has become a buzz word around Erie County.  The use of the word creates headlines, but some proposed consolidation ideas are not fully vetted before they reach our local media.  It is always prudent to assess the dollars allocated to Emergency Services and any other government services in Erie County.   However, it is not prudent to pre-determine the target of efforts until all the information is properly assessed and understood.

I want to thank all of our volunteers for their continued efforts and commitment to assisting their fellow residents in times of need.  We should be encouraging more people to take on these challenges rather than arbitrarily targeting those who do give back to their fellow Erie County residents for little of no compensation.  These Fire Companies and Fire Departments are essential partners with the County in providing life saving services throughout our region.  Any changes to this structure needs to be managed very diligently and with the cooperation of the companies and their leadership to insure a better and more efficient system rather than just a watered down version that could put Western New Yorkers at risk.

Welcome to VoteCliffforClerk.com. I am running for the office of Erie County Clerk in the hopes of making the Erie County Clerk’s Office and Erie County Government more efficient, more responsive, and more effective. More »