Lundine Series will address improving local govt efficiency

Former Lt. Gov. Joins SUNY Fredonia, Chautauqua County Chamber and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier to create public dialogue on efficiency opportunities within Chautauqua County.

FREDONIA, N.Y. — October 31, 2008 — The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier and SUNY Fredonia’s Center for Rural Regional Development and Governance (CRRDG) are teaming up to sponsor “The Lundine Series,” a series of forums on the recommendations of the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness.

Also known as “The Lundine Commission,” established in 2006 and chaired by former New York State Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine, it “reviews ways that New York State’s over 4,200 local governments can save taxpayer dollars and become more efficient by sharing services and undertaking regional collaboration.”

“I am thrilled to participate in a formal discussion of how we can implement some of the recommendations of the commission, to help reduce the cost of local government and make Chautauqua County and all of New York State more competitive,” said Lundine. “I think we all recognize that we need to make some changes if we are going to reduce property taxes.”

Four forums are planned over the next several months, starting with a discussion on school consolidation. The purpose is to generate significant public discussion about how to make local government more efficient, as well as support current and future initiatives aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Chautauqua County’s business environment.

“If there were ever a time for government to take seriously the need to improve efficiency and lower taxes, the time is right now,” said Todd Tranum, the executive director of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Manufactures Association of the Southern Tier. “All levels of government must take immediate action on the recommendations of the Lundine Commission. We need to effectively reduce the layers of local government in order to lower the cost of government, lower property taxes and create a climate for business expansion and job growth in Chautauqua County.”

“Promoting a public dialogue on how we can improve the efficiency of local governance in Chautauqua County has long been at center stage for the Center and SUNY Fredonia,” said Chuck Cornell, CRRDG director. “I am hopeful that this series will serve as a catalyst to implement some of the Lundine Commission recommendations here in Chautauqua County."

Details of the initial event will be announced in the coming weeks.