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Former county manager considered for veteran service agency

Niagara Gazette - 9/17/2018

Sept. 17--The Niagara County Legislature is scheduled to vote Tuesday to appoint former county manager Jeffrey Glatz as director of the county Veteran Services Agency.

Glatz, who launched an unsuccessful bid for North Tonawanda's alderman-at-large seat last year, would earn $47,039 for the remainder of this year, and $49,982 in 2019, if appointed. The agency is responsible for ensuring that veterans receive the benefits that they are entitled to. The former director, Nina Cabrera, vacated the position June 15.

The resolution states that Glatz "best meets the qualifications of the position," and that he was appointed by County Manager Rick Updegrove. Glatz served as county manager from 2010 until 2016, and before that, worked in health care administration for about three decades. He also is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves, having served in active duty for four years in the mid 1970s and in the Reserves from 1979 to 2003.

Updegrove and Legislature Chairman Keith McNall did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Also on Tuesday, legislature Democrats are once again seeking to eliminate the county's public information officer position, following the resignation of Christian Peck last month. All four Democratic legislators are sponsoring Tuesday's resolution.

It notes that elimination of the position would save the county $117,300 in salary and benefits. The PIO is responsible for issuing press releases and media advisories, and facilitating communication with county officials and local news media.

Democrats have tried to eliminate the position, which is controlled by the legislature's Republican majority, during budget negotiations in eight of the past 10 years, according to Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso. After eight consecutive defeats on the legislature floor, Democrats didn't bother to try in 2016 or 2017.

"Every budget year we try to eliminate it," Virtuoso said previously. "I think now is an opportune time to get rid of that position."

Republican legislators haven't yet commented on whether they plan to replace Peck.

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(c)2018 the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)

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