| Joel Giambra |
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EARLY LIFE Giambra was born and raised in Buffalo. He lived in the Lakeview Housing Project, near the east bank of the Niagara River . He attended Grover Cleveland High School and Erie Community College . POLITICAL CAREER He served as a Buffalo Common Councilman and Buffalo City Comptroller earlier in his career. He was a Democrat who became a Republican in 1999 to run for County Executive . He was seen as a future statewide candidate and in 2002 was considered by Governor George Pataki as a running mate for Lieutenant Governor , before Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue was nominated for reelection. He won a closer than expected re-election in 2003 against a weak Democratic rival, and his Administration started to experience many problems. DIFFICULTIES OF THE GIAMBRA ADMINISTRATION Investigations into the mismanagement of a Highway garage and exorbitant prices paid for county office furniture preceded the 2005 Budget problems. In addition, it became clear that he was providing many lucrative jobs to both close friends and relatives. In order to appeal to voters, Giambra lowered or declined to raise county taxes for years, financing his budget partly through the use of surpluses from the previous administration and monies from the tobacco settlement. The county was then forced to accept either massive reductions of services or increases in taxation. Giambra proposed a so-called "red budget" which eliminated services, and after failed negotiations to raise the Sales Tax , a modified plan was adopted which laid off 3000 county employees and closed many county services, including the Parks Department. In 2005 a Control Board was implemented by the state to monitor county Finance s. This, coupled with an investigation into Patronage positions, led to Giambra's announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2007 . Following the adoption of his red budget, Giambra has seen his popularity drop and this has led to the retirements of several local politicians who are tied to him. In the 2005 election, candidates vied to distance themselves from him. Many county legislators either chose not to run for re-election or were defeated by new candidates, radically changing the political make-up of the legislature. A recent poll has shown that Giambra is detested by 90% of the general public of Erie County. Another recent poll reported that 80% of the county's residents would like him to resign before his term expires. There is no procedure for a Recall , thus the residents of Erie County must retain him until his term expires or he resigns. SPECULATIONS ON GIAMBRA'S POLITICAL FUTURE Most recently, Giambra has been rumored to be considering a run against Congresswoman Louise Slaughter for Congressional seat representing parts of Erie , Niagara , Orleans , and Monroe Counties. Some online chat sites have said he would resign before undertaking this effort. As a "turncoat" Democrat and an embarrassment to the Republicans, Giambra will find it difficult to gain the political support he needs to run for any elective office. In April 2006, Giambra announced he would not run against Slaughter in 2006. He has said he would consider a congressional run in 2008, after he leaves office as county executive. EXTERNAL LINKS
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