GRANT: RUNNING ON THEMES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AIDING EDUCATION

As Betty Jean Grant looks forward to her NYS Senate campaign kick-off, Thurs., June 28, 5:30-7:30pm, $30, New Golden Nugget, she looks forward to a run for higher office that will be founded on her pledge to boost WNY economic development and improve education.

“I already represent all of Erie County as the Chairperson of the County Legislature,” she points out. “So whether you live in Cheektowaga or South Buffalo or West Seneca or Lackawanna, you can be confident that I know your concerns and issues. I have gone to the St. Patrick's Day Brunch at the Irish Center in South Buffalo for the past five years. I am going to the 4^th of July Parade in Cheektowaga. I already know many residents of these towns and and I am already working hard to bring more jobs to all of these communities.”

An economic development activist long before she became a public official, Chairperson Grant has been encouraged by her successful efforts to reclaim once underused buildings for economically viable purposes with help from WNY developers such as Carl Paladino. She is also happy that an agreement on teacher evaluation has been worked out that will allow $5 million in additional state aid to flow into Buffalo classrooms.

“Education is the key to our economic future in this area,” she declares. “This new agreement between the School District and the BTF will help us to education more children while keeping our dropout rate down.”

An advocate for reopening east side health care clinics closed by former County Executive Chris Collins, Grant is encouraged that the Poloncarz Administration is at least moving toward reopening at least one of them.

“I think I am in a better position to do a better job on bringing new jobs to the district because I have been in office longer as a Common Council and School Board Member and now Chairperson of the Legislature and have the contacts that I will need to enhance economic development throughout the district,” Chairperson Grant declares. “That's why I think I'm going to win.”