COMPTROLLER STEFAN MYCHAJLIW RETURNS TO THE VALLEY TO MEET WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK CLUB

The graduate of Buffalo Public School #33 returned to “the old neighborhood” to speak to taxpayers 

At the invitation of the Valley Community Block Club, Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. provided an update on his office at the October 18^th, 2018 meeting. Under the leadership of Mike Murphy, Comptroller Mychajliw thanked the Valley Community Block Club for hosting monthly meetings and being active in making the neighborhood a better and safer place to live in the City of Buffalo.  In addition to receiving an update from Comptroller Mychajliw, representatives from the Buffalo Police Department and City of Buffalo Office of Permit and Inspection Services were on hand as well. 

“It is wonderful to see an engaged, active block club.  Folks we met at the meeting are working together to improve a very strong neighborhood. I spent a lot of time at the Valley Community Center growing up.  I know firsthand how important community is to the families that live here. It was an honor to speak to this great group and address questions they had about county government,” said Comptroller Mychajliw. 

Growing up near the corner of William and Fillmore in Buffalo, Comptroller Mychajliw rode the #23 Fillmore bus to the Bilingual Center Public School #33 on Elk Street, where he attended school from Pre-K through eighth grade.  Comptroller Mychajliw played basketball with friends from the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood, and his parents were formerly members of the Valley Community Center’s Friday night Pinochle Club. 

“There’s a special place in my heart for the Valley, First Ward and Little Hollywood.  I spent my childhood here.  It is where I went to school every day.  My lifelong friends are from here.  It warms my heart thinking about great memories from the neighborhood, including begging my mom every day for enough money to grab a slice of pizza from Ric’s on Elk near Smith.  I’m blessed and fortunate to have grown up here.  It was really nice to visit again,” added Comptroller Mychajliw. 

In meeting with community groups, Comptroller Mychajliw reminds taxpayers about important services. Among the initiatives is the “Senior Fraud Protection Program” created by Comptroller Mychajliw.   It provides seniors with information to protect themselves from scammers.  If any group, church organization, social club, service group, etc. would like to host Comptroller Mychajliw for a presentation, please contact his office at 858-8400 or email comptroller@erie.gov. 

Comptroller Mychajliw also emphasized the importance of his Whistleblower Hotline.  This is where taxpayers can report waste, fraud or abuse of county resources.  To contact the Whistleblower Hotline to report waste fraud or abuse, please call 858-7722 or email whistleblower@erie.gov.