I hope that everyone has been enjoying their summer. Perhaps your outings have included a stop at one of my Hot Dog Roast Fundraisers benefiting the libraries in my district. If you missed out, don’t worry, you can catch the last fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 at the Orchard Park Public Library, 4570 South Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Your support is appreciated!

I also hope you have found time to enjoy the Erie County parks, along with Bennett Beach and the Grover Cleveland or Elma Meadows golf courses. The parks, while great assets, are always in need of work and upgrades. That is why I supported an updated Erie County Park System Master Plan. The topic was one of discussion for a couple weeks as we determined how to best move the Parks System forward while recognizing the limited budget available. In addition to allocating county funds, the Master Plan consultant is being paid in large part through an Erie County Greenway Standing Committee grant.

A Master Plan for our parks system is necessary and will serve as a guide for future planning through 2030. We have 11,000 acres of land on 38 sites. I think the system is much bigger than most residents realize and needs a comprehensive plan to ensure we are maintaining and utilizing the land to best serve the residents.

My district features some of the best that the Erie County Parks System has to offer, including Chestnut Ridge Park, Bennett Beach with amazing lake access and Sprague Brook Park with its great camping experience. I want to be sure we provide a safe parks system that benefits the entire community. I also join my colleague, Legislator Ted Morton, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee, in urging the Parks Department to schedule public meetings to gain resident input for the new Master Plan. These are the people’s parks and they should have a voice.

Also, there is still plenty of time to enjoy fishing this season and I have copies of the 2016 Western New York Hot Spot Fishing Map available. The map highlights WNY’s best fishing spots, helping local anglers and visitors have successful outings. The fishing guide includes information on: bait and tackle shops, charter captains/services, emergency numbers, fish key, launches and marinas, license fees, NYSDEC fishing hotlines, regional fishing clubs, shore fishing sites, and travel information. For map updates, please visit www.erie.gov/hotspot. The map was created thanks to Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties, Visit Buffalo Niagara and Fish Niagara.

As always, if you ever have a question about a county matter, please contact my office at 858-8850 or email john.mills@erie.gov.