Erie County Legislature’s Minority Leader John J. Mills is proud to announce his appointments to serve on the Advisory Committee on Reapportionment which will convene later this month to develop, and formally submit, a recommendation on how to decrease the Legislature from 15 members to 11, and re-draw 11 district lines.

The announcement of appointees was made Wednesday morning, February 9, 2011. 

By charter, Legislator Mills has an ex-officio seat on the re-apportionment commission, but he is choosing to use another option in the charter to appoint a designee to serve in his place.  That designee will be Martha Lamparelli.  Ms. Lamparelli is a City of Buffalo resident who is very active in the Western New York community and recently served as the chairperson of the Commission on Downsizing, which recommended the Legislature decrease from 15 members to 11.  Legislator Mills felt it was appropriate that someone with her level of familiarity on the issue of downsizing have an active role in this process. 

The Minority Leader also has five appointments to the commission to represent the interests of the caucus he leads.  Legislator Mills has chosen to appoint the following individuals to fill those seats:

Mr. Emilio Colaiacovo of the Village of Kenmore

Mr. Jorge S. de Rosas of the City of Buffalo

Mr. Jonathan S. Hickey of the Town of Clarence

Mr. Brian Wittmeyer of the Town of Hamburg

Mr. Brian R. Biggie of the City of Buffalo

“These six individuals represent the best of Erie County.  Together, they share knowledge of the Legislature, downsizing, the law and our community.  I am glad they came forward and expressed an interest to serve on this committee.  I have every confidence that they will do an outstanding job developing a recommendation on reapportionment that fully respects the taxpayers,” said Legislator Mills.

All six of the Minority Leader’s appointments are individuals that are active in the community they live in.  Their demonstrated commitment to making Western New York a better place secured their appointment on this committee.

Emilio Colaiacovo is an attorney and partner at the Bouvier Partnership, LLP.  Mr. Colaiacovo is involved in several civil and professional groups including the Erie County Bar Association.  A significant portion of his practice is in the area of Election Law.  He resides in the Village of Kenmore with his family.

Jorge S. de Rosas is a former Assistant United States Attorney and Erie County Assistant District Attorney, currently working for the law firm Wolfgang & Weinmann, LLP.  Mr. de Rosas is very active in the community and has taken special interest in developing and improving our local education system and is active in many other organizations.  He resides in the City of Buffalo with his family.

Jonathan S. Hickey is an attorney and a founding member of the law firm of Burden, Gulisano and Hickey, LLC.  Mr. Hickey has served on the Town of Clarence’s environmental quality review committee and is a very active alumnus of both Saint Bonaventure University and State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Law.  He is very involved with the Volunteer Lawyers Project providing pro bono legal services and he resides in the Town of Clarence with his family.

Bryan Wittmeyer is a private sector businessman and suburban taxpayer.  Mr. Wittmeyer is a Physical Therapist at Greater Buffalo Physical Therapy.  He has been an active member of the Town of Hamburg’s Community Development and Senior Services Advisory Boards.  He, and his young family, live in the Town of Hamburg.

Brian R. Biggie is an Associate Attorney at the firm of Goldberg and Segalla, LLP.  Mr. Biggie was a former candidate for state office, the winner of the 2006 Community Leader Award from the Buffalo Alliance for Education and is the founder of Buffalo Christmas Wishes, which is a gift giving campaign for local children.  He and his family reside in the City of Buffalo.

According to the County’s Charter, the Committee is charged with advising the Legislature on how its districts should be reapportioned consistent with federal and state law. The Committee has 60 days to present their recommendation to the County Legislature.

The Legislature’s Minority Caucus, including Legislators Lynne Dixon, Dino Fudoli, Kevin Hardwick, Edward Rath and Ray Walter, were pleased to support these appointments.