Erie County Legislator Edward Rath is pleased to announce that Swift Mills Road Bridge, in the Town of Newstead, has finally reopened after being closed for four years.

Erie County Legislator Edward Rath, III announces that the Hot Dog Roast Fundraiser held this past summer raised $450 for the Newstead Public Library to support programming and materials. A presentation was held Oct. 28 at the library to announce the fundraising total. Library Director Kristine Sutton accepted the donation and was joined by Newstead Town Board Member John Jendrowski.

For the past few years, some members of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency have been far too interested in overreaching policies, diverging from the central mission of the ECIDA. Several ECIDA board members and I have even begun referring to these misdirected proposals as “mission-creep.”

After the summer we have had, I hate to do it, but I need to report on snow in this month’s column. More so, the snowplow contract between towns and the county to ensure that all county roads are plowed efficiently during winter. For many years now, towns have been paid by the county to plow county roads using town equipment. Due to the extensive number of lane miles the county is responsible for, it would be impossible to keep all county roadways clear during snowfall. This agreement, although not without issues, has worked well in the past.

Legislator Edward Rath is partnering with local Rite-Aid Pharmacy locations to offer a Community Flu Clinic to residents who wish to vaccinate against influenza. Each year, the County Department of Health advises residents to get a flu vaccine. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.