This week has been one of those topsy turvy weeks on the campaign trail that makes you wonder how long time politicians keep this up for so long.

My week started this past Monday when I released my major campaign initiative - a 10 point Action Agenda for the Erie County (NY) Comptroller's Office. This initiative was VERY well received by both the local media and public. In short the plan is a return to basic principles of fiscal discipline and a comptroller who will actively watch over county finances.

Later that day the week really started to get interesting. Hillary Clinton was in town for a number of things, including a major fundraiser for the local county democratic party. As one of the three main candidates for office this year (county comptroller, county sheriff and City of Buffalo Mayor), I was asked to sit on the dais with Hillary who was to give a major speech. Not only that, I was given a chance to say a few things myself. My speech went very well (not too long as I know the attendees did not come to see me), and with my seat right next to the podium I not only got to meet Hillary once again (I have met her about 5-6 times previously), but also sat next to her throughout her whole speech.

She is an engaging speaker, and certainly can go off the cuff. She spoke for about 20 minutes without relying on her notes. I could tell - I saw her notes and they were not on a subject matter even close to what she was talking about. She also said a few nice things about my campaign, which I greatly appreciated considering there were so many potential donors in that room

I have been told there are a few good photos of me next to Hillary, so I am waiting to see those. I know there will be one good one with me and Hillary from later that day, which will probably go in my office.

On Tuesday it was back to hard core politics. The local county legislature had an important vote to cast on the county's fiscal future. In the end the legislature basically deferred in making the decision by passing a slight tax increase and calling for a 130 million bond to cover a deficit for fiscal year 2005. I criticized the vote and the failure of many in the legislature to attack the problem instead of deferring it, and you can read that release here: http://www.poloncarz.com/pr61405.html.

I basically thought the rest of the week would go quietly, just the usual events and meetings. That is until late Wednesday afternoon when the sitting comptroller, Republican Nancy Naples, announced her resignation effective June 30. In my opinion this was a poor decision, perhaps even irresponsible, considering the bad fiscal shape the county faces. This sends the wrong message to Wall Street and the credit rating agencies. Instead of staying on the job for the remaining 6 months of her tenure she decided to jump ship.

So once again I was thrust before the cameras and microphones for my opinion. If there is one thing you learn early on in a campaign it is when you get a chance for free media take it. So take it I did and found myself basically on every TV station's news coverage a couple of times a day for 3 days. This coverage certainly makes a difference - people are recognizing me on the street.

Today I interviewed for the endorsement of the AFL-CIO Buffalo Labor Council, which interview went well. I should find out next week if I picked up that endorsement. As the son of a steelworker I certainly hope that I have the local AFL-CIO's endorsement. It would help the campaign, of course, but would mean a lot to myself and my dad who worked 38 years in the steel mills.

This weekend is another busy week, so until I write again, hope to see you on the campaign trail,

Mark Poloncarz