PROMISES REFORM TO ‘MOVE NIAGARA COUNTY FORWARD’

LOCKPORT—Former Niagara County Legislator Kyle R. Andrews, D-Wilson, was appointed county treasurer and took his oath of office at the Niagara County Courthouse on Tuesday.

Andrews, who resigned his seat in the County Legislature moments before being sworn into his new office as Treasurer, formerly represented the towns of Wilson, Cambria and Newfane. A Democrat, he fills the vacancy created six weeks ago by the resignation of former Treasurer David S. Broderick, who left amid charges that he had used his office to enrich himself, his wife, and brother.

The 29 year old Andrews takes office as a hot political property who, though a Democrat, had represented a Republican disrict in the NC Legislature since he was 21. Most observers feel he potentially has a political future far beyond his new post.

“I’m humbled by this opportunity to serve,” Andrews said after taking his oath. “And I thank the Governor for the confidence he has placed in me. I hope to show it was not misplaced, and will immediately begin the process of revamping the practices of the Treasurer’s Office.”

Andrews said he would issue a series of directives guiding the practices of the Treasurer’s Office in regards to contracting for goods and services, as well as for the safeguarding of estates.

“We must meet a higher standard in the Treasurer’s Office,” Andrews said. “Family members will be barred from competing for contract work. And let’s be clear: contract work will be awarded through a competitive process. We also will emplace safeguards on the accounts assigned to those estates we are forced to administer, to ensure the fairest distribution of those estates to surviving family members.”

Andrews said he won’t waste any time in taking on his new duties, planning a Tuesday morning staff meeting with Treasurer’s Office staff.

“We’re going to roll up our sleeves and take on the task before us heads-on,” Andrews said. “I understand the gravity of this task. We must restore the confidence of this county’s taxpayers in that office. We’re going to implement reforms and move this county forward.”