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Lisa Chimera (Submitted photo)
Lisa Chimera (Submitted photo)

Poloncarz appoints Lisa Chimera as deputy county executive

Submitted

Fri, Nov 4th 2022 12:15 pm

Chimera served as District 3 legislator since July 2019, previously sat on Town of Tonawanda board for 14 years

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz recently announced Lisa Chimera will serve as the county’s next deputy executive. Chimera has served as an Erie County legislator (3rd District) since July 2019, serving the communities of Tonawanda and Kenmore, along with the Black Rock, Riverside and University Heights areas of the City of Buffalo.

During her time on the Erie County Legislature, Chimera chaired both the Health and Human Services Committee and the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Committee. She also served on the Finance & Management Committee and the Energy & Environment Committee.

Among her legislative achievements, Chimera spearheaded initiatives such as instituting Medication Assisted Treatment in the Erie County Holding Center, and creating a mobile book outreach van for seniors with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. She was also instrumental in the formation of the Erie County Emergency Childcare Task Force.

“I am honored, and excited to accept the position of deputy county executive for Erie County,” Chimera said. “I look forward to continuing work on the many initiatives I was involved in during my time as legislator, and am eager to take on new responsibilities at the county level. I thank my fellow legislators, staff, and the many county employees I have had the privilege of working alongside. Thank you to our county executive for his leadership, and confidence in my capacities in public office. Lastly, I thank my wonderful District 3 constituents, I feel honored to have served as your legislator, and will always value those connections and experiences. I am confident that, in my new leadership role, particularly with Live Well Erie, we will make Erie County a great place to live, work and play.”

Poloncarz said, “I am pleased to announce that Erie County Legislator Lisa Chimera has agreed to serve as Erie County’s next deputy county executive, and I look forward to working with her to continue moving Erie County forward. I have known Lisa for many years, and she has the skillset and work ethic that this very demanding role calls for, and has already demonstrated her ability to identify issues and work collaboratively to solve problems many times. As deputy county executive, Lisa will take a lead role in the implementation of our Live Well Erie agenda, thereby helping to create a better county for all.”

Erie County Legislature Chair April N. M. Baskin said, “I want to congratulate Lisa Chimera on her new role as deputy county executive. Lisa has played a key role in the legislature. Her work on the MAT program has literally saved lives, and she has been a strong advocate on behalf of children and child care workers. I look forward to working with her as she takes the lead on Live Well Erie. The rest of Erie County is going to learn what the residents of her district and her colleagues in the legislature already know: Lisa Chimera is an extraordinary leader who will work tirelessly on behalf of our community.”

A press release noted, “Chimera previously served on the Town of Tonawanda board for 14 years, and was the first female Democrat elected in the town's history. She served on numerous committees during her time with the town, and was instrumental in governmental reform that saved taxpayers money while preserving important services, including the preservation of Brighton Place Library during the ‘red-green budget’ fiasco.”

A lifelong resident of the Town of Tonawanda, Chimera holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and special education, and a Master of Science degree in reading from Buffalo State College.

Chimera worked for the Ken-Ton school district as an educator for over 30 years, retiring in 2020.

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