Accomplishments
Driving Erie County Forward
Transformed Auto Bureau Experience
Mickey transformed the Erie County Auto Bureaus by implementing an enhanced appointment system. He expanded hours to provide customers with more appointment options for their schedules. Erie County Auto Bureaus now open at 7:00am! Gone are the days of long lines at the D.M.V. – wait times have been drastically cut. Mickey’s Ready, Reserve, Renew helps prepare customers with the appropriate paperwork and forms for their transactions to get visitors in and out quickly!
As Clerk, Mickey opened three new facilities in four years, and upgraded existing locations with new chairs, better technology, and modernized the appointment system. As he promised, every new location has been made fully accessible and restrooms are available for the general public.
Erie County is the only county in New York State to have two auto bureau locations open for Saturday hours! Early in his term, Mickey prioritized additional Saturday hours to help motorists complete their transactions.
Giving Money Back to Erie County
For four consecutive years, Mickey has generated millions of dollars in revenue and savings to help pay for Erie County services that directly impact residents. With a surplus of $37 million, Mickey’s office helps offset tax increases for residents while providing revenue for local programs and public services.
In 2021, Erie County Auto Bureaus processed more than $141 million in transactions, generating $14.4 million for the County Roads Fund, which provides revenue to repave local roads and fill and repair potholes.
Protecting the 2nd Amendment
What was once an 18 month wait, Erie County residents are now receiving their pistol permit in record time! On average, applicants are now receiving their pistol permits within a few months of submission. To better facilitate transactions during Covid 19, Mickey implemented a mail-application system to efficiently process new applications in a timely and organized manner.
Mickey opened 2 satellite offices to help pistol permit holders in Erie County quickly and easily complete transactions with the Clerk’s Office.
Honoring Those Who Served Our Country
Mickey’s father, Paul, was a Korean War Combat Veteran. He taught Mickey the value of freedom and serving your country. As Clerk, Mickey has been dedicated to serving those who served us. His S.A.L.U.T.E.S. Program (Showing Appreciation, Loyalty and Unity Towards Erie County Servicemembers) offers veterans services through the Erie County Clerk’s Office and expands the Thank A Vet Discount Program.
Mickey established the William J. Donovan Purple Heart Recipients Book of Honor. Every August, Mickey honors our Purple Heart veterans with a recognition ceremony that inducts new entries into the book to honor those who received the Purple Heart and are living in Erie County
Helping Those Facing Foreclosure
As a New York State Assembly member, Mickey drafted legislation that became law on foreclosures in New York State. The foreclosure process begins in the County Clerk’s Office, and Mickey established the Erie County Clerk’s Zombie Initiative to provide resources and direction to individuals facing foreclosure.
Known as Zombie Properties, vacant and abandoned properties in our neighborhoods bring down home values and leave neighbors frustrated with these eyesores. Mickey’s Foreclosure ALERT Program identifies and prevents zombie properties to keep our neighborhoods strong and removes blight from our communities.
Standing with the Disabled Community
Mickey is a strong and vocal advocate of the disability community. He promised to make the Erie County Clerk’s Office and local auto bureaus more accessible for disabled individuals in our community. Mickey recently installed “Danny’s Doors”, automatic accessible entries, named after the late Danny Porter, who was a powerful advocate for inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Mickey battled then-Governor Cuomo to keep the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center open and at its current location in West Seneca. After a five-year fight, Mickey was victorious and the center remains open today to continue serving our community’s most vulnerable.
Bringing Services To Our Community
Nationally recognized Clerk-On-The-Go brings Erie County Clerk services to neighborhoods in our cities and towns. This award-winning program provides important information about County services and specific transactions can be initiated or completed without making the trip downtown.
Mickey opened the Clerk’s Outreach Center at the centrally located Southgate Plaza to help residents with passport applications, Thank A Vet registration, pistol permit applications, and taking phone reservations for auto bureau appointments.
Modernized Business for Erie County Residents
Mickey modernized the Clerk’s Office by upgrading computer systems and providing new technology to give greater access to public documents at no additional charge to the customer. Through these upgrades, he is now preserving thousands of documents and records. In 2021, 890 Deed Books were scanned and recorded and 9,976 Pistol Permit Applications were recorded, scanned and verified. As the keeper of records for Erie County, this new technology safely preserves and protects important original documents.
