By: James Tricoli
Jim Allen, the dictator, I mean director of the Amherst IDA, the only Director the Amherst IDA has ever had since its formation over 20 years ago, doesn’t want change even if it benefits the citizens of Amherst greatly. Allen wants it his way or no way at all. He said his job is not to get jobs for the people of Amherst. “Our policy should be based on the economics of the deal and the benefits to the community. Our benefits and incentives are to spur economic investment. The jobs will follow.”
Allen also admitted he doesn’t know if companies inflate their job commitments to bet better tax breaks, even after the IDA specifically tells them not to. Now, who would expect them to lie? Just to get a tax break???? Clawbacks mean the Amherst IDA could recover past tax breaks if a company failed to live up to job commitments it made when it sought aid.
Mr. Bob Ciesielski’s proposal would formally add this clause on all Amherst IDA contracts allowing tax breaks. He said this would be a tool which could be activated by the board vote on a case to case basis.Stuart C. Shapiro, a UB Professor, joined with Mr. Ciesielski expressing concern that companies wouldn’t take advantage of the IDA and its incentives if they knew the agency would take back breaks and if they failed to meet how many jobs were created.
The Amherst Town Board passed a resolution calling for such a policy. Mr. James Allen, the Director of the Amherst IDA, has made it clear he IS the Amherst IDA and in no way will he cooperate with the Town of Amherst. He knows Amherst wants him to step down from his throne and he won’t do it. This being the case Allen will use all his power to support the builders and dump on his own town. Amherst must remember they have no power over him so he can do as he pleases.
Pressure must be put on our State Government to release Mr. Allen from his job and appoint someone less biased against the people of Amherst. His disdain for the citizens of Amherst is well known with the exception of our Chamber of Commerce and the building community.
Allen must resign for the good of Amherst. Let him go find a job somewhere else, just like our kids have to. He has said many times his job isn’t to create jobs in Amherst and he is keeping his word about that. The agency is called The Amherst IDA but it should be called JAllenLBO, which stands for “James Allen Loves Builders Only.