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Dennis Gorski

Dennis T. Gorski (July 20, 1944 – July 4, 2021) was an American politician in New York and a Marine.[1] A resident of Cheektowaga, New York, Gorski served as County Executive of Erie County, New York, which includes Buffalo and many of its suburbs. He was the first Democrat-elected Erie County Executive and the first Erie County Executive elected to three four-year terms.[2] Gorski was an Erie County Legislator and a member of the New York State Assembly prior to three-term service as county executive. During his second term as County Executive, he ran for Congress to succeed Democrat Henry Nowak, but he was defeated in the general election by Republican Jack Quinn.

Dennis T. Gorski
Gorski in Buffalo, New York in 1991
5th Executive of Erie County
In office
January 1, 1988 – December 31, 1999
Preceded byEd Rutkowski
Succeeded byJoel Giambra
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 146th, later the 143rd district
In office
1975–1987
Preceded byAlan J. Justin
Succeeded byPaul Tokasz
Member of the Erie County Legislature
from the 3rd District
In office
1972–1974
Preceded byFrank C. Ludera
Succeeded byWilliam Stachowski
Personal details
Born(1944-07-20)July 20, 1944
DiedJuly 4, 2021(2021-07-04) (aged 76)
Cheektowaga, New York
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMary Jo (Craven)
Children5 (two adopted) as of 1990
Alma materLe Moyne College, 1966
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marines
Years of service1967–1969
RankCaptain
UnitUnited States Marines
Battles/warsVietnam War

Like many Buffalo Democrats, including Buffalo mayors Anthony Masiello and James D. Griffin, Gorski was known for being more conservative than the mainstream Democratic Party platform, and was regularly cross-endorsed by the Conservative Party of New York. As county executive, he rivaled his contemporary Buffalo Mayors and on some issues his contemporary New York State Governors in power:[3] He succeeded in bringing the World University Games to Buffalo, and since the National Football League's Buffalo Bills play in suburban Orchard Park, it was his responsibility to broker a deal to keep the team from leaving town. He also helped the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres finance Marine Midland Arena (now known as KeyBank Center). During his early years he brought about economic recovery and kept the county on solid financial footing during his tenure. He has been described as the only County Executive to balance the budget.[4] Gorski was a Vietnam War veteran and remained active in veterans' affairs while in office.

After leaving the county executive's office, Gorski worked in private business in Buffalo, New York. He spent his first nine years of public life working for HealthNow (Parent company of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York) and was subsequently hired by McCullagh Coffee Co. of Buffalo.

Personal

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Gorski was the son of Helen (Pieprzny) and Chester C. Gorski, a former Buffalo City Councilman and former member of the United States House of Representatives.[5] His brother Jerome Gorski was a New York State Supreme Court judge. Gorski was raised in Buffalo's far east side in a Polish community where he served as an altar boy and played baseball and basketball. He was the starting catcher for the Roman Catholic Timon High School and later became a political activist at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.[6] Gorski earned a degree in English literature from Le Moyne in 1966.[7] As of February 1990, he and Mary Jo had been married for 15 years. At that time, they had five children ranging in age from 1 to 7 with the oldest two adopted.[6] When he served in the New York State Assembly, he shared a house with Assemblyman Richard J. Keane.[6]

Gorski was a Buffalo Bills fan growing up, and he attended the first official game in franchise history at "The Rockpile" when he was 16 years old. It was an exhibition game against the Boston Patriots. He also attended the 1964 AFL season championship game. He followed the Bills while in Vietnam and as an Erie County Legislator he attended the 1972 groundbreaking ceremonies for Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. He would eventually rise to be both a season ticket holder and the team's landlord, on behalf of the people of Erie County.[6]

Military career

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During the Vietnam War Gorski volunteered to serve in the military "because he thought it was the right thing to do"[8] even though he could have sought a graduate school deferment. Joining the United States Marine Corps, he attended Marine Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant at Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1967. After this he was deployed to South Vietnam, beginning his tour of duty in December 1967. Initially he served as a platoon commander in a motor transport battalion stationed at Gia Le near Da Nang, under the command of Colonel Robert Reilly.[6][7][9] While deployed, Gorksi took part in the Battle of Huế during the Tet Offensive, at which time his unit was employed largely in an infantry role.[9] In April 1968, Gorski was the officer responsible for the night watch of battalion headquarters in Gia Le, when a People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) assault breached the perimeter wire fence. During the skirmish that followed, Gorksi directed artillery and mortar fire. About a dozen PAVN soldiers were killed in the engagement, along with three Marines.[8] In January 1969 Gorski returned to the United States, having risen to the rank of captain. He earned no medals for bravery, however, nor was he wounded.[8]

Political career

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Gorski was a member of the Erie County Legislature from 1972 to 1974. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1975 to 1987, sitting in the 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th and 187th New York State Legislatures. In the Assembly, he chaired the Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation from 1980 to 1984, and the Committee on Local Governments from 1984 to 1987.[10] In 1984, Assemblyman Gorski co-sponsored legislation that amended state no-fault insurance laws in order to preserve the right to declare "loss of fetus" as a serious injury in an automobile accident. Previously, the laws were written such that this type of loss had been dismissed in the Appellate Division of the New York State Court in a suit brought by Jane Raymond for a 1978 accident.[11] In 1985, he was selected to light the flame at the opening ceremony for the eighth annual Empire State Games.[12] That year, he was among the Vietnam War veterans from New York State invited by tour consultants when Vietnam opened its economy to American tourists.[13] Gorski, who was the only former officer on the trip, had secured state funding for the venture.[9]

A green lawn with a wall in the background having several United States flags flying in the background and one tall flag pole with a high flying flag. 
After Buffalo Mayor Griffin refused to accommodate The Moving Wall, Gorski availed, Chestnut Ridge Park, an Erie County park to host it

When Gorski ran for the Democratic nomination for Erie County Executive in 1987, Buffalo City Councilman James P. Keane had the support of the Erie County Democratic Party and Joseph Crangle,[14] but Gorski won the nomination in the September 15 primary election in what The New York Times described as an upset.[15] In the general election, Gorski led in the polls against two-term incumbent Republican Edward Rutkowski, who had broken a campaign promise not to raise taxes,[16] and he won the election by a two to one margin.[17] He was the first Democrat ever elected Erie County Executive.[3] Upon Gorski's assumption of office, he was met with the December 31, 1987 expiration of the temporary one percent increase in sales tax, and special governmental operations by New York State Governor Mario Cuomo were necessary to keep the county from losing revenues while awaiting reconvening of the New York State Legislature on January 6, 1988.[18] After assuming office, Gorski was dissatisfied with Crangle's 23-year role as Erie County Democratic Chairman and sought a new county party leader.[19] Although people such as Governor Cuomo had previously attempted to unseat Crangle,[20] it was not until a few months after Gorski exercised his influence that Crangle stepped down.[21] After he became County Executive, Gorski was succeeded as the 143rd district representative in the New York State Assembly by Paul Tokasz in a March 1988 special election.[22]

A large and nearly full stadium 
A large building in the center of a city skyline 
Gorski helped arrange deals for the Buffalo Bills and Sabres to remain in Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium and HSBC Arena, respectively

As County Executive, Gorski would oppose Mayor Griffin several times. One of the first occurred in 1989 when Griffin ignored Vietnam veterans' request to use LaSalle Park to host The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Gorski made Chestnut Ridge Park, which is located 25 miles (40 km) south of Buffalo in Erie County, available to the veterans.[23] A major crisis during his administration led to the threatened shutdown of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority bus and Light rail Buffalo Metro Rail subway service throughout Western New York. At the time, Buffalo was the smallest American city with a subway system and Alfred Savage had just resigned as executive director to assume that position with the Chicago Transit Authority.[24] During Gorski's first term the local economy was revitalized: by March 1990, Buffalo's monthly unemployment rate fell below the state average for the first time in 11 years, and the region's job growth had outpaced the state average for its fourth consecutive year.[25] The city was ranked by Fortune as one of the nation's top five growth communities.[26] Gorski signed the controversial item pricing law in 1991, making Erie County one of the earliest counties to confirm the requirement that most supermarket products have price tags.[27] By the time he ran for re-election for the first time, he was backed by both the County Democratic and Conservative parties, and he was challenged by fourth-term incumbent Mayor Griffin.[28] Gorski handily won the Democratic nomination over Griffin by a 68–32 margin as well as the Conservative party nomination.[29] Gorski handed Griffin the first general election defeat of his political career when the Mayor contested Gorski as the Republican Party and New York State Right to Life Party nominee.[29][30] By the end of Gorski's first term, he had established himself as the most influential person in Western New York according to a report cited in The New York Times.[3]

A black letter U above five different color stars above the letters FISU 
Gorski stood behind the effort to bring the 1993 World University Games to Buffalo

During Gorski's second term, one of the more unusual crises was the arrest of 194 anti-abortion protesters who mostly declined to post bail, which meant they were left in jail where the county was obligated to assume the costs for overtime and expenses associated with the arrests.[31] In 1992, he ran against Republican Jack Quinn and Mary Refermat for Henry Nowak's seat in the United States House of Representatives to serve in the 103rd United States Congress.[32] He was expected to win election to succeed Nowak in the New York's 30th congressional district.[33] One reason for this expectation was that two of his recent predecessors were at the time in higher offices: New York State Comptroller Edward Regan and New York State Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine.[34] He lost the election however and Quinn went on to serve six terms.[35]

In both 1992 and 1993, the Erie County Legislature was unable to agree to pass the extended 1 percent special sales tax for the county without Gorski threatening major county cutbacks.[36] When Buffalo hosted the 1993 Summer World University Games, Mayor Griffin was very much against the idea, but Gorski was considered one of the Games' godfathers.[37] He stood behind the effort to host the games even as it went beyond its budgeted costs.[38] In 1994, Republican George Pataki defeated Democrat Mario Cuomo, causing a crisis for the Democratic Party.[39] Gorski also arranged the deal to keep the Buffalo Sabres from moving by helping to build Marine Midland Arena.[40]

Despite the troubles for the Democratic party in New York, Gorski defeated Republican Lucian J. Greco in his second re-election in November 1995.[41] In 1997, the city of Buffalo was in such a financial plight that it considered merging itself into the county government.[42] At the time, the Buffalo Bills were considering moving from the county-owned Ralph Wilson Stadium (then known as Rich Stadium) until they worked out a deal with the county.[43][44] The stadium name change was part of the deal that was eventually finalized between Gorski, Pataki and Bills' owner Ralph Wilson in late 1998.[45] In 1998, Gorski was named County Leader of the Year by American City & County magazine.[40] Gorski was considered a contender for the Democratic nomination to challenge Pataki.[46] In 1998, the Seneca nation filed suit that they were the rightful owners of Grand Island, New York, a 18,600-acre (75 km2) island in the Niagara River with 17,000 residents, and all islands in the river.[47] When Gorski ran for a third re-election, at first he was a wide underdog to Republican Joel Giambra, and it was the first time The Buffalo News, which was satisfied with Gorski's fiscal policies but was not impressed with his innovations, did not endorse him.[48] By the final weekend before the election, Gorski had narrowed the gap among voters according to the polls.[49] Gorski lost to Giambra, who had only recently switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party.[50]

In March 2014, Gorski announced his candidacy for Cheektowaga Town Justice.[51] On November 4, Gorski won the election.[52][53] He served a four-year term and was not a candidate for re-election in 2018.[54][55]

Private life

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After leaving the county executive's office, Gorski worked in private business in Buffalo. Gorski worked for HealthNow (Parent company of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York)[56] for nine years in a variety of capacities. At first he was hired as a consultant to BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York in January 2000.[57] At the time there was much talk in local op-ed pages about the prospects of him serving as Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools.[58][59] He also consulted for the Upstate Medicare Division.[60] By December 2000, he had been hired as a Vice President of HealthNow.[56] He eventually became a senior vice president at HealthNow overseeing government affairs and lobbying, which made him responsible for government health programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus and earned him a 2007 salary of $398,302. Previously, Gorski was HealthNow's vice president of policy and representation.[61] In February 2009 HealthNow laid off 17 employees, including Gorski and three other senior executives, during a restructuring.[62] In July 2009, Gorski was hired by McCullagh Coffee Co. of Buffalo to help it negotiate government channels on many fronts—especially with its new "sustainable" coffee brands.[61]

Gorski died at his home in Cheektowaga on July 4, 2021, from complications of Parkinson's disease at the age of 76.[63]

Notes

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  1. ^ Borrelli, George (1995-09-17). "Gorski Waltzes Up One Mountain – Peaks 2 and 3 Await". The Buffalo News. Newsbank. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  2. ^ Borrelli, George (1996-01-07). "Gorski Masiello Bury The Hatchet In Each Other". The Buffalo News. Newsbank. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  3. ^ a b c Howe Verhovek, Sam (1991-12-29). "Political Talk". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  4. ^ Spina, Matthew (2007-11-03). "Candidates court constituencies – A son of South Buffalo, Keane stresses his closeness to the people and his opponent's distance from them". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  5. ^ "Helen T. Gorski, 93, wife, mother of public servants Aug. 10, 1914 -- March 19, 2008". 30 March 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d e Heaney, James (1990-02-18). "Will The Real Dennis Gorski Please Stand Up? – Reserved Public Image Belies The Private Man". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  7. ^ a b "Dennis T. Gorski". Buffalo News. 1992-09-13. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  8. ^ a b c Warner, Gene (1998-07-19). "Wall Stirs Gorski's War Memories". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  9. ^ a b c Crossette, Barbara (1985-10-27). "For Four New Yorkers Difficult Vietnam Visit". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  10. ^ The New York red book. Vol. 89. J.B. Lyon Company. 1988. p. 251.
  11. ^ "Cuomo Signs Bill to Step Up Penalties in Animal Fighting". The New York Times. 1984-06-03. p. 50. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  12. ^ Moran, Malcolm (1985-08-11). "An Olympic Flavor in Buffalo For the Empire State Games". The New York Times. p. S8.
  13. ^ Crossette, Barbara (1985-11-03). "Vietnam Is Giving American Tourism a Trial Run". The New York Times. p. 22. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  14. ^ Lynn, Frank (1987-09-14). "Races in Suffolk and Bronx to Highlight Primaries in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  15. ^ Lynn, Frank (1987-09-16). "Ferrer Wins in Bronx; LoGrande Is Suffolk Victor". The New York Times. p. B3. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  16. ^ Lynn, Frank (1987-10-29). "Democrats Fight for County Posts In New York G.O.P. Strongholds". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  17. ^ Lynn, Frank (1987-11-04). "Democrats Capture Top Posts In Suffolk, Erie and Monroe; Sweep All 44 Races In New York City, But Lose In Nassau". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  18. ^ Schmalz, Jeffrey (1987-12-01). "Lawmakers Meet Cuomo to Avoid Special Session". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  19. ^ Lynn, Frank (1988-03-13). "Political Notes; Being at Odds With Leaders May Aid Koch". The New York Times. p. 33. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  20. ^ Lynn, Frank (1985-02-07). "Cuomo Trying To Oust Crangle As Chairman In Erie County". The New York Times. p. B2. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  21. ^ Lynn, Frank (1988-06-01). "Democrats Friendly, Not Feuding, In New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  22. ^ Lynn, Frank (1988-03-16). "Democrats Take Assembly Seats In 4 of 5 Races". The New York Times. p. B2. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  23. ^ Beebe, Michael (1989-08-31). "Vietnam Vet Says Rift With Griffin Affected Memorial". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  24. ^ "Buffalo to Halt Bus and Subway Tomorrow Night". The New York Times. 1990-03-30. p. B2. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  25. ^ Sack, Kevin (1990-07-20). "From Rust Belt to Money Belt in Buffalo". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  26. ^ Howe Verhovek, Sam (1991-01-25). "Super Bowl XXV; It's First-and-10 for Buffalo's Zooming Civic Pride". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  27. ^ Glaberson, William (1991-11-18). "Grocers and Shoppers Spar Anew Over Pricing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
  28. ^ Lynn, Frank (1991-07-07). "Political Talk". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  29. ^ a b "Primary Day; Erie County Executive Defeats Buffalo Mayor". The New York Times. 1991-09-13. p. B4. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  30. ^ "New York State". The New York Times. 1991-11-07. p. B9. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  31. ^ Tabor, Mary W. (1992-04-24). "No Arrests at Abortion Clinics In Buffalo as Clashes Subside". The New York Times. p. B4. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  32. ^ "Candidates for Federal Office and New York State and New York City Posts". The New York Times. 1992-11-02. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
  33. ^ Howe Verhovek, Sam (1992-06-28). "Political Notes; A Rockefeller May Take On D'Amato in Primary". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  34. ^ Howe Verhovek, Sam (1991-12-29). "Political Talk". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  35. ^ Hernandez, Raymond (2004-04-27). "Buffalo Republican to Leave Congress". The New York Times. p. B7. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  36. ^ "Erie County Entangled in Sales-Tax Feud". The New York Times. 1993-02-14. p. 48. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  37. ^ Gruson, Lindsay (1993-01-31). "Scoffing at Its Skeptics, Buffalo Prepares for University Games". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  38. ^ Sandomir, Richard (1993-07-04). "World University Games; Buffalo Flips Over Games, Hopes for No Flops". The New York Times. p. S7. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  39. ^ Sack, Kevin (1994-12-11). "Democrats Seek a Plan To Salvage Their Party". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  40. ^ a b Beebe, Michael (1999-10-10). "Gorski On Well-worn Path Running As Underdog". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
  41. ^ Fisher, Ian (1995-11-08). "Races Around the Region: ERIE COUNTY;Strong G.O.P. Challenge Rebuffed". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  42. ^ Glaberson, William (1997-04-14). "One Struggling City Ponders Extinguishing Itself". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  43. ^ George, Thomas (1997-06-29). "It's True: Even the Bills Could Move". The New York Times. p. S4. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  44. ^ "Deal Could Keep the Bills In Buffalo for 15 Years". The New York Times. 1997-08-01. p. B11. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  45. ^ "Pro Football: Notebook; Bills Owner and Flutie Have Reasons to Cheer". The New York Times. 1998-12-19. p. D20. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  46. ^ Dao, James (1997-04-21). "McCall Fears Governor's Race Too Costly". The New York Times. p. B7. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  47. ^ "Metro News Briefs: New York State; Judge Is Asked to Dismiss Suit Over Grand Island". The New York Times. 1998-02-21. p. B4. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  48. ^ Bumiller, Elisabeth (1999-10-29). "Giuliani Helps a Campaign Hoping for Help in Return". The New York Times. p. B5. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  49. ^ Halbfinger, David M. (1999-11-01). "For Election Day, Ho-Hum Races, but a Rare Bit of Hope for Nassau Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  50. ^ Ramirez, Anthony (1999-11-03). "The 1999 Elections: Erie County; Republican Defeats Incumbent In Race for County Executive". The New York Times. p. B10. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  51. ^ "Gorski officially announces bid for Cheektowaga Town Justice". WIVB. 2014-03-13. Archived from the original on 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  52. ^ "Gorski takes early lead in race for Cheektowaga town justice". Buffalo News. 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  53. ^ Carlson, Erika (2014-11-06). "Gorski wins justice seat, Wozniak takes Assembly race". Cheektowaga Bee. Archived from the original on 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  54. ^ Herr, Jim (April 17, 2018). "Town Democrats gives justice nomination to Speyer". Cheektowaga Chronicle. Cheektowaga, NY.
  55. ^ Herr, Jim (January 14, 2019). "Cheektowaga justice race heats up with Stevens' announcement". Cheektowaga Chronicle. Cheektowaga, NY.
  56. ^ a b Bridger, Chet (2009-12-03). "True Blue Changes – As CEO Of HealthNow, Thomas P. Hartnett Is The Driving Force Behind – The Changes IN WNY Health Care That Infuriate Many". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  57. ^ Vogel, Charity (2000-01-25). "Blue Cross–Blue Shield Hires Gorski As Consultant". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  58. ^ Bustrak, David (2000-01-16). "Why Not Hire Gorski To Lead City Schools?". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  59. ^ Nowicki, Janice R. (2000-01-26). "Gorski Might Be Able To Turn City Schools Around". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  60. ^ "Gorski To Lead Wellness Walk". Buffalo News. 2000-05-24. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  61. ^ a b McCarthy, Robert J. (2009-07-04). "Gorski takes post with coffee firm". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  62. ^ Epstein, Jonathan (2009-02-12). "HealthNow's 17 layoffs include senior executives". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  63. ^ Sommer, Mark (July 4, 2021). "Dennis T. Gorski, three-term Erie County executive, dies at 76". The Buffalo News.
Political offices
Preceded by
Arthur W. Hardie
 3rd District Erie County Legislator
1972–1974 		Succeeded by
Preceded by New York State Assembly
146th District
1975–1982 		Succeeded by
Preceded by New York State Assembly
143rd District
1983–1987 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Erie County Executive
1988–1999 		Succeeded by

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