Hometown News: Collins Company Drops Out

Volland Electric, a company partially owned by Erie County Executive Chris Collins, has pulled out of a county contract for repair work. The Erie County Legislature questioned the timing, bidding process and ethics surrounding the deal. Collins asked Volland to forego any money they have received from the county for work already completed. Collins has also asked any company he holds a stake in to refrain from bidding on county projects, saying he wants to avoid future political attacks. An investigation by Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is ongoing, with preliminary findings due out sometime today.