Our History
The blight of zombie properties has impacted municipalities throughout Erie County and across New York State for several years. Erie County Clerk Michael P. “Mickey” Kearns first began fighting the zombie foreclosures issue back when he was the South District member of the Buffalo Common Council. When Clerk Kearns became the 142nd District Representative in the New York State Assembly, he brought this fight to Albany and was instrumental in the passage of the 2016 Zombie Property and Foreclosure Prevention Law (“Zombie Property Law.”) As the Erie County Clerk since 2017, resolving the issue of vacant and abandoned zombie homes throughout the County has become a top priority in his office.
What is the Erie County Clerk’s Zombies Initiative?
The main goal and purpose of this collaboration is to provide resources to Erie County municipalities and communities facing zombie foreclosures.
The Zombies Initiative Team
Michael P. “Mickey” Kearns, Erie County Clerk
As Erie County Clerk, former Buffalo Common Council Member and former New York State Assemblyman, he has strongly advocated for policies to improve the quality of our neighborhoods and fight blight in our communities. In response to constituent complaints, Clerk Kearns has pushed to hold banks accountable for abandoned foreclosures and allowing properties to fall into disrepair. After years of persistent efforts through the zombie property “Shame Campaign,” he was instrumental in the New York State Legislature passing the Zombie Property Law in 2016. As Erie County Clerk, he has made this issue a top priority in his office.
Michael J. Billoni
Zombies Foreclosure Communication Liaison Michael has spent more than 40 years in the communication business in Western New York. He began his career as a sports reporter for the Tonawanda News, Buffalo Courier-Express and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle before joining the Buffalo Bisons in 1983 when it was purchased by Bob Rich Jr. and Rich Products Corp. He served as its Director of Publicity, Promotions and Marketing before becoming Vice President and General Manager until he retired in 1996 because of complications from a near fatal bicycle accident. He has been inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame and in 1992 was named by Baseball America as one of the Nine Most Influential Men in Baseball. He began his Billoni Associates communication company in 2000 and along with public relations projects, he has authored one book and published two others. He earned a degree in Journalism from SUNY at Morrisville.
Jamelle Williams Simmons
Jamelle has over 25 years of experience working in the human services field, serving as a community coordinator for People Inc. As the First Lady of the Cold Spring Bible Chapel, Jamelle is the coordinator of the Street Outreach Ministry where she develops and implements programs that help underserved populations in the city with food, clothing, job opportunities, housing, and referral services. Jamelle is also the organizer of the Queens of Growth Ministry that offers support for women struggling with day to day life issues, leading them to the word of God to better their lives.
Christopher D. Kuwik
Christopher holds a BA in political science from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in public administration from SUNY Buffalo State. After graduate school, he completed the two-year Excelsior Service Fellowship Program in Albany, NY. He began his career in public service in 2011, working in the civil service before becoming an aide in the administrative office of Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns.
What is The Erie County Zombies Foreclosure Task Force?
The Erie County Zombie Foreclosure Task Force was created in response to the zombie foreclosure crisis. The Task Force is made up of municipalities, banks, realtors, nonprofits, and other community leaders. The mission of the Task Force is to share ideas among key stakeholders, distribute strategies with proven results, identify obstacles, and create new ways of dealing with zombie properties. With the support and data from the County Clerk’s Office, the Task Force is able to identify those at risk for foreclosure sooner so that efforts can be made to prevent zombie properties.