Erie County Executive Chris Collins was sworn into office on Sunday and made a promise to the people of Erie County. He vowed to change the approach to government. But just 3 days later there are concerns that it is business as usual. Collins, a republican, hired a woman named Peggy Lagree. She was a long time assistant to fellow Republican Nancy Naples. According to campaign filings Naples' husband donated $10,000 on two different occasions to Collins.

"Her husband Tom O'neill donated more than $10,000 to your campaign. Some see this as a little bit of political pay back. How do you respond? asked 7 News Reporter Steve Barber. "Just the opposite there are certain folks that would... She was working for Jim Hayes. She was not looking to move into county government." said Collins.

Lagree will be in the budget office, second only to the head of the department. She's making more than $71,000. She has only an associates degree. "Can you justify that type of a salary for someone with only a two year associates degree?", asked Barber. "I can certainly justify that with someone who's got a dozen years in the comptrollers office as the deputy as county comptroller. Absolutely.", said Collins.

Our sources show the following as her experience: In 1973 Lagree was a clerk in Erie County. In 1979 she served as a secretary for then republican county executive Ed Rutkowski. In 1994 Lagree worked with Naples as a secretary promoted several times over 10 years all the way up to deputy comptroller. Naples later resigned and Lagree followed her to work in the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Party affiliation, gender, race, and any kind of financial contributions are not part of any decision I'm making." said Collins.

Still several Erie County legislators are concerned and have told 7 News they will looking into the controversial hire to see if it needs their approval.