The death toll from last weekend’s historic winter storm has risen to at least 38 in western New York, the hardest-hit region. As residents recover from the storm and mourn those lost, criticism against — and between — local leaders is mounting. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says he’s spoken with state and county officials about taking over control of snow removal efforts from the city of Buffalo.

Mark Poloncarz: “The mayor is not going to be happy to hear about it, but storm after storm after storm after storm, the city, unfortunately, is the last one to be opened. And that shouldn’t be the case. It’s embarrassing, to tell you the truth.”

Poloncarz has also been criticized for his response, accused of delaying a driving ban that could have saved lives. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, whom some are calling on to resign, again rejected any responsibility for his response to the tragic storm.

Mayor Byron Brown: “Again, as you know, this was a historic storm, probably the worst storm that the city has seen in over 50 years, and perhaps, maybe, the worst storm in recorded history since these storms have been tracked.”