By Howard Riedel
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Budget Director Joseph Passafiume has announced his retirement.
The 30-year veteran of county government says his doctor advised him to step how becaause of health concerns, including high blood pressure.
Passafiume is leaving in September, the month he turns 55 and maxes out his government pension. He'll take home about $80,000 annually.
Meanwhile, an effort is underway to remove Passafiume's boss, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, from his seat on the state control board that oversees Buffalo's finances.
North District Council Member Joseph Golombek is calling on Giambra to resign from the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority. Failing that, Golombek said he would ask state leaders to remove Giambra from the board.
Golombek's demands are in the form of a resolution that he will introduce at next week's Common Council meeting. The Council has no authority to change the make-up of the board.
Golombek said if Giambra can't manage the county's fiscal crisis, he shouldn't play a role in fixing the city's financial problems.