By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Deputy County Executive Bruce Fisher will not be serving on the board of directors for the Buffalo and Erie County Library system. At least not immediately.
The County Legislature's Community Services Committee Tuesday denied the appointment made by County Executive Joel Giambra. Lawmakers cited a conflict of interest with having someone from the administration serving on a fiduciary board. Committee Chair Tim Kennedy says the rejection wasn't personal or political.
But Fisher says there is no conflict of interest. A representative for the county attorney, who also appeared before the committee, affirmed that opinion. Fisher says he's passionate about serving on the library board -- and he isn't giving up yet.
"I will ask the County Executive to forward my name to this legislative body again, if he would consider doing that," Fisher said. "I do believe in working in a coordinated manner with the library board, not only as a county official but as a citizen and parent."
Fisher says his name could be resubmitted within only a few weeks, after the new Legislature is seated.
Giambra's other appointment to the Library Board, Hormoz Monsouri, was tabled Tuesday. Kennedy says that re-appointment will likely remain tabled and go into effect automatically after 30 days.