By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council held its first meeting of the new year Tuesday. But it was a short session, mainly to re-organize for 2006.
This coming Monday the Council will meet to begin confirmation hearings for the first round of appointments issued by the new mayor.
David Franczyk has been re-elected as Council president. But there is a new majority leader. Lawmakers selected Niagara District Council member Nick Bonifacio. He takes over the position from Delaware District lawmaker Marc Coppola.
The new majority leader said they will review five of the commissioners appointed by Mayor Byron Brown next Monday. Bonifacio said lawmakers will have a chance to ask questions and voice any concerns about the appointments.
Four of the commissioners would be returning, including finance, public works and assessment and taxation.
But one of the appointments is brand new. Brown wants Richard Tobe, currently a member of the control board, to serve as Commissioner of Economic Development, as well as leader of Permits and Inspections.
But Bonifacio said he is concerned it might be too large of a position to oversee.
"The only concern I have at this point, is we have not seen the block grant. And the BERC seems to be our economic tool to businesses in our neighborhood. We already pay an executive director to do that," said Bonifacio. "So, I'm interested in the chain of command and we have an agenda in place to deal with some of the small businesses."
Bonifacio said the city must also be careful not to duplicate services it is already providing.
A freshman lawmaker said he is pleased with the return appointments by Mayor Brown. Tuesday's Council meeting was the first for South District lawmaker Michael Kearns. He replaces Jeffrey Conrad.
"I think there are some good quality people. Bruna Michaux is someone who has been here a long time. Joe Giambra has been here a long time," said Kearns. "And I know some of the other appointments are quality people. I think those initial appointments are people who will do a good job for the mayor."
The Council president and majority leader will be meeting later Wednesday with Mayor Brown in his City Hall office.