By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-912580.mp3
Buffalo, NY – David Rodriguez, the City's acting Corporation Counsel, was quizzed Tuesday afternoon in Buffalo Common Council chambers about the Mayor's failure to provide information on the search for a new police commissioner.
Four Buffalo Common Council members are demanding answers about a so-called national search for city police Commissioner.
Acting police commissioner Daniel Derenda is appearing Tuesday for a confirmatiion hearing before the Common Council. Some lawmakers say the Mayor has failed to be transparent in his nomination of Derenda after claiming a national search was held.
Rodriguez told lawmakers these "matters are highly private". But the City's top attorney also revealed that it is up to the Mayor to decide what he wants to release surrounding his search for the job.
Rodgriquez said under the City Charte, the mayor has the sole job of identifying, selecting and putting forth a candidate to the Council body. It is up to the Council to decide if they want the candidate.
South District lawmaker Kearns said the City of Albany held its search for a new police commissioner very publicly on the Internet.
Niagara District lawmaker David Rivera noted that they learned today there is "no legal basis" for withholding who was interview for the job. He says it was Mayor Brown who decided to hold back information.