How did Majority Leader Richard A. Fontana's move to replace David A. Franczyk as Buffalo Common Council president start?
It started with South Council Member Michael P. Kearns, according to Fontana, who said Kearns told him he wouldn't be supporting Franczyk when the Council reorganizes next month.
A few weeks ago, Fontana said he was exploring a bid for the top Council post. On Wednesday, he said he had the necessary votes to take the leadership position.
"I didn't start that," said Fontana, who added he thought he would have Kearns' support.
That's a version of events Kearns (pictured at left) is denying.
"I said I would like to see new leadership and term limits," Kearns said.
The assertion that he promised to get behind Fontana for president is incorrect, the South Council member said.
"He thought. He assumed," Kearns said of Fontana.
(Photo by Derek Gee/Buffalo News)
--Aaron Besecker
Follow me on Twitter: @BeseckerBN
tagged
Byron Brown | City of Buffalo | Common Council | Michael Kearns | Rich Fontana
