Politics Now

In order to operate a corner store in Buffalo, you have to get what's known as a food store license from the city.

Applications for the license filed in City Hall have to be approved by the Common Council. It costs $115 to apply.

Some city lawmakers have said they think the city has too many of these types of stores, which sometimes can cause problems in a neighborhood, including loitering, illegally high fees for check cashing and expired products.

Earlier this year, Ellicott Council Member Darius G. Pridgen said some gravy that expired in 2009 was found on one store's shelf.

Continue reading "By the numbers: Corner stores in the City of Buffalo" »

One of Mayor Byron W. Brown's key advisors recently received a promotion and pay raise.

Peter J. Savage III earlier this month was named senior deputy corporation counsel, filling a vacancy left after Timothy A. Ball was appointed as the city's top attorney. former acting Corporation Counsel David Rodriguez left for a job with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.

Rodriguez held the title of senior deputy corporation counsel before becoming acting corporation counsel (his appointment was never confirmed by the Common Council, hence the acting). Timothy A. Ball was appointed as the city's top attorney on Feb. 7, but Rodriguez did not leave for the housing authority for several weeks.

Savage, who was deputy corporation counsel, has a new salary of $84,564, up from $82,326. That amounts to about a 2.7-percent raise.

There were two new hires also made in the Law Department: Delia Cadle was named to Savage's old spot as deputy corporation counsel (with the $82,326 salary); and Bryan Dolin was hired as assistant corporation counsel, with a starting salary of $53,686.

In the Department of Public Works, Edward F. Anken and Richard M. Veroba were hired in late March as senior first-class stationary engineers at $15 an hour. The department also hired two laborers in its Streets Division: Bonita Brown, who had been an account clerk typist in the department, got a permanent job with a $34,139 salary; and Delano Fabor was hired for a seasonal position at $12.06 an hour.

University Council Member Bonnie E. Russell appointed Tanika Hubbard as a clerk in the City Clerk's Office. Hubbard will earn a starting salary of $30,507.

Two employees of the DPW's Buildings Division and two employees of Management Information Systems saw their jobs change from provisional to permanent status. In the Buildings Division, they were architect Joseph Fanara and engineering aide Joseph Ziemba. In MIS, they were computer programmers Kathryn Barker and Janet SanFilippo.

Previous editions: March 12, Feb. 8, Jan. 20

--Aaron Besecker
Follow me on Twitter: @BeseckerBN

Every Sunday, we'll publish a quick Q&A with someone from the local political world. Instead of touching on the latest in policy issues and proposed legislation, the intent is to catch a glimpse of the person behind the title. The interviews are done via email.

University Council Member Bonnie E. Russell speaks during a Jan. 24 Common Council meeting. (Derek Gee/Buffalo News)

Bonnie E. Russell

The basics
Age: 52
Job title: Buffalo Common Council member, University district; Council president pro tempore
Family: Married to Buffalo City Court Judge Robert T. Russell, Jr.; three children; three grandchildren
Education: Courses taken at Ohio State University and University of Buffalo
Party affiliation: Democrat
Previous work experience: State of Ohio auditor's office; public relations for the Ohio governor's office; Ohio Department of Agriculture; City of Buffalo affirmative action/equal employment opportunity compliance officer
City salary: $52,000 + $1,000 stipend for chairing Civil Service Committee

Continue reading "Five Questions with Bonnie Russell" »

Continue reading "Recent hires in City Hall" »

Update 4:33 p.m.: Kearns did not keep Finance Committee chairmanship -- that went to Delaware Council Member Michael J. LoCurto.

Here's my story.

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Masten Council Member Demone A. Smith said he expects to be named the Common Council majority leader when city lawmakers reorganize this afternoon.

Smith also said University Council Member Bonnie E. Russell will become the new president pro temp of the Council -- which will come with additional duties but no $2,500 stipend -- when the Council holds its reorganizational meeting at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers.

As we already knew, current Majority Leader Richard A. Fontana will take over as Council president, with Fillmore Council Member David A. Franczyk set to lose the post he's held for eight years.

Also according to Smith, who was packing up his Council office today getting ready for a move to the majority leader's office:

--South Council Member Michael P. Kearns will stay chairman of the Finance Committee.

--Ellicott Council Member Darius G. Pridgen will become the new Legislation Committee chairman, with the previous chairman, North Council Member Joseph Golombek Jr., taking over the Community Development Committee from Delaware Council Member Michael J. LoCurto.

--Russell will keep the chairmanship of the Civil Service Committee, and Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera will stay chairman of the Claims Committee.

A majority vote of the Council is required for leadership and chairmanship posts.

Fontana, Smith, Russell, Pridgen and Golombek are part of the new Council majority, as Fontana had been aligned with Franczyk, Kearns, LoCurto and Rivera.

Leadership positions, except for president pro temp, and chairmanships come with stipends: $10,000 for president; $5,000 for majority leader, and $1,000 each for the committee chairmen.

--Aaron Besecker
Follow me on Twitter: @BeseckerBN