State Senate Democrats plan staff increase in Buffalo office
Published: April 08, 2009, 12:30 am
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The State Senate’s new Democratic majority is expanding the number and size of regional offices throughout the state, with plans to hire approximately eight to 10 staffers in Buffalo to “bring the message of the conference and its agenda to the area.”
And various factions of the local Democratic Party are already promoting candidates to head the office, several sources say.
Some names mentioned include former heavyweight boxer Joe Mesi, who unsuccessfully ran for the Senate last year; Joseph Desmond, a former county legislator; and Al Thompson, the president of the Grassroots political club who was recently fired as deputy elections commissioner. That move was widely viewed as reflecting the growing rift between Mayor Byron W. Brown and Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan.
Senate officials say the move will not increase its budget, and point out that the Assembly majority, the Senate majority and the governor have always maintained regional offices. But they also acknowledge that while the former Republican majority normally employed two people in Buffalo, they will significantly expand the size of the staff.
“It’s difficult to do from the district offices [of individual senators],” said Pat Rubens, deputy secretary to the majority leader. “We want to be more proactive in getting our message out. And the regional office has a much broader base than a particular member.”
Rubens said the office will provide outreach to small business, community leaders, and community based organizations.
A number of other longtime political figures are also under consideration for staff positions in the planned local office.
John McArdle, spokesman for the Senate Republican minority, said he is also hearing the Democrats will expand the offices. He said the Democrats were “horrified” to find many Republicans on the Senate payroll, as well as amenities like a broadcast studio and vehicles, when they took over in January.
“Now we’re hearing they will greatly expand,” he said. “It’s not surprising. They say one thing and then do the complete opposite pretty consistently.”
He also noted that while Republicans maintained offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and Long Island, the new majority plans offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, New York City and Long Island.
McArdle said Republicans Chris Knospe and Harry Wahl last occupied the Buffalo office. Though such staffers are also known to perform campaign work on their own time, he said they also staffed community events like health fairs, and represented the majority in various settings.
He also noted that Democrats cut by 58 percent the allocation for central staff for Republicans compared to what they had as the Democratic minority.
Sen. William T. Stachowski, D-Lake View, said he knows about the new office but has not been involved. He said it is being handled by Albany and that Republicans also maintained a facility here.
Sen. Antoine M. Thompson, D-Buffalo, refused to discuss the matter.
Lenihan said he has heard many of the same names mentioned for the new posts, but said he has been asked only for input.
“It’s the call of the State Senate,” Lenihan said. “The majority leader wants to get a handle on issues in Western New York. It will be substantive as opposed to political.”
Another local Democrat involved in establishing the new office, businessman James J. Eagan, also defended the move.
“It will not be a political dumping ground,” said Eagan, a member of Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith’s transition team.
Rubens, the Senate Democratic spokeswoman, said the new offices will have more flexibility than district offices of individual senators because they cover more area.
“It will be on a much broader base, and will deal with how the majority can be a service,” added Aaron Hecht, director of majority information services for the Senate. “And these are central staff positions that we would have had regardless.”
Though several local political operatives are known to be interviewing for the jobs, Hecht said they should not be considered as patronage.
“They’re not and you will see that with their work product,” he said. “These folks will not be sitting around.”
Rubens said no salary levels have been set for the new positions.
rmccarthy@buffnews.com
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