CITY GOVERNMENT
Shifting of $867,000 for projects roils Buffalo's political waters
Plans to spend millions of dollars on street repairs, park improvements and other neighborhood projects have sparked new tensions between Mayor Byron W. Brown and the Common Council’s ruling majority.
Some lawmakers contend that Brown’s proposed capital budget rewards Council allies and punishes foes, an accusation that the mayor has denied.
At issue are changes totaling $867,000 that Brown wants to make to a $22.7 million plan recommended by a citizen review panel. Critics said the budget revisions benefit only districts that are represented by Council members who supported Brown for re-election. “To me, it looks more like the Masten District capital budget,” groused Council President David A. Franczyk, who represents the Fillmore District.
Delaware Council Member Michael J. LoCurto said he’s disappointed that $642,000 earmarked for construction of a road to accommodate the proposed Colvin Estates residential subdivision in North Buffalo would be shifted to projects in other districts. “If the mayor feels the project isn’t ready yet, then at least the money should stay in the Delaware District,” LoCurto said.
Meanwhile, Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera said he has yet to receive assurances from the mayor that the new Neighborhoods of Choice community-improvement program will allot funding to one targeted area around Grant and West Ferry streets. He said there are indications that all of the funding might be channeled into Masten’s Hamlin Park neighborhood.
In summary, said Franczyk, Brown’s amended capital budget plan provides a disproportionate share of funding to projects in Masten — the mayor’s home turf, and a district that Brown represented when he served on the Council. For example, one of the big-ticket items is $1.8 million for additional work at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The mayor’s plan would also spend $561,750 on lead abatement at a city-owned building on Humboldt Parkway.
Brown said his budget revisions changed less than 4 percent of the recommendations that were made after a careful review by the 14-member Citizens Planning Council. The mayor said his critics ignore the fact that most of the budget is earmarked for work that would benefit neighborhoods citywide.
“Council members do the community a disservice when they make harsh comments without looking at the budget as a whole,” Brown said.
The appropriations include funds to repair streets, install new sidewalks and improve parks throughout Buffalo. The budget would also spend $1.7 million to buy new fire trucks, snowplows and street sweepers, money to upgrade police and fire radio systems, and $2.5 million for emergency demolition.
In addition to the $22.7 million earmarked for city projects, the budget includes $4.9 million for improvements in a dozen public schools.
“This is a very good budget,” Brown insisted. “It’s a very sound budget.”
The mayor said he is willing to discuss concerns with lawmakers. The Council has until Dec. 15 to make any changes to the budget.
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