Fontana putting politics ahead of S. Bflo residents

It appears as though the Rich Fontana-led Common Council is going to appoint Brian Bollman to fill the shoes of outgoing Councilman Mickey Kearns. If that name doesn't ring a bell, it shouldn't. Bollman has never been an active resident of the South District. I believe he moved here two years ago from another part of the city. Surprise surprise. He works as an aide to Fontana himself in the Lovejoy district.

So now, the Common Council will effectively have two Lovejoy members and zero South Buffalo representatives. Personally, I could care less. It's not like any of these Councilmembers are needed anyway. Kearns' seat could stay vacant for ten years and it wouldn't affect you or I one bit. However, I believe Fontana is underestimating the residents of the South District (many of whom read this blog weekly). This is clearly a political move on his part.

Fontana's going to get in front of the microphones and say Bollman has the best resume.

Personally I Think That's A Load Of Crap
He's going to act as if they actually look at qualifications before making their selection. We all know this is a load of B.S. I'm not thrilled with either of the two neighborhood candidates with solid backing (Whalen or Fisher). But at least they both have lived in South Buffalo. Despite what Fontana will say to the press, it's simply an effort to get another rubber stamp for Mayor Brown on the Council.

There are ten other candidates vying for this appointment, and nine of them actually live in the district. I would encourage the ten candidates to bring as many supporters as possible down to Council chambers on 4/16 at 9:30AM to show Rich Fontana that we don't appreciate him interjecting blatant politics into the appointment. In fact, with Bollman being one of his staffers, he should recuse himself from the vote. I would also encourage residents to talk to Councilmember David Franczyk. He represents the anti-Brown faction of the Common Council and might be able to publicly question Fontana's motives. This move represents City Hall politics at it's worst. I can't imagine the residents of South Buffalo allowing this to happen without a great fight. I'm surprised Councilmember Fontana doesn't see it. He's about to be in the eye of a hurricane.

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Email to Richard Fontana

I sent this email to Lovejoy Councilmember/Majority Leader Richard Fontana. As the leader of the Council's majority,he is the one who basically will choose the person to fill outgoing Councilman Mickey Kearns' vacant seat. Jim Keane/Brian Higgins are currently trying to "influence" his choice. Substitute whatever word you want for influence...

Hello Rich,

Readers of my blog and concerned citizens alike are watching the goings on behind the latest council appointment. Many residents of South Buffalo are aware of candidate Tim Whalen's incompetence and connection to Jim Keane (his brother-in-law). Keane is the Orchard Park/Florida resident still trying to continue on with his 40 year scam on this neighborhood.

I would encourage you and the rest of the majority to consider the other candidates before choosing Tim Whalen. Whalen is clearly a puppet for the self-proclaimed First Families of South Buffalo. Many of us are sick of Brian Higgins and company jamming their stooges (Conrad, Kennedy, Whalen, Fahey, etc) down our throats. We all know side deals are being attempted and we don't appreciate our representative being raffled off to the highest bidder. Be forewarned. Your support of a shill like Whalen could have serious repercussions on your reputation within the city. He represents the neighborhood thieves and if you support him, you will be considered one of them also. Do the right thing. Do not support corruption.

Mike Blake

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Tensions flare at Common Council meeting

Supporters are calling it "right sizing" the Common Council. Detractors feel the new plan proposed by the Council's new majority represents politics as usual. Councilmember Joseph Golombek has been a vocal critic of his counterparts having a third legislative assistant with benefits...

Much of the outgoing majority's criticism over the staff reduction was directed at North Council Member Joseph Golombek Jr., who has been a vocal opponent of Council members having a third staff member with benefits.

Golombek said he believes no Council office needs three staff members, adding that his stance boils down to fairness and equity.

Some Councilmembers are even questioning the amount of time their peers are putting into the job...

LoCurto took a shot back at Golombek, asking if it was now his business that some Council offices, like Golombek's, are only open until 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

Rivera said Golombek's comments were "condescending and arrogant."

"Don't tell me what's good for my district and what the residents need in my district," said Rivera, who added that this was never raised as a concern when former Ellicott Council Member Brian Davis held the office and had a third staff member.

Councilmember Bonnie Russell tried to end the debate with a conciliatory remark...

"Taxpayers don't want to see fighting and bickering," she said Tuesday before the Council meeting.

I disagree. I think it's great when the Councilmembers fight. It's the only time we ever hear the truth come out of their mouths. If they're all happy and lovie-dovie, you can bet they're ripping us off. I want to know that Joseph Golombek doesn't work a full day. Personally, I'd like to see flyweight Councilmembers Golombek and Michael LoCurto drop the gloves like Japanese lawmakers on a TruTV episode. Golombek reminds me of the kid in the neighborhood who owned the expensive football. In fact, the only reason he was even allowed to play was because it was his ball. If a call didn't go his way, he would take it and go home in protest, while everyone else made fun of him and called him a crybaby.

Please cut all the salaries. Eliminate all the jobs. We are already bombarded with too much government and very poor results. Just don't even think of cutting the City Hall Rooster's hours or salary or there will be unprecedented acts of civil disobedience all over town.

Council debate gets heated over 'right-sizing'

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New Council tries to rip us off already

This is nonsense and new Common Council Majority Leader Rich Fontana should no better. The new majority is trying to approve a $2,500 "stipend"(that's the word they use when they don't want to say salary) to some useless committee member. Opponents are calling it a "Christmas gift." That's real money. That's our money. Use it to fix sidewalks or towards tearing down an abandoned house.

Don't believe them when they say they have the money because they spent less elsewhere. They are trying to sell the taxpayers a bill of goods. Don't fall for it. The Blogger says, "No!" Therefore, the people will say, "No!" Get your hands off our wallets, crooks. This is the type of thing Rich Fontana fought against before he became entrenched in city hall...



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