BY NICKI MAYO
A mixed bag of candidates took turns before Buffalo’s Common Council to interview for the Ellicott District seat.
“We’re looking to see if they have a real hunger to serve. If we can read a person with their presentation,” said Council President David Franczyk.
“What is the depth of their knowledge? Sometimes the questions from the council members are very specific,” added the Flimore District representative.
On day one of interviews the Buffalo Common Council considered five resumes out of a total 12 candidates. Their resumes are vast but their plans for the future Ellicott are centered on poverty, housing, job creation and the future of the Ellicott district economy.
Six were scheduled, but only five showed up. Candidate Griffith Prichard was a no show.
Buffalo fireman and former 2009 School Board Candidate Byron McIntyre says Ellicott constituents need an community advocate.
“The people want advocacy. We need some nice community based agreements with these organizations, so that the citizens will get jobs,” said McIntyre.
Erie Regional Housing Development Corporation property manager Marilyn Rodgers is calling for a closer eye on funds for housing development.
“We have community development and housing organizations out there that are not necessarily living up to what needs to be done for the constituents that they are supposed to serve,” said Rodgers. “But they’re getting the funds while others are not,” she added.
Former Buffalo Community Services Commissioner Donald Allen says plans to cut services at the district’s Jesse Nash Health Clinic are unacceptable.
“You cannot close a clinic that provides services for a human being unless you have a closure plan and an exit plan,” said Allen.
Political newcomer Nicholas Primerano recently registered as a democrat to qualify for the Ellicott seat. He says the District needs to balance the housing and earnings gap.
“We have homes valued below $20,000 or you can buy a condo in the Avant building for $1.5 million,” said Primerano.
Private consultant Fred Heinle says Ellicott needs to capitalize on “smart growth” practices to attract business back downtown.
“You’re not going to convince the grocery stores to come into downtown Buffalo, because we can get to any grocery store in 10 minutes,” Heinle said.
Council members say public service, experience and council knowledge will play a major role in deciding who will get the Ellicott seat. Several candidates were not familiar with the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation, Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency, Buffalo Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation and block grants.
“It’s insider baseball. There is a learning curve, but these are things that you should know about when you’re talking about BURA and BERC,” said South Buffalo Common Councilman Michael Kearns.
The eight council members will interview the next six candidates Wednesday morning. The council can decide on who will represent the Ellicott District as soon as the final interview is complete.
