By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo,NY – A local Hispanic leader says his group supports downsizing the Buffalo Common Council from 13 to nine seats.
Ralph Hernandez appeared before the Council's Reapportionment Committee Thursday. He's with the group, Hispanics for Fair and Equitable Representation. Hernandez says his group supports a nine district plan that doesn't cut up his district.
"We don't care how many African-Americans districts are out there, Polish, Italian, or whatever," Hernandez said. "The bottom line is we don't want any of these districts created on the backs of the Latino community. We have a tough enough time getting our folks to the polls. We we put them into three separate districts then we have zero influence in this process.
City voters will decide on a plan November 5th that calls for the elimination of three at-large Council seats and the Council president. Opponents call the plan racially biased.