By Mark Scott and Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council voted Tuesday to send a measure to committee that seeks the removal of Erie County Executive Joel Giambra from the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority.
North District Council Member Joseph Golombek says Giambra should not serve on a board overseeing city finances when the county is in deep financial trouble. But Majority Leader Marc Coppola said he opposes the measure.
"I, for one, don't want to kick somebody when they're down," Coppola said. "I'll criticize their policies. But this (measure) speaks too much of an individual. I don't think any good comes out of it. And I don't think any good comes out of sending it to committee where it will be re-hashed over and over again."
The Masten District's Antoine Thompson suggested that Giambra be allowed to continue serving on the control board, but that his vote on the board be taken away.
In other action, the Council did vote in favor of a measure that asks the state to make sure that any increase in the county sales tax be shared with the city.