By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Mayor-elect Byron Brown is gearing up for his new position. Brown says his transition team will be named sometime next week.
Bryron Brown says the goal of his transition into City Hall is to create an open process so the public has a full view of all the changes. Right now, he is working on naming a transition team. Brown says all sectors will be represented, including business, labor and citizens.
"It is my goal to gather a diverse, experienced and knowledgeable transition team, whose advice will play a key part in assembling the best possible individuals for my administration," Brown said.
He says his first priority as mayor is learning more about the city's budget.
"When I begin, I'm going to be dealing with a budget that has been in place for six months," Brown said. "So it will be very critical to look at the current budget."
Brown says his questions for current Mayor Masiello will run from "A to Z." Brown says he wants to hit the ground running on January 1st.
The hiring process will begin over the next couple of months. He says some new positions might be added, or old jobs could be eliminated or consolidated.
Brown says those who believe they are qualified to work with in his administration should apply. He is also encouraging current city commissioners to re-apply for their jobs. Brown says that would include the city's Finance Commissioner James Milroy and Human Resources commissioner Leonard Matarese.
"He claims to be a professional administrator, and even though I know he has a term of office, I think it would be the professional thing to do," Brown said.
Brown says he will search for the best and most qualified. But Brown claims he has made no promises about future positions to anyone.
"No commitments have been made to anyone regarding any position in my administration," Brown said. "I want to reiterate that and make it clear."
Brown says his two top priorities will be hiring police and fire commissioners and will attempt to have them in place for the first of the new year.
WBFO News has learned that Buffalo Police Commissioner Rocco Diina will not be reapplying for his position as the City's top cop. According to Diina's office, he will not be seeking a future job within the Brown Administration, and plans to leave his post at the end of December. Diina was not available for comment.
Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael D'Orazio says he could not comment at this time on his future plans. He say he has not had any conversation with the mayor-elect.
And Mayor Masiello's chief of staff, Eva Hassett says she will not be re-applying for any job in the new administration.