By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-913944.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron Brown resubmitted his nomination for Buffalo Police Commissioner and now it could be up for a vote Wednesday afternoon. The Common Council has called for a special session.
Wednesday's special session could determine the fate of Daniel Derenda. The Mayor resubmitted the nomination in an attempt to get it out of committee for a vote before lawmakers head out for summer recess. Lawmakers did not have the needed votes to bring it out of committee at Tuesday's session.
South District Council member Michael Kearns was not pleased with the Mayor's attempt to force a vote on Derenda.
"Listen we have process here in the Common Council. We have rules...To circumvent the rules, and not follow the integrity of the process for one person is not right," said Kearns.
Some lawmakers remain critical of the nomination, calling the Mayor's national search process a fraud. They question Derenda's experience and lack of college degree. One of the biggest critics of Derenda's nomination is Niagara District lawmaker David Rivera. He is also a former cop.
"This processed was flawed from the very beginning,and the end product is flawed also," said Rivera.
Rivera refuses to approve Derenda.
"I will not be voting for him," said Rivera.
Rivera sent a letter to the Mayor's office Monday requesting for more information about his search for a new police commissioner. But if the nomination is brought to a vote Wednesday, it appears Derenda would have the needed five votes to become the city's next top cop.