August 23, 2002
Anthony Masiello
August 22,2002, press conference on Council resizing
Anthony Masiello
August 22,2002, press conference on Council resizing
WNED-AM interrupted its usual programming on August 22 to broadcast live Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello's brief press conference at 10:30 a.m. WNED-AM also broadcast part of the mayor's Q&A with the press following his prepared statement. What follows is a complete transcription of that broadcast. Click here for an annotated version of that same transcription.)
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
The debate on reapportionment has lasted well over a year and this is the only plan—local law number eight—that has been passed by the Council and is before me today.
During this debate many people have viewed this issue through different lenses: race, economics, population, politics and personality. I respect the opinions that I have heard and offer my sincere appreciation to all those who have expressed themselves during these last several months.
My decision to sign this local law has been a very difficult and gut-wrenching decision, but one that I think has to be made in the best interests of the city's long-term viability. Everything we have done this past year—personnel reductions, consolidations, council downsizing, reducing our spending by $30 million—all of the really tough stuff, the things that had to be done in the city's best interests. I believe that this is a pivotal decision and moment in our city's existence.
We are sending a message loud and clear that we mean business, that we're going to match up the size of our government with the size of our population, the size of our tax base and the size of our revenues.
But, ladies and gentlemen, this is not just Buffalo, New York. Other cities, school districts including our own, not-for-profits, corporate America, are all adjusting to the reality of the fiscal times. Yes, change is very difficult for all of us to accept. Yes, this decision has been difficult on me and will be difficult on others. But we all have to work together as a we for the best interests of future generations of our city.
I stand ready to answer any questions that you may have.
Q: Would you support any other nine-member plan?
A: This is the only plan that's before me today. Matter of fact, I think this is the only plan in a generation that has been before the mayor. But let me say this. The hallmark of my administration has always been one to examine options, to listen to people. If the Common Council comes back with a different plan, I have to consider it on the merits. But the only plan I have before me today is this nine district plan and this is the plan that I have signed. And if the Council, through their own infinite wisdom and dialog come up with a different plan, then obviously, as I have in the past, I will consider that option.
Q: Do you have any indications that the Council is discussing any alternative plans.
A: I do not know that. I don't believe that's the case. But that could happen or it may not happen.
Q: ...This morning some critics of this plan were saying that this is the death knell for race relations in Buffalo, that it will be a permanent blemish on those relations. Can you comment on that?
A: My entire career as a public servant is one that I think I have represented a diverse constituencies of this city and I have represented them well. I have represented them with their best interests. And I'm going to continue to do that. If I thought, Bryan, for a second, that this plan was race-based, I would not sign it. However, if you look at the nine-district plan, four of those districts are minority, four of those districts are majority, and one district is a swing district. Also if you look at past Supreme Court rulings, they have expressed themselves in a sense that even the courts believe that district representation is better for minorities' representation, it protects minorities' representation long-term, than council-persons-at-large that oftentimes in other cities were used to dissipate minority representation. So people are going to view this from the lens of race, others are going to view it from the lens of population, personality, economics, but I only can say for myself that that is not the case.
Q: Is time of the essence though, mayor. Don't you have to have something done soon?
A: I'm acting according to the charter and the timetables that are before me right now. That's why today I have signed this local law.
Q: Legislator Charley Fisher said that if you sign this and bring national attention to this, you could possibly bring [too much noise to make out] Would you want that?
A: Obviously I've always strived for what's in the best interests of the city, that puts the city in the best light. Nobody, no mayor in recent times has championed the many strengths and assets of this city. From Washington to Albany, to other conference of mayors, functions, I always make Buffalo's presence felt in a very favorable, positive, progressive way. Now unfortunately some people may not view it that way. Some people may want to paint a different picture. But I say to everybody, make sure that you don't denigrate this city and the people of this city. Yes, these are emotional issues. Yes, there are going to be continued debates. But let's do that in a context of respecting one another and not downgrading one another, and the already tarnished image of our city for other reasons.