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Wednesday, July 15, 2015
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
The Lockport Common Council took its final public step tonight in effectively demoting the position of city treasurer.
The Council voted in May to reduce the duties of the position of treasurer, giving many of those tasks to the newly-created position of Director of Finance. Tonight's vote reduces the salary to $55,000 to coincide with the reduced job duties.
The reduction was opposed by only 2nd Ward Alderwoman Anita Mullane, who said she cast the "nay" vote after consulting her constituents.
"I wasn't comfortable with it because the treasurer is elected by the public and accountable to the public," she said, adding that shifting the duties to the director of finance — a position that is accountable to the mayor's office — strips the voters of their power.
"There's a reason why some of these offices are elected," Mullane said.
Alderman John Lombardi, who had previously abstained on treasurer-related votes due to a short-lived candidacy for that office, voted with the majority to reduce the salary.
In November, the voters will decide whether to approve the reduction in duties requested by the Common Council.
A call to current City Treasurer Mike White was not immediately returned tonight, but he has been on record as opposing both the reduction of duties and salary.
White will face Sue A. Mawhiney in the general election Nov. 3.
RELATED LINKS:
news@eastniagarapost.com
 |
| Anita Mullane |
The Council voted in May to reduce the duties of the position of treasurer, giving many of those tasks to the newly-created position of Director of Finance. Tonight's vote reduces the salary to $55,000 to coincide with the reduced job duties.
The reduction was opposed by only 2nd Ward Alderwoman Anita Mullane, who said she cast the "nay" vote after consulting her constituents.
"I wasn't comfortable with it because the treasurer is elected by the public and accountable to the public," she said, adding that shifting the duties to the director of finance — a position that is accountable to the mayor's office — strips the voters of their power.
"There's a reason why some of these offices are elected," Mullane said.
 |
| Mike White |
In November, the voters will decide whether to approve the reduction in duties requested by the Common Council.
A call to current City Treasurer Mike White was not immediately returned tonight, but he has been on record as opposing both the reduction of duties and salary.
White will face Sue A. Mawhiney in the general election Nov. 3.
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