Penksa confirmed as finance chief; comptroller won't sue to halt move

[WNYresident]

Penksa confirmed as finance chief; comptroller won't sue to halt move

Mayor Byron W. Brown's choice for finance chief won unanimous Common Council support Tuesday, the same day the city comptroller said he would not try to block the appointment in court.
Buffalo's control board also approved Brown's plan to create the newly expanded Cabinet post, a job that will pay $104,000 a year. Janet Penksa will become commissioner of administration, finance, policy and urban affairs Tuesday.
Comptroller Andrew A. SanFilippo, meanwhile, said Tuesday that he will not launch a court fight to block the hiring. SanFilippo said he thinks Penksa will be a valuable asset.
Still, he continued to maintain that Brown circumvented the charter by not getting the comptroller's approval to hire a finance chief at a salary $21,000 higher than what previous commissioners received. The mayor has said he doesn't believe he needed SanFilippo's signature because Penksa is filling a new job with expanded duties that include lobbying and policymaking.

The rest of the story.


If you have any questions about the story here is who wrote it. bmeyer@buffnews.com

[WNYresident]

What need was seen that they had to created this position?

Janet Penksa will become commissioner of administration, finance, policy and urban affairs Tuesday.

and exactly what is that?

What is a commissioner and why would a business need one more or less a City or town?

Buffalo's control board also approved Brown's plan to create the newly expanded Cabinet post, a job that will pay $104,000 a year

Penksa is filling a new job with expanded duties that include lobbying and policymaking.

Why is this position paying this salary? What role is this position compared to someone in a business role?

Who is she going to lobby and why?

Penksa is credited with helping Buffalo obtain additional state aid for numerous programs.

This is nice but shouldn't Buffalo be hiring people that can help Buffalo obtain a stronger economy and business engine? not more state aid?

I dont know what the responsibility of this position is and that's why I'm asking.

[buffy]

The key quote is that the "comptroller won't sue to halt the move"

Penske is a very smart, qualified & influential woman...we're lucky to have her.

[PBAguy]

she wants to end the wage freeze, that is welcome news.

[Mr. Lackawanna]

Penksa is filling a new job with expanded duties that include lobbying. What has all the money we have paid to the lobbyist in the past done for the city?

Janet Penksa $104,000 salary plus benefits is just another waste of taxpayers money

This new position with a $104,000 a year salary must be an insult to all the hard working city public servants who are struggling to make ends met while they have their wages frozen.

[run4it]

Penksa is filling a new job with expanded duties that include lobbying. What has all the money we have paid to the lobbyist in the past done for the city?

Janet Penksa $104,000 salary plus benefits is just another waste of taxpayers money

Uh, Lacky? Are you able to fully answer all of WNY's questions above? If not, then how do you know its a waste of money? Until you know, don't you think you might want to reserve judgment? I'd hate to have to accuse you of jumping to conclusions before you're properly informed...

[Mr. Lackawanna]

Uh, Lacky? Are you able to fully answer all of WNY's questions above? If not, then how do you know its a waste of money? Until you know, don't you think you might want to reserve judgment? I'd hate to have to accuse you of jumping to conclusions before you're properly informed...

No I'm not qualified to answer WNY's questions but I haven't seen a politician or one their appointees who can answer these question either. Look at the Peace Bridge project how much public money was wasted on bridge studies and no ground has been broken yet. Bass Pro???? The rapid transit system on Main Street was that a good plan? The New Buffalo Casino what will be the next roadblock the city will have to the building of the casino.

Buffalo has put a lot of money to the political lobbyist system for years. It must be a state secret on the benefits that this wasted money has brought to the city. The only ones that make money on the money spent on the lobbyist for the city are the ex politicians working for the lobbying firms.