New Faces at City Hall
Stepniak was named Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Streets after being the acting commissioner since August of 2007. Before that he held positions as the Senior Engineer for the City of Buffalo Division of Engineering, and Director of Street Cleaning and Snow Removal.
Merlo the new City Engineer, is a licensed New York State professional engineer, and was employed at R&D Engineering, P.C. from 1995 through March 2001, before joining the Division of Water in 2001 as an associate engineer. He was named principal engineer in 2005
Drew Eszak, the interim City Planner in the Office of Strategic Planning was most recently the Erie County Commissioner of Environment & Planning. As interim, Eszak will hold the position for the next few months while a search for a permanent City Planner is conducted, though it is expected that he will also apply for the position. With a strong background in urban and regional planning to the Office of Strategic Planning, he will write neighborhood plans as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and as they relate to zoning and other approvals.
In a press release, Brown stated: “These are all very experienced and qualified professionals who will serve our city residents well. As we continue to move Buffalo forward, it is important that we have top-level staff who will contribute to the positive momentum we are experiencing as more investment and development takes place in the city.”
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
New Era to Bring 1st Annual Baseball Tournament to Buffalo
New Era Cap Co. is making moves to place Buffalo on the map as a premier destination for young baseball players looking to compete in a large-scale baseball tournament. The New Era Cup Classic runs the weekends of July 17th-20th and July 31st-August 3rd, 2008.
On the final day of each weekend, championship games will be held at Dunn Tire Park. The baseball tournament, the first of its kind from New Era, will attract over 140 elite youth baseball teams, an estimated 3,500 play … - Today, 11:49am
- Continue Reading
- 7 Comments
-
Independence Day at the Central Wharf
Last night, downtown Buffalo witnessed an historic moment at the Erie Canal Harbor when it presented its first ever “Official” City of Buffalo fireworks bash there. Thousands of people spent the day watching live bands rock the pier as people made their way in and out of the maze of paths and canal era ruins.
Buffalo Place arranged for live music on the new pier throughout the day with music from Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble, Boys of Summer, Rod Nickson Project, Jac … - Today, 11:28am
- Continue Reading
- 19 Comments
-
I <3 NY
Calling all filmmakers, ages 14 and up, to participate in an I Love New York Competition, with great prizes, celebrity judges, and hopefully your short film.
The competition requests filmmakers to produce a short film depicting their own views of the "I Love New York" motto. When dreaming up your take on this famous motto, keep in mind the beauty, diversity, and geography of New York State. In addition films will be judged by how well they highlight unique features and off-the … - Today, 10:24am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Recuperating On Sunday The Sixth
So after fireworks and celebrations on Friday and Saturday, some, if not many, Buffalonians will no doubt be hung over and tired. That’s okay. Take Sunday, skip church, and sleep in till the afternoon. Just make sure you’re up and ready to go around 2:30 PM so you can make it on time to Cozumel Grill for Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Between 3 and 6 PM, Cozumel at 153 Elmwood Avenue runs drink specials on Bloody Mary’s and Vodka drinks. A Blood Mary will only cost you $4.50 and a V … - Today, 5:26am
- Continue Reading
- 1 Comments
Comment Options
thinker
Gee, you think that there is any way the politically connected Drew Eszak IS NOT given that job permently? Give me a break. What did the guy do for Erie County will in the Department of Environment and Planning that was so profound and positive? He must not have been too good because Collins removed him. Anyone who actually is worth anything or has accomplished anything certainly wouldn't have been removed form that critical position. And don't call it politics, very good commissioners were left in place when Collins took over, take a look.
Joke the City of Buffalo is.
Report this
Dan
The Planning Director position vacated by Tim Wannamaker has not been advertised ANYWHERE: not the city Web site, not the Upstate NY or American Planning Association Web sites, not portals for professional planners like Cyburbia and Planetizen.
I'm a Buffalo-born, raised and educated urban planner that really wouldn't mind returning to Buffalo, despite its faults. However, finding planning work there is IMPOSSIBLE. Most local governments don't have planning agencies. Those that do require political connections or previous residency just to be considered for a job, and there are very seldom openings with the private planning firms in the area (Peter J Smith, Cannon, etc.). There's some economic development work, and the rare (woefully underpaid) feelgood community development position, but that's about it.
Report this
Dan
The Planning Director position vacated by Tim Wannamaker has not been advertised ANYWHERE: not the city Web site, not the Upstate NY or national American Planning Association Web sites, not portals for professional planners like Cyburbia and Planetizen.
I'm a Buffalo-born, raised and educated urban planner that really wouldn't mind returning to Buffalo, despite its faults. However, finding planning work there is IMPOSSIBLE. Most local governments don't have planning agencies. Those that do require political connections or previous residency just to be considered for a job, and there are very seldom openings with the private planning firms in the area (Peter J Smith, Cannon, etc.). There's some economic development work, and the rare (woefully underpaid) feelgood community development position, but that's about it.
With no political connections, I fear I'll forever be an expat.
Report this
brian_123
In reply to Thinker, Drew Eszak did do most of the work for the Framework for Regional Growth, so I do think that he did a lot of good work. Maybe Collins let Eszak go because he wasn't as anti-Buffalo as Collins was.
Report this
Sal
It would be great of Mayor Brown to list all City of Buffalo employees, thier position, address and phone number.
Report this