OLEAN — When Olean Mayor Bill Aiello appointed members of the City Charter Commission earlier this year, he fully expected they would examine the issue of mayor versus city manager.
“The first time I ran, I said I’d be happy to look into it,” Aiello said in an interview in his office with the Olean Star on Tuesday.
As a member of the New York Conference of Mayors, Aleiio said, “I’ve talked to a lot of mayors. Some (city managers) work out and others don’t. I don’t think it’s needed here.”
With an elected mayor and Common Council, Aiello said, “We’ve got a good form of government.”
The mayor added: “If the Charter Commission comes out that having a city manager should be on the ballot,” I’ll respect that. We’ve got a lot of history in city government.”
Aiello was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017 and 2021.
Former Mayor James Griffin is chairman of the Charter Commission and businessman and former Alderman Nate Smith is vice chairman.
Another former mayor, Linda Witte is also a member of the Charter Commission as are Larry Sorokes, Realtor Dennis Pezzimenti, Paula Snyder, director of the Olean Campus of Jamestown Community College, also a former alderman; and two current aldermen, Sonja McCall, D-Ward 4 and Vernon Robinson, I-Ward 6.
“We’ve got a good array of people who have a lot of interest in the city,” Aiello said.
“The charter needs to be revitalized,” he said. “If they (commission) agree, the referendum should include a city manager, then let the people decide.”
Aiello said that he is not a member of the Charter Commission, but attends its meetings to answer any questions members may have about city government. “I don’t want to be a big influence,” he added.
“I will respect whatever they decide,” Aiello said. “I’ve got excellent, hard-working department heads. They do a great job of managing” at the direction of the council and the mayor’s office.
