Will scandal affect voters at the polls

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) - Mayor Byron Brown insists it is dirty politics that has led to the latest flare-up at City Hall over a failed restaurant, One Sunset and its owner, former basketball star Leonard Stokes.

But Brown won't answer the nagging question, "did he interfere in a police matter?"

"This is politics, and I think most people understand this is politics, but do you have any recollection of a possible situation, or incident, there? It is dirty politics, and I can tell you with certainty, I did not do anything to stop any individual from getting arrested," said Brown.

Brown's opponent in next week's Democratic primary, Councilman Michael Kearns tried to distance himself from the politics but accusations against the Mayor turned up on a Kearns for Mayor letterhead.

"How can you say politics is not involved? We are in a campaign. There is always going to be politics involved, but I think the thing we are forgetting is - it is not who asked the questions. It is what the answers are," said Kearns.

Canisius political science professor, Michael Haselswerdt says this controversy, this late in the campaign, might not make much difference.

"Sort of a drumbeat of negative stories for the Mayor. The question is - is anybody paying attention? Are the people that are paying attention - would they have voted for the Mayor anyway?" said Haselwerdt.

A small sampling of downtown voters don't seem to be fazed.

"No, I think the Mayor has done a pretty good job, since he has been in office," said one voter.

"I just think it is politics. They are trying to throw him a curve so he cannot get re-elected," said another voter.