Michael Brown, Rome Mayoral Candidate, Calls Current Budget A ‘Shell Game’

Not mincing any words, candidate for Rome mayor Michael Brown called the city's current budgeting process a 'shell game'.

Brown accuses incumbent Joe Fusco of simply adding 3% to the previous year's budget in each department, and shifting money from each increase to fill holes in other areas. And, he accused Fusco of holding onto grant funding until months before the election to leverage positive press to create the illusion of progress.

Brown, who is originally from the Boston-area, said the fact that he is 'an outsider' gives him a unique perspective. ''Let's face it, Rome is being run by a Roman now and we're not going anywhere,'' he said.

''I've come to Rome eleven years ago, I see what Rome needs. I've been outside, I've traveled the world, I've lived most of my life in various places watching and learning'', Brown said.

He also shared his thoughts on the economy, including his belief that Utica-Rome-New Hartford is a metro-area, but doesn't operate as such.

''I get tired of hearing, 'Ya know, when the base was hear...' Well it's not hear but there's so much we can do.''

He also wants Rome to have it's own broadband system (audio below).

Full interview from the Keeler Show: