ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - Late Tuesday night Rome Mayor James Brown confirmed he will no longer be a part of the City of Rome's Republican Committee. The Mayor will however stay a registered Republican. The decision stems from an ongoing battle between Mayor Brown, and 4 common councilors, who are looking to take power away from him.

The President of the Rome Common Council says four councilors, who are Republicans like Mayor Brown, want to take away the power of the mayor to appoint positions within the city government. The president himself, being a former mayor, says he does not think that is a good idea.

Common Council President John Mazzafaro served as Mayor, shortly after Joe Griffo was elected to County Executive. Mazzafaro says the 4 councilors, all republicans, want to take away the power of the mayor to appoint management positions, and do so in confidence. Mazzafaro says that was proposed earlier this year during a Republican caucus.

However in order to get that accomplished there's a catch. The person who would draw up such legislation is the corporation council, a woman who was appointed by Mayor Brown. The Council President, who only votes on issues if there is a council tie, says the charter has been set for some 50 years, and now there isn't the time to change things, "Yeah I don't like to see powers stripped away from the mayor. I stressed that during our caucus. I thought if you try to take away power from the mayor there is going to be friction," says Rome Common Council President John Mazzaferro.

The tension within the city government may have now spread to the constituents.