Maybe Brian Davis could lend his buddy Demone a few bucks . . .

What is it with Byron Brown’s closest allies and bill collectors?

Two members of the Common Council, Demone A. Smith and Bonnie E. Russell, have financial histories that include liens for failure to pay their state income taxes, a Buffalo News investigation has found . . .

The News conducted similar background searches on the finances of all nine Council members. Russell and Smith were the only ones with histories of bad debt, as indicated by liens.

Russell and Smith are the mayor’s strongest supporters on the Council.

Smith and Russell join fellow Grassroots stalwarts like Brian Davis and County Legislature chairwoman Barbara Miller-Williams among the ranks of local politicians who’ve had trouble paying their bills.  Miller-Williams hilariously threw her machine-mate under the bus and declared “I’m not a Brian Davis,” but I wonder of she’s more of a Bonnie Russell or a Demone Smith.  Inquiring minds want to know.

But really, what is it about Grassroots-aligned politicians?  The two deadbeat council members are the two that are products of the mayor’s political machine.  What is it about Grassroots that produces jokers like Smith and Russell?