Kenneth C. Crowe II is reporting for the Times Union Republican Rensselaer Mayor Michael Stammel and the Democrat-controlled Common Council are engaged in a political fight over which of private company should be designated as the city's first responder for ambulance service. Stammel announced March 30, that he had signed a contract with Empire Ambulance Service after he vetoed the Common Council’s renewal of a contract with Mohawk Ambulance Service. Stammel campaigned on bringing an ambulance service to the city that was based within the municipality. The volunteer ambulance service stopped providing coverage years ago. The city will not pay for the ambulance service, the same deal it has now with Mohawk, Stammel said. Council President John DeFrancesco said the seven-member council will override Stammel’s veto to extend the contract with Mohawk, which was approved earlier this month. DeFrancesco said the mayor should have issued a request for proposals if he wanted to change the ambulance service provider. Stammel said he didn’t issue an RFP but sought quotes from the two private ambulance companies. Stammel and DeFrancesco confirmed they are not talking to each other. Both sides say that matter will eventually be decided in State Supreme Court. Read the full story in the Times Union.