ALBANY PANEL ASSIGNMENTS DRAW CRITICISM.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: JAY JOCHNOWITZ - Staff writer

Attempting to redefine itself and its role in city government, the Common Council on Monday issued a leaner list of committee assignments amid hopes that the new panels will take a more assertive approach in city affairs.

But in an early indication that the system is still evolving, the assignments drew immediate criticism from at least one alderman who noted that representatives of the predominantly minority downtown wards were left out of two key panels -- police and the council's most powerful committee, finance.

"Those are important committees, especially in the minority community and the minority wards," said 3rd Ward Alderman Michael Brown.

Despite the overt signs of …