BUFFALO, N.Y. — After serving the past 12 years as the South Buffalo District member of the Common Council and since January as Council President, Christopher Scanlon said he is now prepared to step in as the Acting Mayor of the City of Buffalo.
Scanlon addressed the public and media in a streaming address Tuesday morning as he officially moved into the second-floor corner Mayor's Office at City Hall. He said he was "excited and optimistic" for this new role.
2 On Your Side had a chance to ask some direct questions during one-on-one interviews scheduled for the media. Below is an excerpt from a few questions during the conversation. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
2 On Your Side: What are your priorities as the City's incoming chief executive?
Scanlon: For me - first and foremost is a seamless transition. Hitting the ground running and making sure that everyone, every resident in the city of Buffalo knows that I'm here prepared to represent them, serve them, and deliver for them in every corner of the city of Buffalo. And quickly after that, you know continuing to communicate with the heads of these departments to make sure that we're delivering the services that are required and that are needed.
2 On Your Side: We heard the former Mayor again refer to the budget as a challenge not a crisis. $40, $50, $60 million, whatever. How do you perceive it?
Scanlon: First of all the numbers constantly moving right, when you get into a budget situation. Some people talk about making cuts. Some people talk about revenue increasing. It has to be a combination of both.
2 On Your Side: From sitting as the head of Council, do you perceive it as more revenue enhancement or a having to cut - where do you lean more?
Scanlon: I think the larger issue is the revenue side of things. But obviously when you get into a gap of this size - you cannot just rely on increased revenues. You have to make sure your prioritizing your spending. And make sure you're doing that responsibly.
2 On Your Side: Can we expect tax increases realistically?
Scanlon: Yeah. I think you have to look at everything. You know I don't think that categorically you can cast aside any revenue or any cut. You have to take a deep dive on all of it. So I would never sit here and say that it's not gonna happen. I don't know what it's gonna look like. We'll start talking about it almost immediately.
2 On Your Side: Is there something that Mayor Brown could not get accomplished that you feel you would like to get accomplished for this city?"
Scanlon: You know, nothing jumps to mind. But one thing that I have always focused on during my time on the Council is youth services. Things of that nature - really increasing those. I want to increase the communication within this building. With the media. And most importantly with the public. I think the public being informed of everything that's going on here is paramount to our success here. So there aren't any surprises to people out in the general public. I wanna be very transparent here.
2 On Your Side: Do you fully intend to run for Mayor?"
Scanlon: You know at this point - Day One - hit the ground running. It is certainly something I'm gonna give serious consideration to. But again at this point I just wanna make sure that we are on the same page with all the department heads and that we're delivering the services for this city of Buffalo. Addressing the financial situation....things of that nature. But it's certainly something I'm gonna give great consideration to.