BUFFALO, N.Y. — One month after former Mayor Byron Brown stepped down to accept a $295,000 job as the president and CEO of Western Region OTB, then South District Councilmember Chris Scanlon has filled the role of acting mayor.
Tuesday night at the Buffalo Convention Center, Scanlon was ceremoniously sworn-in to the role of acting mayor in front of several hundred supports, city employees, and family.
"As I look out of this great crowd filled with my fellow city employees, partners in government, community stakeholders, business leaders, members of the faith based community, friends and supporters, I see a diverse representation of the City of Buffalo, and for that, I am truly humbled," Scanlon said after being ceremoniously sworn-in by Buffalo City Court Chief Judge JaHarr Pridgen.
The ceremony comes nearly two weeks after the death of acting Mayor Scanlon's brother Mark.
"I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the overwhelming outpouring of support my family and I have received during this incredibly difficult time for all of us," Scanlon said.
The event was financed by Scanlon's campaign, and no city funds were used in the production of the ceremony.
Acting Mayor Scanlon used the opportunity to speak broadly about his vision for Buffalo in the coming year, which will essentially set him up as an incumbent candidate for the actual mayoral race in 2025.
"I believe the future of Buffalo is strong, and based on my knowledge and experience, I'm well equipped to meet the challenges ahead with a new vision and approach to make city government function more efficiently and more cost effectively," Scanlon said.
The acting mayor said he plans to release some initiatives that will be focused on making city government cost effective and efficient.
Buffalo is facing a budget gap that could range between $10M and $30M, depending on which city source asked.
During his speech, Scanlon said the announcements would also focus on affordable housing and public safety.
"We know that there are fiscal challenges on the horizon, but we must meet these challenges head on and view them as opportunity."
According to the city charter, Scanlon will finish the term that former mayor Brown was elected to in 2021, which runs until the end of 2025.