Attention is centered on Buffalo City Hall as speculation intensifies about the timing of Mayor Byron Brown’s potential resignation to take on a leadership role at Western Regional Off-Track Betting. If Brown steps down, Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon would become the acting mayor. However, it remains unclear who would fill Scanlon’s seat on the council.
This issue was raised during Tuesday’s council meeting by Councilwoman Leah Halton-Pope, who emphasized the need for a clear plan in anticipation of leadership changes. Halton-Pope pointed out that while the city’s charter covers permanent vacancies, it does not address temporary ones.
“There’s no definition there,” Halton-Pope said. “We need to figure out if this is something that can be addressed.”
To explore this further, Halton-Pope introduced a resolution asking the city’s corporation counsel to determine how Scanlon’s seat could be filled if he steps into the mayoral role. The resolution seeks to avoid leaving the South District seat vacant for an extended period to ensure city operations continue smoothly.