Mayor Byron Brown’s departure sets off political dominoes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With Mayor Byron Brown’s departure from Buffalo City Hall, a series of political dominoes will fall, which hasn’t been seen in nearly two decades.

Last week, Western Regional Off-Track Betting approved a contract for Brown to become the organization’s next president and CEO after members voted to offer him the position earlier this month.

WIVB News 4 looked into the process of what will happen next at city hall. The shift on the second floor will affect operations on the 13th floor, where the Buffalo Common Council is located.

According to the city charter, Council President Chris Scanlon will become acting mayor and Council Member Pro Tempore Bryan Bollman will assume the duties of council president, at least until the next election.

This leaves eight council members which could present an issue on legislation and policy because there would be no tiebreaker. Some council members want to see the city’s law department take a look at this issue.

“So, when a council seat is vacated, the council appoints someone here because the charter says that Council President Scanlon could return to that seat on January 1, 2026, the argument that many make is that seat’s not vacated because he could return to the seat,” said Council Member Joel Feroleto.

There are also dozens of employees in city government who serve at the pleasure of the mayor and may be questioning their future. Civil service positions are not affected.

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Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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