Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Earlier this week, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown formally announced his intentions to resign from office in the coming weeks to take on the role as president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting (OTB).
Over his nearly 20 years in office as mayor, Brown has worked and partnered with several local officials on a number of different initiatives to better the quality of life for residents of the City of Buffalo. One of those officials has been Congressman Tim Kennedy (D, NY-26), whether it's been during his time in the Erie County Legislature, the State Senate, or recently in Washington, D.C.
"19 years with Mayor Byron Brown, the city has seen great momentum and great growth, and it's a new day in the City of Buffalo," said Kennedy on Wednesday during a recent visit.
Kennedy believes where the city was before Brown took office as mayor in 2006 is "night and day" compared to where things stand now in the City of Buffalo.
"I think when you see the investment that's happening in the City of Buffalo and in the Western New York community, a lot of it has to do with leadership. I think we've seen investment to record levels, billions of dollars that have been invested over the last two decades. And it's not just from Mayor Byron Brown, but the partnerships that have been created with my predecessor, Congressman [Brian] Higgins, with the work that I've done in the [State] Senate, with the work that my colleagues in the state delegation and the members of the Council have done in partnership, and the County Legislature," Kennedy said. "It's absolutely imperative that we continue to put that focus on the City of Buffalo."
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Kennedy adds it's important to keep the foot on the gas, when it comes to investing in the City of Buffalo.
"Creating momentum, and creating jobs and opportunity and investment. Whether it's in infrastructure, whether it's in neighborhood development, whether it's in opportunities for affordable housing, whether it's in opportunities for quality of life and growing our neighborhood, and whatever decisions are being made at City Hall being community driven. That's the type of mayor that we need in City Hall," Kennedy said.
As a resident still living in the City of Buffalo and raising his family, Kennedy takes this personally.
"The entire reason I got involved in government and politics nearly 30 years ago. I don't like to admit that, it makes me sound very old these days, but it's because I care deeply about our community," the Congressman said. "I'm ready to work with whoever is ready to work with me to drive our community forward, to create investment opportunity, and to grow our economy and grow jobs so that the next generation, including my kids and hopefully someday my grandkids, will have an opportunity to live here and raise their families here. And go to work here and live the wonderful quality of life that we all love as Buffalonians and Western New Yorkers."
Once Mayor Brown officially resigns and takes his leave from City Hall, it will be Council President Chris Scanlon taking over as Acting Mayor for the remainder of the current term, which lasts through December 2025.
Kennedy is looking forward to working with Scanlon in his new role as mayor, and is confident that he is the type of leader that can continue Buffalo's ascension.
"Council President Scanlon and I have a great relationship. He's a good man, he's a young family man that cares deeply about our community. He has a family steeped in public service, and I think his heart is driven to improve every part of the community that he represents. Now it will be the entire City of Buffalo, as it's been the South District for the last decade," Kennedy said.
"My job as a member of Congress is to deliver for the city and work with the city leadership, and I'm looking forward to the continued partnership with the Council President in his new role."
Already in the weeks since Western Regional OTB offered Brown the job of president and CEO, a number of different officials in the city have expressed their potential interest in running for the mayor's seat come the 2025 general election. While Scanlon will likely run for office beyond 2025, some of the other notable names include State Sen. Sean Ryan, Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart, University District Councilman Rasheed Wyatt, and former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield.
Kennedy trusts that no matter who ends up running for the Mayor of Buffalo in 2025, the political process is going to play out.
"I trust the people of Buffalo, and I trust the electorate - the people that will ultimately make the decision. It's theirs to make on the future of our community," he said. "I'm sure there will be many more that throw their hat in the ring, but at the end of the day, through the political process, that will all work itself out. As a member of Congress, I'm going to deliver for the City of Buffalo and work with whoever is the leader to grow our city and to grow our economy."