By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – As the race for Buffalo mayor kicks into high gear, the current mayor is keeping on eye on all the campaign action.
Mayor Masiello has a little more than three months left in office as Buffalo's top leader. Tuesday's primary has clearly identified the two major party candidates who are already sparing.
Masiello says he believes both Kevin Helfer and Byron Brown are quality people, with political savvy and government experience. But he says the candidates need to talk about real issues and real solutions.
"I hope this campaign focuses on who can best lead Buffalo, build on the tremendous momentum of new investment in the city's downtown and medical campus, waterfront and neighborhoods, along with building on the success we have had in the three years in changing our fiscal crisis from one of despair to one of significant improvement," Masiello said.
Masiello, a Democrat, has not thrown his support behind any of the candidates. He says no one has asked him for an endorsement. And right now Masiello says he's not sure if he will offer a public endorsement.
"I will just continue to be available to either one of them on any kind of issue they think is important," Masiello said.
For now, Masiello says he is concentrating on the final months of his term in office. WBFO asked the Mayor what his plans are has he approaches unemployment.
"I'm not ready to announce what I'm going to do come January 1st," Masiello said. "I have some things I am working on, but nothing has come to fruition. When that happens I will let the good people of Buffalo know what their former mayor is going to be doing."
Masiello has served three terms in office and is Buffalo's 57th Mayor.