By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-817264.mp3
Buffalo, NY – On Friday, Governor David Paterson named Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the vacant US Senate seat. Gillibrand has become the first US senator from Upstate New York in nearly 40 years. But the Governor was criticized for his appointment process.
Western New York civic leader and regionalism expert Kevin Gaughan says he hopes a number of lessons have been learned by the Governor and those involved in the selection process. Gaughan says it's time for the state to change the law and require special elections.
Some criticized the Governor for the length of time it took him to announce his appointment. But Gaughan says it wasn't so much about the timeline, but the secrecy surrounding Paterson's selection.
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