Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown took the oath of office for his third term in a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday morning at City Hall. During his inaugural address, Brown said his priorities for the next four years include greater visibility in assisting Buffalo's struggling public schools.
Brown says as he promised last spring when he launched his reelection campaign, he is determined to carry on Buffalo's progress and "take it to a new level."
"Over the last eight years, we've worked hard to set Buffalo on a course for a brighter future, and look what's happening. For decades, people talked about Buffalo's potential. Today, we're realizing it. All around, there are visible signs of progress, from shovels in the ground to cranes in the air. We've ushered in a new spirit of confidence in our city," Brown said.
Brown defeated Republican challenger Sergio Rodriguez overwhelmingly in the November election.
In starting his third term as mayor, Brown said he plans on playing a more active role in the Buffalo Public Schools. After his inaugural address, Brown told reporters that greater role could be in a variety of different capacities.
"From attending meetings to visiting schools more frequently. I visit a lot of schools now, but I look forward to being more visible to our young people in schools. There are some areas of funding that we're looking at, so it could take shape in a variety of different ways," Brown said.
Asked whether he supports embattled Superintendent Pamela Brown, the mayor said he has worked closely with Brown and he intends to continue doing so.
Superintendent Brown said Monday she will not accept a half-million dollar buyout offer made by prominent business and community leaders who say they are dissatisfied with her performance.