As expected, Christopher Scanlon was named this morning as the new South District Common Council member.
The 30-year-old Scanlon was appointed by a 5-3 Council vote to assume the seat vacated by Mickey Kearns, who was elected to the State Assembly in March.
"I'm excited, I'm very excited. I'm just really looking forward to working with the people of South Buffalo, working with the members of the Council [and] everyone else here in City Hall and do what's best for South Buffalo," Scanlon said.
"I really want to work on some of the commercial strips: Abbott Road, Seneca Street, South Park Avenue, and by working with the South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce [and] various block clubs, I think we can do a lot of work there. I think we need a lot of work on the infrastructure, dealing with the city's inspections [and] public works. I think we can get a lot of work done there as well."
Scanlon's father, John Scanlon, was considered a key member of the Jimmy Griffin administration. The appointment process was prolonged after Council Members failed to agree on numerous previous candidates.
In a statement, Council President and Lovejoy District Council Member Richard A. Fontana said, “With today’s vote, the Council injected new energy and life into the body with the appointment of Christopher Scanlon, a young homeowner from South Buffalo. As Council President, I will work with the new Council Member and see to it that he has all the tools necessary to fully represent the residents of the South District and the City of Buffalo.”
Scanlon's term runs through December 31, 2012. He must run for the seat in the general election in November.