By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – There is a brand new lawmaker in the city's Delaware District. The Buffalo Common Council met in special session Tuesday and unanimously approved the appointment of Democrat Michael LoCurto.
LoCurto was among four candidates interviewed over the past month by Council members. He fills the seat left vacant by Marc Coppola who was elected last month to the State Senate.
LoCurto's appointment was held up this past month when it appeared there were not enough votes supporting him. On Monday, there was another delay when only five lawmakers showed up for a special session. But Tuesday was different. LoCurto was the only one formally nominated before the full Council. Lawmakers approved the appointment and LoCurto was sworn in by City Court Judge Craig Hannah.
LoCurto is no stranger to local politics. He served as an aide to state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt. LoCurto says his number one priority will be to maintain the many good neighborhoods throughout the Delaware District.
LoCurto says he supports a controversial hotel proposed for Elmwood and Forest, and believes a future Bass Pro shop for downtown will work if it is part of a larger waterfront development plan.
But LoCurto says he is not pleased with the Seneca Nation's plans for a downtown casino.
"The deal is terrible," LoCurto said. "That's something that has to be addressed. There's a lawsuit currently pending. If that fails, then I think that we, as Council members, need to get a better deal for the City of Buffalo."
LoCurto will soon be heading into his very first city budget process. As a freshman lawmaker, he's not sure how much of an effect he will have on city spending. But LoCurto told reporters he is a tenacious guy, and doesn't give up easily.