By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council held its reorganization meeting Monday afternoon. Despite objections by some lawmakers, the Council approved its leadership. The Common Council re-elected Fillmore lawmaker David Franczyk as Council president. Lovejoy's Richard Fontana continues as majority leader.
Two lawmakers did not want to approve Council leaders until an appointment to fill the vacant Ellicott District seat was made first. But their request was denied.
Niagara District lawmaker David Rivera was elected as president pro temp. That post was previously held by South District Council member Michael Kearns, who did not want to be re-appointed.
Rivera, a member of the West Side's Puerto Rican community, became the first Hispanic to serve in a leadership position on the Council.
"I am honored and thrilled to serve in this leadership role," Rivera said at Monday's re-organization meeting.