Streetvoice	Brown's Town by Ken Ilgunas

Despite Byron Brown’s overwhelming victory in the Buffalo mayoral race, critics are skeptical as to whether he has what it takes to turn the city around. They call him a cookie-cutter politician, predicting that he will fall into the ranks of the many lackluster, forgettable mayors that preceded him. His strong ties with labor unions and his humdrum record as State Senator have people unconvinced. However, Brown is making bold claims about reforming Buffalo, and faithful supporters who wore “Let’s make history” t-shirts on Election Day believe he’s the only man for the job. Brown has told his followers that he wants to be the best mayor Buffalo ever had and aims to do so through improvements in education, the economy, and crime. While some Buffalonians are used to such spirited rhetoric from his predecessors, others believe he is the real thing. Does Byron Brown have what it takes?

(photo: Ken Ilgunas)

Name: Michelle Vaccarello

Occupation: New York State Department of Education

Residence: Buffalo

Did you vote for Byron Brown? Why or why not? No I didn’t. I recently moved here from Niagara Falls. I was going to and I couldn’t remember where to go to vote. I would have voted for him though. I’ve been a lifelong Democrat and I like his record.

Do you think he will reform Buffalo as promised? I don’t know. I hope he does. We’ll wait and see. He certainly can’t be any worse than what we have.

What social, political, or economic issue in Buffalo is most important to you? I work with the poor. I’d like to see more job opportunities for them. I’d like to see something done on Main Street. Ellicott development is putting some apartments in and I’m really hoping that some businesses will come down here.

(photo: Ken Ilgunas)

Name: Michael NeMoyer

Occupation: ATM technician.

Residence: South Buffalo

Did you vote for Byron Brown? Why or why not? Yes I did. I’m a tried-and-true Democrat. After seeing what the Republicans have done to our economy in the Western New York region, I don’t trust them anymore.

Do you think he will reform Buffalo as promised? That remains to be seen. I hope so. Some things have got to change. Whether he can do it, I don’t know. There are too many old politicians.

What social, political, or economic issue in Buffalo is most important to you? I’m tired of seeing my friends move away because they can find a better job somewhere else. Actually, they all have moved away. My nephew is in Syracuse, my best friend is in California, another best friend is in Cleveland. I moved away for a while. I’d really like to see something done with the waterfront. I hate the fact that the NFTA has ruined most of the land or just done nothing with it. As far as politics go, we need to be out with the old and in with the new. Get rid of the career politicians and bring in people that are wiling to do what it takes. Something has got to change. People can’t run a business in downtown Buffalo because they roll up the streets at five o’clock. There’s something wrong. Nothing happens down here on weekends. We have to change that. Saturday night, Chippewa is hopping, but everywhere else is scary to be around. Something’s got to change. And I don’t know how to do it. Otherwise, I’d be running for office.

(photo: Ken Ilgunas)

Name: Gary Young

Residence: Buffalo

Did you vote for Byron Brown? Why or why not? Yep. I believe he’ll give more opportunities for the people.

Do you think he will reform Buffalo as promised? I think he’ll do a great deal for Buffalo. I think he will thrive. Buffalo, right now, is in turmoil and if he could turn Buffalo around, it’ll be great.

What social, political, or economic issue in Buffalo is most important to you? Unemployment. That’s the big issue. People need jobs. People are leaving because there isn’t anything here. If he could turn that around, that would be great.