Politics and government of Buffalo, New York facts for kids

Buffalo City Hall, where many city decisions are made. The McKinley Monument is in front.

The city of Buffalo, New York has its own government. This government helps make important decisions for everyone who lives there. The people of Buffalo choose their leaders through elections. These leaders include a mayor and a city council. The city council has nine members who work together to represent different parts of Buffalo.

How Buffalo's Government Works

Buffalo's city government is made up of many different departments. Each department has a special job to do. They all work together to serve the people of Buffalo. For example, some departments help keep the city safe, while others manage schools or parks.

Important City Departments

Here are a few examples of departments that help Buffalo run every day:

• Buffalo Police Department: This department helps keep people safe and enforces laws.
• Buffalo Fire Department: Firefighters respond to emergencies and help protect the city from fires.
• Assessment and Taxation Department: This group handles property values and taxes.
• Public Works, Parks & Streets: They take care of city roads, parks, and other public areas.
• Citizen Services: This department helps connect people with the city services they need.

These departments are led by different people, often called commissioners or directors. They work under the mayor to make sure the city's services are delivered well.

Buffalo's Presidential History

Buffalo has an interesting connection to United States presidents. Two presidents once lived in Buffalo:

• Millard Fillmore: He was the 13th President of the United States.
• Grover Cleveland: He served as the 22nd and 24th President.

Government Structure in the Past

A long time ago, in 1910, Buffalo's government looked a bit different. The city had a Common Council and a Board of Alderman. The Board of Alderman had 25 members, each chosen from a different area of the city. The Common Council had 8 elected members.

Back then, people also voted for many other city leaders. These included the superintendent of education, the person in charge of public works, and the city's money managers. The mayor also appointed many officials. These included commissioners for the fire and police departments, and leaders for libraries and parks. This shows how the city government has changed over time to meet the needs of its people.

Images for kids

• 

  Buffalo City Hall, with McKinley Monument in the foreground.