Buffalo Common Council president’s chief of staff hired by Brown administration

Pope has been appointed director of infrastructure and quality of life in the city’s Department of Public Works. His salary will be $100,319, up from the $80,139 he was paid under Pridgen.

The position was budgeted in the city’s 2020-21 fiscal year for $92,319 and has gone up each year due to cost-of-living increases, said city spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge.

Part of Pope’s new job involves focusing on street issues such as potholes and sinkholes. The position was created by Pridgen. At the time, Pridgen said his office receives lots of calls from constituents complaining about potholes year-round.

Pope said he is humbled and “anxiously” optimistic about the new position.

“The good part is I worked along with (the) Council president to get this position added into the budget. I am grateful at the opportunity to be able to serve as the first person in that position because I know what the intent was,” Pope said. “It is a public-facing position focusing on our streets, our sidewalks, listening to the community, meeting with Council members.”