Buffalo Ellicott District

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Majority Leader/ Ellicott District Councilwoman Leah Halton-Pope
STAFF:
Director of Staff: Demone Smith
Director of Finance: Melanie Corker
Legislative Aide: Ajure Harding

Today, I had the amazing pleasure of serving as a moderator at the WNY Leadership Summit for theExperienced Leaderstrack...
05/29/2026

Today, I had the amazing pleasure of serving as a moderator at the WNY Leadership Summit for the
Experienced Leaders
track, hosted by WNY Women's Foundation. I was joined by Dr. Kimberly DeSimone, and together we guided a discussion on Leading without Losing Yourself. One of my biggest takeaways was the discussion on boundaries. Sometimes, as women in leadership, we feel pressured to overprove our worth and value. We often feel the need to exhaust ourselves and be everything to everyone while being very little to ourselves. We need to learn it’s ok to say no. It’s okay not to have all the answers. It’s okay not to try to tackle everything. We are in the positions we are in because we are qualified, often overqualified. I want to thank all of the beautiful ladies that came today and I’m looking forward to having many more of these meaningful conversations.

05/28/2026

I will never stop fighting for my constituents and for all of the City of Buffalo.

Serving the community is not easy. Leadership often requires making difficult and uncomfortable decisions. But when those decisions are in the best interest of the vast majority of our residents, that must always take precedence.

This was never about making the best political decision. It was about making the best people decision.

It means the world to me that, because of you, I have the honor of serving the place we all call home.

Our residents deserved better than a proposed 25.8% tax increase. And while I wish we could have brought the final number significantly lower than 19%, I am proud that we fought hard to reduce the burden on taxpayers while protecting essential city services.

I also believe that if we (the entire council & the administration ) had adopted more of the amendments proposed by me and 2 of my colleagues, we could have reduced the tax levy even further.

Still, I have no shame in saying I gave this process everything I had. And I will continue fighting for solutions that put people first because Buffalo deserves nothing less.

Yesterday, I voted against the amended budget, but voted in favor of an amendment that would have reduced the tax levy b...
05/27/2026

Yesterday, I voted against the amended budget, but voted in favor of an amendment that would have reduced the tax levy by an additional $23.3 million.

I have long maintained that the City must not balance our budget on the backs of our most vulnerable residents, and my vote yesterday reflected that.

Today, Americans nationwide came together in various spaces to express gratitude and remember our fallen heroes.This mor...
05/25/2026

Today, Americans nationwide came together in various spaces to express gratitude and remember our fallen heroes.

This morning, I had the pleasure of spending my Memorial Day at Jesse Clipper #430 with many great heroes and war veterans.

Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer. It is a sacred opportunity to pause and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We remember those who left behind families, friends, dreams, and futures so that generations after them could live in freedom. We remember the empty seats at dinner tables, the folded flags handed to loved ones, and the lifelong sacrifices carried by military families.

And while today is about all who served and sacrificed, it is also important that we recognize the many communities whose contributions have not always received the acknowledgment they deserve — including African American service members, whose patriotism and courage helped shape this nation even during times when equality here at home remained out of reach.

Let us never become so busy that we forget the true meaning of this day. Freedom is not free. It has always come at a cost carried by courageous individuals and grieving families.

To all veterans we have lost, we thank you for your service.

Happy Memorial Day

Today, we remember the fallen members of our armed forces whose courage and sacrifice made the ultimate difference for o...
05/25/2026

Today, we remember the fallen members of our armed forces whose courage and sacrifice made the ultimate difference for our country.

May we honor their memory through unity, service, and support for veterans and military families in our community.

05/23/2026

A special thank you to School 90 right here in the Ellicott District for inviting me to be part of your Career Exploration Day!

School 90 is home to some of our youngest scholars Pre-K through 2nd grade and let me tell you, they were the perfect way to start my day. Their curiosity, excitement, questions, and big personalities reminded me exactly why this work matters.

What also stood out to me was how beautifully diverse the staff and presenters were reflecting the very students sitting in those classrooms. That matters. Our children deserve to see people from all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life leading, teaching, serving, and succeeding. Representation is powerful, especially at such a young age.

And the hugs on my way out? A balm to my soul. 🥹❤️

Thank you to the teachers, staff, and administrators who pour into our babies every single day. Our future is bright — and apparently very funny, very honest, and very ready to ask all the questions.

A huge congratulations is in order for Buffalo’s very own Chef Darian Bryan who took home the gold after being named the...
05/22/2026

A huge congratulations is in order for Buffalo’s very own Chef Darian Bryan who took home the gold after being named the winner of the hit TV series “Next Level Chef”.

Anyone who’s tasted Chef Darian’s authentic Jamaican cuisine should not be surprised that Gordon Ramsay selected Darian as the season 5 champion. Darian’s signature restaurant Bratt’s Hill is one of my favorite restaurants in the City. I love that it is in the great Ellicott District 😁

To know Darian and his story is to know what hard work and the will never to quit looks like. I am forever proud of him. Please keep making Buffalo proud!

05/20/2026

I recently sponsored a resolution requesting the Administration provide the Council with information on all vacant positions within the City's workforce.

At the Civil Service Committee meeting yesterday, the administration failed to present the requested data.

This information is critical, as we work to identify potential cuts in the Mayor's Recommended Budget and bring down the proposed 25.8% tax increase.

It’s my honor to moderate a discussion for the WNY Women's Foundation’s WNY Leadership summit next Friday, May 29. This ...
05/19/2026

It’s my honor to moderate a discussion for the WNY Women's Foundation’s WNY Leadership summit next Friday, May 29.

This event is about strengthening and empowering women in leadership roles, and making sure we have a seat at every table where important decisions are made. For this session, Leading Without Losing Yourself, I’ll moderate a discussion with the internationally-recognized gender equity expert and scholar Dr. Kimberly DeSimone.

Join us as we talk about strategies to help women leaders set boundaries, protect their energy, and prioritize well-being in order to offer effective and sustainable leadership.

For more information or to buy tickets, go to https://www.wnywomensfoundation.org/leadership-summit

Main Street is key to our city’s success, connecting neighborhoods and driving our local economy. But as anyone who uses...
05/19/2026

Main Street is key to our city’s success, connecting neighborhoods and driving our local economy. But as anyone who uses Main Street regularly can tell you, it needs some work.

I’m thrilled to help break ground on this transformative project to provide smoother streets, better sidewalks, and a safer, more accessible, and more beautiful streetscape on Main from Goodell Street to Kensington Avenue.

We’re going to continue to invest in our city, improve our infrastructure, and build the Buffalo that our residents deserve.

Address

Room 1410 City Hall
Buffalo, NY
14202

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+17168514980

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