James D. Griffin
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2008) |
James D. Griffin | |
|---|---|
New York Senate from the 56th district | |
| In office 1967–1977 | |
| Preceded by | William T. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Raymond F. Gallagher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Donald Griffin June 29, 1929 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 25, 2008 (aged 78) Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Right to Life (1997) Republican (1985) Conservative (1977) |
| Spouse | Margaret McMahon |
| Children | 3 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| [1] | |
James Donald Griffin (June 29, 1929 – May 25, 2008) was an
Early life
Griffin, an
Griffin was a registered
He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1967 to 1977, sitting in the 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th, 181st, and 182nd New York State Legislatures.
Mayor of Buffalo
Griffin was elected mayor of Buffalo in November 1977, and was sworn in on January 1, 1978. He had lost the Democratic primary for mayor to then Deputy State Assembly Speaker Arthur Eve. In the general election, he was the nominee of the Conservative Party and defeated Eve to be elected mayor. He was reelected in 1981, 1985, and 1989.
As mayor, Griffin was sometimes known for his outspoken personality. During a
While mayor, he was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Erie County executive in 1991, losing to incumbent
Postmayoral career
Griffin remained as outspoken and controversial as a former mayor as he was during his career in City Hall. He frequently commented on public policy issues in Buffalo. He ran again for Mayor in the 1997 election, running on the Right to Life line and losing to Masiello. He then unsuccessfully sought a seat in the New York State Assembly against future Congressman Brian Higgins (where Griffin was defeated in his home base of South Buffalo for the only time in his elector career) and was rumored to have an interest in a seat in the Erie County Legislature that was vacated in 2001, although in the end he did not run. In 2002, he led an effort to recall Masiello from office. This effort fell through because of petition discrepancies and disputes over whether a recall election was legal in New York State.
In 1996, Griffin entered the New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Primary election, finishing well behind incumbent Bill Clinton, and even garnering fewer votes than perennial candidate and satirist Pat Paulsen.
In 2003, Griffin was elected to a two-year term in the Buffalo Common Council, representing the South District. Taking office in 2004, Griffin was named Chairman of the Claims Committee and started working on fiscal issues relating to the Buffalo fiscal crisis. He also criticized Masiello's handling of city finances. Griffin focused much of his time on issues in his district.
In the spring of 2005, Griffin resigned from the council with several months left in his term. He said he had completed what he sought to accomplish as a councilman and was retiring from public life.
On January 28, 2007, during an interview on the Hardline with Hardwick radio program on Buffalo radio station WBEN, Griffin said he might once again run for Erie County Executive as a Democrat. The County Executive at that time, Joel Giambra, had announced he would not be seeking re-election. Then on April 15, 2007, he announced on WWKB's "Public Opinions with Wayne Mack" that he had discussed running again with his wife, and decided he did not wish to seek public office anymore.
However, on July 17, 2007, Griffin announced that he was joining the race for the
Griffin died on May 25, 2008, at the Father Baker Manor in Orchard Park, from Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.[3] His wife, Margaret "Margie" Griffin (née McMahon), died in July 2011. The couple had three children.[4]
Legacy
Griffin had 3 children named Maureen, Megan, and Tom.
Following his death, the Buffalo Common Council voted to rename the address of Sahlen Field to One James D. Griffin Plaza in his honor.[5]
A bronze sculpture of Griffin titled The First Pitch by artist William Koch was erected outside Sahlen Field in 2012 to honor Griffin's contributions in bringing the ballpark and professional baseball to Buffalo.[6]
Until Byron Brown swept his opponent to win a record 5th term in 2021, Griffin was the longest-serving mayor of Buffalo, and from January 3, 2021 until December 31, 2021, he shared this title with Brown, but at midnight on January 1, the tie was broken.
References
- ISBN 978-1-4116-3757-3.
- ^ "The New York Red Book". Williams Press. 21 December 1975 – via Google Books.
- ^ http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/492063.html [dead link]
- ^ Wife of late Mayor Griffin dies. The Buffalo News (July 17, 2011). Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ MEYER, JERRY ZREMSKI AND BRIAN (16 July 2008). "Russert, Griffin names headed for public spaces Bills' stadium road; baseball park plaza". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ^ "Jimmy Griffin statue unveiled at Coca Coca Field". WBFO. 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
