Recent rumors regarding Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown stepping down from his position appear to be grounded in fact. The Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) Board of Directors has extended an offer to Brown to become the President and CEO of Batavia Downs and its affiliated betting parlors across Western New York. This offer comes amidst speculation that Brown is considering leaving his role as mayor to pursue this new opportunity.
The WROTB operates a network of betting facilities throughout a 15-county area in Western New York. Established by the New York State Legislature in the 1970s, the off-track betting system was designed to curb illegal betting and bookmaking by providing regulated and legal betting alternatives. The Western Region OTB is headquartered at Batavia Downs, which is notable for being the oldest lighted harness racetrack in America.
As the current President and CEO of WROTB, Henry Wojtaszek earns an impressive salary of $272,000 per year, surpassing both the Governor of New York and the Mayor of Buffalo. This substantial compensation package highlights the significant financial incentive that could be motivating Brown’s potential career move.
Should Byron Brown accept the offer and step down from his mayoral role, Christopher Scanlon, the president of the Buffalo Common Council, would automatically assume the position of acting mayor according to the City of Buffalo Charter. This charter mandates that the office of the mayor passes to the council president in the event of a mayoral vacancy.
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This development signals potential major changes for Buffalo, including shifts in leadership and administrative priorities. The next steps will be closely watched as the situation unfolds and decisions are finalized. For more details on the Western Regional Off-Track Betting and its operations, visit wblk
