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Should Erie County be renamed Buffalo County?

Posted at 2:25 PM, Jan 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-04 19:48:43-05

How would you like to live in Buffalo County?

If attorney Kevin Gaughan has his way, that’s what Erie County will one day be called.

Gaughan will be giving a presentation Monday night to the University at Buffalo Law School’s local government class at 7:30 p.m. in John Lord O’Brian Hall where he'll argue the name should be changed.

What do you think Erie County residents? Would you like to live in Buffalo County?

 

Since 1999, Gaughan has argued Erie County’s name should be changed to Buffalo County, comparing it to Niagara Falls in Niagara County, Albany in Albany County, and New York City in New York County, Schenectady in Schenectady County, and Oswego in Oswego County.

He believes changing the name of the county will showcase the return of the city as a “growing, vibrant community, and streamline our regional identity.”

When he first proposed the idea, Gaughan says it was poorly received, given the city’s economic decline. But with the Queen City coming back, he’s again pushing for a change to Buffalo County, arguing, “Our brand should reflect that in our being known as the Buffalo Niagara region.”

Gaughan says the Erie County Legislature has the power to change the name and though he acknowledges the change would largely be symbolic, he says it would “foster a sense of unity that is the hallmark of success communities.” He added, “Symbols can convey purpose and belief.”

 

 
 

 

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