Im going to miss him I really am, declared James Pitts, former Buffalo Common Council president, friend of George Arthurs.<\/p>\n
WKBW<\/p>\n
The Queen City is mourning the loss of a legendary politician. Former Buffalo Common Council president George Arthur died Christmas morning at the age of 87.<\/p>\n
Arthur is remembered for his political and community work and being a great friend and mentor.<\/p>\n
George was my big brother he was a brother that was a true believer, remarked Pitts.<\/p>\n
Pitts followed in Arthur's Ellicott District Council seat and later as council president.<\/p>\n
Pitts called Arthur a true friend but a man who had a feisty political edge hidden by kindness.<\/p>\n
Eileen Buckley<\/p>\n
He was a fierce competitor you would never know that because he always had a kind demeanor, reflected Pitts.<\/p>\n
Arthur spent more than two decades on the common council. But even after retiring in 1995, Arthur never stopped contributing to the community.<\/p>\n
He served on the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority even into 2020.<\/p>\n
One of a kind, brilliant and exceptional politician, Pitts stated.<\/p>\n
Arthur also helped to recreate the Colored Musicians Club on Broadway in Buffalo.<\/p>\n
WKBW<\/p>\n
He shepherded restoration of the Nash House in the Michigan Street corridor.<\/p>\n
Pitts said Arthur loved the Nash Museum.<\/p>\n
But it was also like walking into Georges mind he knew everything, Pitts recalled.<\/p>\n
In 2017, Arthur's portrait was painted among the 28 here on the Buffalos Freedom Wall at Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street for his contributions to equity and unity in the Queen City.<\/p>\n
Arthur played a role as a plaintiff in desegregating the Buffalo Public School District.<\/p>\n
Buffalo Mayor Brown Brown said he was very sadden to learn of Arthurs death.<\/p>\n
He was one of the most prominent government, political and civic leaders in this community for more than 50 years, Brown told reporters Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Mayor says Arthur was a mentor to him.<\/p>\n
My first job in government was working for George K. Arthur, and before that I was an intern in his office when he was council member-at-large, noted Brown.<\/p>\n
Eileen Buckley <\/p>\n
Mayor Brown called Arthur a gentleman who loved Buffalo with great passion.<\/p>\n
Casimiro Rodriguez, president of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, sent a private Facebook message to 7 Eyewitness News stating Arthur was an admired leader in our Hispanic Community.<\/p>\n
I had the opportunity to sit with him on the former Buffalo Columbus Hospital board of directors, Rodriguez wrote<\/p>\n
I don't care if it was south Buffalo, north Buffalo, the west side, the east side, George would always know somebody there,\" Pitts remembered. <\/p>\n
Photo provided by James Pitts<\/p>\n
Pitts had trouble holding back his emotions as he reflected on Arthur's legacy hoping new generations of Buffalo will see the path Arthur carved.<\/p>\n
He was extraordinary individual extremely bright he was my big brother, my mentor and I hated to see him go I really did, cried Pitts.<\/p>\n
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Read more here: <\/p>\n
The legacy of George Arthur - WKBW-TV<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Im going to miss him I really am, declared James Pitts, former Buffalo Common Council president, friend of George Arthurs. WKBW The Queen City is mourning the loss of a legendary politician. Former Buffalo Common Council president George Arthur died Christmas morning at the age of 87 Continue reading