Villella 1, Tucker 1
By Joyce M. Miles / [email protected]
Thursday, July 29, 2026

Mayor Mike Tucker got what he’s been seeking in a second legal opinion about the issues of residency and mayoral appointees.

Peter Godfrey, a labor law specialist with the Buffalo legal firm Hodgson & Russ, told the Common Council in a closed session Wednesday that the law will support Tucker’s right to insist the assessor — who by the terms of the city charter is appointed by the mayor — must live within the city limits.

However, Lena Villella, who was acting assessor through July 23, will still hold that title until a permanent replacement is hired, Tucker said.

Godfrey did not speak with the press after the Committee of the Whole meeting, which consisted entirely of talk that was closed to the public.

According to Tucker, Godfrey determined that Civil Service law says an acting assessor stays in place, up to six months, until a permanent assessor is hired.

That determination makes irrelevant the city’s pending agreement with the Town of Lockport to provide temporary assessor service while a candidate search is conducted, according to Tucker.

Contact Joyce M. Miles at (716) 439-9222, Ext. 6245.



Read more in the July 29 Lockport Journal.
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