Background
He was born on March 25, 1948.
He was born on March 25, 1948.
He attended school in Williamsville, Erie County, New New York He graduated Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He graduated Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
He entered politics as a Republican, and was Mayor of Williamsville from 1977 to 1978. He resigned his seat on September 19, 1993, to pursue an academic career at the University at Buffalo. Beginning in January 1994, he taught at the University at Buffalo Law School and the School of Architecture and Planning.
He also held administrative posts at the University, and was Director of the Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth from 1997 to 2005.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1979 to 1988, sitting in the 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th and 187th New York State Legislatures. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1989 to 1993, sitting in the 188th, 189th, and 190th New York State Legislatures.