Jeffrey M. Conrad (born 1979) is an American politician who served on the Buffalo Common Council from the South District from April 2005 until January 2006. Conrad ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education in 2019.[1]

Jeffrey M. Conrad
Member of the Buffalo Common Council
from the South District
In office
April 8, 2005 – January 1, 2006
Preceded byJimmy Griffin
Succeeded byMickey Kearns
Personal details
Born (1979-02-27) February 27, 1979 (age 45)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Political partyIndependence (2019–present)
Other political
affiliations
Democratic (before 2019)
ResidenceBuffalo, New York
Alma materSUNY Empire State College
OccupationDirector

Common Council

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Councilman and former Mayor Jimmy Griffin announced he was officially retiring from politics, and resigning from his position on the Buffalo Common Council.[2] When he retired, it created a vacancy that needed to be filled. The Buffalo Common Council unanimously appointed Conrad, the youngest South District member in the seat's history, to fill the vacancy. Conrad served as the Claims chairman, and on the Finance and MWBE committees.[3]

Conrad's work on the Council included reversing the City of Buffalo's plan to reduce the number of police officers, support for the creation of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, providing neighborhood protections against the placement of sex offenders throughout the City of Buffalo, an improved 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York State Power Authority, and support for additional funding for the Buffalo Public Schools.

Conrad ran for a full term in November 2005, but was defeated by Mickey Kearns, the future New York State Assembly member and Erie County Clerk.[4] He ran on the Independence Party, Conservative, and Working Families[5] lines after losing the Democratic primary to Kearns.

Post political career

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Conrad currently is employed at Catholic Charities as the Director of Workforce & Education, his portfolio includes programming in Erie and Niagara Falls, which includes the Tomorrow's Youth Today Program, Northland Workforce Training Center, NYS Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative in Niagara Falls, Erie County Jump Start, Erie County United Works, East Delevan Academy, and Erie County Summer Youth Program. He also served as the Communications Director to Assemblyman Erik Bohen.

Conrad has been recognized by Bishop Timon-St. Jude, Mount Mercy Academy, and Goin’ South for his work in the community, including 15 years as race director, cross country and track coach at Mount Mercy. In 2011 he was selected to the 20th Anniversary Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40 class and in 2014 by Buffalo Business First as a C-Level 612’ Rising Leader. He was recently elected to the John Timon Society at Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School.[6]

Buffalo School Board

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Conrad announced he was a candidate for the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education in January 2019.[7] He was unsuccessful, garnering 10% of the vote against 8 other candidates.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "BTF-backed candidates sweep Buffalo School Board election". May 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Staba, David (September 7, 2003). "Man Who Led Buffalo for 16 Years Now Seeks Council Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns – Buffalo NY City Council – South District Appointment Race – Apr 08, 2005". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns – Buffalo NY City Council – South District Special Race – Nov 08, 2005". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "Home". Working Families. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "New York State Assembly Candidate Erik T. Bohen Announces Workforce Development Priorities" (PDF). Bohenfor142.com\accessdate=December 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Besecker, Aaron (January 19, 2019). "Catholic Charities official announces run for Buffalo School Board". Buffalonews.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  8. ^ http://www.erieelectionresults.com/CityOfBuffalo.aspx