FILE PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER/CONTRIBUTOR - Anne McCaffrey is flanked by City Clerk Richelle Pasceri and now-former Mayor Mike Tucker at a Common Council Meeting on Feb. 11. With Tucker's sudden resignation Friday, McCaffrey will serve as interim mayor of the City of Lockport until she is sworn in officially on Monday.

With the proper paperwork filed with the city clerk's office to make Mayor Mike Tucker's resignation official shortly after 2 p.m. Friday, former alderwoman and former Common Council President Anne McCaffrey began today as the new mayor of Lockport.

According to the city charter, in a circumstance where the mayor's post is vacated in the middle of a term, the Common Council president is promoted to the post of mayor. The charter also calls for the new mayor to appoint a replacement to serve as alderman in the ward they vacated, as well as appoint a new president to the Common Council.

Then-Council-President Anne McCaffrey reads a statement on Feb. 11 calling for an outside investigation into an alleged credit card abuse by a city employee and the  city's mismanagement of that incident.

McCaffrey, 46, was first elected to the Common Council in 2011, serving a year as 2nd Ward alderwoman before being also named as Common Council president when former 1st Ward Alderwoman Richelle Pasceri relinquished that role — and her council presidency — to take the position of city clerk in early 2013.

When McCaffrey was originally sworn in as an alderwoman in January of 2012, then-Mayor Mike Tucker called her “a rising star of the city.”

Their relationship wasn't nearly as strong in recent months. In fact, just 11 days ago, McCaffrey called Tucker out publicly over his handling of a fundraiser-gone-bad in which Youth and Recreation Director Melissa Junke had used a city credit card to purchase items and plane tickets for a fundraiser in which more than $9,000 was spent and an estimated $1,500 was raised. The incident is currently being investigated by outside counsel Brian D. Doyle, who is being paid $200 an hour to conduct the investigation. It was McCaffrey who originally — publicly, at least — proposed the idea of hiring an investigator to look into the matter.

McCaffrey made a statement on Feb. 11 regarding the issue, saying "In addition to the possible misuse of the credit card, we're asking, 'Why was nothing done about it? Why did management do nothing about it?'

McCaffrey lives on Willow Street with her husband Chris and their three daughters.

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PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER/CONTRIBUTOR - Common Council chambers, empty this afternoon, will look just a little different next time the city conducts business. Mayor Mike Tucker announced his resignation today. Common Council President Anne McCaffrey will step in as interim mayor.

Lockport Mayor Mike Tucker announced his resignation this afternoon via an official city communique. The unsigned letter follows below, unedited and in its entirety:

"It is with both a heavy heart and great anticipation of what the future holds that I am announcing my immediate resignation from the office of Mayor of the City of Lockport. In recent weeks, several exciting private sector employment opportunities have been presented to me. My pursuit of the opportunities necessitates that I vacate my public office position at this time. I am also resigning my position with the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency effective immediately."

"For the past 10 years, I have been honored to serve as the Mayor of this great city. I am forever grateful for the opportunity given to me by those who've shared my vision for the city. My heartfelt thanks go out to you. Now, the time for me to move on has come, and for the next generation to take the reins of the city."

"During my time in office, Lockport has certainly had its share of challenges. As my time comes to a close, I have nothing but fond memories of my time in office, and the strides that we've made. I am proud to walk down a redeveloped Main Street corridor alongside a wonderful City Centre. We've transformed Canal Street and made the rehabilitation of the Flight of FIve a reality. We brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to our community with the Friday night concert series, and made tourism a priority in our city. We privatized our refuse pickup and instituted the long overdue curbside recycling program. Today, our community is positioned for a bright future."

"I would be remiss if I did not thank the multitude of city employees, past and present, who do their jobs every day without fanfare. While we haven't always seen eye to eye on every issue, they are the heart and soul of our city and their contributions to our community are appreciated each and every day."

"I would also like to thank my secretary and members of the city's corporation counsel. These individuals have been instrumental in shaping and guiding our city, and I am forever grateful for their support and direction."

"Lastly, I'd like to thank my wife for all of her love and support over the past 10 years. As the wife of an elected official, nobody knows better the trials and tribulations that public office brings, and she has proudly stood by my side every step of the way. She has been my rock, and I am looking forward to spending significantly more quality time with her. I also want to thank my parents, my sister and her family, and my children, all of who've been my staunchest supporters."

"Today, February 22nd, will be my last day as mayor. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the city I love, and honored to have been the longest serving mayor in the city's history. Tomorrow will be a day unlike any other over the past 10 years — I will wake up tomorrow, not as the mayor, but as Mike Tucker, former Mayor of Lockport. That being said, I know that I am leaving the city in good hands, and I am ecstatic at the prospect of spending more time with my family and thrilled at what lies ahead both personally and professionally."

Thank you to the people of our city for what has been a great run. God bless you and God bless Lockport.

Mayor Michael W. Tucker is exiting from office as of today. The mayor announced his departure via a statement this afternoon.

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