Charles Naughton anticipates his legal experience will likely come in handy for his latest appointment as a member of the Buffalo State College Council.

But then again, so too could his years as a Niagara County risk manager and human resources director, Niagara Falls firefighter and currently, director of labor relations for the Town of Tonawanda.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the college, and his law degree focuses on state and local government. Naughton is a recipient of the Raymond Stone Memorial Award for constitutional law.

He has served as Town of Wheatfield attorney and his firefighting career also led him to become battalion chief in the training division after years as a captain. In that role, among many other things, he administered the division’s budget and wrote grant applications for “highly competitive” federal Fire Act funds.

One thing is for certain — over the years, Naughton has held sway over some big decisions.

Naughton talked about his experiences as well as his appointment to the council for this week’s Q&A.;



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QUESTION: What does the college council do?

ANSWER: A primary duty, although it has not been exercised in some time, is deciding who the college president will be. Essentially we act as an advisory board for the college president.

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Q: What are some of the challenges you face in your current role as director of labor relations?

A: There are certain procedures that should be implemented here that have not been implemented in the past. The other aspect is labor relations (for) police, salaried workers and hourly workers. The main issue is always health care. They’ve already gone to a single provider which helps with the cost. The problem with health care is that it rises 12 to 15 percent each year. If you want an opinion on what a long-term solution is, it’s get a hold of the health care providers. Most of the increases in the plan are due to the cost of prescription drugs.

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Q: What’s happening at the college?

A: Dr. Murial Howard — her planning is extensive — they’re planning an updated science building, student housing, they’re improving the quad area. They’re redoing the student union entirely, they just opened a new student dining room — they’re doing a tremendous amount of work. The college council is to assist and facilitate (in that).

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Q: Do you think your range of experience is essential to the council post?

A: I think a broad range of experience is valuable to any endeavor. That’s one of the great things about going into law. You can take it on many different paths.

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Q: Describe your impression of the college since you were a student in the middle 1980s?

A: My wife also attended Buffalo State as did my daughter. Certainly there are differences, but there is a tradition of (faculty) accessibility. It’s important. When you go to a big school, then you appreciate the word ‘accessibility.’ That hasn’t changed.