This week on In Focus, we celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month. JoDee Kenney sits down with Buffalo Common Council President Pro Tempore Chris Scanlon, to talk about the history of the Irish in Buffalo. Scanlon said his ancestors planted strong roots in the community, giving back to the neighborhood and inspiring him to serve the people of Buffalo. Scanlon’s father, John “Scanoots” Scanlon, who was raised in the Old First Ward, passed away last spring and is an honoree of this year’s Old Neighborhood Parade, where he served as a grand marshal in 2009. Scanlon also discussed the various Irish-American organizations he is involved with, that give back to the community all year long, like the Buffalo Irish Center.

You can watch the full interview with Buffalo Common Council President Pro Tempore Chris Scanlon via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.