Responding to calls for his resignation from Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy and others, disgraced Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez has finally resigned due to a history of sexual misconduct and harassment perpetrated in his Assembly office.

In other news, County Legislature Chairperson Betty Jean Grant remains highly skeptical re recent peace overtures from Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

Getting back to the Lopez scandal...

Among those who are especially relieved by the move is Cheektowaga/Lancaster Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak who recently told us he never liked the arrangement by which taxpayers were going to be forced to pay victims of Lopez's misconduct.

“Members of the Assembly had no say over this,” he said. “But, I never liked it and was strongly opposed to the arrangement.”

Speaking of disgraced public officials, WNYers should not be surprised to see former Cong. Anthony Weiner emerge as a strong candidate for mayor of New York City, maybe even the next mayor. Weiner, who was forced to resign from Congress for sexual misconduct, is now considered a strong contender, with a solid war chest and good support in the outer boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, especially in Jewish areas.

Americans are very forgiving people, just ask newly minted returning Cong. Mark Sanford!

Finally, with the 2014 New York governor's race looking somewhat more competitive, Republicans are talking about several GOP billionaires from New York City as possible contenders as well as Big Apple Mayor Mike Bloomberg as possible GOP nominees....Self financers one and all!