Buckley
had worked as an aide to Curtatone before the mayor tapped him to
replace Joseph Votour as highway superintendent for the Department of
Public Works. When Janice Delory resigned as Curtatone's chief of staff
in April 2007 and Michael Lambert replaced her, the mayor asked Buckley
to once again serve as his aide.

Buckley sent an email today at
3:05 p.m. to city department heads informing them of his move. "As many
of you may have already heard I presented Mayor Curtatone with my
resignation," he wrote in the email. "I will be leaving my position as
Aide to the Mayor effective [Dec. 5]. It has been a pleasure working
with all of you. I can't tell you how appreciative I am for the
friendships that I gained. Please feel free to inform your staff
members. I will not be going too far and hope to remain in contact with
you going forward."

Champion did not have an immediate comment
on Buckley's departure. And the mayor isn't talking either.
"[Curtatone] will probably withhold comment until Mike has more to say"
on his resignation and future plans, Champion said.