BUFFALO, N.Y. — On Tuesday, December 26 the Buffalo Common Council held its last meeting of the year and bid two longstanding members farewell.
Council President Darius Pridgen represented the Ellicott District and was chair of the Rules Committee, Committee of the Whole, along with the Affordable Rent and Housing task force.
He spent 12 years on the Common Council, and 10 in his role as President.
During the final meeting of 2023, Pridgen along with Councilmember Ulysses O. Wingo Sr. who is also leaving after 8 years serving the Masten District, were recognized for their years of work in public service.
"It's been an honor to serve the residents of the City of Buffalo for them to put their trust in me for this past 8 years to represent them and their sentiments at this level of Government is phenomenal," said Councilmember Wingo.
"My highlight of this week was filling out my retirement paperwork to have my pension check sent to me but I'm grateful and I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead in the City of Buffalo," said Council President Pridgen.
The Councilmembers replacements Zeneta Everhart (Masten) and Leah Halton-Pope (Ellicott) will be sworn in on January 1. Re-organization which is when the council chooses what leadership and committee roles to serve in will be held on January 2 at 2 p.m.
That is when a new President, Pro Tempore, and Majority Leader will be chosen.
The two names in the running for Buffalo Common Council President are Niagara District Councilmember David Rivera and South District Councilmember Chris Scanlon.
2 On Your Side asked each remaining Councilmember who they'd be voting for after Tuesday's meeting.
University Councilmember Rasheed N.C. Wyatt said he'd be supporting Rivera in his bid to take over after Pridgen, who has held the role for the last decade. North District Councilmember Joe Golombek said Chris Scanlon would have his vote.
Fillmore District Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski told 2 On Your Side he'd be focusing his efforts on running for the 63rd State Senate seat, should that open up. The man currently serving in that seat, State Senator Tim Kennedy has expressed interest in taking over for Congressman Brian Higgins when he leaves office.
So leadership races for the Buffalo Common Council have already impacted higher offices.
No other current Councilmembers made commitments on who they will be voting for.
Scanlon, Rivera, and Lovejoy District Councilmember Bryan Bollman indicated that there will be a lot of discussion happening behind the scenes over the next week. Both would need a majority of the 9 members to win the title of Council President.
A title that also makes them next in line should anything change involving the Mayor of Buffalo.
