Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The end of an era was marked inside Buffalo Common Council chambers Tuesday during the last meeting of the year as two outgoing members were honored and thanked for their years of service.
Rev. Darius Pridgen represented the Ellicott District in the council for years and served as Council President until his final meeting in office Tuesday. Masten District Councilman Ulysees Wingo was also honored as he leaves office as well.
Pridgen served in the council for 12 years and Wingo for 8 years.
"These jobs are unlike any other jobs," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown stated in a rare appearance in council chambers. "When you serve the people as Buffalo city councilmembers, your lives are not completely your own."
Leah Halton-Pope will take over Pridgen's Ellicott District and Zeneta Everhart will represent the Masten District beginning in the new year.
The council will meet to reorganize Tuesday, January 2 at 2 p.m., electing a replacement president with a simple 5 vote majority. During this session, the positions of President, Majority Leader, and President Pro Tempore will be voted on amongst the Common Council Members. Additionally, Common Council Committee Chairs and members of each Committee will be elected, this includes Civil Service, Finance, Legislation, Community Development, and quarterly Committee meetings such as, Education, Police Oversight, and Claims.
