Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - We have a race! Now, two Buffalo natives have announced their bids for Buffalo Common Council's Masten District chair.
Zeneta Everhart, proud Buffalo native and mother of Tops Massacre survivor Zaire Goodman, announced Friday morning she will be running for Buffalo's Common Council. If elected, she will the successor of Councilman Ulysees Wingo, who won't be running again when his term expires this year.
"I believe in manifesting our dreams and saying it out loud," Everhart said. "I want to have an impact on the people who live here. I want to have an impact on my family, on my kid. It's very, very important for me to see us thrive in this community."
"I grew up here in Masten, and she grew up here as well," said Zeneta's son, Zaire. "This is where her heart is, this is where it's always been. She is someone that believes the universe sends us signs. Mom, I'm here to tell you that this is your sign. We can't wait to see what you do to make our neighborhood a better place."
Running against Everhart is India Walton, a former Mayoral candidate, who announced her bid for the Masten seat two weeks ago.
If Everhart or Walton were to be elected to the council, they would be the first woman to hold a seat since 2014.
Everhart highlighted crime, poverty and addiction as some of the problems facing the district, which she hopes to address. She says she loves her job, working in the office of Senator Tim Kennedy as the Diversity and Inclusion Director, but following the tragic mass shooting on May 14th, she knew it was a sign that she had to step in and help her community.
"I just want to make sure that the needs of the people in Masten are met," said Everhart. "Jobs that people need, if they want to get their education, if they want to join a training program, whatever it is that they need, I want to make sure that it's accessible and I want to make sure that it's accessible in their community."
Zeneta concludes, "I'm not running against anyone, I'm running for Masten. It's time that we have a woman's voice on the council and I hope I'm that woman."
