I thought I’d do some digging on the possible Ellicott Common Council seat replacements.  Here’s what I came up with…

Rev. Darius G. Pridgen – Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church.

He’s a pastor at an impoverished east side congregation located in the former Twin Fair store on East Ferry Street.  In mid 2007 he moved from a home on Humboldt Parkway, sold by True Bethel Church for $275K, to an upscale waterfront home purchased by True Bethel for $299K.    WOW, how about that?

Check this link…

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/buffalo-ny/TNCQOB0NQK75HCT6E

‘In the past year our leader Rev. Darius Pridgen has come in to quite a bit of wealth – or is it 10 % of our incomes multiplied by hundreds of members? Despite the fact that his “flock” is located mainly right here on the East side and there is a desperate need for residents he used our churches money to purchase a swanky $300,000 town home on the waterfront (in the churches name). If one of his members is in need of emergency counseling it is nearly impossible for them to get to his location because it is so far away and not served by public transportation.

Mr. Pridgen has also recently acquired (in the churches name) a new Hummer and Saab Convertible on top of a late model Ford Expedition.These vehicles are each valued at over $50 k a piece and the Expedition at $25k. Our church money is covering the costs of gas and insurance too.

When questioned by certain members of the church regarding his recent spending they were threatened and he began to push his weight around.’

Another concern is Pridgen’s pushing more costly subsidized-housing near his church. . . near BMHA’s struggling Ferry Grider ‘project’ .  After all the Davis wheeling-dealing & his exploitation of subsidized new builds to live elegantly (beyond his means) himself, the profits of “affordable housing” need careful scrutiny.

He’s held elected office before on the Board of Education, although he quit 19 months before his term was up, saying his pastoral duties demanded his time.  What?  Really?  …and now he wants to serve on the Council?  It’s a a full-time job involving a lot more hours than the School Board!

Bryon (CQ) J. McIntyre – City firefighter.

He made previous unsuccessful runs for the Council seat and for the Buffalo Board of Education.   He’s a recovered addict and alcoholic who has been sober for 20 years.  McIntryre knows his way around the district, being active in community affairs and having run for the Council and School Board. His support for Mickey Kearns in the mayoral primary will not hurt him with the Council majority who control the votes that choose Davis’ successor.  A real man of the people?  Perhaps…  perhaps.

William F. Trezevant – Buffalo attorney.

Trezevant ran unsuccessfully against Davis in 2001.  This spring, Trezevant called on the Council and the city’s Board of Ethics to investigate allegations of impropriety lodged against Davis.

Trezevant needs to explain why Transfigutation Church has crumbled under his care and he has never answered any questions.  Not a good indicator of “open & accountable” governance.

An interesting link (Bishop Kemic vs Trevasant… or so it would appear. )

http://fixbuffalo.blogspot.com/2008/03/transfiguration-church-update-march.html

His (mis)handling of Transfiguration Church needs to become an issue during his efforts to become a councilman.

Janique S. Curry – Former Board of Education member and local aide to Gov. David A. Paterson. 

I bet Byron would love putting her in the council seat.  See below.  That’s her at  being  Bryon’s right arm.  (Oh… wait… and who’s that to his left?  I need say no more…)

Marilyn Rodgers – A housing advocate and activist in the West Village Renaissance Group.  

She currently works at the Erie Regional Housing Development Corp.   They are the management group that operates the Marine Drive Apartments.  The Mayor has a heavy hand in the long-controversial BMHA who owns the apartments.  This may an issue should she choose to run for the seat. 

Nice looking resume…  Maybe this is the guy we need.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kenneth-robinson/8/915/5A4

Barbara Miller-Williams – Erie County Legislator.

She dismissed the notion.    “I’m definitely going to continue as a [county] legislator for the next two years,” said Miller-Williams, adding she is actively pursuing a push to become Legislature chairwoman.  She must be having too much fun as a County Legislator.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!