Longtime Council President voted out

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A politician's plan to become the next Common Council president may have been postponed, but Tuesday, Rich Fontana accomplished his goal during the biennial reorganization meeting.

Fontana, the Lovejoy District Councilmember, was elected to serve as Council President, replacing long-time Council President David Franczyk, who also serves as Fillmore District Councilmember. Fontana had moved in mid-December to replace Franczyk, but a question over procedure postponed his ascension into the president's seat.

Also at the biennial reorganization meeting, Masten District Councilmember Demone Smith was elected to serve as Council Majority Leader and University District Councilmember Bonnie Russell was elected to serve as Council President Pro Tempore. All three councilmembers will serve in their new roles for two years while remaining representatives for their individual districts.