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Wingo wins in Masten District; Franczyk survives primary challenge

Mike Desmond/wbfo news

The Common Council likely gets a new face on Tuesday after Ulysees Wingo won Thursday's primary election in the Masten District. Incumbent Dennis Franczyk beat back two challengers in the Fillmore District primary.

The Masten seat has been vacant since Demone Smith left to run a job-training center. In winning the primary, outraced Sharon Belton-Cottman and Lamone Gibson.

"We have a new neighborhoods initiative, which really encompasses developing and strengthening our block clubs. It may sound like a simple solution to a complex problem but there has to be a sense of community restored," Wingo said.

"We'll do that through this initiative which really focuses on building capacity of the people through strengthening and revitalizing block clubs."

Wingo is a youth minister in Faith Baptist Church.

Credit Mike Desmond/wbfo news
It's all smiles for JoAnna and Ulysees Wingo following Thursday night's primary victory in the Masten District.

A familiar face in the Council, Franczyk faced challenges from Sam Herbert and Joe Mascia. Unofficial returns  from the Fillmore District show just over 1,000 votes cast in the hard-fought race.

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.