ESD, Mayor Dawkins win big

Long-time City Council member Royce Dawkins got a strong vote of confidence from Buffalo voters who elected him to the post of Mayor of Buffalo on Saturday. Dawkins, a 14-year-veteran on the Council, has served as Mayor Pro Tem since the resignation of Ken Stevens. In the mayorial election Dawkins defeated challenger Karen Sallee Jackson by a margin of 232 to 100.

"I'd like to thank everybody for voting for me. Now I can get down to city business ...get the programs started," Mayor Dawkins stated from his City Hall office on Monday morning. He concluded, "My office is always going to be open to the citizens."

Two at-large positions on the City Council were also filled in Saturday's election. Incumbent Tim Ezell was reelected, and Dianne Ryder was elected to the second open position.

The voting for the two council seats was: Dianne Ryder (186), Tim Ezell (163), Steve Oliver (107), Mack Jackson (47), Bob Winn (36), Rosa Whitehorn Smith (32), Louis Fondren (32) and Buster Kilgore (22).