Franco Is Officially On The Ballot In The Democratic Primary For The University District Race

Kathryn Franco is officially on the ballot in the Democratic Primary for the University District race this June 27. She first ran for the seat in 2019, receiving a third of the vote.

When asked why she is throwing her hat in the ring for a second time, Franco said that not much has changed and that she’s tired of “reactive leadership “ and not seeing herself represented in local government both in identity and values.

Franco’s petitions were challenged for validity, but on Thursday, April 27, it was determined that she collected more than enough signatures to secure her name on the ballot in the upcoming primary election.

A social worker and advocate, she has a decade of experience in Buffalo's non-profit arena, working directly with people affected by HIV/AIDS, with youth as a substitute teacher for Buffalo Public Schools, for LGBTQ+ communities of color, and most recently as a data analyst working to hold banks accountable to redlined communities. She holds a graduate dual degree in social work and public health from UB.

Wyatt Addresses Impending Evictions Crisis in Buffalo

University District Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt recently urged Governor Kathy Hochul to take a comprehensive approach to the impending eviction crisis in Buffalo. In a recent letter to the Governor, Wyatt expressed concern over the rise in eviction warrants issued in the city, particularly in the 14215 zip code, and called for funding to be allocated to support both tenants and landlords. “I am deeply concerned about the impending eviction crisis in Buffalo,” said Council Member Wyatt. “We need a solution that protects both tenants and landlords and prevents the crisis from escalating further; a comprehensive approach that benefits all parties involved.”

Additionally, he urged the state to consider programs such as the rent allowance for public assistance and to encourage counties to apply for supplement programs that help targeted populations with greater needs pay their rent.

Do

Know Who Your Council Member

Marchers attacked in Selma, Alabama during a voting rights march to Montgomery in 1965.

Intimidation of Black Voters

During Reconstruction, White Mobs intent on restoring White supremacy after the abolition of slavery threatened, attacked and killed Black people who dared to vote. Massacres terrorized Black people in the South from Colfax, Louisiana, to Eufaula, Alabama.

Black voters and political leaders were also targeted outside the South. On election day in 1871, Octavius Catto, Isaac Chase, and Jacob Gordon were killed in Philadelphia by White mobs seeking to suppress the Black vote.

This violence continued into the 20th century as Black activists courageously advocated for racial equality. In 1940 after local NAACP leader Elbert Williams organized a voter registration drive in Brownsville, Tennessee, a group of White men that included the sheriff abducted him from his home. His beaten corpse was found in the Hatchie River days later. No one was ever prosecuted. In Mississippi, the list of murdered voting rights activists includes Rev. George Lee (1955), Medgar Evers (1963), Louis Allen (1964) and Vernon Dahmer (1966).

After the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965, opponents of racial equality used the rhetoric of “voter fraud” to target activists and restrict voting rights in ways that most heavily burdened poor and nonwhite Americans. In 1985, then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions prosecuted three Black voting rights activists in Alabama, on false charges of tampering with absentee ballots. -Equal Justice Initiative

HEALTH MATTERS Echinacea

Herb Of The Week

Echinacea, has been used for centuries to help keep the immune system active and healthy. It protects healthy cells from viruses and bacteria that are trying to invade them. Echinacea is particularly beneficial in helping the body heal quickly from colds, flu, sore throat, sinus infections, sinusitis, hay fever, bronchitis, canker sores, enlarged lymph glands, ear infections, gingivitis, enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Echinacea is also a blood purifier and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Concerned About Falling?

AMatter of Balance sessions can help improve your strength and balance.

The meetings are held every Friday now thru June 2 at Friends to The Elderly Senior Center, 118 E. Utica from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Presented by MaineHealth and the County of Erie, you can learn to manage concerns about falling through various topics like: Identifying home hazards; medications and how they relate to falls; proper footwear, eye exams, personal emergency response systems, exercise and strength building nutrition and how it effects falls.

Call (716)882-0602to register.

Avoid Foods With These Additives!

New York and California has proposed bills to ban five chemicals found in baked goods, candy and soda. They are: Red Dye No. 3, Brominated Vegetable Oil, Potassium Bromate, Titanium Dioxide and Propylparaben. Almost totally banned in Europe, these additives are all linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental issues and hormone dysfunction. Other chemicals/preservatives to avoid include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and meat with bovine growth hormone.

Yoga With SJ Series

Spring 2023

Martha Mitchell Center

175 Oakmont Ave, 14215

Free •Thursdays 2-4 PM

Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church

665 Michigan Ave, 14203

($5 - half proceeds to church)

Saturdays 9-10 AM

Jefferson Ave. Location 14208

Please email SJ for details. SJG.GEM@gmail.com

Rest and Relax with slow movement and deep breathing. Lean how to cope with stress and connect with your mind-body-spirit. Come as you are, practice as you wish...

Did You Know: Smelling a green apple can help with claustrophobia and relieve the stress associated with confined spaces, according to research from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.