Cedric Holloway, a retired Buffalo Police Detective and former SWAT Team Commander who currently leads Omega Mentoring, which focuses on at-risk youth, announced his candidacy for the Ellicott District seat on the Buffalo Common Council today.
During his announcement, Holloway cited his roots in the district and the legacy of his father, the legendary East Buffalo community leader Johnnie B. Wiley as motivations for his run.
“I was born and raised in the Ellicott District and service is in my blood,” said Holloway. “I served as a Buffalo Police Officer for 32 years, and I have led a prominent youth mentorship program for 20-years, right here in Ellicott. My father, Johnnie B Wiley, instilled in me the idea that this community was worth fighting for. I have dedicated my life to protecting, mentoring and fighting for the families who live here. I am running to be your next Ellicott District councilmember because our community deserves someone who knows these neighborhoods.”
Holloway also cited the need for transparency in the way the city allocates funding and other resources.
“Over the last few years, the City of Buffalo has received funding from the Buffalo Billion, COVID 19 Cares Act funds, and in 2021, $331 Million in American Rescue Plan funds,” noted Holloway. “After the mass shooting, which took place in the Ellicott District, Governor Hochul announced $50 Million for East Buffalo homeowners and small business owners. That sounds great, but how do the people access that money? There is so much confusion on how residents tap into the funds that were set aside for their neighborhoods. When I am the Ellicott Councilmember, one of my first goals will be to develop easy pathways for the funds to get to residents. I have lived and worked in Ellicott my whole life; we have a lot of needs. I pledge that my office will have open access and easy communication methods. Be it public safety, trash pick-up, beautifying our neighborhoods, filling potholes, or removing snow, residents deserve easy access and faster delivery of city services.”
During the mass shooting on May 14, Holloway was on site at Johnnie B. Wiley stadium and heard the shots. He was with a group of young people who participate in the mentoring program and kept them safe and occupied, and the implications of why the shooter chose that location have stayed with him.
“Those, who like me, have lived here our entire lives, know that our community has been left behind and left out of decisions by choice,” said Holloway. “The hollowing out of this community over the past 50 years did not happen organically. This was not a matter of a natural disaster or catastrophe laying waste to a neighborhood, it was the intended result of policies at the federal, state and local level. I promise you; I will be your champion on the Common Council. And I will take our cause to my fellow elected officials in Albany and Washington. The people in this community matter. We work hard, raise our children, and try to give back. But we need government to stop marginalizing us. We need elected officials who ask, what kind of investment can we bring to Jefferson, or Best or William?”
Holloway has begun collecting signatures to appear on the ballot for Primary Day on June 27.
