City Councilman Brian Spencer was elected yesterday to serve as president of the Pensacola City Council for the next year, following the elimination of former council president Charles Bare’s at-large council seat. Councilman Gerald Wingate will serve as Vice-President. The Council President acts as the voice of the council, conducting the meetings and enforcing the council’s rules. Spencer said it will be his goal as council president to bridge the gap that has grown between the council and Mayor Ashton Hayward’s office.