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JACK SHARPE
DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor
No one dominated the office of Amherst town supervisor like Jack Sharpe did. You could look back over the names of the men and women who have run the town since its inception and none would have the authority,

determination and nerve that he did.

Jack, who died in Florida last week, was able to climb aboard a massive wave of prosperity and change when he first tested the waters of Amherst town government. This was the "perfect storm" that ultimately resulted in Amherst becoming the most popular residential community in Western New York. A decorated World War II veteran, he made a smooth transition into the helicopter industry, then became the Buffalo area's first "traffic copter" reporter. These experiences would later serve him well.

Not everything Jack did was favorable to everyone. Many people were opposed to his generous stance toward single family housing developments, strip malls and tax breaks to big businesses.

On the other hand, consider the following: Everyone knew the "golden triangle" at Maple and Millersport was going to be the preferred site for a major hotel. The University at Buffalo, which is not under the jurisdiction of the town, was an attractive lure. Yet when ground was finally broken for the Buffalo Niagara Marriott, Jack was there, grinning beneath the straw cowboy hat that he was given for the occasion.

The same concept applies to the current Amherst Police Headquarters, Sewage Treatment Plant and Town Courthouse. These buildings would have come to reality one way or another, but each became a special project to Jack,

not so that he could take any of the credit, but rather so that nothing would go wrong and embarrass his town.

But you know what? Jack officiated at a lot of other events, too.

He joined Sabres coach Marcel Pronovost at center ice at the old Audubon Arena to drop the puck at a national-level hockey tournament. He threw out ceremonial first pitches and was a leader in the annual Amherst Avenue of Athletes program, as well as a day for Amherst business leaders and citizens to show their support for UB football.

No one talks about that when they criticize his stance on rezoning.

Jack felt an obligation to be the Amherst town supervisor 24 hours a day and seven days a week. He kept a police scanner in his office and, as a tribute to his old days as a reporter, would often throw on his coat and go to a fire or serious emergency call - of his own free will. It was like having George Patton show up at a skirmish along the Rhine, not to second-guess anyone but because he was deeply interested.

He and his wife, Gloria, were part of the annual installation banquet circuit for years. No one knows how many engraved coffee mugs and wine glasses that added up to. But one of his most prized gifts was kept on the wall in the conference room just a few steps from his office in the Municipal Building. It was a mounted life ring, presented by the residents of one town neighborhood for his dogged determination in securing federal money for Ellicott Creek flood control.

An avid fisherman, Jack was also the only person I have ever known who had a marlin mounted on his wall.

His real calling card was his booming voice. Telephone calls from his office often began with the words, "This is Sharpe" and then remained a one-way conversation. But if he was angry about something, Jack would skip the appetizer and smack you right in the face with the main course. It's cliché, but you always knew right where you stood with him. Jack Sharpe was a major education in my career.

Plus, he showed me the secret exit from his office.