Kindel sites Mohan as reason for not seeking GOP endorsement
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Seeking his seventh term on the Amherst Town Board, Council Member Bill Kindel said he will run without the endorsement of the town's Republican party.

"My decision to run as an independent is based upon my belief that the values I hold are in direct conflict with the values that our Republican supervisor holds," Kindel stated in a Feb. 8 letter to Republican Chairman Marshall Wood.

Kindel said his campaign will be to continue to support the amenities he believes in such as fire protection, the police force, the Highway Department, libraries and museum.

His decision not to seek the Republican endorsement happened in the fall of 2006 during the budget process when Supervisor Satish Mohan gave his vision of the future that included cuts Kindel did not support.

"(Mohan) has made repeated remarks about wanting to bring new people on the Town Board. He will be opposing me, and that's a belief that more than likely will be shared by running mates on his team - a team I don't want to be on," Kindel said.

He is accusing Mohan of naming his three candidates of choice during two pre-endorsement meetings.

"It is my belief that our Republican supervisor will exercise his influence as to whom the Republican Committee will endorse for Town Council," Kindel stated in the letter.

Four of the six campaigns Kindel has run included the Republican endorsement. For the November 2007 election he will be seeking the Independence and Conservative parties endorsements.

He said he looks forward to a healthy debate on the future of Amherst during the campaigning season.