GOP endorses Marlette, We i n s t e i n , Wi x s o n
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Marlette

The Amherst Republican Committee is backing three challengers for the Amherst Town Board.

Incumbent Bill Kindel did not seek the endorsement and incumbents Mike McGuire and William A. O'Loughlin Jr. will not be running for re-election.

The decision was made Thursday from a pool of five residents who had vied for an endorsement. Those selected were Deputy Supervisor Roy Wixson, Erie County Legislator Dr. Barry Weinstein and Youth Board Foundation President Guy Marlette.

Also endorsed were incumbents Clerk Susan K. Jaros and Town Justice Geoff Klein.

Wixson, Weinstein and Marlette praised the change in the endorsement process this year.

"We put a process in place that creates a completely level playing field," Republican Committee Chairman Marshall Wood said. "If someone wanted to run they had the opportunity to request an endorsement."

He added that the committee collected data on the main issues facing the town to find candidates that would best address those concerns. The executive committee then interviewed the interested individuals.

We i n s t e i n

Following the interviews, no recommendations were made. The executive committee stated that all were qualified for the endorsement.

The committee then listened to the possible candidates on March 8 and members voted on who they would like to see supported. The votes were as follows: Weinstein,

123; Marlette, 106; Wixson, 97; James Mahoney, 43, and Colleen Bogdan, 24.

Wood said in previous years there was the concern that the committee was telling certain people to run and and others not to run. He said he is pleased with the selections made for the November election.

The three candidates have pledged to campaign as a group.

"I want to use my experience and expertise to make Amherst Town government work better for its residents," said Weinstein, a nine-year member of the County Legislature. "We need the momentum of a unified slate to reshape the Town Board so that Amherst can run efficiently and with dignity."

Wixson, who has experience as a Town Board member in the Town of Napoli in Cattaraugus County, said he plans to get their message out and let people know what the choices are.

Wixson

"Public service is something that grows on you, and it grew on me," he said, adding that after putting his political interests on the shelf to develop his business he is looking forward to serving again. "Now I'm back with more experience and wisdom than I had before."

Historically, it is uncommon for Amherst to have a Republican-endorsed Town Board candidate who is not an incumbent, but it occurred most recently in 2003.

The committee still has one more endorsement to make - the position of highway superintendent. The current superintendent, Bob Anderson, has asked for the Republican endorsement, Wood said. The decision will be announced at the committee's April meeting.

Traditionally the Conservative and Independence parties have announced their endorsements in May. To date, the Amherst Democratic Party has not contacted The Amherst Bee with its endorsement decision.