Kindel will push for Republican primary
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Kindel

Without a Republican endorsement, GOP Council Member Bill Kindel said he will seek his seventh term on the Town Board.

Kindel requested in February that he not be considered for the endorsement after being at odds with Supervisor Satish Mohan, also a Republican.

He will, however, file for a primary, which requires the signatures of 500 Republican voters.

"As a member of the Republican party I am eligible to be in a primary," he said, adding that he plans to campaign as an independent Republican.

The Amherst Republican Committee chose to endorse Erie County Legislator Dr. Barry Weinstein, Deputy Supervisor Roy Wixson and Guy Marlette on March 8.

All but one of the five individuals who sought the Amherst Republican Committee endorsement for Town Board was doing so for the first time.

Marlette received his second endorsement - the first came in 2005 - and Wixson and Weinstein nabbed the other endorsements.

Colleen Bogdan and James Mahoney were left to make decisions about their future Town Board plans.

Bogdan, a Zoning Board of Appeals member, said the committee's selections produced three qualified candidates.

"The committee has chosen three very bright candidates," she said.

When asked if she would consider seeking another endorsement or push for a primary, Bogdan said she was putting her faith, for now, in the three candidates.

"If the candidates produce an agenda that reflects the needs of our growing community there will be no need for me to run," she said. "Give them a chance. Hopefully, they will respond."

Mahoney said he plans to support the three Republican candidates and will not be continuing his run for Town Board at this time.

"It was an intense experience, but I am glad I went through it," he said. "I will be in a better position next time when seeking something in the future, possibly Town Board."

He has been a committee member for three years and has worked as a zone leader.