MEET THE CANDIDATES
Brian J. Kulpa Trustee
Village Vision Party

Kulpa

It hasn't been easy growing up in Western New York, having lost countless friends, who have sought opportunity elsewhere. Still, I've maintained that there was a line in the sand that separates those willing to fight for their local heritage, world-class ethics and old-fashioned values, from those willing to run away.

While attending St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore, I reached the decision that I would be counted among those fighting to preserve and enrich our neighborhoods. I graduated with a master's in architecture and a master's in urban and regional planning from the University at Buffalo in 2003 and have been working within the local design community ever since. My experience includes award-winning preservation projects, such as Shea's Buffalo and the Connecticut Street Armory; community plans which have helped eradicate drug and gang offenses from the West Side of Buffalo, and countless urban-residential projects. I have experience with building and zoning code reform and have written a thesis on the Preservation of the Neighborhood Library.

Residents of Milton Street, my wife, Catherine and I are members of several village committees. With the Parks Committee, I have committed my design capacity to help establish new plans and directions for our neighborhood parks, recently having completed our third public meeting for South Long. As a member of our Community Planning Committee, I have stayed committed to a vision of a village which maintains its integrity and charm, including a fully preserved Mill, while encouraging smart infill development and a pedestrian-centered Main Street.