Klyszek plans to bring professional experience to public service
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Klyszek

Mark Klyszek said it only takes watching one Amherst Town Board meeting to know change is needed.

What the East Amherst resident perceives as a dysfunctional board is one reason he has announced his candidacy for Town Board.

A registered Republican he has obtained the signatures needed to run in the Sept. 18 primary.

"That's the hard part," Klyszek said about getting his name known.

He added that it's also hard to get residents to want to get out and vote.

"I personally got more signatures than the other candidates because they had the committee working for them," Klyszek said.

Meeting with residents he obtained 400 signatures, and along with three assistants, he gathered a total of 780 signatures.

Klyszek's mission is to change the current status of Amherst government.

"We need to have smarter and efficient government. And smart planning for development," he said. "I would try to restore confidence in the Town Board."

Klyszek has lived in East Amherst for three years; prior to that he lived in Depew. When Klyszek was 24 he ran for mayor of Depew. He also served on the Depew Planning Board.

He is a member of the Erie County Department of Youth Services Board of Directors.

Klyszek's knowledge of politics, combined with his professional experience, has prepared him for the position, he said.

"Its about knowing how to work with different people, regardless of their party or agendas," he said.

An administrator at a local nursing home, Klyszek said he knows how to deal with lots of different agendas every day. He said his experience in managing staff members, department heads and patient issues has taught him a lot of the same skills needed in a council member.

Since moving to East Amherst, Klyszek has joined the Swormville Fire Company after dedicating 12 years in Depew.

At the fire company's installation ceremony Klyszek met Supervisor Satish Mohan and inquired how he could run for a seat.

"With my experience in the fire hall I see what the community needs," he said. "When you are on the Town Board you work to make the town better, improve efficiency."

Klyszek has launched a Web site, www.improveamherst. com.

He and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Andrew, 18 months, and Allison, 4 months.

He is a graduate of Canisius College with a master's degree from D'Youville College. Klyszek is also an adjunct faculty member at D'Youville College in the Health Services Administration program.