Attorney seeks town clerk position in November
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Marion

Jeffrey Marion, an attorney in Williamsville, said he wants to be the next Amherst Town Clerk to make some changes.

In dealing with the Town Clerk's office for a client seeking a vendor permit, Marion said his personal experience wasn't what he had hoped it would be, having a phone call unreturned.

"It bothered me when no one would return my call. I would never do that to a client, whether it was someone dealing with a traffic ticket or a million dollar settlement," he said.

Running on the Democratic and Conservative lines, Marion said the Democrats had been looking for a candidate, so he volunteered.

"I have been watching the way town government is run and somebody needs to stand up and do something about this ... not a politician, but someone who cares," he said.

If elected, he said he would focus on reducing the town clerk/tax receiver's budget, so more funds could be used for other services.

"We can do something to put money into the general fund ... residents want more bang for their buck," he said.

He also plans to concentrate on keeping the town's records and making them accessible to Town residents.

One of the most visible signs of the town board's dysfunction came during the October storm when the officials were fighting on camera, he said, adding town government needs to be uniformed.

Marion has been an attorney since 1995 and has lived in the Town for seven years. He said he has always had an interest in public service.

"I am asking voters to give me a chance," he said.

Joining the Democratic slate, Marion said he is among a group of excellent candidates focused on getting the town's business done.

"If people are mad at the way government is being run they should take a hard look at what Democrats can bring to the table," he said.

He plans to use his experience as an attorney, focusing on customer service, record keeping and smart budgeting.

Marion is a member of the Eggertsville Community Organization, on the board for Buffalo's Amateur Soccer League and a past chair of the Young Lawyers Committee, which provides mock trials for high school students.

His opponent for the town clerk/tax receiver seat is incumbent Susan Jaros, endorsed by the Republican line. She is seeking her seventh term as tax receiver and third term since the two offices merged.