Anderson named winner
Race determined by 1,000 votes
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Anderson

Three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, the candidates for Town of Amherst highway superintendent finally know who won - incumbent Bob Anderson.

The Erie County Board of Elections released the final tally of booth, absentee and military ballots on Friday. Anderson received 16,603 votes, and challenger Kathy Kaminski, 15,601 votes.

The race was one of the closest in Erie County. Board of Elections

Commissioner Dennis Ward said immediate recounts were also taking place for races in Hamburg and Sardinia.

When the committee recounted the votes from the booths, Anderson moved ahead by approximately 500 votes, up from 393. After counting the absentee and military ballots, Anderson was named the winner by 1,002 votes.

"It's finally over," said Anderson on being named the winner.

And he is already looking ahead.

With leaf pickup in the forefront of work, Anderson said he also is dealing with changes for next year.

The 2008 budget reduced funding, forcing Anderson to provide the same services with fewer people. No new hires took place in 2007.

"Personnel costs are up, and the Town Board has mandated reductions," he said. "Retirements (notices) will start coming in next month. We'll see about the work force and how to provide services."

One issue that needs to be addressed next year is at the golf courses, he said. According to Anderson, under the current policy, the Highway Department cuts the grass at the courses, with his workers paid as much as $35 an hour to do so. He said that needs to be changed to cut costs.

Anderson also said he is looking into holding seminars for residents to explain the responsibilities of the Highway Department. He added that a lot of time is spent fielding calls about garbage and sidewalks, neither of which involve highway workers.

"It's clear residents don't understand who does what. I think the seminars would benefit my department," he said.

The winner of the highway superintendent race has been unknown since election night. When the tallies proved to be close, the Board of Elections called for a recount. That took place a week later, with absentee ballots opened on Nov. 19.

This will be Anderson's second term, which is four years.

Kaminski contacted The Amherst Bee, making the statement that campaign and race were a wonderful experience, and she would do it all over again. She also congratulated Anderson on his win.