McGuire honored as upstanding council member
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Michael G. McGuire

Council Member Michael G. McGuire's final meeting was emotional. After 16 years on the Amherst Town Board, he said it was time to step down.

He believed in brevity but in his final board meeting he took time to thank each department in the town, the residents, his friends and especially his family, which brought him to tears. His two sons, Terry and Timmy, and his granddaughter attended the meeting.

"You affected our lives in a positive way," Terry said, adding that his father is the best in the world. "You lead by example."

Terry also commented on the many youths' lives that his father changed through coaching.

Youth sports and recreation were always a mission of McGuire's, even before he was elected to the board. He was appointed to the Recreation Commission by Dan Ward, serving eight years, and in McGuire's own words, "I have been there ever since."

McGuire served as liaison to the Recreation Commission his entire tenure. Most of his proudest accomplishments deal directly with recreation. He noted the expansion of the North Amherst soccer fields, completion of the Pepsi Center, and creation of sports fields and a pool at the Clearfield complex. He also said he spearheaded the revising of the North Amherst Recreation Center to include additional athletic fields, at no cost to the town.

He said he was proud to see great places created for the youths to be active in sports and recreation.

"I've seen a lot of wonderful things happen in my 16 years," he said.

McGuire served as deputy supervisor under Lynn Millane and Susan Grelick. Millane attended his final meeting on Monday, saying he served as her right arm when he was deputy.

He was a liaison to several departments and boards covering issues throughout the town. He is also proud of the success of the deer/accident program that was implemented in the town while he was serving.

In a 1999 campaign flier, McGuire stated that he wanted to see the adoption of the Master Plan. It was in his final term that was realized, being adopted in January 2007.

It was also in his final term that he served under a different political party. McGuire had been a Democratic candidate in his first three races, the first in 1991. He said when it was time to run for the fourth term, he felt the process was unfair, especially after he had won three consecutive races.

"So there was a poll, and the Republicans thought I was very electable, and I received their support," he said, adding that he later switched parties.

With his departure from the Town Board, McGuire will go back to doing what he loves - working with the community. He said he plans to stay active as a volunteer.

McGuire was the boys basketball coach at Christ the King for 35 years and past president of the Amherst Little League. He is also a past president of the Gaelic League and past vice president of the North Forest Civic Association.

The board honored McGuire, along with Bill Kindel and William A. O'Loughlin Jr., who are also leaving the board.

"You always put kids first," Council Member Shelly Schratz said when presenting McGuire with a plaque of appreciation. "His word is his word, and you respect a person whose word comes from his heart."

In his final thoughts, McGuire said he hopes to see more pleasantness on the board.

"I believe you speak when you have a reason, when you have a good point, speak," McGuire said. "I never was one to grandstand; that wasn't my style."