Town of Lewiston Democratic Committee announces endorsements

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, May 7, 2005

Town of Lewiston Democratic Committee endorsed candidates, (from left), incumbert Town Supervisor, Fred Newlin; Mike Johnson, for the Niagara County Legislature, 12th District, and Sean Edwards, Lewiston Town Board candidate

With its selection process of candidates for local races now complete, the following has been submitted by the Town of Lewiston Democratic Committee, Diane M. Roberts, chairperson.

The Lewiston Democratic Committee is proud to announce its endorsement of Fred Newlin for re-election as town supervisor, Sean Edwards for Lewiston town council, and Michael Johnson for the Niagara County Legislature, 12th District.

Fred Newlin is seeking his second two-year term as town supervisor. During the first 16 months of his current term, Newlin has shown an ability to work with members of the community, local businesses, and leaders in adjoining communities -- regardless of their political affiliation -- to promote the best interests of the citizens of Lewiston.

In a position which often requires the making of tough decisions, Newlin has demonstrated an openness and willingness to listen to all sides and work with other members of the town board toward resolving in the fairest way, the difficult issues which have faced the town during his first term. His administration has prided itself on its bi-partisan, business-oriented approach to serve Lewiston’s citizens in a more effective and efficient manner.

With the support of the full town board, Newlin has throughout his term championed the town’s efforts to obtain, as the host community to the Niagara Power Project, the maximum benefit going forward for the town from the New York Power Authority relicensing process.

This past December, Newlin’s first budget as supervisor resulted in a 15 percent reduction in the town tax imposed for the first time in Lewiston history by the prior Republican administration. Newlin’s actions in taking on additional duties himself has resulted in reduced overall spending with the supervisor’s office by more than $15,000 per year, through the elimination of the full-time position of budget officer and replacement of it with a part-time position.

Newlin has lived in Lewiston for more than 20 years. Prior to taking office as supervisor, Newlin served on the town’s Planning Board, the Comprehensive Planning Committee, as well as chairing the Lewiston Cable Commission.

A new-comer to races for public office, Sean Edwards offers the citizens of Lewiston the opportunity to elect a town councilman who is both an experienced business owner as well as a hard-working member of the building trades.

Edwards is a 16-year resident of Sanborn, where he resides with his wife, Kate Teixeira Edwards, and is a member of Immaculate Conception R.C. Church. The Edwards own and operate the successful Buffalo Coffee Roaster and Liberty Coffee Roastery, both full-service coffee houses.

A certified plumber/steamfitter, Edwards is also a member and a business agent of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 22, which encompasses all of Western New York. That experience has involved Edwards not only in numerous construction projects, but also in various related community activities such as Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House, working on Lewiston Porter’s soccer fields, the WNY Physically Challenged Youth Organization, and many others.

The Lewiston Democratic Committee also supports the candidacy of current Town Councilman Michael Johnson for the 12th Legislative District in Niagara County. Johnson seeks to fill the seat now being held by retiring long-term County Legislator Lee Simonson (R). A town councilman for over 10 years, Johnson now seeks to represent the interests of Lewiston citizens in the county Legislature.

Johnson, a life-long resident of Niagara County, graduated from Niagara Falls High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1978, where he was a member of the 914th Tactical Airlift Group stationed at the Niagara Falls Airbase.

He later attended Niagara University, Niagara Community College and Daemen College for courses in business, real estate and accounting. He also attended the University at Buffalo’s Graduate Realtor’s Institute, and obtained a New York state Insurance License through his studies at Canisius College.

With over 25 years of experience in the real estate profession, Johnson is currently an associate broker for Reality USA in the Village of Lewiston, overseeing Niagara County commercial real estate. Johnson is active on the standing committees of the Greater Buffalo Association of Realtors, New York state Association of Realtors, as well as the National Association of Realtors.

Johnson has been a member of the Greater Lewiston Business and Professional Association, Niagara County Planning Board, American Cancer Society, YMCA, the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival, Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce, Greater Buffalo Partnership, Canadian United States Business Association, and the United Way Allocation Committee.

He is also very active with the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of the Moose, and is a volunteer at St. Peter’s R.C. Church in Lewiston. Johnson lives in the Town of Lewiston and has two daughters, Jill and Shannon.

The Lewiston Democratic Committee welcomes the talents offered by Newlin, Edwards, and Johnson, and their willingness to serve the interests of the citizens of Lewiston.