Porter Dems announce candidates for November elections

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, September 1, 2007

Town of Porter Democrats plan for the coming election in November. Shown in the front row, left to right: Michelle Minarcin, candidate for Porter Town Clerk and William A. Choboy, Porter Democratic Party Chair and a candidate for the Porter Town Board. Standing, from left, are Annie Oakes, candidate for the 13th District Niagara County Legislature and Sandy Sanger Tuck, candidate for town board. The Democratic candidates also will appear on the Positive Change ballot line.

Following a long absence, the Democratic Party has returned to the Town of Porter. The party scored a victory in May with the election of Bill Oddy to the Youngstown Village Board of Trustees. Oddy is the first Democrat to serve on the board in many years and he polled more votes than any other candidate.

For the upcoming November election, Porter Democrats will field four candidates for town office and the 13th District Niagara County Legislature. The candidates will also appear on the Positive Change ballot line.

Running for the Town of Porter Town Board are William A. Choboy, the party chair who has served previously on the council and Sandy Sanger Tuck, a new candidate who is the proprietor of Sanger Farms on Route 93. Both candidates have expressed their concerns about high property taxes, the difficulties faced by farmers and small business owners, the ongoing controversy about CWM Chemical Services, and other environmental issues. Also running for town office is Michelle Minarcin, a candidate for Porter Town Clerk. Minarcin says she would like to use her business experience to create a more efficient and responsive town clerk’s office.

Rounding out the Democratic ticket is Annie Oakes, who is running for the 13th District Niagara County Legislature seat currently held by Clyde Burmaster. Oakes has been a county health care employee and social worker. She is particularly interested in more cost-effective delivery of county medical services, reducing county taxes for homeowners and businesses and investigating the decision by the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency to grant a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) deal to AES NY, LLC, operators of the Somerset power station.

The four candidates will be meeting with residents and voters over the next two months to discuss these issues and more.

For further information on the Democratic candidates, contact Choboy at 745-7790 or e-mail billc313@yahoo.com.