Wheatfield GOP seeks investigation; Demler says bring it on

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, June 25, 2009

The standoff between the Town of Wheatfield Republican Committee and current town Supervisor Timothy Demler will lead to a primary to determine the GOP candidate for supervisor this fall.

The town GOP dropped Demler as its endorsed candidate earlier this month and is backing former Town Justice Robert B. Cliffe for supervisor.

A seven-term supervisor in Wheatfield, Demler said Wednesday he already has more than 400 signatures on his election petition, more than enough to run.

Last week, the committee announced it had written to the Niagara County district attorney and the state attorney general asking for an investigation of Demler.

“As chairman of the Town of Wheatfield Republican Committee, I have been asked why the committee withdrew its endorsement of Timothy Demler as our candidate for supervisor,” said town GOP Chairman James D. Heuer. “The public should be aware of a recent letter that was sent to the attorney general and the Niagara County district attorney, outlining certain illegal acts and improprieties committed by Mr. Demler.

Heuer refused to discuss details of the allegations until the attorney general and district attorney have the opportunity to investigate them.

Demler said he found the committee’s actions “highly politically questionable.” Instead of making announcements to newspapers, the committee should have just turned their papers over to the DA or just asked him about the issues, or both, he said.

“We would welcome any investigation by the district attorney if they wanted to come in. That’s not a problem,” Demler said. “The town is running very, very well, and I think the people appreciate it.”