Town of Lewiston Dems seek candidates for supervisor, Town Board

The Town of Lewiston Democratic Committee has announced it is now seeking candidates for three positions in town government to be selected in the general election this November. The positions are town supervisor (a two-year term) and two seats on the Town Board (both four-year terms).

Candidates must be 18 years old, residents of the town and registered Democrats.

The Lewiston Town Board meets at least twice a month, and attendance at various civic functions is anticipated. The town supervisor serves as the chief fiscal officer of the town, presides at Town Board meetings, and represents the town in the Niagara County Water District, Niagara Greenway Commission and Niagara Power Coalition.

The supervisor's position pays approximately $42,000 yearly, while the Town Board positions pay over $13,000 yearly.

Lewiston Democratic Chairwoman Diane Perri Roberts will coordinate the candidate selection process.

"Lewiston is facing some difficult and challenging times," she said. "The town's financial picture requires much attention. The Republicans have introduced a new town property tax - and let's not forget that tax had been eliminated when Democrats led by former Supervisor Fred Newlin controlled the Town Board."

Roberts addressed the recent history of Lewiston's fiscal situation, which resulted in a town tax being reinstated. It's the first town tax since 2005.

"The Republicans on the board, after ignoring prior calls for spending changes from former Supervisor Dennis Brochey and former Deputy Supervisor Mark Briglio, reinstated a town tax, which had been eliminated under Democratic-led boards a decade ago," Roberts said. "While certain, current board members and their appointees are pointing to the loss of some revenue streams over the last decade as the cause of the problem, they have taken the fast and easy route of placing the burden of wasteful, unbridled spending by prior boards on the backs of town residents. That (was) done with little to show on their part, of efforts to find new revenue sources or to curb spending in certain areas."

Interested candidates are requested to submit introduction letters, including resumes and other pertinent information, to the Lewiston Democratic Committee P.O. Box 155, Lewiston, NY 14092.

The Democratic Committee will begin interviewing would be candidates in February.