Grand Island: Kinney to run for Town Council

Longtime Grand Island resident Beverly A. Kinney has announced her candidacy for Grand Island Town Council.

Kinney is endorsed by the Democrat Party and Working Families Party. She also qualified to be on the Independence Party line for the primary Sept. 10. Kinney will be the only registered Independence Party member on the ballot.

As a successful independent businesswoman, Kinney personifies the cornerstones of a good work ethic; namely, hard work and dependability. She demonstrated this dedication as president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, successfully leading that organization for three years and serving on its executive board for more than 14 years. She took great pride in making the Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner one of the Chamber's most successful events, acting as chair from 1998 to 2010. Kinney has a hands-on approach to public service and will make the same commitment to the office of Town Council. Kinney serves as vice president of the Grand Island Professional Business Women's Chapter. Some of the issues that the PBW Chapter deals with are: domestic violence, equal pay for equal work, sexual harassment on the job and human trafficking. They raise funds for scholarships for women returning to the workforce and in need of additional education.

In 2005, Kinney was one of the first appointees to the newly established Economic Development Advisory Board. As its co-chair, she was instrumental in developing the town's marketing tools. Kinney believes that promoting economic development while still maintaining the Island's distinctive environment is essential. As a member of several town advisory committees, her nonpartisanship has never let politics keep her from making the best decisions for Grand Island.

Kinney's life includes her large extended family. Realizing the importance of a safe, family-friendly town has led to her involvement in many family-oriented events and organizations. Maintaining and enhancing programs available to the people of Grand Island will have a prominent position on her agenda.

Over the next few months, Kinney will be walking door-to-door. Residents will have the opportunity to meet Kinney and discover her vision for Grand Island.

To put forward your opinion, convey a concern or offer a suggestion, you can reach Kinney at www.Facebook/ElectBeverlyKinney or at www.votebevkinney.com. Check out her blogs about the campaign trail from a candidate's point of view, as well as town issues that affect all Grand Island residents.

Member

•Town of GI Economic Development Advisory Board (14 years)

•R-2 Zoning Committee for the Town of Grand Island

•Fairway Greens of River Oaks HOA Board (two years)

•Professional Business Women's Chapter of NYS Women's Inc. (eight years)

•PROI Foundation for Cancer Research (five years)

•Relay For Life Grand Island Chamber Team (10 years)

•"Light Up the Boulevard" Event Committee

•KidBiz Committee (18 years) for GI Chamber of Commerce

•VFW Women's Auxiliary (three years)

•GI Chamber of Commerce 14 years (Past board member)

•Town of Grand Island Long Range Planning Committee

Awards

•Citizen of the Year for Community (Chamber 2013)

•Outstanding Leadership (2007)

•Effective Leadership (2008) ORT Award, Grand Island Professional Women

Outstanding Leadership (2010), Chamber Board of Directors.

Citations and Proclamations

2008 and 2013 Grand Island Town Board, Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick, Assemblyman John Ceretto, Past Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello-Ward, former County Executive Chris Collins, former Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.