Former Village of Lewiston Clerk/Treasurer and current Vice Chairwoman of the Village of Lewiston Planning Commission Anne Welch announced she will run for mayor of Lewiston in the upcoming election.
Speaking of her plans to return to public service, Welch said, "Unwittingly, I have been preparing for this position my entire life. I have been a part of the fabric of this community for 68 years. For me, to be able to continue my service to this amazing village as its mayor would be an honor and a privilege like no other."
Her platform is straightforward: "Preserving the health, safety and welfare of the community is always a priority," Welch said. "I plan to seek more grants and Greenway funding for the village, while adhering to a responsible budget. I will always do my best to maintain taxes while being fiscally accountable to our residents. Citizen accessibility is vital. To this end, I will maintain my record of being available to the village residents and business owners, to listen to them and to work together with all elected leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to keep Lewiston the gem of Western New York that it is."
Welch began her service to the Village of Lewiston in 1983 serving under former Mayor Marilyn Toohey as office clerk. She was promoted to deputy clerk and then to clerk/treasurer, where she served continuously and with distinction until her retirement in 2014.
She was responsible for the daily operation of the village. During her tenure with the village, she also served as the clerk to the Historic Preservation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Additionally, she served on various committees, including the village's master plan committee, the zoning update committee and the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program committee, to name a few.
As clerk/treasurer, Welch sought out innovative ways to maintain taxes as exemplified by her many initiatives. To this end, she identified and administered grants, including those to develop the Lewiston waterfront, the Lewiston plateau and habitat, the Lewiston Jazz Festival, New York state records, and parks and recreation.
A forward thinker, she was instrumental in the planning and development of many projects, both residential and commercial. Most recently, she has worked diligently to find a suitable buyer for the historic Frontier House.
Welch is a 1968 graduate of Lewiston-Porter High School. She completed courses through the New York State Department of State Building and Codes Administration, the New York Conference of Mayor Clerk's School, and attended the state seminar on historic preservation, planning and zoning. Welch was a member of the New York State Society of Municipal Finance Officers, the New York State Association of City and Village Clerks, and the Niagara County Clerk's Association.
Over the years, her success and dedication to Lewiston earned her many awards, including the 2001 "Community Leaders Award" from the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce, the "New York Conference of Mayor's 30 Years of Service Award" and the Historic Association of Lewiston's "Friend of History Award."
Welch's commitment to the village extended beyond her responsibilities at village hall. Over the years, she has volunteered for the Lewiston Kiwanis Club, the Lewiston Tour of Kitchens, the Historic Association of Lewiston's Re-enactment of the War of 1812, the Lewiston Jazz Festival and the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce. For the past two years, she has chaired the Memorial Day parade and reception. She has opened her home for the Lewiston Garden Walk and HAL's Tour of Homes.
When Welch retired from the village, her longtime friend and community partner, Lee Simonson, said, "If there is a campaign entitled 'Let's Make Lewiston a Better Place,' Anne Welch would be the poster child. Her energy is unquenchable. Her enthusiasm is unbridled. Her dedication is unwavering and her work ethic is unrelenting. She has always greeted residents at Village Hall with a smile and helpful attitude no matter who she was serving, regardless of party affiliation. She was chosen by all of her bosses as the 'go-to person' in getting things done. Why? Because you can trust her. She has preserved our cultural heritage, promoted our amazing resources and she is someone who has represented Lewiston with pride and distinction."
Gretchen Broderick, founder and former owner of the Country Doctor, said, "For 30 years, Anne did the people's business. She has literally shepherded four mayors and an assortment of village trustees through the ranks. She graciously assisted the Lewiston public with every aspect of community life. She was a true friend to the business community and we have benefited from her expertise and practicality. For 30 years, she was the face of Lewiston and we are grateful".
Anne is married to Robert Welch. They have three children - Robert, Michele and Michael - and eight grandchildren. She is a registered Republican.
