Election 2023: Mike Madigan announces candidacy for town supervisor

Submitted by Mike Madigan

I have lived on Grand Island since 1987. My wife, Leslie (Elias) Madigan, is a lifelong Islander. Leslie and I raised two boys (young men), William and Matthew, who both attended and graduated from the Grand Island School District. We are both currently raising two cats (Murdock and Kitty) and a dog (Nilla). I am an avid hunter, fisherman, enjoy skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer (crew in races on Lake Erie).

I have an associate degree in fisheries and wildlife, a bachelor’s degree in communication, and am a certified project management professional (PMP). I have been a Grand Island volunteer fireman since 2015 and previously served as a volunteer fireman in Rush, New York, where I was born and raised.

I was first elected to the Town Council in 2015 and was reelected in 2019. My platform in 2015 included a commitment to propose term limits for the board – promise kept. In both elections, my platform reflected my passion for good government that is open, transparent, and that recognizes that the money that funds it is provided through the hard work of the taxpayers – and respects that fact and acts accordingly. Promise kept.

Today, I am running for town supervisor in the June 27 Republican primary, and am running with Dan Kilmer, who is running for Town Council. Our platform’s goal is to “Keep Grand Island Affordable for Seniors, Middle Class, and Young Families,” and to better represent our residents as a board. Our commitments include:

√ We will propose suspending the costly Islandwide property reassessment and determine a more appropriate frequency. (Every 10 years perhaps?)

√ We will not override the tax cap. We are true fiscal conservatives. Pete Marston and Tom Digati voted “yes” to a 5% property tax increase, double the cap limit, without first proposing even one spending cut – not one!

√ We will not be bought by developers or special interests. We are self-funded, unlike our opponents.

√ We will appoint a Citizen Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee. We seek to bring the voices of the residents of Grand Island to the table when it comes to big developers coming to Grand Island.

√ We will appoint a Citizens Finance Committee to look at all aspects of town expenses, debt and investments focused on pro-active management.

√ We will propose an anti-nepotism policy focused on mitigating the risk of a qualified Grand Island resident being passed up for a town job.

Mike Madigan (Submitted photo