Newcomer takes on two political veterans in Cheektowaga Town Board Democratic primary race
By Janice Habuda, The Buffalo News, N.Y. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Specyal is facing off against
A law clerk on leave from his job with a downtown
Markel, who was midway through his second term, left office in April after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to unemployment insurance fraud. He was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and repaid
"I'm running because I believe I'm the best (candidate). In Cheektowaga, we haven't had a lot of choices in candidates," Specyal said.
Specyal, 31, said his summer has been spent walking door to door and talking to people. "I got a really strong sense from so many people ... that they really want someone to be harsh. They want someone to be very honest. They want someone to be very critical."
And he has been that in campaign literature, particularly one flier targeting Markel's legal troubles and Adamczyk's attendance record at meetings of the
Markel takes issue with claims in Specyal's flier that he didn't disclose his board member salary to the state
"That's an absolute lie," Markel said. "I fully disclosed I was a councilman. They made a determination; I never lied to them."
When it comes to negative campaigning, in general, Markel said: "I think people are smarter than the pieces they put out."
"Party machine," repeated Adamczyk, 49, who works full time as a receptionist at a pediatrician's office. "Well, that's a new one. I'm a newcomer. I'm an outsider coming into this."
As for criticism about her attendance record at
Markel, 50, has been working in construction and studying real estate online. He said his bid to return to the
There was evidence of that support at the first board meeting after his departure, when several residents praised his service.
"Basically, I just enjoy helping. I wish there were more to it," Markel said.
Markel points to progress he had made in holding banks responsible for the condition of vacant, foreclosed properties they own.
"My expertise is vacant homes," he said. "Because I went at it so hard, now the banks are trying to get them up for sale as quickly as they can. I don't know anybody else that does it."
Specyal, who plans to take the state bar exam in February, believes his legal background would be particularly helpful. "I think having a board member who's at least familiar with that stuff can definitely save us money in the long term," he said.
A comprehensive approach to quality-of-life issues such as streetlights, sidewalks and trees is needed in the town, Specyal said.
"We have a lot of 'patches' being done in
Adamczyk's reasons for seeking the office are personal, in part.
"I want to keep family here. And I want to improve the quality of life around here," said the mother of four, who hopes that a son serving the Marines eventually will move back home.
"I don't have any specific ideas," she said. "I want to keep the taxes stable, and I want to work with the fellow board members to see how we can address the absentee landlords -- stuff like that."
Markel noted that a landlord registry was established while he was on the board. He's eager to get back to work.
"From Day One, I will be up and running," he said. "If I'm re-elected, there's no learning curve. ... I already have that experience."
While Adamczyk has the Democratic Committee's endorsement, Specyal said he's backed by the
"I didn't seek any," Markel said. "I just totally seek the endorsement of the taxpayers."
email: [email protected]
___
(c)2014 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Visit The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) at www.buffalonews.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 869 |
Dr. Lance Timmerman DMD, Dr. Steve Carstensen DDS and Dr.Teresa Jacobs MD Named Dentistry & Sleep Medicine Providers for NFL Former Players Association Seattle Chapter
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News