Hamlin supervisor race has three candidates

A town councilperson and two political first-timers have tossed their hats into the ring in the Republican Primary for town supervisor in the Town of Hamlin. Shirley Hollink, who has served on the town board since 1996, Patricia MacIntosh, a town employee who deals with the town finances, investments and budgets on a daily basis, and a retired U.S. Navy Captain, Dennis Roach, are all seeking Republican endorsement to run for the town's top spot. MacIntosh is the Republican Party's endorsed candidate.

All three candidates say that they want to work to preserve the rural character and respect the agricultural history of the town.

Shirley Hollink has served on the town board since 1995 when she was appointed as a councilperson.

"During my tenure, I've seen a lot of things that the town board needs to improve upon," she said.

Hollink said there are quite a few development issues facing the town which need to be carefully considered before decisions are made.

"We have to make sure we don't end up causing problems when approving developments ... with things like drainage," she said.

The town is also looking into the possible construction of a community center and recently completed a town-wide survey to gauge public reaction to the project.

"Our community make up is predominantly senior citizens and youth under 18 years of age and that's the demographics a community center would serve," she said. "The survey results show the majority of residents favor a community center but don't want to fund with taxpayer dollars."

Hamlin, Hollink says, has only grown by 150 people in the past 10 years, therefore the tax base has not expanded enough to fund a project like a community center.

Hollink said the supervisory skills she gained while at Eastman Kodak and the more than 200 hours worth of town, municipal government and zoning classes she has taken are items in her favor when choosing a candidate for supervisor.

"I'm the only candidate with town government experience and I bring accountability to the board," she said. "I can handle and balance budgets and I want to work with the residents and get them involved in the town government."

Pat MacIntosh has served as secretary to the supervisor for the past six years and feels she is the most qualified candidate.

"I have worked at the town hall in the accounting/supervisor office and this has given me the inside experience of the town's government," she said. "I attend all the town board meetings, do the budget, investments, insurance and I supervise the human resource department."

She said she feels that because she deals with the employees on a daily basis she is aware of the problems in the town hall and has positive interactions with the employees.

MacIntosh said she is interested in improving Hamlin's property maintenance codes and the enforcement of such codes and maintaining a stable tax base.

As for why she thinks she is qualified for the supervisor position, she said, "I was appointed to the conservation board and the zoning board before I was hired for my present position in the accounting/supervisor's office."

She and her husband, Roger, have lived in Hamlin for the past 32 years. They have a son, Scott, who is married and lives in Kendall.

MacIntosh said she is the most qualified and experienced person in line for the position.

"I also want to provide an open and honest government, accountability and fiscal responsibility for all the residents of the Town of Hamlin," she said.

Political newcomer Dennis Roach said he is running because with the stepping down of the incumbent, Austin Warner III, it was a "great opportunity" for someone with the correct qualifications, experience and desire to step into the office.

"I have a vision for the town which I think many people share," he said. "I also have the qualifications and experience that would allow me to serve them and work toward the goals."

Roach said the town leaders have to recognize the growth and sprawl that is coming toward the town, be prepared to meet that challenge and have a plan in place to address the issues before they crop up.

His experience in the Navy where he served in public administration and managed multi-million dollar budgets offer Roach the experience necessary in dealing with the town's budgets issue, he said. In his capacity as director of continuing education for the Gates Chili School District, he administered one of the largest and most successful programs in the county, he said.

He and his wife, Cindy, have lived in Hamlin since 1997 following his retirement from the Navy. They have a daughter, a son and two grandsons.

Roach has been involved with writing the town's radio tower law, which is considered a model law. He is also a commissioner on the Recreation Commission, a member of the Community Center Exploratory Committee, a member of the Hamlin Seniors, the Hamlin VFW and the Hamlin Republican Committee.

Editor's note: Look for profiles of candidates seeking endorsement for town council and highway superintendent positions in this issue.