Primary brings out many candidates in Hamlin

Four men are vying for two ballot spots in the Hamlin Republican Primary on Tuesday, September 13. Of the four, only one has served previously.

All of the Republican Primary candidates echo the same sentiments that Hamlin needs a town government that is more open and honest in fulfilling its duties and they all say they will strive to preserve Hamlin's rural character.

Gerald Hutchison, who received the GOP endorsement, is making his first bid for a seat with the town board. He has worked on the comprehensive master plan and authorized a survey for the town.

"Both of these gave me an opportunity to see and understand the community's goals and needs," he said. "This, along with my personal desire to participate in the town's function, are my reasons for running."

Town officials also need to hold the line on taxes and find a way to fund a multi-generational community center, he said. Additionally, Hutchison said that even though it has been a somewhat dry year, Hamlin has to look at long range solutions for its continuing drainage problems.

His work in the quality assurance field, using problem solving methods, cost effective corrective actions and working as an auditor appraising processes and procedures to find both strong and weak points are some of the strengths he says he brings to the board.

Hutchison and his wife, Amy, have a seven-year-old daughter, Emily.

"I know I haven't been to every house in town, but to supporters I've met and those I have yet to meet, I feel I offer a fresh voice," he said. "I'm running on 'working for the goals of the majority, without abusing the rights of the minority."

James Krempasky, who is running for the first time, said the present town board doesn't seem to be responsive to the community.

"The current government doesn't listen to people," he said. "Open forums will be held, residents will speak, but there is no dialogue between residents and officials. The conversation and questions fall on deaf ears. We need to open the lines of communication so taxpayers and elected officials will interact."

The biggest issue facing Hamlin, he said, is the finalization of the comprehensive master plan.

'We need that in place as it will guide us, and the town's development, for the next five-to-10 years," he said. "We need a plan in place as to the way we want to grow the town - do we want to stay rural or become more high density?"

A 20-year resident of Hamlin, Krempasky said he moved to the town from New York City and that gives him a unique perspective to see both ends of the spectrum when it comes to development. "I understand the value of open space," he said.

Michael Marchetti, another political first-timer, said that even though there are five people on the board there is a lot of "behind the scenes" politics.

"I want to help the residents have an open, honest and fair government," he said.

Marchetti said one of the issues facing Hamlin is large developments that want to be sited there. "We have developers who want to put in high density developments," he said. "Hamlin doesn't need that."

What the town does need, Marchetti said, is a community center but he wonders whether taxpayers can afford to fund it.

"I care about the future of Hamlin," he said. "I'm young and energetic and I want to be on the board so I can help serve the entire community, from children to seniors."

Marchetti and his wife, Julie, have four children, Brianna, Timmy, Michael Jr. and Jamie Lina.

He is running with supervisor hopeful Dennis Roach (See supervisor race article in this issue).

Paul Rath, who has served on the board since being appointed in 1996, is seeking re-election because he believes he can continue to contribute to the town and its residents because of his experience, background and willingness to listen to concerns and act on them. Rath's bid is endorsed by the Republican committee.

"Because I have a family with young children, I bring a perspective on what services and facilities are needed in the town to make people want to move to and stay in Hamlin," he said.

Rath, a lifelong resident of Hamlin, said he knows how important it is to the residents that Hamlin maintains its rural character.

"Budgeting, property maintenance and enforcement, revaluation and a potential community center are issues facing the board at this point," he said. "These issues need resolution and there should be community input and evaluation. These are not town board topics, but town topics that all residents should be involved in."

His experience as a board member and as a certified public accountant where he focuses on governmental agencies such as towns and how to work within their budgets efficiently and making sure there is proper reporting and disclosure are experiences that the board needs, he said.

During his tenure on the board, Rath said he has been involved in many projects for which he is proud. Rath said with each project, plan or law he has asked himself, "Will Hamlin be a better place to live when this project/plan/law is approved?"

He and his wife, Katie, have four children, Luke, Elizabeth, John Paul and Noah.

"I will continue to make a difference through accountability and fiscal responsibility to provide the best services for all residents," he said. "We should provide the residents with an open and honest government that is forward looking to have Hamlin be the town we want it to be."

Town board members serve for four year terms and receive an annual stipend of $6,446. The two winners in this primary will be on the November ballot.