Richard Moy, Clarendon's newly appointed supervisor, has spent his first month in office acclimating himself to the workings of the town offices and making preparations for the impending budget process. Moy was appointed May 8 after receiving support from the Town Board and the Republican Committee in his bid for the supervisor seat. He will lead the Town of Clarendon until the November election.

"I have always been interested in town government," Moy, a life-long resident of Clarendon said. "I've been active in the community for more than 40 years."

While no longer an active firefighter, Moy has been a member of the Clarendon Fire Department since 1960. He remains involved by helping the department with its various events and functions.

A former town assessor, he said he sought appointment to the board because of concerns he has with the ever-increasing town tax rate.

"The tax rate is of concern not only to me, but to all residents of Clarendon," he said.

A retired Kodak worker, Moy said his 34 years of experience at Kodak will be of value on the job as town supervisor.

"At Kodak I worked on budgets, had dealings with personnel issues and was involved in contract negotiations," he said. "I figured why not put that experience to work in my home town and stay active in the community?"

The budget process, which will begin in August, will be tackled in a new way, Moy said. He has held conversations with officials to set-up a new way to look at the budget process. Moy said he has not reached any firm conclusions on how to address the town's tax rate.

"I've been meeting with other town supervisors and have been gathering data so I am prepared when it comes time to look at our budget," he said. "I'm big at gathering all the facts before coming to conclusions."

Moy is a descendent of Eldridge Farwell, one of the town's original founders. He resides on South Hulberton Road with his wife, Sandy. They have two children and four grandchildren, all of whom reside in Clarendon.

Allen Robinson filled the town supervisor position, which became available in January when Michael Bove resigned, for four months. Robinson declined to continue on in the position because of his work demands.

Town Councilwoman Joyce McMurray has thrown her hat into the ring and will be forcing a September Republican primary challenge for the supervisor's position.

Moy said he thinks it is "good and healthy" for the community to have a choice of candidates in the September primary.

"It's much better to have a choice rather than just having the one name to pick from," he said. "I encourage more people to get out there and get involved."

McMurray, who will be wrapping up her first four-year term as a board member, said she is seeking election to the supervisor seat because she wants to offer guidance, direction and support to the residents.

"I want to give them back their opportunity to have a voice in their government," she said. "I believe strongly that one vote can make a difference and I have always voted my conscience."

McMurray said she thinks she is the first woman to have served on Clarendon's board. She said she always has the time to answer constituents' phone calls and listen to their concerns. As the supervisor, McMurray said she would be able to "set the tone and the agenda for the town."

"I am looking to guide the town into the future, not to continue treading water as we have been," she said. "Land development is an important issue and residents need to speak out as we are shaping the future of their town."

This year with the new full town assessment in place, McMurray said it will be a challenge to keep the tax rates reasonable for residents.

"As a regular board member you don't have that much effect on the budget process, you are not the chief budget officer," she said. "I have my own ideas and plans for the town and I think we spend more money than is necessary on items that aren't crucial and not enough money on items that need it."

In addition to serving as a council member, McMurray has served on the town's planning board and has attended various training sessions with Department of Housing and Urban Development officials and was named a "Community Builder" by HUD.

McMurray and her husband, Derek, have one son, Stephen, who recently joined the Navy. She is an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Brockport and a member of the Clarendon Historical Society.