Four Ogden Republican incumbents are running unopposed in the November 6 election.

Supervisor Gay Lenhard, 67, is seeking her third two-year term. She has three top goals in mind for her next term. One is to "methodically plan for a new highway garage." The town is currently studying the need to replace the nearly 60 year old facility. Lenhard favors building a new garage on the same site, if possible. She’s not sure construction would begin during her next term, but at least "the beginning of the process will be well underway."

Lenhard also expects to oversee the finalization of a new comprehensive plan over the next several months. A committee has been working on the plan for nearly two years. Lenhard said a survey indicated that residents are most interested in keeping the rural character of the town. "How we manage our growth (Ogden is one of the fastest growing towns in Monroe County) with preserving open spaces is going to be crucial," she said.

Finally, Lenhard believes that Ogden needs to be marketed, specifically to light industrial businesses, both to provide local jobs and to keep the tax rate stable.

Lenhard said her role as supervisor, and the town government’s role, has changed a bit since the September 11 terrorist attacks. She said it is even more important for the supervisor and the town to be conduits of information to residents – information about emergency preparedness and security.

Town Councilman Thomas J. Cole, 62, is a retiree of Kodak. He decided to seek another four year term because "we have a real good team in office right now. We work well together. We share a smiliar vision and have been able to face challenges together. I’d like to keep that strong team working together."

Cole has been working on a recreation master plan. The plan will help the town assess the recreational needs of the community and "where we’re going with our parks development and the recreation department."

Cole is also interested in the comprehensive plan, particularly in the preservation of stream corridors and open spaces. Finally, he agrees a new highway garage is needed and believes careful planning will provide a work place that is safe for employees and a good investment for the taxpayers.

Town Councilman Thomas J. Uschold, 47, is a financial analyst at the Monroe County Office of Management and Budget. He is seeking another four year term to "continue the work that is currently in progress." He wants the new comprehensive plan to be a strong plan that protects the rural character of the town, but recognizes the reality of growth brought by Route 531. "It’s a balancing act," he said. "We have to approach it carefully and with, I hope, a great deal of wisdom."

Uschold believes that under Lenhard’s leadership the town’s financial position has been strengthened. "We’ve positioned ourselves well." But Uschold, like many others, is a little wary of the economy right now. "Even if the economy slows down, we’re still going to see some growth. The highway department feels the strain. Every new subdivision means new roads to plow and maintain. We have to watch that carefully and plan for it."

Highway Superintendent Dave Widger, 45, is seeking another four-year term. A survey of all the town roads was completed this summer to enable the town to develop a 10 year plan for road improvements. "It’ll help us manage the maintenance of our roads better," he said.

Widger is working with the town board in planning for a new highway garage. The current garage was built in 1945, he said, and isn’t in the best shape. It also isn’t big enough for the current needs of the department. "The town has grown a lot in 55 years," Widger said. "We don’t have enough room to store all our equipment." The town is investigating several options, Widger said, including building a new facility on the current site.

Widger says he enjoys his job as highway superintendent. He says he gets a lot of satisfaction from helping residents.