When voters head out to the poll November 6 they will be electing Republican Rick Lemcke to his sixth two-year term. This will be his third consecutive re-election without any competition. Other Parma races are also unopposed, except for a contested race for town court.

Rick Lemcke, Supervisor
Lemcke said he isn't letting the lack of competition lessen his intensity. In the upcoming term, Lemcke said he will be focused on tax stabilization and open land preservation. Parma taxes have decreased since Lemcke took office 10 years ago.

"I don't think anyone could doubt my dedication to that cause," Lemcke said. He gives credit to his 29 years of experience as co-owner of R & M Landscape.

"Being self-employed I bring a business approach to this position," Lemcke said. "I really think that everyone here has learned how to do more with less."

While Lemcke is committed to keeping spending in check, he said now rather than later may be the right time for the town to secure some open land. Parma is less than 20 percent developed and to insure that Parma maintains its rural feel, Lemcke said the town should be planning for the future.

During his last term, the town tackled many projects including the first-ever union contract for highway employees, the animal shelter and the town park expansion.

"I love to brag about the town board's commitment to expanding the park," Lemcke said, adding that the town has acquired 70 additional acres for the park including some environmentally sensitive land.

However he's not bragging about the lack of progress with the animal shelter. The Town of Parma received money from an estate of a local woman to build an animal shelter in Parma. To date, little has been done, but Lemcke said he is hoping that they can still make strides in that area.

Lemcke said he is also proud of the outstanding relationship the town has forged with the Hilton School District. This has led to several collaborative projects between the school district, town and village. The most recent of these being the addition of HoJack Road opening up possibilities for industrial development and creating a more convenient route for busing.

Anne L. Forberg, Town Board
It may have been a rocky road to get onto the ballot, but with no opposition it should be smoother sailing for Anne L. Forberg.

Forberg, the only female on the all Republican board, was not backed by the Republican committee last term and was not backed by the nominating committee for this term. However, persistence paid off for Forberg who will be coming back for her fourth, four-year term.

"I think I've lost the commitee's support mostly because I choose to vote my convictions regardless of what others had to say," Forberg said. Forberg has been a Parma resident since 1961, raising her family which now consists of two grown children, tow grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step-great-grandchild.

Forberg said she will be focused on continuing the town hall renovations, improving the town park, maintaining low tax rates and trying to find a home for a new animal shelter.

"There is a great need for animal care in this town," she said.

Kenneth Blackburn, Town Board
Ken Blackburn is looking forward to beginning his second term as a Parma Town Board member, Blackburn has devoted much of his life to the Parma community as a resident for more than 20 years and in serving as both the Highway Superintendent and Director of Support Services for the Hilton School District.

Blackburn said his interest in politics stems from a love for community service.

"I like working with people and getting involved in the community," Blackburn said. "My point of view is that a government is open to all people and all opinions."

Blackburn said he doesn't hesitate to openly express his opinions. In his upcoming term, Blackburn said he will use some of his energy to pursue the possibility of expanding the town's current library facility. He will also continue to work on improving the town park.

"I think Parma is such a nice place to live because we have a lot of open space and some really great people," Blackburn said.

Joe Reinschmidt, Town Board
Joe Reinschmidt has lived in Parma all of his life. He contemplated running for town board 30 years ago, but was willing to step aside to allow an elder to take the spot. Now after retiring from his position as Parma Building and Development Coordinator, which he held for 21 years, Reinschmidt is ready to take a spot on the board.

"They always say when you retire you ought to do something you've always wanted to do," Reinschmidt said. "I guess this is it." Reinschmidt will be finishing the last two years of a term that was vacated when Warren Deidrick resigned.

In addition to his tenure as Building and Development Coordinator, Reinschmidt has also served on the Parma Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, functioning as chairman on both.

Reinschmidt said he looks forward to working together with the other board members.

"I think that they are all good, capable people," he said. "They have their differences of opinion, but that's why we have five board members.

Brian Speer, Highway Superintendent
Brian Speer will be on the ballot to serve his third two-year term as highway superintendent.

Town Court Justice
Michael Sciortino will be running to fill the last two years of the position vacated by Jim Connolly. James Malley has received the Republican endorsement to run for the second judiciary spot, which is currently held by Kathy Mullaly. She is running as an Independent. Westside News expects to provide information on this race in the November 5 issue.