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Development key in Parma election
Many years ago, Rick Lemcke was issued a challenge that he has spent the last decade answering. Lemcke was a local businessman and landowner who was frustrated with the town's property taxes. When he voiced those concerns to the town supervisor, Tom Younker, the supervisor had some advice. "I questioned why my taxes were so high and he said if I didn't like it I should run for supervisor," said Lemcke. He did. He won. And it has been 12 years of pretty smooth sailing, until this year. Now Lemcke will go toe-to-toe with Democratic candidate Tina Brown. Brown, who is the executive director at the Grand Vie Senior Living Community, was drawn into the political race when she found out that a housing development was proposed to be built behind her Manitou Road home. Brown spearheaded the NO RIP community group that has been a thorn in the town board's side for the past several months. The group argues that the Fairfield Place development would violate the town's Master Plan. The NO RIP Group maintains an active web site at www.no-rip.com and has organized several demonstrations, including yard signs, petitions and letter writing campaigns. Lemcke said Brown's NO RIP group has crossed a line that he has not before witnessed during his 12 years in office. "This is the first special interest group that has been so defamatory," said Lemcke. Lemcke said Brown's affiliation with the group will make it difficult for her to serve Parma. "It is all about one issue - no development in my backyard - her whole campaign is about serving a special interest group," Lemcke said. "I don't see how she could objectively serve the people." Tina Brown said Lemcke's assertions are off base. Her campaign goals are to: protect the rural character of Parma, maintain the current surplus, enhance the quality of programming and services and improve communication. "He's pushing that I am a single issue candidate and that just isn't true," said Brown. "I'm in this for the betterment of the community and I will be a supervisor in every sense of the word." Lemcke is a life-long Parma resident and president of RM Landscape. Lemcke is involved in the Hilton Parma Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe County Supervisors Association and has helped raise funds for Lakeside Hospital. Before Lemcke was elected supervisor, he served short stints on the town's zoning board and town board. Lemcke said he is proud of his administration's accomplishments with regards to lowering taxes, cutting spending, making Parma a debt free community and continuing to expand town resources like the enhancements to the community park. That work, Lemcke said, has been evident in the town assessment in which the average house assessment has increased by nearly double-digit intervals the last few years. While Brown never attended a Parma Town Board meeting before she became involved with the NO RIP group, she said she has seen many opportunities to make a difference. Brown does have plenty of experience with helping others. She has been involved in fundraisers for the Arthritis Foundation and United Way, and has been active in many community organizations. Brown said she is trying to get out in front of Parma residents by going door-to-door. And the response she is getting is energizing her. "People are excited to see a Democratic candidate," said Brown, who added that she plans to continue going door-to-door. "I've worked with people all my life and my style is to talk to people to find out what they feel is important." Brown said residents are concerned with how Parma is developing and interested in expanding some of the recreational programs offered by the town. Also on the November 4 ballot are:
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