Full slate of Hamlin Town Board, Justice candidates

At the Hamlin Town Board level, there are two open spots and four candidates. The Republican candidates are David G. Rose, long-time Hamlin Highway Superintendent, and incumbent George L. Todd. On the Democratic and All Hamlin Party tickets are Jim Martin and Nancy Pierce.

Of all the town board candidates, Rose definitely has the most experience with Hamlin politics. Rose, who lives with his wife, Joyce, on Hamlin Center Road, previously held a town board spot from 1978-2001. Rose has been a life member of the Hamlin Fire Department, a charter member of the Hamlin Lions Club, a member of the American Veterans Association, past president and chair of the Monroe County Highway Superintendents Association.

If elected, Rose sees his job as trying to help get the town board back on track. "I hope to pull everyone together," said Rose. "I want to get things on a positive road so we can get things done for the town."

Rose said he will focus on two key issues: the development of senior housing and the addition of light industrial or commercial business to help offset the tax base.

Another Hamlin longtime resident is running, but on the other ticket. Jim Martin has lived on Martin Road for 34 years and spent 55 of his 60 years in Hamlin. Martin said he became more acutely interested in Hamlin politics when he was asked to sit on the Radio Tower Committee.

In a bio Martin posted on the All Hamlin website, he describes his experience on the committee. "It was a major shock to encounter a local Hamlin Republican town government whose decision-making process was based on the hopeless illogic of secretive done deal political schmoozery without a scintilla of credible research," stated Martin in the website bio. "Whether it was by intention or simple ignorance, the lack of concern for a fair and intelligent professional process was appalling, and still is."

Martin said he is hoping that some wins by the Democratic or All Hamlin Party will help provide some balance to Hamlin's currently all Republican government. Even if he and his colleagues do not get the nod, Martin said running has been worth the work. "The time and effort involved has been totally worth it in that the real winner is Hamlin, its political processes and its ability to chart a future course to the satisfaction of an ever-more-involved citizenry," said Martin.

Nancy Pierce is hoping that her first experience with Hamlin politics will be as a town board member. Running on the Democratic and All Hamlin tickets, Pierce is promoting her three decades as an educator, as the right ingredient to lead Hamlin. "I believe that my skills and experiences as a teacher, motivator and administrator are needed in local government," stated Pierce on the All Hamlin web site. "Many challenges will confront Hamlin in the next few years and my special blend of knowledge and know-how will be an important asset in meeting them."
George L. Todd's know how comes from his community involvement. "I'm a person who has always believed that if you live in a community you should always become involved," said Todd. His involvement has included two terms on Hamlin's Town Board, a stint on the Kendall School Board, serving on the Lifetime Assistance Board and serving as the tri-state chair of the Blue Knights International Motorcycle Club.

If re-elected, Todd said he will focus on the debate over whether Hamlin should have its own Recreation Center.

Hamlin Town Justice
By the numbers, the Hamlin Town Justice race is one of the unique races in Monroe County. Republican Paul W. Rath is running for his seventh consecutive four-year term as justice.

Matthew C. Turcotte, who is opposing Rath, is a 21-year old student at SUNY Brockport.

Despite being younger than Rath's term in office, Turcotte said he is up for the challenge. "I admit my opponent has more hands-on experience than I do," said Turcotte. "However, I believe my educational background and the morals my family and the study of Tae Kwondo has taught me has helped to prepare me for this."

Rath said he hopes to be re-elected because, "I have been fair and honest with everyone who has come before me."

"The job has a lot of responsibility, as a town justice holds a lot of power over the people that come before him," Rath said.