Hamlin Democrats say they won't wait
until next election to raise issues

If nothing else, Hamlin's Democratic Town Leader Richard Marsden is glad that voters will have to do a double take next time they go to the polls.

"I heard about a guy who had been voting in Hamlin for 50 years and didn't even realize that there was a second row in the voting booth," Marsden said. Since the latest town election, the Democratic Party has been meeting regularly and working to solidify an active presence in the community.

In addition to putting a full slate of candidates together, the Democrats were able to increase the number of registered Democrats in the town. As of January there are 1,105 registered Hamlin Democrats, roughly half as many as the number of registered Republicans. However, Marsden said it is equally significant that there are 1,184 Hamlin voters who have not selected a party affiliation.

Jim Martin, who last November ran on the Democratic and All Hamlin Party tickets for a town board spot, said there is real power in being more than 1,000 voters strong.

"We're suffering from a hangover from 35 years of one party rule, but I think it is very promising that the Democrats will be the party in Hamlin, or very influential as a coalition," said Martin. He even holds out hope that the Democrats may be able to court some Republican votes in the next election.

"There are Republicans and there are Warner Republicans," said Martin. "We're all inclusive for Hamlin residents who are disenfranchised with the current administration."

Marsden said the party's current focus is to write bylaws, recruit new members, raise funds and look for community service projects that the Democratic committee could help.

"Our focus is going to be on making Hamlin a better town," said Marsden.

The Democratic Committee meets every fourth Wednesday at the Hamlin Town Hall. Interested individuals can attend and can Marsden at 964-3855.