Gates Democratic Committee established,
elects Swanton as leader

Susan Swanton was elected Town Leader at the organizational meeting of the Gates Democratic Committee March 4. More than 20 people attended the organizational meeting to join the Democratic Committee. "There is obviously a lot of enthusiasm for the Democratic Party in Gates and a lot of interest in restoring a real two-party system in the town," Monroe County Democratic Chair Molly Clifford said.

Swanton is the retired director of the Gates Public Library and founding president of the Gates Historical Society. She ran for Gates Town Supervisor last fall on the Working Families Party line and won 25 percent of the votes cast for this position.

Swanton plans to bring increased visibility for the Gates Democrats in the community and is working to develop Democratic representatives in all 35 Gates election districts. She has already secured volunteers in nearly half of those districts. "More people are enrolling in the Democratic Party in Gates than in any other party," Swanton said. Democrats only trail Republicans in Gates by 892 voters. "These changing demographics bode well for development of an active Democratic party presence. With the enthusiasm we expect will result from this fall's national election, we hope to attract a new level of activism to the local Democratic party so that by fall 2005, we will be able to offer Gates residents a full slate of high quality candidates. It's time for a choice in local elections," the party leader said.

The Gates Democrats will meet the first Tuesday of every month, beginning on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Club House. To join the Gates Democratic Committee or for information contact Sue Swanton at 247-0142.