Hamlin supervisor won’t seek re-election

Five years of putting the Town of Hamlin first has caught up with Supervisor Austin F. Warner III.

“I made a real big mistake. I put the town before my family,” Warner said. He explained that the number of hours he has devoted to serving Hamlin has made it difficult to financially support his family. To rectify the situation, he announced to the Republican Committee on March 22, that he wouldn’t seek re-election.

“I came in like a whirlwind and I’ll go out like a whirlwind,” he said.

Warner decided to run for supervisor six years ago. He ran in a primary against Dick Kruger and won. He then defeated Peter Tonery in the election. The following term he ran unopposed. In the last election, he defeated Ed Evans in a primary and then beat Tonery in the general election.

Warner said he will be active up until the last day of his term in December. He hopes to have the new master plan completed before he leaves office and he is hoping to have finished a review of the zoning codes.

Ending his three-term run as supervisor doesn’t mean vanishing from the local political scene.

“I’m not walking away. I’m stepping aside,” Warner said. “I would entertain running for an elected position again if the timing is right.”

He said he considered running in the upcoming election as a full-time supervisor. However, the ability to adjust the position to full-time rests with the town board and Warner said he was not sure which way they would rule.

“Regardless of who the supervisor is, this should be a full-time position,” Warner said. “When you look at it, you are responsible for 9,355 people and oversee a $2.6 million budget.” Warner said Hamlin’s supervisor position currently pays $20,000 and does not specify a required number of hours.

Warner said he has put in close to 30 hours per week with his involvement in many committees and by keeping his door open to the public.

“When I decided I had to call it quits, my wife said she was sorry. She knew how much I’ve loved this job,” Warner said. “I love this town.”