Republican Parma Town Board Member changes political party affiliation

Republican Parma Town Board Member
changes political party affiliation

In information released July 11, the Monroe County Democratic Committee announced that current Parma Town Councilman Joe Reinschmidt has changed his party affiliation with the Monroe County Board of Elections and will seek re-election this fall as a Democrat with the party endorsement. The need for greater accountability and reform were cited as reasons for the long time Republican’s party change.

“In order to remain an effective leader in this community I have made the decision to change parties and run for re-election as a Democrat. My Republican counterparts on the Parma Town Council have strayed from the core values and beliefs of the party I joined years ago. At times I feel they are out of touch and don’t always represent the best interests of the entire town. Parma residents value independent thinking and a strong conscience, and that is what I have brought and will continue to bring to Parma town government,” Reinschmidt was quoted as saying in the press release.

“His years of experience, his involvement in the community, and his dedication to open and responsive government were all factors we looked at before asking him to join the Democratic slate,” Chad Kyler, Parma’s Democratic leader stated in the press release. “Joe has a solid record of service to Parma as a councilman since 2001. Prior to that he had served 21 years as Building and Development Coordinator which was preceded by 12 years on the Planning Board and we look forward with great anticipation to his re-election this fall.”

Reinschmidt was elected to the town board on the Republican line in 2001. He previously served as coordinator in the Building and Development department and served on the town board from 1965-1977.

The Parma Democratic slate includes Ignatius LaDelfa for town supervisor, Harriet Zunno for town justice and Nicholas Coffee for town council.

Gary Comardo, Parma Republican Town Leader, said the Parma Republicans chose their slate at their convention this spring. Reinschmidt applied but did not receive party endorsement for the seat. The Republican slate for town offices in Parma is: town supervisor - Richard Lemcke; highway superintendent - Brian Speer; town justice - Michael Sciortino; town council - James Smith; town council - Gary Comardo. All except Comardo are incumbents.