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Mary Holtz plans bid for supervisor
By John J. Hopkins Times
With Supervisor James J. Jankowiak deciding not to seek a full four-year term as town supervisor, Town Clerk Mary Holtz will seek the Cheektowaga Democratic party's nomination for supervisor, the Times has learned.
Holtz, who has worked for various departments in the town for 36 years, said she is in the process of submitting her letter of intent to the party's committee members.
"I had a little time to think about it, and I decided I would do it," Holtz told the Times.
Holtz said she believes she has the knowledge and ability to handle the post. She lists one dozen goals and objectives she would like to pursue as supervisor.
Many of her goals deal with providing efficient services as cost effectively as possible, while keeping the tax rate low.
"The biggest problem is we're an older town; we have a big pocket of people living on social security," Holtz said. "We have to be careful with what we spend and how we spend it."
Holtz said she also hopes to continue Jankowiak's lead by examining town facilities before deciding what needs replacing and upgrades.
"I don't want to run in and build a new town hall," Holtz said. "I don't think we can afford to do that. We need to keep things in perspective."
Holtz also hopes to attract more business to Cheektowaga and stabilize the town's housing stock, noting that Cheektowaga borders Buffalo.
"We're a ring town and I live in an area that's (closest to Buffalo)," Holtz said. "We really have to think about how we're going to develop the town from here. How do we get these older areas redeveloped?"
A fiscally sound town and protection of historic, cultural and environmental assets completes her list.
Holtz said she would also promote an open government and cooperative leadership.
As town clerk, Holtz has made many inroads toward open government. Through the use of the "Minute Traq" system, the public has access to town board meeting information prior to the meetings. The system also allows a person to find archived documents.
Vital records will soon be available online, and eventually all board meetings from 1839 to the present will be available on the Internet.
Jankowiak was appointed supervisor in January when Dennis H. Gabryszak stepped down following his election to the New York State Assembly.
Jankowiak's decision not to seek the four-year term caught some political observers off-guard. Cheektowaga Democratic party Chairman Frank Max said he was surprised as well.
"I said, 'You have got to be kidding me,'" Max said, adding he used a stronger word than "kidding." Still, he said that he respects Jankowiak's decision.
Six months remain until the general election, and 2007 is shaping up to be an important year in local politics- with six town positions and Erie County Legislature positions to be decided by voters- and several Town Democrats possibly jockeying for positions on the ballot.
Political observers expect Councilmember Thomas M. Johnson not to run for re-election as well.
Max said in a letter on the Democrat Party's Web site that they are operating with the expectation that Johnson will step down.
"Our job now is to find the best and the brightest candidates for our slate in a very short time frame," Max said in a letter on the group's Web site.
However, Johnson told the Times that he has not made a decision, adding he has to discuss the matter with his wife, Barbara.
"It will be a joint decision," Johnson said. "I love the people in this town. They're terrific, kind, caring constituents. My entire career has been based on solving people's problems."
Local political observers believe that any change could create a veritable game of "musical chairs" on the Democratic ticket. One scenario has Councilmember Alice Magierski seeking the clerk's post, opening up a town council position.
"This could trigger openings in other elected positions that may all of a sudden become vacant," Max acknowledged. "The bottom line is our responsibility to fill these positions with capable people, and these sudden openings present an excellent opportunity to anyone who may have thought of running for office."
Not too many names have been mentioned for councilmember in political circles, but Diane Benczkowski, a member of the Depew Board of Education, has publicly announced her interest in a councilmember post. Benczkowski ran for councilmember on the Republican ticket in 2005.
Another potential candidate is Charlie Markel, who also switched parties last year, joining the Democrats. Markel is said to be interested in the supervisor's job.
Holtz, whose father Benedict was a town supervisor from 1947-1962, said there is some sentimentality attached to running for supervisor.
"I was a kid when my dad was supervisor," Holtz said.
Candidates must file their intention with the party by Friday. A screening committee will interview all of the candidates.
"We will expect anyone who wants to be considered to present their best ideas and vision on governance and administration of our Town," Max said. "We are expecting performance, dedication of time and energy that our constituency demands and expects."
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