Collins Democrat Committee announces candidates for Nov. 3 election
COLLINS - The Town of Collins Democrat Committee has announced its slate of candidates for town office in the fall election Nov. 3.
Running for the position of Supervisor is Merle Harvey, a lifelong resident of western New York and recently retired owner of Harvey's Farm Market and Greenhouses in Springville.
A graduate of West Valley Central School, Harvey attended SUNY Cobleskill and Oswego State University. He is a life member of Salem Lutheran Church in Springville and a member of Erie County Farm Bureau, Erie County Cooperative Extension, a local committeeman for Agway and a former member of the Gowanda Central School Board of Education.
Married to the former Diane Baker, Harvey says his goal for the Town of Collins is to make town government more responsive to all of its citizens.
Candidates for the two positions as Councilman are Harold "Skip" Rundle, a retired Erie County Deputy Sheriff, and Robert "Rob" Gaylord, former supervisor of the Town of Collins.
Rundle, a 30-year resident of the Town of Collins, is a Viet Nam veteran and a member of the Collins Center Fire Company, Collins Conservation Club and Collins Draft Horse & Pony & Ox Club.
He and his late wife Maggie were parents of three children and eight grandchildren. Rundle is seeking to be a voice for the people of the Town of Collins helping to keep government in touch with needs of its constituents.
Gaylord, a lifelong resident of the Gowanda area, is a graduate of Gowanda Central School and Hamilton College. He has a long history of public service, beginning his tenure as Collins Town Supervisor at age 23, and ultimately serving 20 years, having been re-elected 10 times.
Demands of his successful career in banking as well as the responsibility of raising teenagers led to his decision to leave the town position. He has been very involved in community activities including co-chair of the Academy Place Advisory Committee, which is now leading a $10 million renovation of the former Middle Street Elementary School.
Gaylord is president of the Collins Library Board of Trustee, vice-president of Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corporation and is currently employed by HSBC Bank USA, N.A as a vice president and senior trust officer.
He and his wife, Sandy, reside on Buffalo Street in Gowanda. Gaylord now runs for the seat of councilman on a platform of being an experienced choice, promising as before to be responsive, progressive and fiscally responsible.
Also on the Democratic line is Francis "Joe" Gernatt, who is seeking re-election as Highway Superintendent. Gernatt, a lifelong resident of Collins, first took office in January 1992 following a lengthy career as a certified heavy machine equipment operator in private industry.
Since taking office Gernatt has been active in improvements to the Collins Highway Department, continues to gain the most up-to-date information on all aspects of running a highway department through annual attendance at the Highway School at Ithaca College.
A Vietnam war veteran, Gernatt is a life member of the Gowanda VFW, a member of Collins Fire Depart-ment, Gowanda American Legion Post 409, the Gowanda Moose Club, the NRA, Collins Conservation Club and St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.
He and his wife, Sandy, are parents of four grown children. Gernatt is proud of his staff of hard working employees and enjoys his work with the highway department.
All are endorsed Democrat and Citizens 1st candidates.
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momtoter
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09-30-09 7:00 AM
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Might wanna think again about that last one! :-)
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