In the Town of Shelby, three people are running for two open council seats in Tuesday’s election. Candidates include Republican-endorsed incumbent Paul Gray, Republican-endorsed Ed Houseknecht and Democrat-endorsed Steve Seitz. Current board member Lorne McMurray is not running for re-election. Supervisor Merle Draper is running unopposed.

We asked the three candidates their opinions on several important issues in the town.

Paul Gray

QUESTION: How do you plan to serve the Town of Shelby?

ANSWER: I plan to serve the town by continuing with the good working relationship I have built with the towns, villages and county legislators. I’m currently on several committees that work closely with all of the above entities. I am on the Joint Recreation Committee, which serves the Town of Shelby, Town of Ridgeway and the Village of Medina. The committee helps to fund, organize and oversee the summer parks program.

I am also on the Millville Advisory Board, acting as a liaison for the board. We have secured a grant that will allow us to restore the historical building at the cemetery to its original form. I currently attend the Shared Services Summit monthly. The summit is towns, villages and the county working together to develop ways to share more services and, in exchange, save taxpayers money.

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Q: How long have you lived in the Town of Shelby?

A: Approximately 14 years.

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Q: Why do you want to continue to be a member of the board?

A: I’m currently a councilman for the Town of Shelby, finishing up my first four-year term. I want to continue to serve the Town of Shelby residents and finish a lot of projects the current board and I have been working on. I’ve been involved in creating several water districts and am in the process of creating more. I have several ideas to work through with the board to possibly save taxpayers money and get low-cost water districts throughout the town.

The board and I are always working closely with the Orleans Economic Development Agency to get more business owners interested in establishing their businesses in the Town of Shelby. This will help lower the tax burden on the residents. A perfect example would be the opening of Western New York Energy and Aldi’s.

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Q: What are your qualifications?

A: I feel I am very qualified to serve the residents of Shelby. The first term a councilman serves on the board is like a “learn on the job” experience. I feel as though the taxpayers have paid for a four-year degree and the residents of the Town of Shelby should continue to reap the benefit of that degree. All of the experience I have gained helping with the water districts, serving on committees, the procuring of grants, etc., will benefit the Town of Shelby residents in many ways.

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Q: If elected, would you allow the land adjacent to the refuge to be rezoned industrial land for the creation of a stone quarry?

A: The stone quarry and the land adjacent to the refuge are a hot-button topic for the residents. I do not have all the facts needed to make any decisions right now. The studies are still being done and the reports are not in. When I have all the facts in front of me, I will make the best decision for the current and future residents of our town and the environment around us.





Ed Houseknecht

QUESTION: How do you plan to serve the Town of Shelby?

ANSWER: I plan to use the experience I have gained during my 30-plus years of public service to assist the town in its progress toward the future.

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Q: How long have you lived in the Town of Shelby?

A: I am a lifelong resident of Medina and have lived in Shelby for a total of 27 years.

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Q: Why do you want to be a member of the board?

A: I want to be a member of the Shelby board because I feel I have the qualifications and experience gathered through my many years of public service that will help in the future growth and decision-making of our community.

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Q: What are your qualifications?

A: Superintendent of Public Works for the Village of Medina. Orleans County highway superintendent. I worked in the construction of many of the water districts in and out of the county and installed the utilities at the Orleans County Nursing Home. I have been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and a lifelong area resident.

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Q: If elected, would you allow the land adjacent to the refuge to be rezoned industrial land for the creation of a stone quarry?

A: First of all, if I am elected, I alone would not have the power to allow land adjacent to the refuge to be rezoned to industrial land for the creation of a stone quarry or any other purpose. This question is not a simple yes or no. It will require much time and research on my part to develop an understanding of this issue and be a part of the whole board’s decision process.





Steve Seitz

QUESTION: How do you plan to serve the Town of Shelby?

ANSWER: My goal is to create a lasting prosperity for our town and improve the quality of life for the residents. I want to bring new business and housing to our community.

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Q: How long have you lived in the Town of Shelby?

A: I’m a lifelong resident. I’ve lived in the town for 25 years.

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Q: Why do you want to be a member of the board?

A: I want to bring change. I don’t feel as though the people of the town are being represented the way they should be. I can bring a new perspective to the issues at hand. I want to be a board member because I care.

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Q: What are your qualifications?

A: I currently serve on the Town of Shelby Assessment Review Board Committee and am owner of Seitz Real Estate & Development — a property holding company in Orleans County with more than 100 residential units and 20 commercial units. I provide affordable housing for more than 300 tenants and have been a licensed real estate broker for the past six years. I’m involved in the Community Development (Senior Housing) Project. I also have experience with property management — working with multiple municipalities to maintain local properties.

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Q: If elected, would you allow zoning of the land adjacent to the refuge to be rezoned to industrial land for the creation of a stone quarry?

A: I am for new business and not against quarrying, but I think the majority of the town has spoken through the survey that was done. The job of a councilman is to represent the people, and that’s what I will do. The refuge is a wonderful resource for our town and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.