LEWISTON: Current village trustee said to be favorite to fill board vacancy

Local News

February 7, 2010

By Nick Mattera The Niagara Gazette Sun Feb 07, 2010, 11:51 PM EST

Lewiston’s vacated town board seat is expected to be filled at tonight’s worksession, Town officials said.

Four candidates have been interviewed for the position that became available when longtime board member Michael A. Johnson stepped down to become the town’s new budget manager, and sources have indicated that his replacement is a familiar face.

Current Village Trustee Ronald R. Winkley is the likely candidate to assume the vacant position, but he wasn’t ready to speculate when contacted this weekend.

“I had an interview (Friday) with Lewiston and I know they have other people they have to interview,” Winkley said. “As far as being a favorite that’s up to them. We will know on Monday.”

Supervisor Steven L. Reiter confirmed that Winkley was one of the four candidates and did little to refute that he was the favorite.

“Yeah Ron is a candidate and his name has come up a lot in our discussions,” Reiter said when asked if Winkley was the likely replacement. “It should be voted upon Monday, and it would not be responsible of me to say anyone is our favorite.”

The replacement will only be temporary as the seat’s term expires in November, forcing the replacement to have to hit the campaign trail in the fall.

Winkley, a Republican, is the former Lewiston police chief and ran unsuccessfully for supervisor in 2007.

Johnson, the lone Democrat remaining the board, stepped down from the $13,452 position to assume the $41,000 budget managers position at the last town board meeting.

Reiter said other than the possible vote, the meeting will consist of regular business.

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