Candidates page

CANDIDATES PAGE

Each candidate is invited to send in a picture and biography (100 words) to be viewed on this page until the elections are over. The biographies will be listed in alphabetical order. If you are interested in advertising on Isledegrande.com during the election, please view our information page.

Dick Crawford for Grand Island Councilman
   Grand Island Councilman Dick Crawford has accepted the Republican, Independence and Conservative Parties endorsements and announces his candidacy for re-election.
   As a member of the Town Board, Dick has served as liaison to the Library Board of Trustees, Cable TV, Parks & Recreation, Traffic Safety, Highway Committee, Economic Development and Employee Relations. In addition he has chaired or co-chaired the Cellular Tower Committee, Ferry Village and Computer and Technology Committee. Working with these various committees and Town Hall personnel collaborative projects include; computer upgrades for Town wide services, cellular tower co-location, adherence to a future grid placement system and a revenue producing program at town facilities, traffic signage and warning beacons at school sites, additional hours, book resources and security lighting at the Library and the addition of present and future athletic fields for our recreation programs.
   Active in the community he is a past president and current member of the board of directors of the Lions Club of Grand Island, member of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and has worked and supported many other Island groups with their projects. As a member of several professional organizations, Dick has held many leadership positions both locally and statewide. Crawford has received many professional service awards as an active member of both the NYS Recreation & Parks Society and the Niagara Frontier Recreation & Parks Society. In 1998 he was the recipient of their Public Service Award.
   As a member of the Grand Island Town Board, Crawford will continue to work for responsible economic growth, increased recreational opportunities for our youth, adults and senior citizens. With the foremost issue being fiscal responsibility, we must continue to reduce the costs of doing business, re-evaluate our long- term goals thus providing a government that is as responsive to its residents as it is responsible with its tax dollars. As a community activist, independent businessman and your neighbor, Crawford ask’s for your VOTE on Tuesday NOVEMBER 4th.

Patricia Anderson Frentzel for Town Clerk
Experience - Extensive knowledge in financial management and administrative management, budgeting, cost saving operations and human resource management.
Goals - Include the collaboration with state, county and local officials in the areas of cash control, licensing, public relations, record management, e-commerce, election coordination, tax collection and access hours.
Action/Leadership - As a director of the American Heart Association, National Kidney Foundation of WNY, Grand Island and Niagara Falls Chambers of Commerce, Mrs. Frentzel has successfully implemented cost saving measures and streamlined operations to run a more efficient organization.
Endorsements -The Republican and Independence Parties have given their endorsement to Patricia Frentzel.
Volunteer Service - St. Stephen's Parish Council, Golf Classic and Lenten Fish Fry volunteer coordinator. Kids Voting. Former Grand Island Little League baseball coach. Grand Island Soccer League assistant coach. NYSUT-SRP union representative.
Education & Previous Employment - Currently enrolled at Empire State College pursuing a bachelors degree in Business Administration, 1982 graduate of Grand Island High School. St. Stephen School alumni. Grand Island and Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association. National Kidney Foundation of WNY.
Family - Married to Mark J. Frentzel, three sons - Lee Richard, John and Justin. Daughter of Barbara and the late Donald Anderson. Lifetime Island Resident.

Michael E. Heftka – for Grand Island Councilman

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and Mike Heftka together
at a rally protecting G.I. homeowners during the Seneca land claim.

Profile: Mike Heftka is a professional business counselor with experience working in local and state government and is recognized on the state and national level for his accomplishments in assisting entrepreneurs with new ventures. In one term as a councilman (1998-2001), Heftka introduced more than 40 action items to the Town Board agenda. These items helped improve public safety, protect Grand Island’s unique environment and sought opportunities to lower our property taxes. Community Service – Mike Heftka’s volunteer work includes - N.Y.S. Western Erie Canal Planning Commission, St. Stephen’s Religious Education Instructor, Grand Island KidBiz trainer, Riverside/Salem West River Nature Trail, and Grand Island Business Assistance Center.
Goals: Mike’s goals are to cultivate a safer town through improved road shoulders, bike paths and sidewalks. He will also work to develop a prudent plan for a Grand Island recreation center and encourage controlled growth of the town’s commercial tax base in order to lower residential taxes.
Family: Mike and his wife Nancy are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this summer and have seven children: Craig, Jaime, Christopher, Nicholas, Michael, Amanda and Adam.
Endorsements: Mike Heftka is endorsed by the Democratic and Working Families Parties.

Gary G. Roesch for Grand Island Councilman

Experience: 37 years in management positions with NOCO Energy, Director/Officer in associated Business organizations
Endorsements: Conservative and Republican Parties, Registered Conservative
Goals: To work with the Town Board and share my expertise in previous business and community experience and activities.
Education and Employment:Graduate of Kenmore West High School and Erie County Community College. Ashland Oil Co. – 5 yrs, US Navy –honorable discharge, NOCO Energy – 1967- 2003 – retired. Currently part time employment as Project Manager for HMT Tank Services.
Volunteer Service: Presently Chairman of the Planning Board, Past Chairman Conservation Commission, Past Director of the Neighbors Foundation, Past Chief of the Grand Island Fire Company, Member of the Town of Tonawanda Development Corp., Member of Grand Island Long Range Planning Committee, Chairman Town Center Planning Committee, Past Director / President of Ken-Ton YMCA, Past President Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce.
Personal: Married to Carol for 41 years. Three children, Todd and Gregg of Palm Beach, Florida, Tracy of Anchorage, Alaska. Grand Island resident for 40 years.

Rustowicz seeks second term on Grand Island Town Board

   Kevin M. Rustowicz, Democratic candidate for Grand Island Town Councilmember, has announced his bid for re-election for a second four-year term on the Grand Island Town Board. As the only candidate who has consistently voted against Grand Island property tax increases, Rustowicz promised to continue to put the interest of Grand Island first by fighting efforts to raise property taxes.
   Rustowicz is also credited with creating the Grand Island Youth Advisory Board and the Code of Ethics for Grand Island, requiring all Grand Island elected and appointed officials to submit an annual financial disclosure form. Rustowicz also created the first ever Grand Island Board of Review made up of non-political residents to review complaints of ethic violations.
   Rustowicz is the Town liaison to the Community Enrichment Council, Youth Advisory Board, and the Cable Television Board. He assisted in obtaining a TEA-21 Grant while Chairman of the Sidewalk and Bike Path Committee.
   A social studies teacher with the Niagara-Wheatfield School District, Rustowicz has been Varsity Volleyball Coach, Varsity Lacrosse Coach, Class Advisor, Care Team member, recipient of the New York State Safety Award, Dare Instructor and State Officer Trainer.
   Dedicated to his community, Rustowicz is a Grand Island volunteer fireman. Kevin is presently the Chairman of the Board of Review. He has held the office of vice president, is chairman of the Children’s Christmas Party, CPR instructor, and recipient of the 2003 Grand Island Fire Company President’s Award. Rustowicz is a Cub Scout leader, a Grand Island Soccer Club coach, and has coached Little League baseball and softball. Rustowicz is a member of St. Stephen’s Parish, NYSUT, the AFT, the Niagara-Wheatfield Teachers Association, and the Committee of 100.
Goals: Rustowicz’s goals are to continue to put the interest of Grand Island first. He is the only councilman who has not voted for a tax increase on the general fund for the last four years.
Family: Kevin and his wife, Maura (McCowan), live on Tracey Lane with their six children, Michael (12), Katie (10), James (8), Margaret (6), MaryElisabeth (4), and Sean Christian (2).
Endorsements: Kevin is endorsed by the Democratic, Independence, Working Families and the Grand Island First parties, in addition to the AFL-CIO union.

Robin A. Swedish for Town Clerk

Experience/Qualifications: Current Deputy Town Clerk, five-plus years; Notary Public; State Archives Training certification in eGovernment and records management; election inspector training; grant writing for Grand Island’s web site; consolidation of the tax receiver’s office; management of WNY Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic at Weinberg Campus; recipient of 1995 ‘Outstanding Office Manager’ award.
Goals: Implement use of credit cards; electronic commerce exchanges; process agent for passports.
Leadership: President - Grand Island Democratic Women’s Club,
Treasurer - Grand Island Democratic Committee, Secretary - Grand Island Neighbors Foundation, Founder and Chairperson of Grand Crafts on the Island.
Endorsements: Democratic, Conservative and Working Families Party. Union Endorsements: AFLCIO and UAW.
Women's TAP Fund (Taking Action in Politics).
Personal: Married to Bob Swedish; two children, Callan and Dane Fernandez.

Please Contact Jodi Robinson if you have any questions.