All persons running for election to town office
are invited to send in a one page bio and photo.
Joseph Spinella for Town Council - June 2023
I am Joseph Spinella, your neighbor, a proud father of three, and husband to Autumn “Kaiser” a life-long Grand Island resident. I love Grand Island and truly want to make it the best it can be not only for the future of my children, but for all its residents; many of which I consider family. I truly believe my education, diverse background & skills, and managerial experiences make me worthy of your important vote for Grand Island Town Council on June 27th. I received an Associate’s degree from ECC, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems at Buffalo State College, and my MBA from the University at Buffalo. Presently I work at M&T Bank as a “VP” Technology Manager and have been employed there for over 20 years, attaining many more certifications along the way. My many years managing staff and both large and small-scale initiatives at M&T provides me with a unique set of skills that would make me an excellent addition to the Grand Island Town Board.As a long-time fiscally conservative Republican that is currently endorsed by both the Republican & Conservative parties for Grand Island Town Council, I believe that doing the right thing should always come first. Community is very important to me, and I greatly enjoy socializing with my many neighbors and friends here on the Island. I am a member of the Grand Island Tech Advisory board, a GIGOP Committeeman, and belong to and attend many of our local community organizations and events regularly.
When elected to the Town Council of Grand Island, I would be devoted to both Short & Long-term planning as follows:
Improve our technology and security posture
Promote responsible fiscal decisions for our residents
Enhancements to Community safety
Promote both new & existing community businesses
Support our local schools and youth programs
Do my best to promote important values such as tolerance & respect for all residents
Ensure all the residents of Grand Island have a voice in the decision-making process
Grand Island is a hidden gem in Western New York, and I fully plan to raise our 3 children here and hopefully God willing watch our grandchildren grow up in this place I have grown to love and call home. So, if you believe in this community and want to make it the best it can be, I would truly appreciate your vote in the coming Primary election June 27th, 2023. (Early voting starts 6/17)
Tom Digati for Town Council - June 2023
I am Tom Digati and I am running for re-election to the Town Board. Both my wife and I both grew up here and graduated from Grand Island in 2003. We chose to raise our family here because we love this community and unique balance of population and greenspace. We now have two young sons. I ran for Town Board to do my part to ensure our children love this Town as much as we do.After graduating from Grand Island, I obtained a bachelor's degree from Buffalo State College and then attended University at Buffalo Law School. I am a litigation attorney and partner with the firm Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak, LLP. Outside of the office(s), I coach baseball, am a member of the Grand Island Lions Club, and enjoy playing and watching sports of all kinds. Prior to being elected to the Town Board, I served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, a board that I am now the liaison to. My experience as an attorney has helped me as a Board member. I worked to successfully negotiate contracts with all the unions in the Town this year. It has also helped me navigate various other issues throughout my tenure.
Over the last three and half years I have worked diligently to make decisions that I feel are best for our community. I take the time to educate myself regarding the facts and history surrounding the decisions and consider not only the short term, but the long-term impacts of our decisions. We have a very unique community and most of us cherish the ample green space blended with neighborhoods and business corridors our community offers. Preserving the feel and characteristics of this community has been and will always be, one of my main priorities. Not every project is appropriate for our community, but we also cannot have a closed door. Likewise, while everyone wants to keep our property taxes as low as possible, that needs to be balanced with both ensuring the financial stability of our community and the level of services our residents expect. It is not as simple as being "fiscally conservative": that could easily lead to long-term issues, especially in an economy as volatile as the current one. Rather, an approach of fiscal responsibility is a more appropriate expression of my approach and, in my opinion, the most prudent approach.
There is a primary on the republican line on June 27, with early voting between June 17 and June 25, and I ask for your vote. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at tdigati@gmail.com or give me a call at 716-984-4521.
Pete Marston Jr - June 2023
Pete Marston has been an island resident for over 40 years. He is a 1987 graduate of Grand Island High School. He went on to study Mechanical engineering and mechanical drawing at NCCC. He has Been a small business owner on Grand Island since 2001. His small engine sales and service business serves Grand Island residents almost exclusively.Over the years, Pete and his wife Sue,have been involved in many community events, and have been involved in fundraising events for organizations such as Relay for Life, Cycle for survival, Cub Scout pack 630, Grand Island Snowmobile Club, Grand Island Little league, Kegabien playground committee, to name a few.
Pete was involved with several town advisory boards for many years. He has been a member of the Grand Island town planning board and past planning board chair,Assessment review board, long range planning committee, and sidewalks and trails committee before being elected to councilman and now deputy supervisor.
As an elected official, Pete has a clear picture on how to get projects done and to operate in a civil manor. He has enjoyed a good relationship with town employees and residents. Long term prosperity for Grand Island has always been his main focus. Improvements to parks and trails has been a passion of his while serving. There have been substantial improvements in these areas.
Pete enjoys living, working, raising his son Pete the third along with his Wife Sue, on Grand island, and is excited to continue to serve this community in this new role.
Mike Madigan for Town Supervisor - June 2023
I have lived on Grand Island since 1987. My wife, Leslie (Elias) Madigan, is a lifelong Islander. Leslie and I raised two boys (young men) William and Matthew who both attended and graduated from the Grand Island School District. We are both currently raising two cats (Murdock and Kitty) and a dog (Nilla). I am an avid hunter, fisherman, enjoy skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer (crew in races on Lake Erie).
I have an associate degree in Fisheries and Wildlife, a bachelor’s degree in communication, and am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). I have been a Grand Island Volunteer Fireman since 2015 and previously served as a Volunteer fireman in Rush NY where I was born and raised.
I was first elected to the Town Council in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. My platform in 2015 included a commitment to propose term limits for the board – promise kept. In both elections my platform reflected my passion for good government that is open, transparent and that recognizes that the money that funds it, is provided through the hard work of the taxpayers, and respects that fact and acts accordingly – promise kept.
Today I am running for Town Supervisor in the June 27th Republican Primary and am running with Dan Kilmer who is running for Town Council. Our platform’s goal is to Keep Grand Island Affordable for Seniors, Middle Class, and Young Families. Our platform’s goal is to Keep Grand Island Affordable for Seniors, Middle Class, and Young Families and to better represent our residents as a Board. Our commitment include:
*We will Propose suspending the costly Island wide property re-assessment and determine a more appropriate frequency (every ten years perhaps?).
*We will not override the tax cap. We are true fiscal conservatives. Pete Marston and Tom Digati voted “yes” to a 5% property tax increase, double the cap limit, without first proposing even one spending cut – not one!
*We will not be bought by developers or special interests. We are self-funded, unlike our opponents.
*We will appoint a Citizen Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee. We seek to bring the voices of the residents of Grand Island to the table when it comes to big developers coming to Grand Island.
*We will appoint a Citizens Finance Committee to look at all aspects of town expenses, debt and investments focused on pro-active management.
*We will propose an Anti-Nepotism Policy focused on mitigating the risk of a qualified Grand Island Resident being passed up for a town job.
Dan Kilmer for Town Council - June 2023
Grand Island is a fantastic place to live, and I feel fortunate to be here next to the mighty Niagara River. I am married to Michele (Floro) Kilmer who’s lived on the island for 24 years, I have four children from a previous marriage and Michele has two children. We are also proud owners of two dogs Bravo and Phoebe.
I am a retired 38-year veteran who proudly served our country in the Navy, Army, and Air National Guard. In 2000 I was appointed Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Lewiston, and in 2002 I was elected to the Lewiston Town Board. My record of accomplishments supports the fact that I am a fiscally conservative republican. For example: * Modern Disposal: I initiated the renegotiation of their contract that saved taxpayers $1M over my term in office and over $2.5M total. Lewiston is a smaller town, so this was a substantial savings.
* As Councilman I initiated the hire of a new Recreation Director with the goal to improve the towns recreation program, including putting in place new programs for our residents, programs that generated fees that would offset his salary. The goal was fully met resulting in both improved programs for residents and at minimal to no cost to taxpayers.
* As councilman I supported town residents concerns in stopping two bureaucrats from getting overly expensive town cars, I successfully pushed to have them get cheaper cars...to be used for only town business.
* As Councilman I learned that Town Board members often are pressured into spending and increasing staffing as they seek to gain favor with town employees, friends, and family.
* My mantra in 2002 was and still is "there is no difference between a tax and spend Democrat and a tax and spend Republican. It was true in 2002 and it is true today. This is what differentiates me from my opponents who are RINOs".
I am running for Town Council in the June 27th Republican Primary and am running with Mike Madigan (candidate for Town Supervisor). Our platform’s goal is to Keep Grand Island Affordable for Seniors, Middle Class, and Young Families and to better represent our residents as a Board. Our commitment to residents includes the following:
* We will Propose suspending the costly Island wide property re-assessment and determine a more appropriate frequency (every ten years perhaps?).
* We will not override the tax cap. We are true fiscal conservatives. Pete Marston and Tom Digati voted “yes” to a 5% property tax increase, double the cap limit, without first proposing even one spending cut – not one!
* We will not be bought by developers or special interests. We are self-funded, unlike our opponents.
* We will appoint a Citizen Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee. We seek to bring the voices of the residents of Grand Island to the table when it comes to big developers coming to Grand Island.
* We will appoint a Citizens Finance Committee to look at all aspects of town expenses, debt and investments focused on pro-active management.
* We will propose an Anti-Nepotism Policy focused on mitigating the risk of a qualified Grand Island Resident being passed up for a town job.
