By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:bill.wolcott@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Bill</a>
CAMBRIA — Three candidates are bidding for two seats on the Cambria Town Board.
Veteran Robert E. Blackman and newcomer Randy M. Roberts earned the two Republican Party endorsements in the primary election. Incumbent Debra L. Kroening was third in the GOP voting, but carries the Independence and Conservative banners into the November election.
Kroening won a four-year term on the Republican ticket four years ago and wonders how losing the GOP nod will affect the voting.
“I won’t know till we get there,” she said. “I’ve been knocking on doors, putting out signs, talking to people. I’ve been going out to community functions, town concerts, events at the fire company.”
Taxes and the town park top Kroening’s concerns.
Blackman, a fifth-generation farmer in Cambria, has served four four-year terms.
“Cambria is dear to me,” Blackman said. “I try to talk with as many people I can. We have to keep taxes in line, but we still have services to maintain.”
The town park development is a concern for him, too. “How fast do we move it along?” Blackman said. The board is debating borrowing money to move it ahead or putting the money in reserve for the project.
The younger people want the park on Upper Mountain Road developed faster. Others say, take it easy.
“People are having trouble paying taxes,” Blackman said. “We’ll see how the population feels.”
A nature trail with outlook stations has been established and there’s a driveway and gazebo. The town used a matching grant from the state to get that work done. The state wanted to preserve chorus frogs.
Roberts, also a lifelong resident of the town, will work as a foreman at the Pfeiffer Foods in Wilson until the plant closes on Nov. 20.
“I’ve got a little more time; the kids are bigger. I got the overwhelming urge to do something for the town and the residents,” Roberts said. “I’ve talked to residents. They’re concerned about the rural setting. They don’t want growth too fast. They want a little growth.”
As for the park, Roberts said, “It’s well on its way. There is still some work to do. We got it this far, and I want to see it finished.”
Town Supervisor Wright Ellis, Town Clerk Lou Anne Murawski and tax collector Debra Littere are unopposed with Republican, Independence and Conservative nods.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.
