Third candidate for Albion mayor submits petitions to be on ballot

Kevin Graham says he has financial background to help village with $7 million budget

ALBION – A third candidate for Albion mayor has emerged in the March 15 village election. Kevin Graham submitted petitions to run as an independent in the election.

Kevin Graham

He will face Angel Javier Jr. who has the Republican line and Vickie Elsenheimer who has the Democratic Party line.

Javier and Elsenheimer also submitted petitions today to run on independent lines. Javier’s independent line will be called “Better Together Albion Strong” and Elsenheimer will be on the independent “Move Albion Forward.”

Candidates on the independent line need at least 100 signatures from registered voters in the village who weren’t at the Democratic and Republican caucuses on Jan. 25. Today was the deadline to submit petitions.

Two other Democratic candidates – Sandra Walter and Joyce Riley – also submitted independent party petitions to be on the “Move Albion Forward” line.

Graham, 57, graduated from Albion in the same class with Elsenheimer. He has worked as a certified public accountant for 23 years and currently is in the finance department at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The East Avenue resident previously was the chief financial officer at the Arc of Genesee & Orleans, an organization with a $23 million budget. He was there until last April. That Arc has since merged with the Arc in Livingston and Wyoming counties.

Graham said he would bring “a fresh set of eyes” to the village government, including a $7 million village budget.

He believes that skill set with budgets would be an asset to village taxpayers and the village employees.

“I want to jump in and help out the community,” Graham said. “My qualities, I have a lot of experience I could bring to the job. Finances are my forte.”

Graham went door to door collecting signatures in the past week. He heard from residents they want a more vibrant downtown, stronger neighborhoods and more improvements in the village parks.

He praised the current Village Board for seeing through major upgrades to Bullard Park, which includes a new splash pad, amphitheater and utility building with a pavilion and bathrooms.

“They’ve done a great job with Bullard Park,” Graham said about the current board. “I’d like to continue the effort with the parks, and have more community events.”

Graham admitted he doesn’t have much political experience. He is a not affiliated with a political party.

“I am a true independent,” he said. “ I can work with anybody – Republican or Democrat.”