Conservative Party makes endorsements

Passarell backed for Albion town supervisor

ALBION – The Orleans County Conservative Party has endorsed a slate of candidates who the party says are committed to reining in local taxes.

The group endorsed Matt Passarell for Albion town supervisor. Passarell, a current town councilman, was passed over by the Albion Republican Committee, which also interviewed Jake Olles, a town councilman. The GOP opted against endorsing either one.

The Conservative endorsement assures Passarell a line on the November ballot.

Conservatives also endorsed Emil Smith of Medina to run for County Legislature against incumbent Bill Eick, who represents a district that includes the towns of Shelby, Barre and Clarendon.

“We’re hoping for a change,” said Al Lofthouse, the party chairman from Kendall. “We’re under duress with taxes. We’re hoping if nothing else it wake all of these people up, the people in office and the voters.”

The party is critical for Republicans in several municipalities for overriding the 2 percent tax cap imposed by the state. The Conservatives made their endorsements in two meetings last month and on Monday. Lofthouse said he doesn’t expect the party to endorse more candidates.

One Republican incumbent, Don Allport, was backed the Conservatives for another two-year term on the county.

The Conservative Party also endorsed Gaines Town Supervisor Carol Culhane, Gaines Town Councilwoman Susan Smith and Gaines Town Justice Bruce Schmidt.

The Conservatives endorsed other candidates to run against sitting Republicans, including Paul Snook for Carlton highway superintendent, Raymond Wendling for Ridgeway highway superintendent, Bilal Huzair for Carlton town councilman and Paul Lauricella for Yates town councilman. Lauricella is treasurer of the Orleans County Conservative Party.

“We’re tired of the way Republicans are running things,” Lauricella said. “They’ve lost their principles.”