Association urges Shelby to keep highway superintendent as elected position

Editor:

The Town of Shelby is considering a change for the Highway Superintendent position to go from elected by the people to appointed by the Town Board.

The New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc. (NYSAOTSOH) opposes this change. Currently, the Highway Superintendent is accountable to the people of the town and should remain that way.

Voter Accountability: According to the State Comptroller the single largest expense in New York State’s towns is maintaining their local infrastructure. By having an elected highway superintendent the voters decide directly the person who will administer the largest share of their tax dollars.

As a full-time elected official with this sole purpose in mind, highway superintendents are constantly in touch with their constituents’ needs. If the position is no longer elected town residents will lose the ability to make a direct change for themselves.

The Bottom Line: It does not seem wise to take the power from the people to elect and transfer that power to the Town Board.

Keep your power to choose!

The New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Inc. is the State’s largest transportation association representing Highway Superintendents in 933 towns responsible for maintaining local transportation infrastructure.

Sincerely,

James A. Dussing

President of New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways

Highway Superintendent, Town of Clarence, Erie County