Zelazny says he brings independent voice to Shelby Town Board

Editor:

Four years ago, I ran to serve our great community as a Town Councilman. I promised to be the voice of the people, the watchdog, making sure to shine a light on the dark shadows of government to create more transparency. Talk is cheap when we operate in a results-driven world.

Many of you know me as a straight shooter. It’s dangerous when the political party bosses hand pick blind leaders to promote their power and greed. We pick up enough BS on the farm throughout the year and sheep are useful for when you can’t sleep. We don’t deserve this kind of leadership in Town Hall.

I can look back at the last four years and be proud that the promises I made were kept, which make me accountable to our community. I’m not a bobble-head politician, I do not blindly follow the party bosses. My “agenda” comes from you, the people.

My record speaks for itself. Shelby is not barren wasteland. It’s full of opportunity. We have a majority-controlled government that doesn’t prioritize us but rather prefers status-quo. I have proudly voted “No” when it negatively impacts our community and vote “Yes” when it’s the right thing to do. No one is perfect but I’m proud of the accountability and transparency we have mandated over the last four years.

One of the biggest things I can do as a Councilman is vote on the budget. I have never voted for a tax increase; I routinely seek a tax decrease. In fact, when the majority-led Town Board couldn’t justify their over spending on paper, they justified it through the reassessment. I was the most vocal opponent! Revenue isn’t the problem, out-of-control politicians are!

When the majority-led Town Board wanted to institute email voting on Town business, I led the fight against it so that our community can have accountability and transparency. I was proud to bring our meetings to a YouTube channel so that our community can actively participate even when they are not in attendance.

I’m most often a minority voice but it’s an important voice. This election, we have the opportunity to choose between status-quo and the right direction for Shelby. I will continue to be the champion of our community and not the party bosses. Together, we can leave the BS on the farm while delivering results for the taxpayers.

Ed Zelazny

Shelby Town Councilman