Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Amherst Deputy Town Supervisor Shawn Lavin (D) is set to succeed Brian Kulpa at year's end after defeating candidate Dan Gagliardo (R) in the race for Amherst Town Supervisor.
Lavin, who has served on the Amherst Town Board since 2017, campaigned on improving technology, enhancing transparency, and strengthening essential services. He says his administration will focus on making town operations more efficient and accessible to residents.
"Residents want responsive leadership. They want you to incorporate them in the conversation, and then they want solutions. They do not want excuses, and that's what I think we're going to deliver," said Lavin in an interview with WBEN on Tuesday.
One of the most debated issues in Amherst has been the future of the Westwood Country Club property. Lavin says the project predates his time in office, and that the town acted to preserve the land in response to residents’ concerns about overdevelopment.
Another topic at the top of Lavin's mind as he is set to take over for Kulpa is future development, and looking for those who want to invest and develop in the Town of Amherst. Up first in that discussion is the future of the Boulevard Mall.
"I think we've got to get the Boulevard Mall done. That's the centerpiece between both UB campuses, and that's going to be a cornerstone of our future plan," Lavin noted.
As for Gagliardo, a local businessman, he ran on a platform emphasizing fiscal responsibility, transparency, and public safety. He criticized the town’s handling of the former Westwood Country Club property, citing concerns about spending and public input.
"We did a great thing here. We came back, we did a great thing. You can't take what we've done and take it apart now," said Gagliardo during his concession speech Tuesday night. "We've got to build on it, and we've got to get better."
Gagliardo admits he learned quite a bit in his campaign, that saw him come up just over six points short.
"I listened more, I had more empathy towards the residents out there, and we can only hope they're going to do the exact same thing when they're in office," Gagliardo said. "I'll tell you now, we have to keep up the questions. We have to make sure that we're looking at what they're doing. We cannot let this take us down. We just have to build up and do better for it."
Outgoing Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa was unable to seek a third term due to term limits. However, he has all the confidence in Lavin to take over his seat in office and continue serving the residents of Amherst.
"At the end of the day, Shawn's a tremendous leader. He's gonna be wonderful for our community," Kulpa said with WBEN. "I've been able to work alongside of him, coach with him at Little League, work with him on a lot of community functions. He's just a wonderful man, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the next chapter gets written under his leadership."