Three-Way Race in Fair Haven
Louise Hoffman Broach / Wayuga Editor
Tuesday, March 9 2010
FAIR HAVEN - Challenger Susan Stanistreet is running for a seat on the village board, making the contest a three-way race March 16 with incumbents Holley Webster and Matthew Osterhaudt.
Webster and Osterhaudt are running for trustee on the Republican ticket; Stanistreet is running on the independent Wildwood Coalition line.
A teacher at Red Creek Central School, Stanistreet said she named her party after Wildwood Drive because that’s where she lives. She indicated in her campaign literature that she is running because of difficulties with the Fair Haven Zoning Board of Appeals allowing a home to be illegally constructed on the drive. She said she and her neighbors are bringing a lawsuit against the ZBA relative to the construction.
She is also running, she said, “so the village taxpayers get a chance to participate in the Democratic process.
“We haven’t had that opportunity in the last several elections as the same people keep running for office,” Stanistreet said.
Osterhaudt said that Stanistreet’s involvement in the race is a good thing.
“We’re glad to see that happen,” said Osterhaudt, who is a retired Red Creek science teacher and a resident of Victory Street. “It isn’t good when there is no competition. We don’t like the ho-hum. I like the idea of people being involved; we’re finally getting a good number of people to come to our meetings.”
Osterhaudt has served on the village board on and off since the 1970s, he said.
“I love the village and always have,” he said “I always feel we owe the village so much for being so kind to us, least I can do is serve the best I can. I think I know where we want to go with Fair Haven. It’s exciting to see things happen and see the village prosper.”
Webster, of Richmond Avenue, is also not put off by a three-way contest because she says it shows that more people want a voice in government.
“Absolutely, I’m right behind him,” she said about Osterhaudt’s comments. “It’s good to see people getting involved, saying they want change. I wish there were more people coming to our meetings. They’re paying taxes and they could have an input; I don’t know if they know that.”
She said she’s running again “because I think I’ve seen some accomplishment last five years and I have enjoyed being part of it. I enjoy the change I’ve seen in community, a I am glad to have a voice that matters.”
Webster is the manager of the Senior Nutrition Program in Fair Haven and the Manager of Bayside Grocery.
Voting is March 16 from noon to 9 p.m. at the Fair Haven Village Hall. The trustee seats are the only offices up for vote; the term is four years. Trustees are paid $3,600 annually.
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