The Town of Collins Democrat Committee announces its slate of candidates for town office in the fall election on Nov. 3.

     Running for the position of supervisor is Merle Harvey, a lifelong resident of Western New York, who recently retired as owner of Harvey’s Farm Market and Greenhouses in Springville.

     A graduate of West Valley Central School, Harvey attended SUNY Cobleskill and Oswego State University. He is a life member of Salem Lutheran Church in Springville and a member of Erie County Farm Bureau, Erie County Cooperative Extension, a local committeeman for Agway and a former member and past president of the Gowanda Central School Board of Education.

     Married to the former Diane Baker, Harvey says his goal for the Town of Collins is to make town government more responsive to all of its citizens.

     Candidates for the two positions of councilmen are Harold “Skip” Rundle, a retired Erie County Deputy Sheriff, and Robert “Rob” Gaylord, former supervisor for the Town of Collins.

     Rundle, a 30-year resident of the Town of Collins, is a Vietnam veteran and a member of the Collins Center Fire Company, Collins Conservation Club and Collins Draft Horse, Pony and Ox Club.

     He and his late wife, Maggie, are parents of three children and eight grandchildren.

     Rundle is seeking to be a voice for the people of the Town of Collins helping to keep government in touch with the needs of its constituents.

     Gaylord, a lifelong resident of the Gowanda area, is a graduate of Gowanda Central School and Hamilton College. He has a long history of public service, beginning his tenure as Collins Town Supervisor at age 23 and ultimately serving 20 years, having been re-elected 10 times.

     Demands of his successful career in banking as well as the responsibility of raising teenagers led to his decision to leave the town position. He has remained very involved in community activities, including as co-chair of the Academy Place Advisory Committee, which is now leading a $10 million renovation of the former elementary school.

     Gaylord is president of the Collins Library Board of Trustees, vice president of the Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corporation, and is currently employed by HSBC Bank USA, NA. as a vice president and senior trust officer.

     He and his wife, Sandy, reside on Buffalo Street in Gowanda.

     Gaylord now runs for the seat of councilman on a platform of being an experienced choice, promising as before to be responsive, progressive and fiscally responsible.

     Also on the Democratic line is Francis “Joe” Gernatt, who is seeking re-election as highway superintendent. Gernatt, a lifelong resident of Collins, first took office in January 1992, following a lengthy career as a certified heavy-machine equipment operator in private industry.

     Since taking office, Gernatt has been active in improvements to the Collins Highway Department, continues to gain the most up-to-date information on all aspects of running a highway department through annual attendance at the Highway School at Ithaca College.

     A Vietnam war veteran, Gernatt is a life member of Gowanda VFW, a member of Collins Fire Department, Gowanda American Legion Post 409, the Gowanda Moose Club, the NRA, Collins Conservation Club and St. Joseph’s RC Church.

     He and his wife, Sandy, are parents of four grown children and grandparents to four.

     All are endorsed Democrat and Citizens 1st candidates.