Grand Island Town Council race is Island's most competitive

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

Grand Islanders have nine elective offices and two proposals on the ballot for Election Day, this Tuesday, Nov. 4.

But elections inspectors say plenty of people are taking advantage of early voting at the Welcome Center, 1999 Alvin Road. That option began Oct. 25 and continues through this Sunday.

The polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 31; they are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2. Voting hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day.

At the Welcome Center, elections inspector Linda Lichtenthal said turnout for early voting on Monday – the third day of early voting – was very steady right from noon on.

“We’ve had, pretty much, a steady line of people in and out, all day,” she said. “People have commented that it is convenient because we can take anybody from Erie County. They don’t have to live on Grand Island to vote here today in early voting.” On Election Day, people have to vote at their assigned polling place

Inspector Jeannine Fortunate said this year’s turnout has been far less than a year ago: “The last time (in November 2024), it was the presidential election, so they were lined up around the building.”

The most competitive race for Grand Islanders is that of council member. Voters will choose any two of the four candidates running for Town Board. The candidates, listed alphabetically, are Rhonda Diehl, on the Democratic and Conservative lines; incumbent Jose Garcia on the Republican and Conservative lines; Sherry Steffans on the Republican line; and Wayne West on the Democratic line.

Also generating great interest is the decision to say “yes” or “no” to the proposal for the town to issue bond financing of up to $10 million for a new Grand Island community center. (See related in today’s paper.)

Voters will also choose an Erie County legislator between two candidates: incumbent Michael Kooshoian on the Democratic and Conservative lines; and Stephen Monpremier on the Republican line.

They will choose from two candidates for Erie County comptroller: incumbent Kevin Hardwick on the Democratic and Working Families line; and Christine Czarnik on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Also on the ballot are six uncontested races, three of them local: James Sedita for Grand Island superintendent of highways; Mark Frentzel for Grand Island town justice; and John Garcia for Erie County sheriff.

Also uncontested are the races to select two justices for the 8^th Judicial District of the State Supreme Court; two candidates for two judge seats on the Erie County Court; and one candidate for Erie County Family Court judge.

•Diehl has been assistant to the town supervisor for six years. She has served on the Comprehensive Plan Review Board, the Rezoning and Community Relations committees, and chaired National Night Out this year. She helped develop the town’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. She said she actively pursues grants and other assistance to support community projects. She also said she is “a small business owner ready to protect and help you.”

•Garcia was elected to the Grand Island Town Board in the November 2024 special election and brings decades of law enforcement, leadership and small business experience to local government. Prior to public office, Garcia retired as a senior special agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, serving 29 years. “My goal is to serve with integrity, listen to the residents, and ensure we’re making smart, sustainable decisions that preserve the Island’s character while planning for its future,” Garcia said.

•Steffans has dedicated her life to serving others – as a nurse, Grand Island school board member and community leader. For over a decade, she has served others as an emergency department nurse, school nurse and travel nurse. Elected to the school board in 2021, Steffans has championed mental health, expanded counseling services and supported initiatives to improve student and staff wellness. She fought to reopen schools after COVID-19 and champions parental rights and fairness in education.

•West has served the community as an instructor, trainer and zone manager for the Western New York AARP driver safety program. He said that, as a real estate agent, he has gained extensive knowledge of the Grand Island community and its needs. West is a retired military officer with over 26 years of service. He has worked with nonprofit and community groups and has experience in corporate management. West said, “These times demand discipline, vision and leadership. If those values were already being represented, I wouldn’t be running.”