Democrat Boyd seeks to retain his seat on Lewis Legislature

NEW BREMEN — The lone Democrat on the Lewis County Legislature plans to run for a fifth term this fall.

Legislator John O. Boyd, D-New Bremen, likely will have competition for the first time since his initial campaign in 2001.

Republican Thomas J. Schantz, Naumburg, who works at Kraft Foods in Lowville, said he is passing nominating petitions for the legislative seat in District 4, which encompasses the town of New Bremen and a small portion of eastern Lowville.

Mr. Boyd, a retired U.S. Postal Service worker, in November 2001 easily defeated Mr. Schantz and independent candidate Jacquelyn M. Powlin. He ran unopposed in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 elections.

"I hope the development of a public transportation system takes off, because, in the long run, the Office for the Aging and Department of Social Services will save money," Mr. Boyd said.

He also identified recreation as one of the county's biggest commodities.

Mr. Boyd, chairman of the legislative Courts and Law Committee, touted last year's boosting of the emergency radio system's output from 100 watts to 300 watts and purchase of an incident command trailer with federal funds.

He also suggested that the moe.down music festival in Turin be better regulated, that the county might need to take over animal control from the towns and that keeping the Croghan transfer site open was a positive move.

Mr. Boyd earlier this month cast the lone dissenting vote on a resolution authorizing Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions Inc. eventually to take over operation of the county Community Recovery Center. He said he did so out of concern for the five county employees there.

"The 2010 budget will be challenging due to the sagging revenues," he said.

Mr. Boyd has been a member of the New Bremen Volunteer Fire Department for 53 years and is the department's longtime treasurer. He also has been a member of the Croghan American Legion for 56 years and the Lowville Elks Lodge for 45 years and was a charter member of the Lewis County Marine Corps League.