Current Allegany County Legislator Kevin LaForge has announced his bid for re-election. He is completing his second term representing District Four (Andover – Wellsville). During his tenure, LaForge has served as Chair of the Human Services Committee and the Allegany County Affordable Government Group while also serving on the Budget, Planning & Economic Development, Public Safety, and Ways & Means Committees. Mr. LaForge also serves on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Allegany County and the InterCounty Association of WNY. This year LaForge is serving as Vice-Chairman of the Allegany County Legislature. LaForge is a life-long Allegany County resident. He is a graduate of Wellsville High School and Alfred University. He earned a B.S. in Management and a B.A. in Public Administration. Kevin is best known for his role at K. S. LaForge Excavating and LaForge Disposal Services, locally owned and operated companies. Many people ask LaForge how he can find the time to do everything he does. Kevin responds, “I have great supervisors and employees. Several of them are in their third and even fourth decades with the company and, along with my very supportive wife, Ginny, make my public service commitment possible.”
Looking back, LaForge lists his involvement in the award of
a Land Bank for Allegany County from the NYS Attorney General as a substantial
accomplishment. The Land Bank is
currently being made fully functional under the Office of Planning and a
contract with ACCORD Corp. Also, a best
value purchasing law has been added to streamline the cumbersome process of
government acquisition.
Many people do not realize the actual “nuts and bolts” of
county government is conducted within the structure of the committee
system. I have always been, and will
continue to be, vocal in this process.
It saddens me that media coverage of Committee meetings is sporadic at
best.
If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I see the
greatest emphasis on continued efficiency and consolidation of government. While sharing services between county, town,
and village are already prevalent in Allegany County, strategies must be
implemented to expand this concept. We
must recognize that a system of government entities (county, town, and village)
that has existed since the early 1800’s may no longer be the most expedient way
to handle the people’s business.
I am very encouraged by the high level of participation in
the on-going government shared services initiative sponsored by the State
Executive Branch. This involves
participating Town Supervisors and Village Mayors, being facilitated by the
County Administrator and staff. It is my
hope to win re-election to be able to continue to be part of this process. I see streamlining of required government
services as the best path to an affordable level of taxation for Allegany
County residents.
You will find my name on the ballot in two locations; first
on line C as the candidate of the Conservative Party. Also, I appear on the Apolitical
(Independent) Line. I will hope for, and
will appreciate your votes on Tuesday, November 7, to continue to represent the
residents of Andover and Wellsville.
