By Aaron Besecker/beseckera@gnnewspaper.com
Niagara Gazette
April 17, 2007 11:09 pm
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When the village polls open next month, voters will see one candidate’s name on the ballot for the 14th time.
Trustee Margaret Ann Hanson has served 13 terms — 26 years — in the village government.
As a Republican who received her party’s endorsement, Hanson is vying for one of two seats in the three-candidate race.
“When there comes a time when I feel like it’s a time to stop, I’m going to say it’s time to stop,” Hanson said.
A former teacher, Hanson is a Niagara Falls native and grew up on Long Island. She taught remedial reading in junior and senior high schools in Michigan and Indiana after graduating from Adrian College in Michigan.
She plans on retiring next month from her position as clerk for the Porter Justice Court, a job she’s held since she moved back to the area 29 years ago to raise her three children.
Hanson never went back to teaching, even though she took the court clerk job thinking she’d eventually make the jump back to the classroom.
“It was more important to parent,” said Hanson, 63.
If re-elected, she said she plans to continue working to draw a development of senior housing into the village.
Hanson has been involved in the annual community project of creating Christmas baskets for less fortunate families in the area.
She is also active in the Youngstown Presbyterian Church and the Youngstown Women’s Club.
After more than two decades of public office on the local level, she’s never had an inkling to run for a higher political office.
“I think you can be the most effective there, you’re closest to the people there,” she said.
Political newcomer Bill Oddy has received the Democratic Party endorsement in the race. Karl Bykowski received both the Democratic and Republican endorsements in his push for a trusteeship.
Mayor Neil Riordan is running unopposed for the village’s top job.
The village election will be held on May 15.
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