LEWISTON: Edwards won’t seek re-election

<table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
Niagara Gazette

June 18, 2009 06:15 pm

— Democratic Councilman Sean Edwards has announced he will not seek re-election in the Town of Lewiston this year.
The 49-year-old Edwards said he has decided to step away from politics and government after one term because he wants to devote more time to helping his wife run the family business in Buffalo.
“It came down to time management,” Edwards said. “I’ve just run out of time. Between my personal and business life, I’m very busy. (My wife) supported me 110 percent if I wanted to run again, but I want to help her more. I feel the job of councilman requires more time than I can give it.”
Edwards described his time on the council as “humbling,” saying he thought going into it that it would be easier to get more things accomplished. He said he is proud of the fact that he helped improve handicapped accessibility at Town Hall and is looking forward to similar improvements being done soon at the town’s library.
He said his biggest disappointment was being unable, despite several requests to state and federal officials, to develop a streetscape along Buffalo Street in Sanborn.
“I thought that I would go in like I do in the private sector and get a lot of things done,” Edwards said. “Unfortunately, government doesn’t allow that.”
Edwards said he was pleasantly surprised by the interaction among members of the town board and Supervisor Fred Newlin. He said he expected to encounter more partisan politics, but instead enjoyed a strong working relationship with all the council members, regardless of their party affiliation.
“We had debates, but they were good debates for the betterment of the community,” he said. “I mean that. It was a real team effort.”
Edwards said he looks forward to making another run at office, most likely in about eight years when he takes his planned retirement.
“If the residents would have me, I would love to,” he said. “I’d like to thank the residents for their support. It’s been an honor.”