POLITICS: Greer to challenge Maziarz

By Mark Scheer<br><a href="mailto:scheerm@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Mark</a>
Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS June 22, 2008 12:42 am

— By Mark Scheer
scheerm@gnnewspaper.com
A Niagara County Sheriff’s Department deputy who entertained the idea of becoming county sheriff is now poised to take on a tougher challenge — dethroning state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane.
Brian Grear scheduled a news conference for Monday in which he plans to formally announce his intention to face off against Maziarz this fall in a Republican primary for the 62nd Senate seat.
He is scheduled to discuss his decision at 11:30 a.m. Monday on talk show host Scott Leffler’s program “Dialogue” on WLVL 1340. Grear is expected to follow up his appearance on the show with a formal announcement at noon at the Niagara County Courthouse building in Lockport.
“Brian is going to announce that he’s going to run for the New York State Senate,” confirmed Grear’s campaign manager John Villella, who said more details would be made available during the news conference.
Grear had expressed interest in becoming the county’s next sheriff once incumbent Sheriff Thomas Beilein is confirmed as the chair of the state Commission on Corrections. An election will be held this fall to determine Beilein’s successor.
Grear and his supporters tried unsuccessfully last month to convince members of the
Niagara County Republican Committee to hold off on a formal endorsement of a candidate for the race until after Beilein’s nomination was confirmed. The committee chose to endorse Ernest Palmer, Niagara Falls chief of detectives and a Lewiston councilman.
Committee Chair Henry Wojtaszek told the Gazette Grear has a tough challenge ahead of him.
“Certainly anybody can run in any election they choose to, but I’m confident Sen. Maziarz will prevail,” Wojtaszek said. “He’s an outstanding senator and the hardest working senator in New York state.”
Maziarz could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Grear is not the first person to announce his interest in challenging Maziarz in the 62nd District, which includes most of Niagara County, all of Orleans County and a portion of Monroe County. Last month, North Tonawanda resident Don Hobel said he would pursue the Conservative and Democratic party nominations in the race.
Contact reporter Mark Scheer
at 282-2311, ext. 2250.