Melvin J. “Mel” LeBar is seeking re-election as Persia town supervisor. He is endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties in his bid.

     “I feel that we have accomplished a great deal in the past few years and hope to have the opportunity to accomplish more as we move forward,” LeBar states. “We have rolled back taxes to 1996 levels by utilizing accrued funds. I feel strongly that the best use of those excess funds is to give them back to the taxpayers of our township. We have purchased a new backhoe for the highway department without increasing taxes and are currently looking at replacing windows in the town hall that are becoming unsightly. These are some of the solid accomplishments we have made, and given the opportunity, we will continue to build our town.”

     LeBar is currently employed by Gowanda Electronics as materials manager and has been with the company for many years in a variety of positions.

     One of his assignments has been to handle employee relations, and he says he feels his experience gives him a better insight in dealing with the public.

     He is on the board of directors of Gowanda American Legion Post 409 and in that capacity he directs the Boys’ State Program. This program sends six of the finest young men from the junior class of Gowanda High School to a week-long learning experience about the system of government and how it works.

     “We must continue to provide every opportunity to our youth, as they will become the leaders of our communities in the future,” LeBar comments.

     Currently serving on the board of directors for the Center Street School Project, which is being directed by the Healthy Community Alliance, LeBar hopes that this project will come to fruition as it will have many benefits for the community.

     A Vietnam era veteran, LeBar served four years of active duty in the United States Air Force.

     Additional memberships include the Gowanda Lions Club, where he served as president and deputy district governor; the United Torch Fund of Gowanda, where he served as president; and he currently serves as chairman of the payroll deduction program at Gowanda Electronics. Other affiliations include the American Production and Inventory Control Society; the Slovenian Club of Gowanda; Moose Lodge 1382; and a member of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church of Gowanda.

     “If re-elected, I pledge that we will continue our open forum at Town of Persia meetings,” LeBar says. “We will encourage input and suggestions from the town’s people and we will promote the Town of Persia as the township of choice in which to live and raise a family.”

     LeBar and his wife, Betty, reside on Broadway Road and are the parents of three grown daughters.