DeCarlo has a long record of community service, having been a member of the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years. He is currently fire commissioner for the village and served for nine years as president of the fire department. He is a member of the Cattaraugus County Hazardous Materials response team.

     He served 22 years on the village Planning Board and was formerly its chairman. He was a member of the Village Center Reinvestment (VCR) committee that brought new street lights and other streetscape improvements to the village last year, fully funded by a grant from the federal government. By using a variance for asbestos removal, he helped save village taxpayers $10,000 in demolition costs for the former Creekside Inn last year. He currently is urging a review of the village’s Urban Development Action Grant program for community development projects.

     Besides fire commissioner, DeCarlo’s board assignments include liaison to the Planning Board, Neighborhood Watch and Audit Control Officer.

     He holds an associate’s degree in mechanical technology from Jamestown Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

     DeCarlo is a waste management specialist at the West Valley Nuclear Fuel Services Center. His hobbies include auto racing, for which he earned an award at the 2005 Gowanda Area All-Sports Awards Dinner.

     An active member of St. Joseph’s Church, the Slovenian Club and Sons of the American Legion, Gowanda Post 409, DeCarlo is also the father of two grown sons, Joseph and Anthony.

     The village election takes place Tuesday, March 21 from noon until 9 p.m. at the village hall, 27 East Main.