By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
SALAMANCA — Michael “Smitty” Smith, the former Salamanca mayor running for another term under the Salamanca Proud banner, provided city workers with a Labor Day lunch on Friday.
Smith is running against Mayor Sandra Magiera, who succeeded him in the office six years ago.
He spent Friday morning barbecuing 90 chicken quarters that were delivered to Salamanca City Hall in time for lunch. His brother Bill Smith and Dylan Hackett, a Salamanca Proud Party candidate for alderman in Ward 3, helped him watch over the chicken.
His wife Colleen prepared baked beans and salt potatoes and added a roll to the boxed lunches
I did this when I was mayor,” Smith recalled. “We were cooking out in front of City hall. “I called the department heads and asked how many employees they had and would it be OK to bring them the chicken lunches on Friday.
“It’s a Labor Day thank you to the city employees,” Smith said.
It’s also a reminder of the upcoming election, where Smith has a full slate of Salamanca Proud candidates for aldermen. “We’re proud of what we are and what we can be.”
The candidates are Jo-Ann Hoag, Ward 1; Brian Murphy, Ward 2; Hackett, Ward 3; Lee Deboy, Ward 4 and Zach Tucker, Ward 5.
“We’ve got some great ideas,” Smith said. “One is a plan to save our housing before it deteriorates. By using city workers, we can rebuild Salamanca one house at a time.”
As an example, Public Works employees could be hanging drywall in their downtime during winter months when they are not plowing snow, Smith said.
Smith, who was the city’s first Native mayor, is a former radio personality in Olean and Salamanca. Now retired, his schedule is diminished. He said is older and wiser and wants to help the city.
Smith spent two terms as mayor before stepping down six years ago. He endorsed Magiera, but has now soured on her administration.
“There’s a total lack of communication,” he said. “I call it comedic dysfunction. They are not united,” he said of the council. “It’s time for a change.”
Smith added, “Get registered to vote. Early voting starts next month.”
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