GOWANDA — David Smith, a longtime educator in the village and a political newcomer, will be the next mayor of Gowanda after a sound victory Tuesday in village elections.
Smith, running on the Gowanda on the Move party line, defeated his opponent, Samuel Castellano of the Forward party, by a 361-98 tally. The two were running for the seat that will be vacated by Mayor Heather McKeever, who did not seek reelection.
On the village board, incumbents Carol A. Sheibley (Alliance) and Paul M. Zimmermann (Open Door) ran successfully for their seats in defeating challenger Jack T. Broyles (Public Rights). Sheibley earned 392 votes, Zimmermann had 318 and Broyles tallied 143.
Smith will become the village’s first known Seneca mayor; a similar feat was achieved in Salamanca by his brother, Mike “Smitty” Smith, on Election Day in November.
An active member of the Gowanda Free Methodist Church — as well as being a volunteer in the prison ministry at the Gowanda Correctional Facility — Smith was quick to give credit to God and to congratulate Castellano for running against him.
“I start out with the most important thing — I thank God,” said Smith. “His hand is in everything and tonight is no exception. I’m humbled and honored to receive this number of votes.”
Smith also congratulated Sheibley and Zimmermann on winning their seats and gave credit to Broyles for running for a seat on the village board.
A longtime administrator with the Gowanda Central School District, Smith said the mayor’s seat will be his first political office but that he views his experience as a positive aspect of his resume as he gets ready to lead the village.
“Sometimes no political experience can be a good thing because you’re coming in with fresh ideas and thoughts of village members in mind,” he said. “It’s time for me to open my ears, open my mind and open my heart to the village residents here in Gowanda.”
Smith said he has also already been in contact with McKeever, the village’s outgoing mayor, as the transition process begins.
A week before Smith takes office the first week of April, the village plans to host a special board meeting March 28 to present the proposed 2017-18 village budget. McKeever will lead that conversation, but will be handing the mayor’s position to Smith the following week.
Smith said although he hasn’t held village office before, he understands the budgetary concerns the village board has been working through.
“We need to be responsible with our finances,” he said. “Every penny counts. A large portion of our community is on a fixed income. As mayor it is my responsibility to be a steward of those public funds and be responsible for them.”
He also noted that it’s time to “rediscover Gowanda” and put more effort into marketing the area’s natural beauty and bringing people to Gowanda for tourism. A comprehensive flood mitigation plan also needs to be in place, a task currently being executed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Smith was born and raised in Humphrey, is a graduate of Ellicottville Central School and holds graduate degrees from St. Bonaventure University. He has spent 25 years in education, including 20 as a school administrator and five as a Spanish teacher. In July, he will begin his 15th year as an administrator at Gowanda Central School.
“Gowanda is filled with great people, but there has been division among those people over the years,” he admitted. “Now it’s time to bring people together, look at the ideas that are there. We might not always agreed, but if people feel like they are listened to, at least maybe we can come to some common ground on what is best for the village.”
