Walsh, Evia face off in Tuesday primary
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

EVIA

BATH - The Town of Howard supervisor is challenging Legislator John Walsh for the Republican party endorsement for the Steuben County Legislature's District 7 seat.

Don Evia will face Walsh on Tuesday's ballot for the party's nomination.

Regardless of the outcome, both will face each other again on Nov. 6 since Evia is also endorsed by the Conservative Party and Walsh is an independent candidate.

Walsh, 67, was elected by a wide margin in 2003 and has served since then on the county Legislature's Finance, Public Safety and Corrections, and Administ ation committees.

He is th Legislature's liaison and chairman of the county Fireman's Advisory Board and serves on the local Cornell Cooperative Extension board.

Evia, 58, has been on the town board for the past 30 years and is serving His third, two-year term as supervisor. He is also running for re-election as town supervisor this year.

Evia served on the Avoca school board for 10 years and was school board president for nine years. He is a past member of the CCE board.

"I work well with people," Evia said. "There's always some merit to both sides. And I'm good at anticipating needs. I have a vision for the future and I set shortterm goals. I accomplished most of that."

WALSH

Walsh owns a potato farm, and h as worked with machinery throug out his career. He worked for Steuben County as a repair shop manager until the position was eliminated and unsuccessfully sued to be relocated. He also worked for SUNY Geneseo as head mechanic until his retirement four years ago.

"I think I have the ability to listen and try to come up with ways to make this a better county," Walsh said.

"And since I'm retired, I have the time to do that. I come to all the committee meetings, whether I'm assigned or not. I've learned a lot in four years."

With the critical shortage of volunteer emergency responders in the county, Walsh said one way to encourage recruits is to allow veteran fire and medical volunteers to buy their vehicles on state bid.

"I really don't see how this can lose," he said. "It doesn't cost the county anything. It doesn't cost the state anything. And it would really help our volunteers who use their personal vehicles at their own cost."

Evia said he would work to improve the local infrastructure.

"The county roads need to get an equal share of work," he said. "We all use the roads. That makes a difference, especially in the rural areas. It's critical."

Evia said he isn't afraid to voice his opinions, including one that the county Legislature should take a stand on wind farms.

"The county's going to make money on it, too," he said.