Donald McBrayer representing the town at a VFW Memorial Day Service
By John T. Ryan
Peru – Peru’s political scene has been relatively quiet for the past few years; however, an announcement this morning by incumbent Republican Town Councilman Donald McBrayer will undoubtedly enliven the November election. Citing his plan to eventually move to Phoenix, Arizona, McBrayer notified fellow town board members that he is withdrawing his candidacy for reelection. There is one complication. When McBrayer authored his message he believed he had until the September 12th primary to remove his name from the ballot. This morning Clinton County Election Commissioner Greg Campbell informed McBrayer that according to state regulation his declination had to have been filed no later than July 17th. McBrayer told the Gazette later today, “I’ll be on the ballot, but I’m not running. I’ll be informing people via social media.”
The remaining candidates for the two open town council positions include: incumbent Democrat James Douglass, Democrat Marque Moffett and Republican Melvin Irwin. Others could seek nomination on the Independence, Conservative and Working Families Party lines in the September 12th primary election.
Town Counselors Brandy McDonald and James Langley hold the other two counselor positions. They are in the second year of their 4-year term of office, but both men are seeking the town supervisor’s position. When one of them takes office on January 1, the town board can leave his town board position unfilled, call for a special election or appoint someone to the position.
McBrayer’s statement to the town board read:
I have decided not to run for Town Council for another term and I have signed a declination finalizing this decision.
This was not an easy decision, because I really do enjoy working with you all. Peru has a very dedicated team of officials and employees and I enjoy being a part of that team.
But, over the next couple years I will be away more and more as Kara and I work toward our eventual move to Phoenix. Our plan is to spend summers here and winters there. And though I will be around most of the time in the coming year or so, a four-year commitment is too long. Simply put, it is unfair for me to take taxpayer money to do a job when I know I would have to resign in a couple years.
I look forward to working with you all for the remainder of my term and am confident whoever replaces me will continue the dedicated work our town has come to expect from its board.
Comment from Sandra Gagnier
Time August 23, 2017 at 8:28 am
It will be sad to have Kara and Don move away from our community. I realize it will be up to two years before this is finalized, but this is a good place to thank you for your dedication to our town and church families. You will be missed. I’ll bet Karen is looking forward to you being there full time! Good luck and God bless.